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 (UHS-I microSD card) 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.
It is important to use a high-quality, fast microSD card to ensure smooth recording and avoid potential issues like dropped frames or data corruption
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 your: 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.
Why Does My GoPro Hero 3 Say No SD?
If your GoPro Hero 3 says “No SD”, it means that it is not able to detect an SD card in the camera. Here are a few possible reasons why this may be happening:
- The SD card is not inserted correctly: Make sure the SD card is properly inserted into the camera. Check that it is not loose and fully seated in the card slot.
- The SD card is corrupted or damaged: If the SD card has been used frequently or is old, it may become corrupted or damaged, which can cause the camera to be unable to detect it. Try using a different SD card or formatting the SD card on your computer (read below steps to format your SD Card).
- The SD card is not compatible with your GoPro: Make sure the SD card you are using is compatible with your GoPro Hero 3. Check the recommended SD card list for your specific GoPro model.
- The SD card slot or camera is damaged: If the SD card is correctly inserted and it still says “No SD”, it is possible that the camera or SD card slot is damaged. Try using a different SD card or contacting GoPro support for further assistance.
In general, it’s important to use high-quality SD cards that are compatible with your GoPro Hero 3 and to keep them properly maintained to avoid any potential issues.
How to Format Your SD Card Before Its Usage?
Formatting your SD card is an important step to take before using it, as it prepares the card for use and helps to ensure optimal performance. When an SD card is formatted, it erases all data and sets up the file system that will be used to store new data. This means that formatting a new SD card before use will help to prevent errors and glitches that may occur during recording. It also helps to reduce the risk of data corruption, which can cause lost footage or images.
Additionally, formatting your SD card can help to free up space on the card, which is important if you plan to record long videos or take many photos. In short, formatting your SD card before using it is a simple and important step to help ensure that you get the best possible performance from your camera or other device.
Here are the steps to format your SD card before using it in your GoPro Hero 3:
- Insert your microSD card into your computer using an SD card adapter or microSD to USB adapter.
- Open the File Explorer or Finder and locate your microSD card.
- Copy any important files from the microSD card to your computer or an external hard drive, if necessary.
- Right-click on the microSD card and select “Format”.
- Choose the “FAT32” file system if it is not already selected.
- Choose “Quick Format” and click “Start”.
- Wait for the format process to complete. This may take a few minutes.
- Eject the microSD card safely from your computer.
- Insert the microSD card into your GoPro Hero 3 and turn on the camera.
- The camera will automatically recognize the microSD card and prompt you to format it. Follow the on-screen instructions to format the microSD card using your GoPro camera.
Note: Formatting the microSD card will erase all data on the card, so be sure to backup any important files before formatting.
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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