All the GoPro HERO 3 variants – Black, Silver and White – are capable of shooting high resolution videos and photos. These cameras also have an advanced ProTune mode which records data at a higher bit-rate speed. So, to shoot such high quality footage with high bitrates, you need a memory card that can store large amounts of data quickly.
Therefore, your old SD card may not properly work well with the GoPro HERO 3. What you need is a sd card that is compatible with GoPro Hero 3. So, to clarify any confusion, here I’ve created a review of the 5 best SD cards for the GoPro HERO 3 camera.
GoPro HERO 3 SD Card Specifications
Before proceeding further, let’s first discuss the specifications of the SD cards compatible with all variants of GoPro HERO 3. This camera uses a microSD card that’s rated for video recording speed Class 10 or higher. However, you must note that not all Class 10 cards work well with this camera. This is because there’s no uniformity in the actual speed provided by the Class 10 SD cards of different brands. That’s why the list given in the next section will come in handy for you to make a buying decision.
What SD card size to use with GoPro HERO 3?
You can use microSD cards with size up to 64GB with the GoPro HERO 3 camera.
Does GoPro HERO 3 come with an SD card?
No, the GoPro HERO 3 camera doesn’t usually come with an SD card as standard. However, you may – sometimes – come across a camera + SD card bundle deal from certain retailers for a limited period.
Do you want to know more about you GoPro and set it up well?
Find here manuals for you GoPro Hero 3 Black, GoPro Hero 3 Silver, GoPro Hero 3 White, GoPro Hero 3 Plus Black, GoPro Hero 3 Plus Silver.
Top 5 Recommended SD Cards for GoPro HERO 3
#1. SanDisk Extreme PRO UHS-I micro SD Card
- Brand: SanDisk
- Speed Class: UHS-I (U3), Class 10, V30
- Maximum Read Speed: 170MB/s
- Maximum Write Speed: 90MB/s
- Storage Capacity: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
- You can be confident in the good quality, performance and reliability of every...
- Unique, sleek design for the modern home
- With these speeds you can be sure that every transfer or save will end faster than...
Amongst the highest rated UHS-I micro SD cards by SanDisk, the Extreme PRO microSD Card provides top-notch read (up to 170 MB/s) and write speeds (up to 90MB/s). These speeds are ideal for recording high-bitrate videos and burst-mode photos and with the HERO 3 action camera.
The SanDisk Extreme PRO microSD card is also one of my personal favourites owing to its reputed brand, easy availability, speed and reliability. It comes in 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1 TB variants.
#2. SanDisk Extreme UHS-I micro SD Card
- Brand: SanDisk
- Speed Class: UHS-I (U3), Class 10, V30
- Maximum Read Speed: 160MB/s
- Maximum Write Speed: 90MB/s
- Storage Capacity: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 400GB, 512GB, 1TB
- Up to 160MB/s read speeds to save time transferring high res images and 4K UHD...
- Up to 90MB/s write speeds for fast shooting; Requires compatible devices capable of...
- 4K UHD and Full HD Ready with UHS speed class 3 (U3) and video speed class 30 (V30)
Another popular microSD card by SanDisk, the Extreme UHS-I microSD card also provides amazing write speeds (up to 90 MB/s) and read speeds (up to 160 MB/s). With this memory card in the GoPro HERO 3, you can conveniently record high-quality, uninterrupted footage and burst-mode pictures.
The SanDisk Extreme microSD card is available in 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 400GB, 512GB and 1TB sizes. It is also recommended by GoPro in their “Works with GoPro” certification program.
#3. Samsung EVO Select UHS-I micro SD Card
- Brand: Samsung
- Speed Class: UHS-I (U3), Class 10, V30
- Maximum Read Speed: 100MB/s
- Maximum Write Speed: 90MB/s
- Storage Capacity: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
- Ideal for recording 4K UHD video: Samsung MicroSD Evo is perfect for high res photos,...
- Enhanced read write speeds: Sequential read and write performance levels of up to...
- Built to last reliability: Shock proof memory card is also water proof, temperature...
Another incredibly great option for all variants of the GoPro HERO 3 camera, the Samsung EVO Select micro SD Card offers wonderful read speeds (up to 100MB/s) and write speeds (up to 90MB/s). This Samsung brand microSD card is one of the bestselling micro SD cards on Amazon.
Ideal for capturing high-quality photos and videos and keeping your memories safe, the Samsung EVO Select microSD card is available in 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB and 512GB sizes.
#4. Lexar 1000x UHS-II micro SD Card
- Brand: Lexar
- Speed Class: UHS-II (U3), Class 10, V60
- Maximum Read Speed: 150MB/s
- Maximum Write Speed: 90MB/s
- Storage Capacity: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB
- High-speed performance—leverages UHS-II technology (U3) for a read transfer speed...
- Premium memory solution for sports camcorders, tablets, and smartphones
- Designed for high-speed capture of high-quality images and extended lengths of 1080p...
Lexar – one of the top makers of memory cards – has come up with an amazing 1000x (which equates to 150MB/s read speeds) microSD card. The card also boasts an impressive write speed of up to 90 MB/s. Therefore, it’s great for shooting 4K video and burst-photos with the GoPro HERO 3 camera.
The Lexar 1000x UHS-II micro SD Card comes in 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB versions and also includes a USB thumb drive card reader.
#5. Delkin Select V30 UHS-I micro SD Card
- Brand: Delkin Devices
- Speed Class: UHS-I (U3), Class 10, V30
- Maximum Read Speed: 100MB/s
- Maximum Write Speed: 80MB/s
- Storage Capacity: 16 GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
- Supports Full HD 1080p Video Recording
- Time-Lapse, Photo-Burst, Protune & HDR Ready
- Read/Write Speeds: 100/80 MB/s
The Delkin Select micro SD Card is a superb choice for the GoPro HERO 3 camera. With amazing read speeds of up to 100 MB/s and write speeds of up to 80 MB/s, this microSD card lets you shoot high bitrate videos or burst pictures smoothly.
In addition to being super-fast, the Delkin Select microSD card is highly cost-effective as well. It is available in sizes ranging from 16GB through 512GB.
What SD Card is Better For Hero 3?
All memory cards mentioned in the above list are some of the best ones available for the GoPro HERO 3 camera. So, choose according to your own brand preference and availability in your location. That said, my personal favourite is the SanDisk Extreme PRO (as I’ve mentioned before).
Before using any memory card with your GoPro camera, don’t forget to format it first to avoid any unforeseen problems. Also, it’s a good practice to reformat it in the camera regularly so that it always has space when you need it. I, personally, format my microSD card immediately after downloading my videos/photos from the camera to my computer. To format the memory card in camera, go to Settings > Delete All. To know all the ways to format your Hero 3 SD Card read this article: [3 Ways] How to Format Your GoPro Memory Cards.
Last, but not the least, always buy the microSD card of your choice from a reputed retailer – online or offline – to avoid encountering an unpleasant situation where you’ve ended up with a counterfeit memory card.
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