If you are wondering about SD card speed for Sony a7iii, then you are at the right place.
The camera counts with 2 slots and not every SD card can be inserted into the camera, certain parameters need to be looked into.
In this article, you will get to know all about the SD card speed recommendations for Sony a7 III.
Also, you’ll find the best SD cards for each slot.
Sony a7 III SD Card Speed Recommendation for 4k Videos
The Sony a7III has two SD card slots numbered Slot 1 and Slot 2.
Slot 1 is known to take in faster UHS-II cards example, Sony SF-G Series for delivering better results. UHS-I cards would also work perfectly well though, no added benefit would be received due to the backward compatibility with UHS-I cards.
Slot 2 which is known as the slower slot, intakes UHS-I cards like Sandisk Extreme or SanDisk Extreme Pro.
The Sony a7III mirrorless camera takes SDXC and SDHC memory cards only. A point to note here is, that it is not necessary to fill up both the SD card slots. But there are certain advantages to using two cards together.
- Increased storage
- Longer hours of shooting without changing cards
- You can record simultaneously for a mirror backup
- You can split data into two cards based on filetype
If you record simultaneously to both slots 1 and 2 then the write speed is restricted to the maximum write speed of the UHS-I card in slot 2.
UHS-I or UHS-II refers to the interface that’s used to connect to the cards. Sony a7 III can shoot 4K video with a maximum video bitrate of 100Mbps which is around 12.5 MB/s. Therefore you don’t require the fastest memory cards for 4k video recording. All you need to do is check the specified Speed Class. You can buy any card that has a Class 10, U3 rating, or those rated as V30, V60, and V90. It would be perfect for shooting 4k videos.
Read more on a SD card speed: SD Card Speed Classes Difference Explained.
Card Size depends on the choice of the user. 64GB SD cards are fair-sized cards to be used while recording. If you are shooting a lot of continuous bursts then you might want to use 128GB SD cards. Avoid using bigger cards and stick to splitting data among different cards. That way you can be sure of not losing the entire footage in case of any issue.
To know better what size and specs your perfect SD card should be read the article: Sony a7III SD Card: Recommended Size, Specs, Price.
SD Cards Recommended for Sony a7 III Camera
Below mentioned are two of the best SD cards for SLOT 1 :
Sony Tough-G UHS-II Memory Card
- Brand: Sony
- Speed Class: UHS-II (U3), Class 10, V90
- Maximum Read Speed: 300MB/s
- Maximum Write Speed: 299MB/s
- Storage Capacity: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB
Our top pick for Sony a7 III would be the Sony TOUGH-G Series UHS-II SD card. It offers blazing-fast read speeds of up to 300 MB/s and a write speed of 299MB/s. This card lets you shoot 4k/60 fps videos without any lags or interruptions. Though it is a bit pricey as compared to the other options like SanDisk but proves to be the best fit for any Sony camera. The Sony TOUGH-G is available in three storage variants – 32GB, 64GB, and 128 GB.
SanDisk Extreme Pro Memory 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
As we all know, SanDisk is trusted for its quality and performance, hence another brilliant option for your Sony a7 III is SanDisk Extreme Pro Memory Card. It offers read and write speeds of up to 170 MB/s and 90 MB/s respectively. They are perfect for shooting 4K UHD video and sequential burst mode photography. The SanDisk Extreme Pro cards are tested to withstand harsh weather conditions to keep your data safe from any kind of external damage. They are available in 32GB, 64GB, 128GB,256GB,512GB,1TB capacities.
Two good options for SD cards for SLOT 2 are mentioned below :
Lexar Professional 1066x Memory Card
- Brand: Lexar
- Speed Class: UHS-I (U3), Class 10, V30
- Maximum Read Speed: 160MB/s
- Maximum Write Speed: 120MB/s
- Storage Capacity: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB,256GB,512GB
Another amazing option is Lexar Professional 1066x Memory Cards, known for their durability and performance. They offer a read and write speed of up to 160 MB/s and 120 MB/s respectively. It is now easy to capture high-quality images and extended lengths of Full-HD and 4K videos without experiencing any lag or interruptions. The Lexar cards include Lexar Recovery Tool to recover most photos and select video files. It is available in 32GB, 64GB, 128GB,256GB,512GB capacities.
SanDisk Extreme Memory Card
- Brand: SanDisk
- Speed Class: UHS-I (U3), Class 10, V30
- Maximum Read Speed: 150MB/s
- Maximum Write Speed: 60MB/s
- Storage Capacity: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB,256GB
SanDisk Extreme Memory Card offers a transfer speed of up to 150 MB/s and can record at 60 MB/s. It is a bit slower than the SanDisk Extreme Pro SD cards but these cards are known to capture uninterrupted high-resolution video with UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and Video Speed Class 30 (v30). The exterior is built of strong and durable material. The SanDisk Extreme cards are tested to be temperature proof, shockproof, waterproof, and X-ray proof. They are available in 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB capacities.
Do you want to have more options?
Then read the article Sony a7iii SD Card: My 7 Top Picks as Sony Filmmaker
What SD Card Do You Prefer?
The Sony a7 III sets a benchmark for full-frame cameras. It is a combination of high performance and value for money. Other than the above-mentioned SD cards, there are multiple other options available in the market but, SONY cards prove to be the most compatible ones with the Sony a7 III camera. But if you find them a little too pricey then, SanDisk cards are the most trusted and standard choice.
Don’t miss full list of the 8 best accessories for your Sony a7III>>>
Thanks for reading!
I hope this guide helped you gain all the information about the recommendations for Sony a7 III SD Card Speed 🙂
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