An ideal entry level DSLR camera for beginners, the Nikon D3300 provides great video quality and sharp image features. But if the SD card you use with it isn’t fast enough, chances are that you’ll face trouble while capturing images or recording videos.

In this article, you’ll find all you need to know about the Nikon D3300 SD cards.

I’ll provide you the detailed specifications of SD cards compatible with this camera, along with the list of Top 7 Nikon D3300 SD cards. 

 

Memory Card Specifications for Nikon D3300


According to Nikon’s own guidelines, the Nikon D3300 DSLR camera is programmed to accept SD, SDHC and SDXC cards with an SD Speed Class rating of 6 or faster.

Do you wonder how do SD Cards work?

Check out this article!

However, I always recommend to use SD cards of at least class 10 to avoid potential data transfer issues. If you are planning to shoot videos, a fast SD card is a must. This is because while recording video, your camera needs to write a lot of data to the card quickly. So, in case your card isn’t fast enough, the recording is going to stop.

These days it’s pretty easy to find Class 10 SD cards, as almost every other card with a decent storage size is of this speed level.

Size-wise, I’d recommend memory cards of at least 16gb. Better if 32GB or 64GB since the D3300 shoots photos at 24 MP, so they won’t be so small in size.

You can compare these 2 size capacities in the following articles:

Nikon D3300

Can a Nikon D3300 Handle a 256GB (or above) SD Card?

Nikon officially approves SD cards only up to 128GB in size for the Nikon D3300.

To know how many pictures your 128GB SD Card can hold click here

How to Format Nikon D3300 SD Card – in Camera?

Here are the steps to format the SD card in the Nikon D3300:

  1. Click on Menu.
  2. Scroll down to the Setup menu by pressing the Down arrow.
  3. In the Setup Menu, Scroll down to Format Memory Card option, select Yes and click OK.

Once the SD card is formatted, you’ll get a prompt on screen ‘Folder Contains No Images’.

For making space in the SD card, to start a new project or to restore a faulty card you’ll need to format your SD Card with a software.  Learn how to format your Memory Card with software here!

 

7 Best SD Cards for Nikon D3300


Let’s look at the 7 best SD memory cards for Nikon D3300.

SanDisk Extreme PRO UHS-I SD Card 170MB/s

  • 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
[Older Version] SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Card - C10, U3, V30, 4K UHD, SD Card - SDSDXXY-128G-GN4IN
  • This version has been discontinued by manufacturer
  • Shot speeds up to 90MB/s, transfer speeds up to 170MB/s [requires a compatible device...
  • Based on internal testing; Performance may be lower depending upon host device,...

The SanDisk Extreme Pro provides amazing read (up to 170 MB/s) and write speeds (up to 90MB/s). That’s more than enough for the Nikon D3300 and makes this SD card perfect for everything – be it burst mode photography or 4K video recording. It comes in 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1 TB variants.

The SanDisk Extreme Pro SD card is ideal for professionals recording extreme sports and other fast-action activities, because you can rely on its uncompromising performance without dropping frames.

SanDisk Extreme V30 UHS-I SD Card

  • Brand: SanDisk
  • Speed Class: UHS-I (U3), Class 10, V30
  • Maximum Read Speed: 150MB/s
  • Maximum Write Speed: 70MB/s
  • Storage Capacity: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 400GB, 512GB, 1TB
SanDisk 128GB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter - Up to 160MB/s, C10, U3, V30, 4K, A2, Micro SD - SDSQXA1-128G-GN6MA
  • Up to 160MB/s read speeds to save time transferring high res images and 4K UHD videos...
  • 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 is one of my personal favourites in this list! The SanDisk Extreme UHS-I SD Card is the most popular microSD card out there for a reason. It’s a perfect choice for the Nikon D3300 camera with its amazing write speeds of up to 70 MB/s and read speeds of up to 150 MB/s. With such speeds, you can easily capture uninterrupted Full HD and 4K videos, as well as raw and burst mode (continuous shooting mode) photography with your DSLR.

Available in 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 400GB, 512GB and 1TB sizes, the SanDisk Extreme SD Card is ideal for recording extreme sports and other fast-action activities. It is temperature-proof, waterproof, shock-proof, and x-ray-proof.

Lexar Professional 633x UHS-I

  • Brand: Lexar
  • Speed Class: UHS-I (U3), Class 10, V30
  • Maximum Read Speed: 170MB/s
  • Maximum Write Speed: 60MB/s
  • Storage Capacity: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Lexar High-Performance 633x 128GB microSDXC UHS-I Card with SD Adapter, C10, U3, V30, A1, Full-HD & 4K Video, Up To 100MB/s Read, for Smartphones, Tablets, and Action Cameras (LSDMI128BBNL633A)
  • Premium memory solution for smartphones, tablets, or action cameras
  • Quickly captures, plays back, and transfers media files, including 1080p full-HD, 3D,...
  • Leverages UHS-I technology for a transfer speed up to 95MB/s

Cheaper than the model above, The Lexar Professional 633x is capable of providing similar (up to 170 MB/s) read speeds! The writing speed is also pretty decent at around 60 MB/s. To top it up, Lexar also gives you the code to download their Imaging Rescue software; so, you don’t need to worry about accidentally losing your precious clicks.

The Lexar Professional 633x SD card comes in multiple sized variants: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB.

Transcend TS64GSDC500S-E UHS-I U3

  • Brand: Transcend
  • Speed Class: UHS-I (U3), Class 10, V30
  • Maximum Read Speed: 95MB/s
  • Maximum Write Speed: 60MB/s
  • Storage Capacity: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB
Transcend TS64GSDC500S-E 64GB SDXC Class 10 UHS-1 U3 V30 MLC Memory Card
  • Compliant with UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and UHS Video Speed Class 30 (V30) standards
  • Up to 256GB storage capacity
  • Up to 95 MB/s read; 60 MB/s write

This SD card from Transcend is one of the most affordable options on our list! But it doesn’t mean that you’ll have to compromise on features or speed. The Transcend TS64GSDC500S-E SD Card’s read speed goes up to 95 MB/s, while for writing the maximum is 60MB/s. It comes in 16GB through 256GB sizes.

What’s more: You also get the option of downloading Transcend’s free image recovery softwareRecoveRx which works pretty good in most cases.

Sony Class 10 UHS-1/U3 SD Card

  • Brand: Sony
  • Speed Class: UHS-I (U3), Class 10, V30
  • Maximum Read Speed: 94MB/s
  • Maximum Write Speed: 70MB/s
  • Storage Capacity: 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB
Sony 128GB Class 10 UHS-1/U3 SDXC up to 94MB/s Memory Card (SFG1UX2/TQ)[NEWEST VERSION]
  • Up to 94 MB/s transfer speed and up to 70MB/s write speed
  • Designed for the photographer /videographer who requires 4K video shooting, high...
  • File Rescue downloadable software helps recover photos and videos that have been...

Sony memory cards are very good, which really shouldn’t come as much of a surprise! The Sony Class 10 UHS-1/U3 SD Card is a high-speed memory card recommended for continuous shooting with DSLRs like the Nikon D3300. With up to 94 MB/s transfer speed and up to 70MB/s write speed, this card designed for photo enthusiasts and advanced shooters to capture the moment as it happens. Thanks to its U3 speed class rating, minimum write speeds are guaranteed not to drop below 30 MB/s, which makes it an excellent choice!

This SD card is available in 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB and 256GB storage size variants. One minor drawback of this product is that it isn’t as readily available as some other brands.

Delkin Devices Advantage UHS-I (V30) SD Card

  • Brand: Delkin Devices
  • Speed Class: Class 10
  • Maximum Read Speed: 100MB/s
  • Maximum Write Speed: 80MB/s
  • Storage Capacity: 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Delkin Devices 128GB Advantage SDXC Memory Card UHS-I (U3/V30) - High Speed SD Card 128GB for Cameras | Memory Cards for Cameras with 4K UHD, Full HD, Shock/Water/X-Ray Proof
  • Unmatched Speed: Achieve impressive data transfer rates up to 100MB/s read and 80MB/s...
  • Optimized for Professionals: Designed with professional photographers and...
  • Reliable Performance: Certified with Video Speed Class V30 for a minimum sustained...

The Delkin Devices Advantage SD card is rated to V30 and has a UHS-I interface. With Read/Write Speeds: 100/80 MB/s (respectively), it supports 4K & Full HD 1080p Video recording at high frame rates. It currently comes in sizes ranging from 8GB up to 512GB.

This card is a great choice because it’s super reliable and is Water/Shock/X-Ray Proof.

 

Which SD Card Would You Choose?


If you want to opt for an SD card that’s top notch and number one in Nikon’s recommendations, you must go for the SanDisk Extreme or Sandisk Extreme PRO. These cards are simply the best and the most popular SD cards for DSLRs in general. For those who are looking for lower priced SD cards, the options from Transcend and Kingston are great ones. Despite being inexpensive, these cards don’t compromise on any front.

Lastly, I’d say that you can choose any of the SD cards from the list above for your D3300. But never go for cheap, unauthentic memory cards available in the market because a bad memory card will slow down your ability to use your DSLR to its full potential.

 

Thanks for reading!

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