 You recently purchased a camera or the latest mobile phone and you decided to expand the storage to save more pictures and videos. But you don't have any idea what type of SD Card to Buy.Â
Buying an SD card can be a little bit confusing sometimes especially if you are not familiar with the different types of SD cards available on the market. There are many stories that we heard that after purchasing the SD card and inserting them, it cannot be read by their device. With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to determine which one is right for your needs. Before making a purchase, there are several important factors you should consider.
In this article, we prepared a list of factors to consider before making a purchase of an SD Card.Â
1. Capacity
One of the most important things to consider when buying an SD card is capacity. The capacity determines the amount of storage space available on the card. You should choose a capacity that meets your needs, whether you plan to use the card to store photos, videos, music, or any other type of data. But before buying a higher-capacity of SD Card make sure that it is supported by your device. The device sometimes is limited to a certain maximum capacity based on size.
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2. Speed Class
SD cards have different speed class ratings which indicate the minimum write speed. The speed class is important for applications that require fast write speeds, such as recording full-HD video. Look for a card with a Class 10 rating if you plan to use it for this type of application.
Speed Classes:
- Class 2: Minimum sustained write speed of 2 MB/s.
- Class 4: Minimum sustained write speed of 4 MB/s.
- Class 6: Minimum sustained write speed of 6 MB/s.
- Class 10: Minimum sustained write speed of 10 MB/s.
The class rating indicates the minimum sustained write speed in megabytes per second. For example, a Class 10 card has a minimum sustained write speed of 10 MB/s. Class ratings are crucial for tasks like recording high-definition videos or capturing rapid sequences of high-resolution images.
4K videos are pretty normal these days, mobile phone cameras can capture high-resolution videos. If you plan to use your SD card for recording 4K video, you should look for a UHS (Ultra High Speed) card. UHS cards are designed for applications that require high read and write speeds, such as capturing fast-moving images. UHS-I and UHS-II are the two main types of UHS cards, and they have different speeds and capabilities.
3. Size
Before buying SD Card make sure to check your device what size of SD Card it accommodates. Because SD cards come in different sizes, including standard, mini, and micro. Make sure you choose a card that is compatible with your device and takes into account any physical limitations that may affect the size of the card you can use.Â
Below are some of the different size categories of SD Card:
a. Standard Capacity (SDSC):
- These are the older, lower-capacity SD cards.
- Capacities typically range from 1 MB to 2 GB.
- Less common in modern devices due to their limited storage.
b. High Capacity (SDHC):
- Introduced to address the need for higher capacities.
- Capacities range from 4 GB to 32 GB.
- SDHC cards use the FAT32 file system.
c. Extended Capacity (SDXC):
- Offers even higher capacities than SDHC.
- Capacities range from 64 GB to 2 TB (theoretical maximum).
- SDXC cards use the exFAT file system.
d. SDUC (SD Ultra Capacity):
- A newer standard was introduced to support capacities beyond 2 TB.
- As of my knowledge cutoff in January 2022, SDUC cards were not yet widely available, and the theoretical maximum capacity was set at 128 TB.
4. Brand
When it comes to buying SD cards, a brand is an important consideration to look for. Brands define the reputation of the product they produce and release to the market. Look for well-established brands that have a good reputation for producing reliable and high-quality products. Some of the most popular brands include SanDisk, Kingston, Samsung, and Lexar.
5. PriceÂ
One of the major factors when deciding what SD Card to buy is its price. The price of an SD card can vary greatly depending on the capacity, speed, and brand. Although some of us might be tempted to select the cheapest, keep in mind that the quality of the card can also vary greatly. You may want to consider spending a little extra for a card from a reputable brand that will last longer and provide better performance.
6. Warranty
Factory defects can happen to any electronic device and SD card is not exempted from this. That is why it is important to consider the warranty offered by the manufacturer. A warranty can provide peace of mind in the event that the card fails, and can be an important factor when choosing between different brands and models.
In summary, SD cards are a valuable piece of technology that expands the storage capacity of your electronic device. When purchasing one make sure to don't look for the price, instead also consider other factors to make the best decision.Â
