Rankings
The SanDisk 256 GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I offers top-tier read/write performance (200 / 140 MB/s) and rugged protection, making it a strong choice for 4K creators. Its UHS-I bus limits it on cameras that can exploit UHS-II bandwidth, and some users report speed variance with cheaper readers.
The Kingston Canvas React Plus 256 GB SDXC UHS-II card offers professional-grade 280 MB/s read and 150 MB/s write speeds with a V60 rating, making it ideal for 4K video and high-resolution burst photography. Its rugged, waterproof design and lifetime warranty add reliability for demanding field work.
The SanDisk 256GB Extreme PRO UHS-I card offers high read/write performance and rugged durability, making it suitable for 4K video and burst photography. Its lifetime warranty and RescuePRO software add value, though the UHS-I interface caps ultimate speed potential.
The Transcend 256 GB UHS-I SDXC card delivers solid U3/V30 performance, robust durability, and a generous warranty, making it a reliable mid-tier choice for 4K video and high-resolution photography, though its write ceiling is lower than some premium alternatives.
The Lexar 256 GB Professional Silver SD Card is a high-capacity, UHS-I card delivering up to 205 MB/s read and 140 MB/s write speeds with V30 video rating and robust durability. It targets enthusiast photographers and videographers who need fast transfers and rugged protection, but it lacks UHS-II performance.
The ProGrade Digital Iridium 256 GB UHS-II V90 SDXC card delivers ultra-fast read/write performance and rugged durability, making it ideal for high-bitrate 4K/6K video and RAW burst photography.
The Lexar Gold Series 256 GB UHS-II SDXC card offers professional-grade speed and durability, with V60 video support and a lifetime warranty, making it suitable for demanding 4K video and high-burst photography. Performance is limited to UHS-II hosts and the card carries a premium price.
The ProGrade Digital 512 GB UHS-II SDXC V60 card offers solid read/write performance and robust durability for 4K video and fast burst photography, but its speed is modest compared to higher-end UHS-II cards and it requires a compatible host.
The ProGrade Digital Iridium 512 GB SDXC UHS-II V90 card delivers ultra-high read/write speeds and rugged durability for demanding 6K/8K workflows, but its premium price and need for a UHS-II host limit casual use.
| Attribute | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
256 GB | 512 GBbest | 256 GB | 256 GB | 256 GB | 512 GBbest | 256 GB | 256 GB | 256 GB | |
205 MB/s | 250 MB/s | 280 MB/s | 300 MB/sbest | 200 MB/s | 300 MB/sbest | 100 MB/s | 280 MB/s | 200 MB/s | |
140 MB/s | 130 MB/s | 150 MB/s | 275 MB/sbest | 140 MB/s | 275 MB/sbest | 40 MB/s | 205 MB/s | 140 MB/s | |
— | — | — | 3 years | — | 3 years | 5 years | 10 yearsbest | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 1.73 g | 9 g | 1.7 gbest | 15.9 g | 2 g | 20 g | 10 g | 9 g | 13.6 g |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Storage & Capacity(1) | |||||||||
Capacity (GB) | 256 GB | 512 GB | 256 GB | 256 GB | 256 GB | 512 GB | 256 GB | 256 GB | 256 GB |
Performance(5) | |||||||||
Video Speed Class | V30 | V60 | V60 | V90 | V30 | V90 | V30 | V60 | V30 |
Maximum Read Speed (MB/s) | 205 MB/s | 250 MB/s | 280 MB/s | 300 MB/s | 200 MB/s | 300 MB/s | 100 MB/s | 280 MB/s | 200 MB/s |
Maximum Write Speed (MB/s) | 140 MB/s | 130 MB/s | 150 MB/s | 275 MB/s | 140 MB/s | 275 MB/s | 40 MB/s | 205 MB/s | 140 MB/s |
Bus Interface | UHS-I | UHS-II | UHS-II | UHS-II | UHS-I | UHS-II | UHS-I | UHS-II | UHS-I |
Speed Class | Class 10 | Class 10 | Class 10 | Class 10 | Class 10 | Class 10 | Class 10 | Class 10 | C10 |
Compatibility(1) | |||||||||
Compatible Devices | Wide compatibility with major camera brands, drones and action cams | UHS-I; U3; U1; Class 10 devices | — | Canon, Sony, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Fuji, Samsung | DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, camcorders, laptops | Canon; Sony; Nikon; Olympus; Panasonic; Fuji; Samsung | Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Kodak, Olympus, Panasonic Digital Cameras | UHS-II devices, backward compatible with UHS-I | — |
Warranty(1) | |||||||||
Warranty Period (years) | — | — | — | 3 years | — | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | lifetime years |
Physical(1) | |||||||||
Weight (g) | 1.73 g | 9 g | 1.70 g | 15.9 g | 2.0 g | 20 g | 10.0 g | 9 g | 13.6 g |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the Lexar Professional Silver SD Card for its standout 205 MB/s read speed, reliable V30 4K performance, and best-in-class durability protections, positioning it as a strong mid-range option.
Everyday users praise the card for its fast transfers, rugged build that survives water and drops, and the inclusion of free recovery software. Common complaints revolve around occasional write-speed throttling during extended 4K shoots and some expectations of UHS-II-level performance.
“Users consistently report fast transfer speeds and reliability in field conditions.”
“The inclusion of free recovery software is frequently cited as a valuable bonus.”
“no dropped frames”
Professional reviewers from B&H, Filmtools, ProPhoto Supply, and Roberts Camera praise the card for its reliable V60 performance, fast read/write rates, and rugged build, noting it excels in demanding video and burst-photo workflows.
Everyday users report smooth 4K recording with no dropped frames, rapid file transfers, and dependable operation in extreme temperatures, while noting occasional confusion with the microSD version and occasional corruption that can be fixed with Refresh Pro.
TechRadar praises the card's impressive balance of speed and value, noting the 280/150 MB/s rates are more than sufficient for 4K workflows, while B&H highlights its reliability in extreme conditions as a solid choice for travel and documentary shooters.
Everyday users commend the blazing fast performance, durability in harsh environments, and excellent value, though some note the lack of a bundled reader and wish for higher write speeds.
Professional reviewers from B&H, Leica Camera USA and Filmtools commend the Iridium 256 GB card for its rock-solid reliability, V90 certification and error-correction, highlighting its suitability for high-end DSLR, mirrorless and cinema cameras.
Everyday users consistently rate the card five stars, praising flawless 4K recording, lack of dropped frames and the usefulness of Refresh Pro™.
Professional reviewers praise the blend of high read/write speeds, V30/U3 ratings and rugged build, recommending it for 4K creators while noting UHS-I is slower than UHS-II cards.
Everyday users highlight reliable performance, fast transfers and durability, but note occasional slower-than-advertised speeds and occasional shipping delays.
Professional reviewers from B&H Photo Video, Leica Camera USA, and Filmtools praise the Iridium 512 GB for its real-world sustained V90 performance, noting it consistently meets advertised speeds and outperforms many competitors.
Everyday users rate the card highly (average 4.8/5), highlighting reliability, rapid transfers, and durability, while noting the extra cost of optional software.
Professional reviewers from B&H and ProVantage highlight the card's strict adherence to V30 and U3 speed classes, praising its reliability for 4K UHD video and burst-mode RAW photography, while noting the 40 MB/s write ceiling lags behind faster UHS-II competitors.
Everyday users consistently commend the card's dependable in-camera performance, large capacity, and bundled recovery utility, but mention slower off-camera transfer rates, especially with low-quality USB 2.0 readers.
Professional reviewers highlight the Lexar 256 GB 1800x as a top-tier UHS-II card that balances blistering speed, V60 video compliance, and rugged durability, though write-speed claims vary slightly across tests.
Everyday users on B&H praise the card for its speed, reliability, and build quality, noting fast off-load times and confidence in harsh environments.
Professional reviewers praise the card for delivering reliable 4K video capture and exceptional durability, but caution that the UHS-I interface limits its top-end performance compared to UHS-II cards.
Everyday users rate the card highly for reliability, capacity, and ruggedness, noting flawless 4K recording and survival in harsh conditions, while some complain about slower-than-advertised transfer speeds and occasional older-model shipments.
