Why am I not able to view media files on my GoPro Hero 7 SD Card?

That’s a common question among GoPro users… and the short answer is:

“You are probably using the wrong SD Card and its speed ratings may not support demanding video recording like 4k”

To avoid this unpleasant situation make sure that you are using an SD card supported by GoPro Hero 7. In this article I’ve reviewed the most used memory cards for GoPro HERO 7 that work well with any video settings (including the demanding 4k at 60fps!).

Want to know more about memory cards for GoPro?

Check out the article where I explain 7 official GoPro recommended SD Cards in 2022.

What SD Card Class is required for GoPro Hero 7?

GoPro Hero 7 writes 4k video files onto the SD card at about 12MB/second while shooting. This means that you need an SD Card that can support the same writing speed. These cards fall into the V30 category, like detailed below:

Memory Card Type: MicroSD V30 (writing speed of 30MB/s) or V60
Memory Card Speed: UHS-1
Recommended Capacity: 32GB-64GB / SDHC or SDXC

Also check out: “Top 7 High-Speed GoPro Memory Cards of 2022” for more memory card reviews.

Best GoPro Hero 7 HD Card

Although lower classes SD cards could be used to record lower resolutions videos (eg. 720p), I still recommend you to get a compatible v30 class (or above) card for your GoPro Hero 7. This will prevent your GoPro from any data loss. And trust me, the last thing you’d want is to realize that you lost all your best memories captured with your camera. Those moments will never come back… so make sure you get the right SD card.

Here below you’ll find a review of the 5 GoPro compatible SD cards that work well with any GoPro video setting.

 

5 Best SD Cards for GoPro Hero 7


After experiencing lots of GoPro recommended SD Cards, these 5 are the best for GoPro Hero 7 among all. These SD Cards performed really well in all my GoPro projects.

#1: ADATA Premier ONE V90 4K 8K Ultra HD 275MB/s 

ADATA Premier ONE 128GB SDXC UHS-II U3 Class10 V90 3D NAND 4K 8K Ultra HD 275MB/s Micro SD Card with Adapter (AUSDX128GUII3CL10-CA1)
406 Reviews
ADATA Premier ONE 128GB SDXC UHS-II U3 Class10 V90 3D NAND 4K 8K Ultra HD 275MB/s Micro SD Card with Adapter (AUSDX128GUII3CL10-CA1)
  • Supports SD 4.0 UHS-II standard and latest V90 Video Speed Class.
  • Max Read up to 275MB/s, 3 times faster than UHS-I cards. *Max speeds only when paired...
  • Support Ultra HD 8K, 4K and 3D/VR

This is a premium quality product and it’s one of the best selling items. This meets the latest UHS-II technology (U3) standards which is 3 times faster than UHS-I. It’s ultra-fast read speed up to 275MB/s and write speed up to 115MB/s already taken the product to the apex of popularity. Customers are choosing this because of its high storage capacity and durability. It has successfully passed the standard waterproof, shake-proof, X-ray proof, and anti-static testing. This microSD can write 1000 images (4MB) within only 54.3 sec, which is really an appreciable performance.

This microSD is available in 64GB to 256GB capacity range and it’s compatible with GoPro Hero 7 (4k video). ADATA is providing this product with an SD Card adapter and also lifetime warranty feature is available with it.

#2: Samsung EVO Select 100MB/s (U3)

SAMSUNG (MB-ME128GA/AM) 128GB 100MB/s (U3) MicroSDXC EVO Select Memory Card with Full-Size Adapter
  • Ideal for recording 4K UHD video: Samsung MicroSD Evo is perfect for high-res photos,...
  • Durability rugged & lightweight; 2 meter drop test rated; IP54
  • Built to last reliability: Shock proof memory card is also water proof, temperature...

This is a GoPro suggested SD Card and it’s a popular one. It’s reliable and speedy at the same time. It can read and write up to 100MB/s and 90MB/s respectively. Also, this Samsung EVO is well-acknowledged for its durability. It’s waterproof certified and can survive in extreme temperatures too. Additionally, Samsung provides an SD Card adapter for laptops, and desktop computers uses. Samsung gives a 10-years of limited warranty facility. Good price point for its value.

#3: Lexar Professional 1000x 128GB V60

Lexar 128GB Professional 1066x SDXC Class 10 UHS-I Memory Card 2-Pack Bundle with Microfiber Cloth
404 Reviews
Lexar 128GB Professional 1066x SDXC Class 10 UHS-I Memory Card 2-Pack Bundle with Microfiber Cloth
  • LEXAR 128GB Professional 1066x SDXC Class 10 UHS-I Memory Card 2-Pack Bundle
  • FORM FACTOR: SDXC UHS-I Memory Card. STORAGE CAPACITY: 128 GB.
  • SPEED RATING: UHS-I / V30 / U3 / Class 10 - 1066x.

This professional SD Card is also using High-speed performance – leverages UHS-II technology (U3). It claims to write and read data at 150MB/s and 90MB/s respectively. Additionally, this is not only designed for UHS-II supported devices but also it runs well in UHS-I supported devices.

This product has gone through extensive testing in the Lexar Quality Labs to ensure quality, performance, compatibility, and reliability. Lexar is providing a lifetime limited warranty across the world.

#4: Lexar 1066x V30 UHS-I

SPECIAL SALE
Lexar Professional 1066x 256GB microSDXC UHS-I Card w/ SD Adapter, C10, U3, V30, A2, Full HD, 4K UHD, Up to 160MB/s Read, for Action Cameras, Drones, High-End Smartphones, Tablets (LMS1066256G-BNANU)
2,108 Reviews
Lexar Professional 1066x 256GB microSDXC UHS-I Card w/ SD Adapter, C10, U3, V30, A2, Full HD, 4K UHD, Up to 160MB/s Read, for Action Cameras, Drones, High-End Smartphones, Tablets (LMS1066256G-BNANU)
  • Professional-level performance for action cameras, drones, Android smartphones,...
  • Leverages UHS-I technology to deliver read speeds up to 160MB/s
  • Quickly capture high-quality images and extended lengths of Full-HD and 4K UHD with...

Lexar has been a top flash memory card maker for many years. A few years ago, they went through some changes and their cards were hard to find. But now that they are under new ownership, their cards seem to be more available. They have also made some changes to their lineups of microSD and SD cards.

When marketing their cards, Lexar has always put more emphasis on the read speeds of their cards–in this case, 1066x or up to 160MB/s (that’s the read speed; the rated write speed is up to 120MB/s)–but several of their cards have write speeds fast enough for GoPros shooting 4K and 5K video.

#5: Delkin Select V30 UHS-I

Delkin Devices 256GB Select microSDXC UHS-I (V30) Memory Card (DDMSDR500256)
  • Supports Full HD 1080p Video Recording
  • Time-Lapse, Photo-Burst, Protune & HDR Ready
  • Read/Write Speeds: 100/80 MB/s

Delkin Devices makes good memory cards. They have recently simplified their product lines to make it easier to understand the differences between the cards. The Select line is not as fast as their Power V90 line, but it is still a good choice for the HERO7 Black. This card is rated for V30 and has a UHS-I interface. It is available in sizes from 16GB up to 512GB and comes with an SD adapter.

3 Best micro SD Cards for GoPro Hero 5/6/7/8/9/10/11

FAQ’s – GoPro Hero 7 SD Card

1. What is the size limit of GoPro Hero 7 SD Card?

Latest GoPro models (including GoPro Hero 7) accept SDXC cards with a size limit up to 512MB. However, we always recommend to use GoPro compatible SD cards for best performance.

2. How to format GoPro Hero 7 SD Card?

Make sure you backed up all your valuable data before formatting the SD card. With your GoPro on, swipe down on the camera display to access the Dashboard. Then, tap Preferences > Reset > Format SD Card.

3. How to insert an SD Card into GoPro Hero 7?Open Latch to insert GoPro Hero 7 HD Card

a) Hold down the Latch Release button on the battery door, then slide to open.

Insert GoPro Hero 7 SD Card
b) With your camera off, insert the SD Card into the card slot with the label facing the battery component.

You can eject GoPro Hero 7 SD Card by pressing it into the slot with your fingernail when needed.

Want to know about how long can you film with your GoPro Hero 7 SD Card ?

Check out this article where you can learn about how long you can record with specific SD cards.

So, I hope that the list above will help you in choosing the best SD card for your GoPro Hero 7. You can use any of the SD cards from the list above as all of them work pretty well with the GoPro Hero 7. But, if you ask me which one would I recommend the most, I would say SanDisk Extreme PRO UHS-I Card. I’ve personally used it with my Hero 7 and found it to be fast and reliable, even when shooting at higher resolutions and fps. Also, as mentioned before, GoPro officially recommends this card in their “Works with GoPro” certification program.

However, keep one thing in mind: Don’t go for cheap memory cards available in the market. It might cost you dearly. And in worst case scenario, you may even end up losing your photos altogether!

 

Thanks for reading 🙂

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