If you own a Nikon D3500 DSLR, you’re probably aware that it doesn’t come with an SD memory card as standard. This means you’ll need to purchase one separately for your DSLR.

The Nikon D3500 has one SD card slot that accepts both SDHC and SDXC cards. Both types are great, as they offer ample storage and are quite affordable.

In this article, you’ll discover the best SD cards for the D3500, including their specifications, how to format an SD card, and whether you can use a microSD card with your DSLR camera.

 

Top 7 Nikon D3500 SD Cards


Looking for the best SD card for your Nikon D3500? Here are the top 7 SD cards that we recommend for the Nikon D3500 DSLR.

SanDisk Extreme PRO UHS-I Card 170MB/s

  • Brand: SanDisk
  • Memory Type: SDXC
  • Speed Class: Class 10
  • Storage Capacity: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
SPECIAL SALE
[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,...

Our top pick – The SanDisk Extreme Pro is inexpensive and provides amazing read (up to 170 MB/s) and write speeds (up to 90MB/s), making it the fastest one on our list. That’s more than enough for the D3500 and makes this SD card perfect for everything, be it burst mode photography or 4K video recording. It comes in 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1 TB variants.

This 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.

Lexar Professional 633x UHS-I

  • Brand: Lexar
  • Memory Type: SDXC
  • Speed Class: Class 10
  • Storage Capacity: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Lexar High-Performance 633x 256GB microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with SD Adapter
  • Lexar BLUE Series High-Performance 633x 256GB UHS-I microSDXC Memory Card - SD...
  • Premium memory solution for smartphones, tablets, or action cameras
  • Quickly captures, plays back, and transfers media files, including 1080p full-HD, 3D,...

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, although it doesn’t quite reach the SanDisk’s 90MB/s. But this difference in writing speed would hardly be noticeable with D3500, as the DSLR itself isn’t very quick when it comes to burst mode or 4K shooting.

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 card comes in multiple sized variants: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB.

Transcend TS64GSDC500S-E UHS-I U3

  • Brand: Transcend
  • Memory Type: SDXC
  • Speed Class: Class 10
  • 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.

Delkin Devices Advantage UHS-I (V30)

  • Brand: Delkin
  • Memory Type: SDXC
  • Speed Class: Class 10
  • Storage Capacity: 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Delkin Devices 128GB Advantage SDXC UHS-I (V30) Memory Card (DDSDW633128G)
  • Supports 4K & Full HD 1080p Video Recording at High Frame Rates
  • RAW Continuous-Shooting Approved
  • Read/Write Speeds: 100/80 MB/s

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 from 8GB up to 512GB.

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

PNY Elite Performance UHS-I (V30)

  • Brand: PNY
  • Memory Type: SDXC
  • Speed Class: Class 10
  • Storage Capacity: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
PNY 256GB Elite-X Class 10 U3 V30 SDXC Flash Memory Card - 100MB/s, Class 10, U3, V30, 4K UHD, Full HD, UHS-I, Full Size SD
6,071 Reviews
PNY 256GB Elite-X Class 10 U3 V30 SDXC Flash Memory Card - 100MB/s, Class 10, U3, V30, 4K UHD, Full HD, UHS-I, Full Size SD
  • Class 10 U3 V30 speed rating with read speeds up to 100MB/s
  • Class 10 U3 V30 rating delivers speed and performance for burst mode HD photography...
  • Ideal for photography and videography enthusiasts and for recording and transferring...

PNY isn’t a very well-known brand, but they make very superb quality memory cards that are extremely competitively priced and provide great value for your bucks. With read speeds up to 100MB/s, it’s ideal for photography and videography enthusiasts. The V30 speed rating delivers awesome speed and performance for burst mode HD photography and 4K Ultra HD videography, making it a perfect companion of your D3500.

The PNY Elite Performance is a sturdy SD Card that’s magnet-proof, shock-proof, temperature-proof and waterproof. It’s is available in sizes ranging from 64GB through 512GB.

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
SPECIAL SALE
SanDisk 256GB Extreme SDXC UHS-I Memory Card - 150MB/s, C10, U3, V30, 4K UHD, SD Card - SDSDXV5-256G-GNCIN
37,786 Reviews
SanDisk 256GB Extreme SDXC UHS-I Memory Card - 150MB/s, C10, U3, V30, 4K UHD, SD Card - SDSDXV5-256G-GNCIN
  • Shot speeds up to 70MB/s, transfer speeds up to 150MB/s requires compatible devices...
  • Perfect for shooting 4K UHD video(1) and sequential burst mode photography (1)Full HD...
  • Capture uninterrupted video with UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and Video Speed Class 30...

One of the top picks on this list is the SanDisk Extreme UHS-I SD Card. It’s a personal favorite for many, and it’s not hard to see why. The SanDisk Extreme UHS-I SD Card is the most popular microSD card for a reason. It’s an excellent choice for the Nikon D3500 camera, boasting impressive write speeds of up to 70 MB/s and read speeds of up to 150 MB/s. With such speeds, you can capture uninterrupted Full HD and 4K videos, as well as raw and burst mode photography with your DSLR.

The SanDisk Extreme SD Card comes in various sizes ranging from 32GB to 1TB, making it suitable for recording extreme sports and other fast-action activities. Additionally, it is temperature-proof, waterproof, shock-proof, and x-ray-proof, ensuring your data is safe and secure.

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 is a brand that is well-known for producing high-quality memory cards, and the Sony Class 10 UHS-1/U3 SD Card is no exception. It is specifically designed for continuous shooting with DSLRs like the Nikon D3300, and boasts a fast transfer speed of up to 94 MB/s, as well as a write speed of up to 70 MB/s. This makes it an excellent choice for photo enthusiasts and advanced shooters who want to capture the moment as it happens. With its U3 speed class rating, you are guaranteed minimum write speeds of no less than 30 MB/s, making it an ideal choice for high-speed photography.

The Sony Class 10 UHS-1/U3 SD Card comes in a range of storage sizes, including 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB. The only downside to this card is that it may not be as readily available as some other brands. Nonetheless, if you are in search of a reliable and high-performance memory card for your Nikon D3500, the Sony Class 10 UHS-1/U3 SD Card is an excellent option to consider.

 

Recommended SD Card Specs For Nikon D3500


The Nikon D3500 DSLR camera fully supports UHS-I cards – these are widely used for cameras and mobile phones. UHS-I SD cards are fast and can store HD videos.

To know more about SD Card speed read: What SD Card SPEED do YOU NEED for Recording Videos?

Since the D3500 has a 24-megapixel sensor, you need a bigger memory card with it if you don’t want to run out of memory space… We recommend that you go with at least 64 GB. You can also buy more than one SD card, depending upon your usage.

To know what does exactly mean this 64 GB size capacity, read:

Formatting an SD card before using it is a best practice that ensures the card is completely free of any previous data and is properly configured for use with a particular device, such as a camera or smartphone. It helps to create a file system that the device can recognize, which ensures optimal performance and minimizes the risk of data corruption or errors when saving files. It also helps to eliminate any bad sectors on the card, which can cause problems during recording or playback of video and images.

Formatting the card also erases any existing data, which is important if the card has previously been used with a different device or if there are any corrupted files on the card. This ensures that the card has a clean slate and starts fresh, which can help to prevent issues with data corruption or loss.

How to Format Your SD Card

Formatting your SD card is a process of erasing all data on the card and preparing it for use again. Here are the steps to format an SD card using software:

  1. Insert the SD card into your computer’s card reader or adapter.
  2. Open your computer’s file explorer and locate the SD card.
  3. Right-click on the SD card and select “Format”.
  4. Choose the file system you want to use for the SD card. The most common options are FAT32 and exFAT.
  5. Give the SD card a new name (optional).
  6. Click “Start” to begin the formatting process.
  7. Wait for the formatting process to complete. This may take a few minutes, depending on the size of the SD card.
  8. Once the formatting process is complete, click “OK” to close the format

If you want to know how to format your SD card by using software and what is the best one, read the following article: 5 Best SD Card Formatter Software.

format sd card with mac

 

Can I Use Micro SD Card With Nikon D3500?


Yes, you can use a micro SD card with the Nikon D3500 by using an adapter. The Nikon D3500 features a single SD card slot that is compatible with SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards. Micro SD cards are essentially smaller versions of SD cards, and as such, they can be used with the camera if an adapter is used.

There are different types of micro SD card adapters available, but most of them work by converting the micro SD card into a standard SD card size. Once the adapter is inserted into the camera’s SD card slot, the micro SD card will function like a regular SD card.

It’s important to note that not all micro SD cards are created equal, and it’s recommended to use high-quality cards with fast read and write speeds to ensure optimal performance and avoid issues such as lag and buffer overflow. Additionally, it’s important to format the memory card within the camera before using it to ensure compatibility and optimize performance.

how much is a micro sd card

 

Which SD Card Should You Buy for Your Nikon D3500 DSLR?


If speed is really your biggest concern and you don’t mind spending just few extra bucks for something that’s top notch, you must go for the SanDisk Extreme PRO UHS-I Card. It’s simply the best and the most popular SD card for DSLRs in general. For those who are looking for lower priced SD cards that don’t compromise on quality, the options from Transcend, Delkin and PNY are great ones.

That said, you can choose any of the SD cards from the list above as all of them work pretty well with the D3500. However, keep one thing in mind: Don’t go for cheap memory cards available in the market, because a bad memory card will slow down your ability to use your DSLR to its full potential. Or worse, you might even lose your photos if a cheap card malfunctions!

 

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