When it comes to capturing high-quality photos and videos with your GoPro, choosing the right SD card is crucial. Not only do you need a card that is fast enough to keep up with the camera’s high-resolution capture, but you also need to consider the size of the card and how much storage it provides.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at GoPro SD card size and answer the question, “How long can it record?”
We’ll also provide some tips and recommendations for choosing the right SD card for your GoPro. Whether you’re an adventure seeker looking to capture all of your adventures or a content creator looking to up your video production game, this article has something for you.
Compatible microSD Card Sizes for Different GoPro Models
When it comes to recording high-quality video and photos with your GoPro camera, having the right microSD card is crucial. Different GoPro models have different requirements for microSD card size and speed, so it’s important to choose a card that is compatible with your camera to ensure optimal performance.
We’ll explore the compatible microSD card sizes for different GoPro models. Whether you have an older GoPro Hero or a newer GoPro Hero 11 we’ll provide you with the information you need to select the right microSD card for your camera.
First and foremost, you must bear in mind that all GoPro devices require a minimum of a Class 10 Storage Card. But Class 10 SD cards come in multiple storage sizes. Here’s the list of SD Card sizes compatible with different GoPro models.
SD Card Size for GoPro Hero 12 Black:
- SD Card Type: UHS-I or UHS-II microSD cards
- Recommended Capacity: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB or 1TB.
Find a list of the best SD Cards for Hero 12 here:Learn more: 7 Best SD Cards for GoPro HERO 12
Check out the best SD card size for your new GoPro Hero 12>>>
SD Card Size for GoPro Hero 11 Black
- GoPro recommends that you use a microSD card with a minimum of v30 or UHS-3 rating. It supports up to 1TB GB storage size.
Learn more: 7 Best SD Cards for GoPro Hero 11
SD Card Size for GoPro Hero 10 Black
- As for the GoPro HERO 11, the HERO 10 also needs a microSD Card with minimum of v30 or UHS-3 rating. But it supports up to 512 GB storage size.
Learn more: The Best Memory Cards for GoPro Hero 10 Black
SD Card Size for GoPro Hero 9 Black
- GoPro Hero 9 Black supports microSD cards of up to 512 GB storage size.
Learn more: The Best SD Cards for GoPro Hero 9
SD Card Size for GoPro Hero 8 Black & GoPro Max
- Both GoPro Hero 8 Black & GoPro Max support microSD cards of storage size up to 256 GB.
Learn more: The Best SD Cards for GoPro Hero 8
SD Card Size for GoPro Hero 7 Black / Silver / White
- You can use microSD cards up to 256GB with GoPro Hero 7 Black.
- The Silver and White variants of Hero 7 are compatible with cards only up to 128GB.
Learn more: 5 Best Memory Cards for GoPro Hero 7
SD Card Size for GoPro Hero (2018), Hero 6 Black, Hero 5 Black, Fusion, Hero 4 (Black & Silver) & Session Cameras
- All these GoPros: GoPro Hero (2018), Hero 6 Black, Hero 5 Black, Fusion, Hero 4 (Black & Silver) & Session support microSD cards with storage size up to 128GB.
SD Card Size for GoPro Hero 3, Hero 3+, Hero+ & Hero+ LCD
- MicroSD cards up to 64GB are compatible with GoPro Hero 3, Hero 3+, Hero+ & Hero+ LCD.
SD Card Size for GoPro Hero (2014) and older
- For GoPro Hero (2014) and older models, you can use microSD cards with storage size only up to 32GB.
Is 256 GB enough for a GoPro?
Yes, 256GB is usually more than enough storage capacity for most GoPro users. A 256GB SD card can store a considerable amount of high-quality video footage and photos, allowing you to capture your adventures without worrying about running out of storage space. However, the exact amount of footage that a 256GB SD card can store depends on several factors, including the video resolution, frame rate, and compression settings.
Higher video resolutions and frame rates will require more storage space, so it’s essential to check your GoPro’s settings and calculate the estimated storage requirements for your specific use case. Nonetheless, for most users, a 256GB SD card should provide ample storage capacity for their GoPro needs.
How To Choose The Right SD Card?
Here are some tips on how to choose the right SD card:
- Consider the capacity: The capacity of an SD card refers to the amount of storage space it has. When choosing an SD card, consider the storage capacity you require. If you’ll be recording high-definition videos or taking many high-resolution photos, you’ll need an SD card with a higher capacity.
- Check the speed class: The speed class of an SD card determines the minimum write speed for recording video. The higher the speed class, the faster the write speed, and the smoother your videos will be. For recording high-definition video, a speed class of 10 or above is recommended.
- Look for UHS support: Ultra High Speed (UHS) is a technology that allows for faster read and write speeds on SD cards. If your device supports UHS, look for a UHS-compatible SD card for optimal performance.
- Consider the brand: Choose a reputable brand when purchasing an SD card. Cheaper, lesser-known brands may not provide the same level of quality and reliability as top-tier brands.
- Check for compatibility: Ensure that the SD card you select is compatible with your device. Not all devices support all SD card types, so it’s important to double-check before purchasing.
- Think about the environment: If you plan to use your SD card in extreme environments, such as underwater or in extreme temperatures, consider getting an SD card with a rugged or waterproof design.
By considering these factors, you can choose the right SD card for your device and ensure that you have enough storage space and optimal performance for your recording needs.
GoPro Recommended SD Cards
Various considerations need to be taken into account when choosing the best microSD card to suit your needs, including: capacity, write speeds, reliability, and cost.
Capacity (or card type) includes two relevant options: SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) and SDXC (Secure Digital extended Capacity). The only major difference between the two is the 32GB threshold. SDHC cards are found in 32GB and lower capacity, and SDXC are typically 64GB and above.
Next, you need consider write speed or speed class of the microSD card for your GoPro. While GoPro recommends a minimum of Class 10, the newer Class 10 cards may also have a UHS (Ultra high Speed) or VSC (Video Speed Class) classification. However, these multiple ratings can prove to be a bit confusing.
In this video you can find my review of 3 recommended cards for GoPro:
So, here are the two micro SD cards that GoPro officially recommends for most GoPro HERO models:
SanDisk Extreme UHS-I microSD Card
- 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)
This one is our top recommended microSD card for GoPro! The SanDisk Extreme UHS-I microSD Card is the most popular microSD card out there for a reason. It’s a perfect choice for your GoPro Hero 9 action camera with its amazing write speeds of up to 90 MB/s and read speeds of up to 160 MB/s. With such speeds, you can easily capture Full HD, and 4K video, as well as raw and burst photography with your GoPro.
Available in 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 400GB, 512GB and 1TB sizes, the SanDisk Extreme microSD Card is ideal for recording extreme sports and other fast-action activities. GoPro themselves often bundle their cameras with SanDisk Extreme microSD card and sell it on their official website GoPro.com. The company also officially recommends this card in their “Works with GoPro” certification program.
SanDisk Extreme PRO UHS-I Card
- Save time transferring media with SanDisk QuickFlow Technology [64GB-1TB]
- Pair with the SanDisk Professional PRO-READER SD and microSD for speeds up to...
- Up to 140MB/s write speeds for fast continuous shots* [256GB-1TB] (Up to 90MB/s for...
The SanDisk Extreme Pro provides top notch read (up to 170 MB/s) and write speeds (up to 90MB/s), making it one of the fastest microSD cards around. That’s more than enough for burst mode photography, 4K video recording and many other great features of your GoPro. It comes in 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1 TB variants.
While you won’t be able to take full advantage of its speed even with the latest GoPro Hero 9, a lot of people like to use their cards in multiple devices. So, this microSD card will give you great performance in other cameras, drones or Android phones too.
Top 3 microSD cards for GoPro available on Amazon (they come in different sizes):
Number of Shots / Footage With Different SD Card Sizes
Here are the estimated number of photos/footage duration you can fit on various sizes of memory cards. Please note that these are just the estimates that can be useful as guides in order to let you have an idea of what to expect from each size variant.
How Long Can a 32GB SD Card Record?
- Number of Pictures: 12,157
- 5K (30fps) Video: 48 Mins
- 4K (60fps) Video: 48 Mins.
- 2.7K (120fps) Video: 48 Mins.
- 2.7K (60fps) Video: 1:00 Hr.
- 1080p (120fps) Video: 1:00 Hr.
- 1080p (60fps) Video: 1:19 Hrs.
- 720p (60fps) Video: 1:19 Hrs.
- 720p (50fps) Video: 1:55 Hrs.
For more info check out: How Many Pictures a 32gb SD Card CAN Hold (RAW + JPEG).
How Long Can a 64GB SD Card Record?
- Number of Pictures: 24,337
- 5K (30fps) Video: 1:37 Hrs.
- 4K (60fps) Video: 1:37 Hrs.
- 2.7K (120fps) Video: 1:37 Hrs.
- 2.7K (60fps) Video: 2:06 Hrs.
- 1080p (120fps) Video: 2:06 Hrs.
- 1080p (60fps) Video: 2:38 Hrs.
- 720p (60fps) Video: 2:38 Hrs.
- 720p (50fps) Video: 3:50 Hrs.
For more info check out: How Many Pictures a 64gb SD Card CAN Hold (RAW + JPEG).
How Long Can a 128GB SD Card Record?
- Number of Pictures: 48,960
- 5K (30fps) Video: 3:15 Hrs.
- 4K (60fps) Video: 3:15 Hrs.
- 2.7K (120fps) Video: 3:15 Hrs.
- 2.7K (60fps) Video: 4:02 Hrs.
- 1080p (120fps) Video: 4:02 Hrs.
- 1080p (60fps) Video: 5:18 Hrs.
- 720p (60fps) Video: 5:18 Hrs.
- 720p (50fps) Video: 7:43 Hrs.
For more info check out: How Many Pictures a 128gb SD Card CAN Hold (RAW + JPEG).
How Long Can a 256GB SD Card Record?
- Number of Pictures: 97920
- 5K (30fps) Video: 6:30 Hrs.
- 4K (60fps) Video: 6:30 Hrs.
- 2.7K (120fps) Video: 6:30 Hrs.
- 2.7K (60fps) Video: 8:00 Hrs.
- 1080p (120fps) Video: 8:00 Hrs.
- 1080p (60fps) Video: 10:36 Hrs.
- 720p (60fps) Video: 10:36 Hrs.
- 720p (50fps) Video: 15:26 Hrs.
For more info check out: How Many Pictures a 256gb SD Card CAN Hold (RAW + JPEG).
How Long Can a 512GB SD Card Record?
- Number of Pictures: 195840
- 5K (30fps) Video: 13:00 Hrs.
- 4K (60fps) Video: 13:00 Hrs.
- 2.7K (120fps) Video: 13:00 Hrs.
- 2.7K (60fps) Video: 16:00 Hrs.
- 1080p (120fps) Video: 16:00 Hrs.
- 1080p (60fps) Video: 21:12 Hrs.
- 720p (60fps) Video: 21:12 Hrs.
- 720p (50fps) Video: 30:52 Hrs.
How Long Can a 1TB SD Card Record?
- Number of Pictures: 391.680
- 5K (30fps) Video: 26 Hrs.
- 4K (60fps) Video: 26 Hrs.
- 2.7K (120fps) Video: 26 Hrs.
- 2.7K (60fps) Video: 32 Hrs.
- 1080p (120fps) Video: 32 Hrs.
- 1080p (60fps) Video: 42 Hrs.
- 720p (60fps) Video: 42 Hrs.
- 720p (50fps) Video: 1 Hr
Note: These are just the estimates that can be useful as guides to let you have an idea of what to expect from each size variant.
Final Words
I hope that this article answers your question: What SD card size is best for my GoPro? Short answer: it really depends on the model you’re using and the length of videos you are planning to record along with their resolution and frame rate. If you are NOT planning on recording long 4K videos, then 64GB or 128GB SD cards should be enough.
Consider buying an SD card with a larger storage capacity (eg. 256GB-512GB) if you don’t want to worry about running out of storage while you are filming. Here are 3 recommended SD cards for GoPro (ANY model):
Thanks for reading.
I hope this guide helped you learn about the GoPro SD Card sizes and how long can they record 🙂
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Related Articles:
- What Size SD Card is Best for GoPro? (Size, Capacity, Type)
- Best Memory Cards for (ANY) GoPro HERO cameras
- 10 Best SD Cards for GoPro Hero 11
- 10 Best SD Cards for GoPro Hero 10
- 10 Best SD Cards for GoPro Hero 9
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