Best overall		Sony 512GB CFexpress Type B Tough Memory Card		SEE IT	It offers consistently fast speeds and is very rugged.
Fastest		Lexar Diamond Series Professional 256GB CFexpress Type-B		SEE IT	The fastest card for data hungry cameras.
Best Type A		ProGrade Digital 160GB CFexpress Type A Cobalt Memory Card		SEE IT	The best option for Sony users.

CFexpress cards have quickly become the storage media of choice. They offer much faster speeds than SD, XQD, or CompactFlash. CFexpress cards also come in larger capacities than other memory cards, making them ideal for cameras that produce excessive amounts of data in the form of high-quality video or high-resolution photographs. Of course, they come at a high cost, but the best CFexpress cards provide better performance and allow you to get the most out of high-specced cameras. 

• Best overall: Sony 512GB CFexpress Type B Tough Memory Card
• Fastest: Lexar Diamond Series Professional 256GB CFexpress Type-B
• Best Type A: ProGrade Digital 160GB CFexpress Type A Cobalt Memory Card
• Best Type B: SanDisk 512GB Extreme PRO CFexpress Card Type B
• Best large capacity: Angelbird AV PRO CFexpress MK2 Type B Card – 4 TB
• Best budget: SanDisk 64GB Extreme PRO CFexpress Card Type B

How we picked the best CFexpress cards

The writers and editors have been involved in the photography industry for decades. During that time, we have seen dramatic changes in the memory card field, with multiple new card formats introduced and ever faster and larger storage options available. Throughout our careers, we have used cards by just about every manufacturer.

When selecting the best CFexpress cards, we prioritized read and write speed. We also chose a variety of storage capacities to suit different types of shooters. And lastly, durability was a key consideration, as cards this expensive should be able to stand up to some harsh conditions.

The best CFexpress cards: Ratings & recommendations

CFexpress cards come with blazing-fast speeds and large capacities. That makes them ideal for photographers and videographers who produce large files and lots of them. The options below should fit the needs of just about anyone looking for a CFexpress card, including someone looking for a more budget-friendly option.

Best overall: Sony 512GB CFexpress Type B Tough Memory Card

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: Sony’s Tough line of CFexpress Type B cards provide consistent speeds in a highly durable package.

Specs

• Max read speed: 1,700 MB/s
• Max write speed: ​​1,480 MB/s
• Storage capacity: 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB

Pros

• Provides very consistent speeds
• Highly durable to withstand 15-foot falls
• Protected against extreme temperatures, X-rays, electrostatic, and UV lighting
• Compatible with apps to recover files and track condition

Cons

• Only available in three storage capacities

Sony’s CFexpress Type B cards are some of the most well-rounded cards available, earning them our top spot. Lab testing resulted in read speeds of up to 1,700 MB/s and write speeds of up to 1,480 MB/s. Of course, you won’t be able to get those speeds in practice, but real-world speeds are also near the top of the pack across the board. Its burst shooting numbers are a bit below the competition, but it’s still plenty fast for everything other than the heaviest bursts. It offers consistency and reliability, two crucial features of a CFexpress card.

Beyond speed, Sony designed its cards to be, as the name says, tough. They can withstand falls up to 15 feet and have been rigidity tested to 70 newtons of force. Sony says they are three times stronger than the CFexpress standard for bending. They can also withstand extreme temperatures, X-rays, electrostatic, and intense UV light. Even if you are an expedition photographer, these cards will hold up to some serious abuse.

All memory cards have a finite number of write cycles and eventually fail. But, with these Sony cards, you’ll get access to Sony’s Media Scan Utility. Once downloaded to your computer, it can scan a card to tell you its condition, so you don’t shoot on a card nearing or at its end.

Fastest: Lexar Diamond Series Professional 256GB CFexpress Type-B

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: Lexar’s newest card provides the fastest burst shooting results of any CFexpress.

Specs

• Max read speed: 1,900 MB/s
• Max write speed: 1,700 MB/s
• Storage capacity: 128GB or 256GB

Pros

• Extremely fast read and write speeds
• Shock, vibration, and temperature proof
• Supports smooth 8K video

Cons

• Expensive

Lexar recently released this Diamond Series card, with bold claims of it being the fastest CFexpress ever. It states that you’ll get 1,900 MB/s max read speeds, 1,700 MB/s max write speeds, and a minimum sustained write speed of 1,600 MB/s. Unsurprisingly, those numbers don’t hold up in testing done by PetaPixel. Other cards have faster peak and sustained read and write speeds, but it still is very near the top of the pack. 

Where this card does beat out all the competition is in burst performance. It can shoot at the Canon R5’s highest burst setting for just over 30 seconds before the buffer limit slows it down, which is nearly double any other card. So if you are photographing sports or fast-moving wildlife, this will be the card to use because of its burst capabilities. 

Finally, this Lexar card meets the Compact Flash Association’s qualifications for VPG 400 certification. That means it has a minimum sustained write speed of 400 MB/s and can keep up with even the most professional cinema video cameras.

Best Type A: ProGrade Digital 160GB CFexpress Type A Cobalt Memory Card

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: It offers fast read and write speeds at lower prices than the Sony alternative.

Specs

• Max read speed: ​​800 MB/s
• Max write speed: 700 MB/s
• Storage capacity: 160GB

Pros

• Resistant to temperature extremes, shock, vibration, and X-rays
• Fast and reliable speeds
• Metal casing provides better thermal conductivity for less overheating

Cons

• Only available in 160GB

When Sony released the a7S III, it also introduced a new card type—the CFexpress Type A. The later-released a1 also utilized this new memory card. Sony was the only company producing the CFexpress Type A for a bit, but ProGrade entered the market to provide an alternative. Though the Prograde version is still not cheap by any means, it is more affordable than Sony’s, saving you some money.

Despite the lower price, ProGrade’s CFexpress Type A has the same advertised speeds as Sony’s. It has a stated max read speed of 800 MB/s and max write speed of 700 MB/s. And in-camera results show that these two cards perform nearly the same. It is also highly durable and can survive extreme temperatures, heavy vibrations, shocks, and X-rays. 

Best Type B: SanDisk 512GB Extreme PRO CFexpress Card Type B

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: SanDisk’s CFexpress Extreme PRO card provides a lifetime warranty and excellent performance at lower prices than its competitors.

Specs

• Max read speed: 1,700 MB/s
• Max write speed: 1,400 MB/s
• Storage capacity: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

Pros

• More affordable than other options
• Lifetime warranty
• Can record raw 4K video
• Compatible with SanDisk’s data recovery software

Cons

• 64GB capacity has lower read/write speeds

SanDisk has long been one of the staples in the memory card industry, and its CFexpress Type B card continues that tradition. Like all cards, it won’t reach the promised 1,700 MB/s read or 1,400 MB/s write speeds, but it has shown to be near the top of the pack across all measurements in user testing. So you’ll get plenty fast speeds across the board and excellent burst performance as well.

It’s capable of raw 4K recording, making it suitable for cinematographers. And it’s backward compatible with select XQD cameras, as long as a firmware update has been provided. With this SanDisk card, you’ll be able to utilize its RescuePRO Deluxe data recovery software, which is useful for situations where you accidentally delete files prematurely. SanDisk also offers a lifetime warranty, giving you some peace of mind.

Best large capacity: Angelbird AV PRO CFexpress MK2 Type B Card – 4 TB

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: If storage capacity is the most important thing to you, Angelbird’s 4TB card provides more room than any other CFexpress card. 

Specs

• Max read speed: 1,785 MB/s
• Max write speed: 1,550 MB/s
• Storage capacity: 1TB, 2TB, 4TB

Pros

• Huge storage capacity
• Can capture up to 12K+ video
• Protected against shock, vibration, overheating, and temperature from 14 to 158°F
• Purchase includes hardware and software data recovery within the 3-year warranty

Cons

• Very expensive

Many CFexpress cards top out at 512GB of storage, with a few offering 2TB. Angelbird brought something new to the table with its massive 4TB card. It offers more storage space than anything else available at the time of writing. 

The large storage makes it a great choice for high-end video work that produces large files. And it goes beyond just storage size to support lofty projects with heavy data needs. Angelbird promises minimum sustained read and write speeds of 1,785 MB/s and 1,300 MB/s, respectively. It also says it’s capable of 17,850 MB/s and 1,550 MB/s of maximum read and write speeds. 

It supports 12K+ raw video recording, making this card a good investment as video quality continues to increase. And investment it is, thanks to the high price point. But, you’ll get free hardware and software data recovery within the 3-year warranty period. And if you register your card within 30 days, you’ll get a lifetime warranty. 

Best budget: SanDisk 64GB Extreme PRO CFexpress Card Type B

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: This SanDisk 64GB CFexpress Type B card is the most affordable option that is still high-quality and trustworthy.

Specs

• Max read speed: 1,500MB/s
• Max write speed: 800MB/s
• Storage capacity: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

Pros

• Comparatively affordable
• Good read/write speeds
• Backwards compatible with some XQD cameras

Cons

• Write speeds aren’t as fast as other options

Unfortunately, CFexpress cards are the most expensive memory cards as they are the newest variety and offer the fastest speeds. But this 64GB card from SanDisk is much more affordable than other options. And despite the lower price, it comes from a trusted company, so it’s less likely you’ll have a card failure and lose all of your images. The 64GB is the cheapest option, but if you need a larger capacity, the other sizes are also more affordable than the rest of the cards on this list. 

SanDisk’s card is compatible with raw 4K video, making it suitable for videographers and vloggers. Should something unfortunate happen, SanDisk offers a limited lifetime warranty. You’ll also have access to free RescuePRO Deluxe data recovery software in case you need to recover files that you accidentally delete.

This CFexpress card offers read speeds up to 1,500MB/s, which is slower than all but the CFexpress Type A card, though not by much. Unfortunately, the write speed is where things dip as a result of the lower price. But 800MB/s is still plenty fast for most people, and the price makes it an enticing alternative.

Things to consider before buying a CFexpress card

CFexpress cards have quickly become the new standard, and more companies have entered the already crowded memory card field. Even Nikon is making CFexpress cards now. But, as with any camera gear decision, the first step is considering the type of shooting you will be doing. For example, if you primarily shoot video, you’ll likely want a card with a large capacity and fast speeds. But if you mainly shoot portraits, you can get away with slower speeds and lower storage capacity, saving you some money. 

It’s worth pointing out that while there are lots of CFexpress options available, the differences between them are small. You might get ever so slightly faster speeds from one over another, but because they are all so fast already unless you are pushing your camera—and memory card—to the limits, you likely won’t pick up on that. You can’t go wrong with any of these cards or many of the other CFexpress offerings not listed here. Instead, the key factor is simply if the card is compatible with your camera.

Type A versus Type B

Deciding between Type A and Type B cards comes down to what camera you use, as they will only be compatible with one type. So, look at your camera’s specs to verify which type of card it can use and double-check the CFexpress type before purchasing one. 

Type B cards are the same size as XQD memory cards, meaning you can use them in cameras that accept XQD, though usually only with a firmware update. Type B is also faster than Type A. Even though it seems like it would be the opposite, Type B is the more mainstream card choice at this point in time (yes, B came before A), with more cameras able to use them, and thus most people should look for a Type B.

Sony is the only camera maker that is currently utilizing Type A cards. They are smaller than Type B, so they are not cross-compatible. 

Storage capacity

All memory cards have a finite amount of storage and will come in a variety of storage capacity options. How big of a card you need depends on the kind of content you create, the file sizes from your camera, and how often you’d like to change your card. 

8K video will require more space than shooting a handful of JPEG files, for example. And, the file sizes from an APS-C camera will be much smaller than the Sony a1, meaning you won’t need as much storage space. And lastly, some like to use multiple small cards and swap them out more frequently as protection should a card fail, while others like a single card with loads of storage to keep from needing to change them out. This is a matter of personal preference and shooting style, so simply choose what makes the most sense for you.

Read & write speed

CFexpress cards are the fastest memory cards available at this time, but they still vary in how fast they can open (read) or save (write) data. Some brands even offer multiple levels of CFexpress cards intended for different types of shooters. 

While the general speed of even the base level of CFexpress cards is plenty fast for the average user, some situations call for the fastest speeds. For example, if you are a videographer shooting 8K video or a sports photographer relying on quick and long bursts of action, you’ll want to look for top-tier cards with faster read and write speeds. 

It’s important to note that the speeds listed on the packaging will not be the same as what you’ll actually get. This is because those speeds are based on lab testing by manufacturers and are not real-world results. In fact, some throttle write speed to around 300 MB/s to prevent overheating.

Camera compatibility

The last piece of the puzzle, though perhaps the most important, is whether the card will even work with your camera. Cameras can only utilize specific card formats, or sometimes they accept two different ones. 

Lastly, some cameras will only be able to accept certain lines from manufacturers. For example, The Canon R5 can use ProGrade’s Cobalt line but not the Gold cards. Be sure to research and verify which type of memory card works with your camera before purchasing, especially since CFexpress cards are quite pricey.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best CFexpress cards

• Best overall: Sony 512GB CFexpress Type B Tough Memory Card
• Fastest: Lexar Diamond Series Professional 256GB CFexpress Type-B
• Best Type A: ProGrade Digital 160GB CFexpress Type A Cobalt Memory Card
• Best Type B: SanDisk 512GB Extreme PRO CFexpress Card Type B
• Best large capacity: Angelbird AV PRO CFexpress MK2 Type B Card – 4 TB
• Best budget: SanDisk 64GB Extreme PRO CFexpress Card Type B

CFexpress cards are the newest option for camera memory cards but have already become the default choice for pros and serious enthusiasts alike. They upped the game in terms of quick read and write speeds and large storage capacity, but with that comes a high price. These cards are an investment but will help you get the most out of your data-hungry cameras.

Why trust us

PopPhoto has a long history of delivering the opinions of some of the sharpest and most prolific camera dorks the world has to offer. Since 1937, we’ve been reviewing cameras, providing wisdom from well-known photographers, and generally just nerding out about all that goes into making great pictures. Our current crop of writers and editors have decades of professional photography and camera writing experience among them. Collectively, we’ve probably shot with just about every camera and lens combo you can imagine—as well as some obscure stuff you may not even know about. Remember the Casio Tryx folding camera? PopPhoto does.

We also get that buying a camera is a big decision, which is why we’re dedicated to helping folks choose the right one (or, in our case “ones”) for their needs. Case in point: Handing over top dollar for an expensive rig may leave you unsatisfied if it doesn’t fit your preferred shooting style. Sure, a $6,000 sports-oriented DSLR can capture landscapes, but do you really need to do it at 30 frames-per-second? No, you don’t.

The post The best CFexpress cards for 2023 appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best rated		JDTDC MFi Certified 128GB Photo-Stick		SEE IT
Best for iPhone		iDiskk 128GB MFi Certified Photo Stick		SEE IT
Best for Android		Sunany 256GB Photo Stick		SEE IT

Photo sticks expand your phone’s memory for photos and videos, saving you from the dreaded “low storage” notifications. Unfortunately, most phones don’t have enough storage to keep up with our constant content creation, so we need handy storage devices to offload our photos, videos, documents, and other media files.

Whether you’re a professional photographer or just love taking photos, a photo stick is worth adding to your kit. Once connected to a phone or smart device, it searches through the folders for photos and videos and saves a backup. It cuts down the time you would have spent organizing everything and backs it all up to keep your files safe.

If it’s your first time buying a photo stick, you may not know what features to look for. The device is very similar to a flash drive, so you may end up getting the wrong thing. This roundup of the best photo sticks in 2023 will help you make an informed decision.

• Best rated: JDTDC MFi Certified 128GB Photo-Stick
• Best for iPhone: iDiskk 128GB MFi Certified Photo Stick
• Best for Android: Sunany 256GB Photo Stick
• Best for SanDisk: SanDisk 256GB iXpand Flash Drive Luxe
• Best for Mac: iDiskk MFI Certified 256GB Photo Stick

How we picked the best photo sticks

To create this roundup of the best photo sticks, we researched and evaluated the best-selling photo sticks on the market. We compared devices by different manufacturers and looked at their storage capacity, read/write speed, compatibility with smart devices, and connector types. We also used publicly available information and reviews to choose the best devices.

The best photo sticks: Reviews & Recommendations

Best rated: JDTDC MFi Certified 128GB Photo-Stick

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: It easily backs up photos and videos and offers high-speed transfers thanks to USB 3.0 technology. It’s a great device for traveling photographers.

Specs:

• Storage capacity: 128 GB or 512 GB
• Hardware interface: USB, USB 3.0
• Read/write speed: 80/40 Megabytes per second
• Color: Silver

Pros:

• High transfer speeds 
• Sturdy design makes it very durable
• Has an easy-to-manage folder hierarchy

Cons:

• Only compatible with Apple devices 
• Poor proprietary app rating 

Thousands of verified photo stick reviews make this the best-rated photo stick on the market. With 2-in-1 functionality, it features a USB 3.0 connector and an L port and is compatible with any Apple device with a Lightning port. The USB 3.0 port offers transfer speeds of up to 80 Mbps, while the Lightning port has a speed of 10 to 15 Mbps. Thanks to those quick transfer speeds, you’ll be able to back up your files or move them to a computer quickly.

The JDTDC 128GB Photo Stick works with all iOS devices with L Port and iOS 9 or above. You can play videos and store files in different formats, so you won’t need to worry about only selecting file formats. MFi-certification makes the photo stick safe to use because it means it’s approved by Apple. The manufacturer also gives an 18-month warranty for it and offers great after-sales service.

You will need to download the app to use this photo stick. But once you’ve done so, you can take photos and record videos directly from the app, backing up your content as you go.

Best for iPhone: iDiskk 128GB MFi Certified Photo Stick

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: Automatic backup and speedy transfers make it perfect for iPhone owners. Encrypted protection ensures the privacy of your media files.

Specs:

• Storage capacity: 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB
• Hardware interface: USB 3.0
• Read/write speed: 80/40 Megabytes per second
• Color: Silver

Pros:

• High storage capacity
• Supports many file formats
• Auto backup

Cons:

• The iDiskk app sometimes has issues

This external storage device has excellent features designed to make it easier to save your data. It’s one of the best photo sticks for iPhones and features a 2-in-1 connection comprising Type-C and USB port connectors. With a capacity options of 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB, it can accommodate tons of videos, photos, audio files, and documents. It also safeguards your data with encrypted protection. You can easily encrypt folders with a password or touch ID. 

To start using the device, install the iDiskk app, then connect it to your phone and start transferring files. Its plug-and-play function lets you watch movies or listen to music directly from it. The USB photo stick supports a wide array of formats and can backup videos and photos automatically. It is speedy and can transfer up to 1GB of data in 20 seconds. Unfortunately, some users have complained that its app easily crashes during video transfers. Like our top pick, it comes in a silver color and has MFi-certification.

Best for Android: Sunany 256GB Photo Stick

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: It’s compatible with phones, tablets, PCs, and other android devices. You can encrypt file information with a password and touch ID.

Specs:

• Storage capacity: 128 GB or 256 GB
• Hardware interface: USB 3.0
• Read/write speed: 80/40 Megabytes per second
• Color: pink

Pros:

• Password and Touch ID encryption
• One-click backup
• Plug and play
• Compatible with four different port styles

Cons:

• You need to remove your phone’s case to use it

This photo stick for Android phones allows for easy sharing of data and is capable of saving images and videos using its proprietary one-click backup software. Enjoy quick transfers and free up your phone’s memory without using a data cable or cloud service. With a single click, it scans, transfers, and backs up your photos and videos. And it is sturdy enough to withstand the inevitable drops on the ground. 

Password and Touch ID encryptions keep your private files safe. You can encrypt the entire photo stick or specific files. All encrypted files are invisible on a computer, so there’s no need to worry about people stealing or deleting your information. The manufacturer says it’s a plug-and-play device, but you do need to download the LUV-Share app for Apple devices or turn on Android’s OTG function to start using it. 

You can take photos or videos and store them directly on this photo stick. You can also share them on social media without saving them on your phone, keeping your device free of clutter. High transfer speeds and excellent heat dissipation make it one of the best photo sticks for Android phones. However, its connectors are shorter than standard, so you’ll need to remove your phone’s case to use it.

Best for SanDisk: SanDisk 256GB iXpand Flash Drive Luxe

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: It works fast, keeps your files secure, and stores thousands of photos at once. The photo stick is designed for convenient storage and mobility.

Specs:

• Storage capacity: 64 GB, 128 GB, or 256 GB
• Hardware interface: USB 3.0
• Read/write speed: 90 Megabytes per second
• Color: Black

Pros:

• Compatible with iPhones
• Two flash drives in one

Cons:

• Not a dual-ended USB flash drive

We previously reviewed USB flash drives. SanDisk drives have fast read and write speeds and can save you quite a bit of time, especially when you need to copy large files. So if you’re looking for a durable photo stick and speed is a top priority for you, this 256GB Flash Drive is worth getting. It has a blazing-fast write speed (90 Mbps) and lots of space to free up your smartphone’s or computer’s storage.

You’ll find it super easy to transfer files. Read speeds can reach 90MB/s. The iXpand Flash Drive Luxe is a USB Type-C drive with a lighting adapter that works with iPhones. But because it’s not a dual-ended USB flash drive, you’ll have to get a Samsung USB-C cable for speedy data transfers. The stick is backward compatible and can seamlessly transfer files from USB 3.0 and 2.0 devices.

This reliable photo memory stick will securely keep your photos and other files safe in the all-metal casing.

Best for Mac: iDiskk MFI Certified 256GB Photo Stick

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: This 4-in-1 photo stick makes storing and transferring files easy. You’ll be able to move files between iPhones, iPads, and Macs seamlessly.

Specs:

• Storage capacity: 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB
• Hardware interface: Flash connector (for iOS devices), Micro USB (for Android phones), USB 3.0 (for Mac), and Type-C (for Macbook Pro) 
• Read/write speed: 80/40 Megabytes per second (for Mac)
• Color: Silver

Pros:

• 4 connector types
• Plug and play
• Supports most video formats
• Automatic backups

Cons:

• Tends to run hot while in use

Undeniably one of the best photo sticks for Mac, this device is super easy to use.  Simply connect it to your Mac, and it will automatically play any videos you’ve saved, making your long trips more enjoyable. It automatically backs up photos and videos, but you have to remember to shoot them using the in-app camera.

Many users love its all-metal design, but a few have complained that it runs hot while in use. Its swivel design makes switching the connectors effortless. And a keyring hole allows you to carry it everywhere you go. If security is important to you, you can use its Touch ID or Passcode encryption to keep your files safe. Four hardware interfaces make it ideal for Macs and other Apple devices. We like its impressive read/write speed of 80/40MB/s, but it can vary slightly, depending on the host device and available capacity. 

Things to consider before buying the best photo sticks

Storage capacity

Photo sticks have a finite amount of hard storage inside, and how much you need depends on how much data you need to keep on it. An 8GB photo stick can hold up to 3500 photos, while a 128GB photo stick can save up to 60,000 photos. Get a photo stick with a bigger capacity if you’re a professional photographer or love taking lots of photos. If you’re only looking to save photos temporarily, an 8GB photo stick may be enough. It’s worth mentioning that the device’s built-in backup application will consume space as well, so make sure you get one with enough storage.

Read and write speed

Photo sticks will vary in how quickly they can open (read speed) or save files to the device (write speeds). Speed may not matter for some, but if you plan on working directly off the photo stick or need to copy lots of large files, you’ll want a fast device. For example, some feature USB 3.0 with a speed rate of 4.8Gbps, while slower ones with USB 2.0 have a speed of 490MBps. Most reputable photo stick manufacturers advertise the read and write speeds on the packaging or website, though some will only display the faster of the two.

Compatibility and connector types

Some photo sticks offer two connectors (USB-A and USB-C), while others only have one (USB-C). It’s rare to find a photo stick with four connectors. Think about the devices you often use to choose the best photo backup stick. It’s also important to check the stick’s compatibility. Get a photo stick that works with almost every device or the connectors you often use.

Usability

Professional photographers use photo sticks differently from casual photographers. Consider the device’s purpose before getting one. Will you be using it daily or weekly? For daily use, you need a photo stick with a large capacity that’s also sturdy on the outside. Photo memory sticks can store data without the internet. However, if you want one that lets you stream and save files on your phone or computer in real-time, you’ll need access to the internet.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best photo sticks

• Best rated: JDTDC MFi Certified 128GB Photo-Stick
• Best for iPhone: iDiskk 128GB MFi Certified Photo Stick
• Best for Android: Sunany 256GB Photo Stick
• Best for SanDisk: SanDisk 256GB iXpand Flash Drive Luxe
• Best for Mac: iDiskk MFI Certified 256GB Photo Stick

We’re constantly receiving new data on our smart devices—photos, videos, and important documents. Losing this data can be stressful. So get the best photo stick and keep your files secure. Whether you are a photography enthusiast who needs convenient storage or a photophile, the JDTDC MFi Certified 128GB Photo-Stick will suit your needs.

Why trust us

PopPhoto has a long history of delivering the opinions of some of the sharpest and most prolific camera dorks the world has to offer. Since 1937, we’ve been reviewing cameras, providing wisdom from well-known photographers, and generally just nerding out about all that goes into making great pictures. Our current crop of writers and editors have decades of professional photography and camera writing experience among them. Collectively, we’ve probably shot with just about every camera and lens combo you can imagine—as well as some obscure stuff you may not even know about. Remember the Casio Tryx folding camera? PopPhoto does.

We also get that buying a camera is a big decision, which is why we’re dedicated to helping folks choose the right one (or, in our case “ones”) for their needs. Case in point: Handing over top dollar for an expensive rig may leave you unsatisfied if it doesn’t fit your preferred shooting style. Sure, a $6,000 sports-oriented DSLR can capture landscapes, but do you really need to do it at 30 frames-per-second? No, you don’t.

The post The best photo sticks in 2023 appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best SDXC card		SanDisk 200GB Ultra microSDXC		SEE IT
Best SDHC card		SAMSUNG EVO Select Micro SD Memory Card		SEE IT
Best class ten		PNY 1TB PRO Elite		SEE IT

With smart technology-enabled cameras getting smaller, more powerful, and more affordable, even the most casual weekend photographers can fly a camera in the sky to survey the landscape, or film their latest mountain bike trail with powerful 360 action cameras. Smaller devices allow people to easily carry cameras with them at all times and capture the world in new ways. These high definition videos captured by smartphone, drone, or action cameras need solutions to store their incredible images. SD cards, or secure digital cards, are used to store and transfer data. The micro SD card performs the same function but accomplishes the task in a physically smaller form (a micro SD card is incredibly only the size of your fingertip). The range of storage capabilities and speed that micro SD cards deliver is surprisingly impressive as well. Understanding the difference between SD cards, and the memory and speed necessary will help you select the best micro SD card for your storage needs.

• Best SDXC card: SanDisk 200GB Ultra microSDXC
• Best SDHC card: SAMSUNG EVO Select Micro SD Memory Card
• Best class ten: PNY 1TB PRO Elite
• Best SanDisk: SanDisk 128GB MicroSDXC
• Best compact flash: Lexar Professional CompactFlash card
• Best budget: SAMSUNG: EVO Select 128GB MicroSDXC

The best MicroSD cards: Reviews & Recommendations

Best SDXC card: SanDisk 200GB Ultra microSDXC

SEE IT

This is a great moderately priced choice for storing and transferring up to 200 GB of HD video imaging. It’s an ideal choice for MIL cameras as well as tablets and smartphones. Up to 100MB/s transfer speed allows for quick transfer of files to your computer.

Best SDHC card: SAMSUNG EVO Select Micro SD Memory Card

SEE IT

This well priced micro SDHC card comes with a full-size SD card adapter. The Class 10 speed and read-write speeds up to 95MB/s make this a great choice for use with 4K and HD videos and HD photography. While it’s ideal for basic use, this might not be your best option for longer duration videos.

Best class 10: PNY 1TB PRO Elite

SEE IT

This micro SDXC card is designed to process and capture 4K video, and can be used in cameras, drones, and smartphones, as well as computers. Built tough, the card can withstand magnets, water, and extreme temperature changes. A good choice for reliable transfer and recordings of your 4K videos.

Best SanDisk: SanDisk 128GB MicroSDXC

SEE IT

While advertised for use with Nintendo Switch systems, this micro SD card is well-reviewed for speed and reliability and can be used in any device that is compatible with micro SDXC cards. The device includes a BlueProton USB 3.0 Micro SDXC/SDXC card reader for easy transfer of games, photos, or videos.

Best compact: Lexar Professional CompactFlash card

SEE IT

This durable, reliable compact flash card offers 128 GB of storage capacity and a UDMA rating of 7, which are fast and a good choice for your photography and video capturing. Compatible with DSLR cameras, HD camcorders, and 3D cameras, this memory card can capture HD images as well as 4K video. An image rescue software is included to install on your computer or laptop in case files have been erased.

Best budget: SAMSUNG: EVO Select 128GB MicroSDXC

SEE IT

This cheap micro SDXC card offers 128 GB of storage, and a class 10 speed with a minimum sustained write speed of 30 MB per second. This all adds up to a card made for recording your 4K or HD videos without any visible lagging or buffering. Waterproof, X-ray proof, and temperature-proof design will help elongate the life of this card.

Things to consider when shopping for the best micro SD cards

In order to choose the best micro SD card for your photography, you need to understand the appropriate size and speeds required for the camera and the task, as well as familiarize yourself with the different options available to you. We’ve selected some of the best micro SD cards currently on the market for your consideration.

If you want to store large files and photos, consider a micro SDXC card

When you’ll be taking a lot of photos and shooting HD video, or you anticipate needing a lot of storage on your micro SD card-capable devices, you may want to look for a micro SDXC card. The best micro SDXC cards were designed specifically to handle the storage demands of high-definition 4K recording, which inherently require a large storage capacity to take on the file sizes created by such a high resolution. SDXC stands for “extended capacity” secure digital and can store up to 2 terabytes (2000 GB).

It’s important to check the compatibility of your device with micro SDXC cards. For example, the Nintendo Switch is able to use newer micro SDXC cards as well as older SD or SDHC cards. Within the micro SDXC card market, you have a range of storage—from 32GB to 2TB. The best micro SDXC card will allow for plenty of storage for your HD photos and video and will come with an SD adapter to allow for easy transfer to your computer. A 200 GB micro SDXC card should be able to hold over half an hour of 4K video, and about two hours of HD video.

For HD video & better performance, consider a micro SDHC card

Micro SDHC cards offer a storage capacity up to 32 gigabytes. Unlike a micro SD card, which simply refers to small (physical size) secure digital, the micro SDHC stands for small (physical size) high capacity secure digital. The best micro SDHC cards offer extra storage, which is really handy when storing HD video and photos. Often you will find these micro SDHC cards used in tablets, smartphones, drones, and action cameras.

Be sure to check your device’s compatibility with this SDHC format. The best micro SDHC cards will offer a class 10 speed, making it ideal for 4K videos. This is a middle-of-the-range storage device, as it does not hold as much data as the SDXC cards, but more than a micro SD card. The micro SDHC card is fully capable of handling high definition, and the midrange level of data storage also means that these are generally very affordable. To help determine if this card is a good fit for your uses, know that a 32 GB micro SDHC card will be able to hold approximately 8 minutes of 4K video, or 26 minutes of HD video. If shorter videos and photos are your main use, this is a good, affordable micro SD card option.

Consider SD card classes before buying

Another important factor to consider is SD card classes. The best micro SD cards will provide a consistent and reliable fast write speed which will help your device to perform at its best. The SD Association has developed a system of speed classes that detail the minimum sequential write speed. Speed classes help determine the speed you need for various devices including standard video, HD video, 4K video, as well as 8K video. Always be sure to check with your camera to see what card classes are compatible.

SD card classes are represented by symbols that show the write speed rate per second. For example, the C10 symbol references the Class 10, which means the minimum sustained write speed is 10MB per second. This speed will allow for use with 4K video, HD video, as well as standard video. Similarly, the U1 or U3 speed class symbols show minimum write speeds. For example, a U1 means that the card will never write slower than 10MB per second. Most recently, the SD Association has also included a Video Speed Class represented on your card as V6, V10, V30, V60, and V90. This speed rating system helps you select the right speed for your video recordings. The fastest cards in this system will work for 8K video.

You can’t go wrong with a reliable flash memory brand

When deciding on which micro SD card to purchase, another important factor to consider is the brand or manufacturer. The best micro SD cards are produced by a reliable brand that has years of experience in this space. In fact, the company that first invented the micro SD format was SanDisk. The SD Association accepted and named this format in 200, and a year later, SanDisk offered the micro SD card to the public.

In the years following, many additional companies have started producing reliable micro SD cards. As the technology cards’ speed and storage capacity has increased, the prices for the older cards have decreased. Additional brands with good reputations to consider are Samsung, Lexar, Kingston, and PNY.

There’s a great solution for cameras that don’t support a micro SD card

If your camera doesn’t support a micro SD card, another great option for compact storage is a CF card, also known as a Compact Flash card. The best compact flash memory card will be durable, have a fast write speed, and hold a large capacity of files. Professional cameras will be compatible with either SD or CF memory cards—although some cameras offer multiple types of memory card slots, so it’s important to review your manual to ensure you are selecting the compatible card for your device.

One major difference between SD, micro SD, and Compact Flash is size. The CF card will be the largest of these memory cards. However, many professional cameras also can be larger in size, so these cards wouldn’t seem out of place in terms of scale. CF cards have been on the market longer than SD and micro SD cards and they are known for their durability. Similar to micro SD cards, CF cards are available in different speeds and storage capacities. Selecting the correct size and speed depends upon the type of image and video you will be shooting.

Best micro SD card on a budget: What you can get for under $20

Luckily, in the years since micro SD cards have been on the market, the price has come down to more reasonable levels across the board. For most general uses you can get a reliable, fast micro SD card with enough memory to handle your imaging on a budget. The higher cost micro SD cards are geared more towards professional level 4K video, and those who need the space for many hours of footage. The best micro SD card for less will have a class 10 speed, and plenty of room to store your files.

FAQs

A final word on shopping for the best micro SD cards

• Best SDXC card: SanDisk 200GB Ultra microSDXC
• Best SDHC card: SAMSUNG EVO Select Micro SD Memory Card
• Best class ten: PNY 1TB PRO Elite
• Best SanDisk: SanDisk 128GB MicroSDXC
• Best compact flash: Lexar Professional CompactFlash card
• Best budget: SAMSUNG: EVO Select 128GB MicroSDXC

Micro SD cards have evolved to offer very powerful speed and storage for your smaller camera, drone, or smart device. The best micro SD cards will be durable, offer high-capacity storage, and fast write speeds for seamless capture and transfer of your high-definition imaging.

Why trust us

PopPhoto has a long history of delivering the opinions of some of the sharpest and most prolific camera dorks the world has to offer. Since 1937, we’ve been reviewing cameras, providing wisdom from well-known photographers, and generally just nerding out about all that goes into making great pictures. Our current crop of writers and editors have decades of professional photography and camera writing experience among them. Collectively, we’ve probably shot with just about every camera and lens combo you can imagine—as well as some obscure stuff you may not even know about. Remember the Casio Tryx folding camera? PopPhoto does.

We also get that buying a camera is a big decision, which is why we’re dedicated to helping folks choose the right one (or, in our case “ones”) for their needs. Case in point: Handing over top dollar for an expensive rig may leave you unsatisfied if it doesn’t fit your preferred shooting style. Sure, a $6,000 sports-oriented DSLR can capture landscapes, but do you really need to do it at 30 frames-per-second? No, you don’t.

The post The best Micro SD cards of 2023 appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

If you’re anything like us, you run out of storage for all your photos and videos quickly. Hard drives fill up fast, especially if you are diligent about keeping things backed up in multiple places. And although hard drive prices have come down significantly from what they were, if you are looking for large-capacity drives or fast, portable SSDs, they are still quite pricey. Luckily, shopping holidays like Amazon Prime Day result in very steep discounts on both desktop and portable drives, saving you significantly on storage.

SAMSUNG T7 Shield 4TB Portable SSD $199.99 (was $429.99)

SEE IT

A portable SSD is something that every photographer should have in their arsenal. It’s an easy way to keep files that you are currently working on backed up without bogging down your computer. This Samsung T7 shield is one of the best available, in large part thanks to its rugged IP65 rating. It also offers read and write speeds up to 1,050 MB/s and 1,000 Mb/S, respectively, so it’s plenty fast enough to edit directly from the drive. There are smaller capacities of this drive, but the 4TB version is the only one with a Prime Day deal going.

Synology 2-Bay DiskStation DS723+ (Diskless) $359.99 (was $449.99)

SEE IT

If you need serious storage, a setup like this is a fantastic solution. This is a two-bay NAS solution that can be customized as your needs change and library grows. There’s even optional support for up to seven drives, making this a long-term solution or an option for those serious about backing up their files safely. It doesn’t come with the drives, so you’ll need to buy those separately. We’d suggest these Western Digital HDDs, which also happen to be on sale for Prime Day.

More Prime Day hard drive deals

Portable SSDs

• SAMSUNG T7 2TB, Portable SSD $99.99 (was $129.99)
• Crucial X8 4TB Portable SSD $175.99 (was $479.99)
• SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD $109.99 (was $149.99)

Portable HDDs

• LaCie Rugged Mini 2TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD $69.99 (was $109.99)
• LaCie Rugged Mini 4TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD $99.99 (was $159.99)
• LaCie Rugged Mini 5TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD $119.99 (was $169.99)
• WD 5TB My Passport for Mac $99.99 (was $159.99)

Desktop drives

• WD 20TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive $319.99 (was $505.99)
• WD 8TB My Cloud EX2 Ultra Network Attached Storage $319.99 (was $399.99)
• WD 6TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive $105.99 (was $122.50)
• WD 22TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive $449.99 (was $599.99)
• Synology 4-Bay DiskStation DS923+ (Diskless) $479.99 (was $599.99)

The post Last-minute Prime Day hard drive and SSD deals appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Let’s face it, most of us photographers and videographers tend to accumulate a lot of stuff. And staying organized can be challenging as a result. While everyone has their own system, bins of all shapes and sizes tend to be the common thread. If you’re needing to revamp your organization but are not excited about spending money on something so mundane, you’re in luck. This Prime Day, you can take advantage of deals on a variety of bins from CleverMade, saving you money on something boring so you can spend it on something fun, like a new camera to put in that bin.

All of these Prime Day deals require an active Amazon Prime Membership. You can sign up here for a free 30-day trial.

CleverMade 62L Collapsible Storage Bins, 3 Pack, Tan – $54.99 (was $74.99)

SEE IT

These CleverMade storage bins are, well, clever, thanks to the collapsible design. It’s an ideal solution for traveling to and from shoots where you may have temporary props like fresh flowers and rented equipment. And it’s also easier to buy a few more than you need upfront, knowing that you can store them more easily until they are needed. This version measures 23.12 x 15.25 x 12.75 inches when open and can hold up to 100 pounds. It comes with three bins, so you can get loads of stuff organized right away. It doesn’t come with lids, but if you want a lidded version, you can also find that below.

Even more CleverMade Prime Day deals

• CleverMade Collapsible Milk Crates, 25L, 3 Pack, Black $37.99 (was $49.99)
• CleverMade Milk Crates, 25L Plastic Stackable Storage Bins, Pack of 3, Blue $35.99 (was $49.99)
• CleverMade 16L Collapsible Reusable Plastic Grocery Shopping Baskets, 3 pack, Charcoal $37.99 (was $48.37)
• CleverMade 62L Collapsible Storage Bins with Lids, 3 Pack, Neptune Blue $64.99 (was $79.99)
• CleverMade 62L Collapsible Storage Bins with Lids, 3 Pack, Charcoal $63.74 (was $74.99)
• CleverMade 45L Collapsible Storage Bins, 3 pack, Black $57.99 (was $69.64)
• CleverMade 45L Collapsible Utility Crates, Grey, 3 Pack $46.42 (was $69.99)
• CleverMade 45L Collapsible Utility Crates, Royal Blue, 3 Pack $54.99 (was $69.99)

The post Save on CleverMade storage bins during Amazon Prime Day appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Memory cards are one thing you can never have too many of as a photographer or videographer. It’s good to always have extras on hand when shooting, and you probably have some that should be retired at this point to be safe. While the price of SD cards has come down significantly, it’s still nice to save money on them since they aren’t exactly exciting or fun to buy. PNY has been one of the most trusted memory card brands for a long time, and right now, you can take advantage of these PNY Prime Day deals to save on a variety of capacities of SD and microSD cards.

All of these Prime Day deals require an active Amazon Prime Membership. You can sign up here for a free 30-day trial.

PNY 512GB EliteX-PRO60 UHS-II SDXC Memory Card – $74.99 (was $124.99)

SEE IT

These PNY cards offer read speeds up to 280MB/s and write speeds up to 150MB/s, making them suitable for professional photographers. They are Class 10, U3 rated with V60 video speed, which means they are compatible with 4K video and high-speed burst photography. And they are rugged cards, built to be magnet, shock, temperature, and waterproof.

Even more PNY Prime Day deals

SD cards

• 64GB EliteX-PRO90 Class 10 U3 V90 UHS-II SDXC Flash Memory Card $41.99 (was $59.99)
• 512GB PRO Elite Class 10 U3 V30 SDXC Flash Memory Card $41.99 (was $60.99)
• PNY 512GB Elite-X Class 10 U3 V30 SDXC Flash Memory Card $39.99 (was $54.99)
• PNY 128GB EliteX-PRO60 UHS-II SDXC Memory Card $21.99 (was $32.88)
• PNY 256GB EliteX-PRO60 UHS-II SDXC Memory Card $39.99 (was $61.99)

MicroSD cards

• PNY 512GB PRO Elite Class 10 U3 V30 microSDXC Flash Memory Card $34.99 (was $49.99)
• XLR8 512GB Gaming Class 10 U3 V30 microSDXC Flash Memory Card $33.99 (was $44.99)
• PNY 64GB Premier-X Class 10 U3 V30 microSDXC Flash Memory Card 5-Pack $20.99 (was $29.99)

More Prime Day deals

• CleverMade storage
• GoPro cameras
• Rokinon and Samyang camera and lenses
• Sony cameras and lenses
• Kodak and HP portable printers
• Nixplay digital picture frames
• Arzopa portable monitors
• Polaroid cameras and printers
• FLIR thermal cameras

The post Amazon Prime Day Deals on PNY memory cards appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Portable solid-state drives (SSDs) are fantastic tools for photographers, videographers, and content creators. They are incredibly compact, so you can keep one on you and keep your work backed up even if you are traveling. They offer fast enough speeds to work directly off of to keep your computer’s hard drive freed up. And most of them are very durable, keeping your files safer than hard disk drives (HDDs). The downside is that they are more expensive than HDDs, but luckily, prices frequently drop, and right now, you can get two versions of our favorite SSDs—SanDisk’s Extreme Portable SSD—for cheaper than we have ever seen them. Explore the sweet deals on SanDisk portable SSDs below.

SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD $119.99 (was $459.99)

SEE IT

For most creatives, 2TB of portable storage is an ideal amount. And it also happens to provide the biggest discount of all the capacities of this model. The Extreme Portable SSD offers up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds over a USB-C connection, IP55 water and dust resistance size feet of drop protection, and a carabiner loop to keep it from getting lost. And the rubberized texture keeps it from slipping out of pockets or off of airplane tray tables.

More capacities:

• SanDisk 500GB Extreme Portable SSD $69.95 (was $149.99)
• SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD $82.99 (was $249.99)
• SanDisk 4TB Extreme Portable SSD $249.99 (was $699.99)

SanDisk 4TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD $299.99 (was $899.99)

SEE IT

If the Extreme Portable doesn’t offer fast enough speeds for you, the Extreme PRO Portable SSD should fit the bill. It provides up to 2000MB/s read and write speeds, making them the better choice for videographers who may want to edit directly off the drive from time to time. It still offers the same ruggedness and durability as the other drive, so your precious files will be safe.

More capacities of SanDisk portable SSDs:

• SanDisk 1TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD $146.62 (was $309.99)
• SanDisk 2TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD $179.99 (was $499.99)

The post Major savings of up to 74 percent on SanDisk portable SSDs now at Amazon appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Memory cards may not be the first things that come to mind when you think of Samsung. However, it has been making the devices since the early 2000s. In fact, the tech giant makes quite a variety of both SD and microSD cards. And it has just announced the newest cards in its lineup, an updated version of the PRO Plus memory cards. Both the SD and microSD versions offer a video speed class rating of V30. And Samsung promises faster speeds, making them compatible with 4K ultra-high definition recording.

Samsung PRO Plus SD

The PRO Plus SDXC is a UHS-I card with U3 and V30 speed class ratings. It’s compatible with most cameras that use SD cards, including DSLRs, mirrorless, and compact cameras, though always be sure to verify them. Samsung promises read speeds up to 180 MB/s, which is a 12 percent increase over the previous version of the PRO Plus SD. It should offer write speeds up to 130 MB/s, which is an eight percent increase from its predecessor.

Samsung builds in serious protection for its cards, helping them last longer. They are protected against shock, water, extreme temperatures, x-ray, wear out, drops, and magnet impact. It’s also protected by a ten-year limited warranty.

Pricing & availability

The PRO Plus SD is available in multiple capacities: 64GB for $12.99, 128GB for $21.99, and 256GB for $37.99. You can also bundle the 128GB card with Samsung’s card reader for $29.99 or get the 256GB card with the card reader for $49.99.

Samsung PRO Plus microSD

The PRO Plus microSD is truly just a smaller version of the SD card. It offers the same UHS-I interface with U3 and V30 speed class ratings. And it features the same read and write speeds of 180 MB/s and 130 MB/s, respectively. Like the SD card, the read speed is a 12 percent increase while the write speed is eight percent faster than the previous PRO Plus microSD. It would work well in action cameras, drones, mobile devices, and even gaming consoles.

Pricing & availability

The Samsung PRO Plus microSD is available in even larger capacities than the SD. The 128GB version is priced at $18.99, 256GB at $29.99, and 512GB at $59.99. You can bundle each capacity with the card reader for $25.99, $37.99, and $64.99, respectively.

The post Samsung announces faster PRO Plus memory cards appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		SanDisk 2TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD		SEE IT	The overall best is fast and reliable
Best value		Crucial X6		SEE IT	This smooth drive fits easily in any pocket
Best rugged		LaCie Rugged SSD 1TB Solid State Drive		SEE IT	It can withstand a beating without losing data

Whether you’re backing up files in the field or just trying to keep your laptop’s internal drive free from clutter, SSDs can help. If you’ve been capturing memories with your camera for a while, you know there are two types of drives: one that has already failed and one that is about to fail. External solid state drives (SSD) is made up of flash. Because of this, they lack the moving parts found in traditional external hard disc drives (HDDs), which makes the SSD less susceptible to damage from shock. No moving parts also mean it runs quieter and faster. Ultimately, the best SSDs are a lot more reliable when you are traveling around than using a drive with a spinning disc.  

• Best overall: SanDisk 2TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD
• Best value: Crucial X6
• Best rugged: LaCie Rugged SSD 1TB Solid State Drive
• Best large-capacity: SABRENT Rocket XTRM-Q 16TB External Aluminum SSD
• Best budget: Samsung SSD T7, 500GB

How we chose the best SSDs

The writers and editors at PopPhoto are constantly moving photo and video files around, which makes fast transfer speeds and reliable drives crucial to our process. To choose the best SSDs, we relied on hands-on testing, personal experience, spec comparisons, editorial reviews, and user feedback to find drives with the right mix of portability, reliability, and affordability. We focused on drives from reputable companies with solid reputations for not losing data. We also emphasized portability and stuck only to external SSDs since internal SSDs are an entirely different can of worms.

The best SSDs: Reviews & recommendations

Best overall: 2TB SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD

SEE IT

Specs

• Capacity: 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB
• Speed: Up to 2,000 MB/s
• Size: 0.41 x 2.28 x 4.36 inches
• Weight: 2.72 ounces

Pros

• Fast
• Reliable
• Very portable

Cons

• Pricey

The 2TB SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD has 2000MB/sec read/write speeds and is made of a forged aluminum that acts as a heat sink for the drive. It’s a rugged 2TB external hard drive in a tiny package that has 2-meter drop protection, is IP55 water and dust resistant, and has a little loop for a carabiner to keep it securely attached when you are on the move. The SanDisk SSD includes 256-bit AES encryption and password protection for when you are carrying sensitive data. It fits in the palm of your hand, and SanDisk SSDs also come in a 1TB capacity if you need less space and/or are working on a tight budget. 

Best value: Crucial X6

SEE IT

Specs

• Capacity: 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB
• Speed: 800MB/s
• Size: 2.72 x 0.43 x 2.52 inches
• Weight: 1.48 ounces

Pros

• Easy to fit in a pocket
• Up to 4TB storage
• Affordable

Cons

• Not as fast as others on the list

This Crucial drive has rounded edges and a small form factor that make it easy to stick into a bag or even a pants pocket if you need to move in a hurry. At 800MB/s it’s not quite as fast as some of the other drives on this list, but it’s still speedy enough for transferring files and even video editing if you need it. It relies on a removable cable with a USB-C connection, but it comes with both a USB-C and USB-A cable to work better with older laptops.

Best rugged: LaCie Rugged SSD 1TB Solid State Drive

SEE IT

Specs

• Capacity: 500GB, 1TB, 2TB
• Speed: 1,050MB/s
• Size: 0.67 x 2.56 x 3.85 inches
• Weight: 3.53 ounces

Pros

• IP67 rating for toughness and water resistance
• Rugged, rubberized coating
• Easy to see in a bag

Cons

• Bulky

LaCie’s bright orange SSDs have IP67-rated water and dust resistance, three-meter drop protection, and 2-ton car crush resistance. If you are going to be transferring photos and videos in the unforgiving outdoors, this is the drive for you. It offers read/write speeds up to 1050MB/sec for 4K footage and has Seagate Self-Encrypting technology. As an added bonus, the LaCie drive comes with a one-month complimentary membership to Adobe Create Cloud. It also includes a five-year protection plan with data recovery services in case you run into issues. 

Best large-capacity: SABRENT Rocket XTRM-Q 16TB External Aluminum SSD

SEE IT

Specs

• Capacity: 2TB, 4TB, 8TB, and 16TB
• Speed: 1400MB/s per single SSD or up to 2800MB/s for RAID-0 mode
• Size: 4.5 x 2.56 x 0.68 inches
• Weight: 8.3 ounces

Pros

• 16TB storage option is tops on the list
• Rugged aluminum shell
• Thunderbolt compatible
• Fast performance

Cons: 

• Requires a power adapter
• Expensive

Larger capacity drives come with much higher prices, but if space is what you need you can’t do better than this 16TB SSD drive from Sabrent. The XTRM-Q 16TB SSD is a dual disk drive consisting of two separate 8TB disks. Because of the dual drive configuration, it provides RAID functionality with four possible setups. You can choose to use them as two independent 8TB drives, RAID-0, RAID-1, or JBOD/Sequential. That means you can customize this SSD to truly work how you need it to.

The XTRM-Q from Sabrent is Thunderbolt certified by Intel, resulting in fast speeds. It offers 1400MB/s per single SSD or up to 2800MB/s when using RAID-0 mode. That’s fast enough to edit directly off the drive. While it’s certainly small for a device with this much storage, it does require a power supply, unlike the other options on our list. But that’s a small price to pay for the amount of storage and flexibility you are getting in such a small package.

Best budget: Samsung SSD T7, 500GB

SEE IT

Specs

• Capacity: 500GB, 1Tb, and 2TB
• Speed: 1,050MB/s
• Size: 3.3 x 2.2 x 0.3 inches
• Weight: 1.48 ounces

Pros

• Very compact
• Fast transfers
• Affordable

Cons

• Barebones feature list

Drive capacity is the main thing that drives up the price of SSD hard drives. As a result, folks looking to save should opt for a drive with a lower capacity. That doesn’t mean you have to opt for lower quality, however. This 500GB Samsung SSD has a read/write speed of 1050MB/s and 1000MB/sec, which is nice and speedy. It is shock resistant and can withstand drops from 1.8 meters and features dynamic thermal guard to prevent overheating. And it can be password protected. At under $100 for the 500GB version, this Samsung SSD won’t put nearly as big of a dent in your wallet as some of the other drives on this list. 

Things to consider when shopping for SSDs

When shopping for computer storage, the price of the drive has a lot to do with storage capacity and read/write speeds. Larger capacity drives with faster read/write speeds will be the most expensive, while lower-capacity drives with slower speeds will cost less. 

Speed

Speed and reliability are probably the most important features for photographers, while capacity is likely more crucial for videographers. To futureproof yourself with the fastest transfer speeds, the best computer storage will be USB 3.1 or 3.2—avoid the older, slower USB 3.0 models. Some drives offer a rugged build for additional protection, which is great if you often find yourself working outdoors or in a location where you have to improvise with desk space. The majority of SSD drives are compatible with both Mac and PC and just require formatting for the appropriate platform before use. 

Size

The physical size of SSDs can vary greatly, as do colors and design elements. But these factors are typically less important than capacity when it comes to computer storage. In recent years the speed and capacity rates of SSD drives on the market have exploded. Selecting the right SSD size has a lot to do with the files you’ll store on it, where you will use it, and how much space you need. If you are working with 4K video files, a large capacity 4TB drive might be the best option. But if you are diligent about getting your files off of the portable SSD and into an archival storage system and are primarily shooting photographs, smaller-capacity SSDs will suffice. Ultimately, the best SSD for you is the one that fits in your bag and can fit all your files.

Connectivity

Most drives on the market at the moment connect to a computer via USB-C. Speed can vary with that connection, so be sure to make sure the device comes with a cable that makes the most of your computer’s actual connections. Some drives have the cable integrated, while others require you to carry an external wire. The former has an advantage when it comes to convenience (you’ll never be out of luck when you forget a cable), but if that wire dies, it takes the whole device with it.

FAQs

Related: These are the fastest SD cards for your camera

Final thoughts on the best SSDs

• Best overall: SanDisk 2TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD
• Best value: Crucial X6
• Best rugged: LaCie Rugged SSD 1TB Solid State Drive
• Best large-capacity: SABRENT Rocket XTRM-Q 16TB External Aluminum SSD
• Best budget: Samsung SSD T7, 500GB

External SSDs come in a variety of sizes and speeds and price typically goes up with higher capacity drives with faster read/write speeds. A 1TB or 2TB drive will probably be plenty of space for most photographers and will encourage you to get those files off of the SSD and onto a more archival format for long-term storage. Ultimately, having an SSD drive at your disposal as a photographer will help speed up your workflow and give you peace of mind that the images and videos stored on your SD cards are safely duplicated in an additional location.

Why trust us

PopPhoto has a long history of delivering the opinions of some of the sharpest and most prolific camera dorks the world has to offer. Since 1937, we’ve been reviewing cameras, providing wisdom from well-known photographers, and generally just nerding out about all that goes into making great pictures. Our current crop of writers and editors have decades of professional photography and camera writing experience among them. Collectively, we’ve probably shot with just about every camera and lens combo you can imagine—as well as some obscure stuff you may not even know about. Remember the Casio Tryx folding camera? PopPhoto does.

We also get that buying a camera is a big decision, which is why we’re dedicated to helping folks choose the right one (or, in our case “ones”) for their needs. Case in point: Handing over top dollar for an expensive rig may leave you unsatisfied if it doesn’t fit your preferred shooting style. Sure, a $6,000 sports-oriented DSLR can capture landscapes, but do you really need to do it at 30 frames-per-second? No, you don’t.

The post The best SSDs for 2023 appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Responsible photographers get to enjoy all kinds of benefits like the camaraderie of photo walks, the thrill of capturing a perfect shot, and the dopamine rush that comes with buying a new piece of gear. If you want to keep your work safe, however, you have to do a little bit of homework and that includes backing up your photos. March 31st marks World Backup Day. The day is meant to remind everyone to make sure all those photo and video files you have sitting around won’t be lost forever in the case of a failed hard drive or an errant venti latte spilled on your computer.

We know buying storage isn’t as exciting as unboxing a new camera or lens, but that’s what makes these World Backup Day sales so appealing. You can save cash on your important storage and leave room in the gear budget for that new mirrorless camera you’ve been eyeing or maybe a swanky new camera backpack to carry everything around in. Here are some of the best storage deals going around on World Backup Day 2023.

World Backup Day portable hard drive deals

SanDisk Extreme Portable 2TB USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C External SSD V2 $139.99 (was $472.99)

SEE IT

For portable storage, the SanDisk Extreme Portable drives are some of the best around. THey offer an ideal balance of price, capacity, durability, and speed. The 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds are fast enough to work directly off of the drive, which is ideal when you are traveling. They offer 2.6-foot drop protection and an IP55 dust and water resistance rating, so you can trust your files are safe even if you aren’t gentle with the drive. Two terabytes is an ideal amount of storage for backing up working files before they go on a more permanent drive, but they also come in 500GB, one terabyte, or four terabyte options, and all are on sale right now.

LaCie Rugged SSD 1TB Solid State Drive $159.99 (was $279.99)

SEE IT

LaCie’s Rugged drives are some of the toughest around. They are IP67 rated, protected from 9.8-foot drops, and offer two-ton crush resistance. These things can handle about anything. The bright orange color makes them easy to see, which is especially useful if you take them on hiking trips and drop them somewhere. And the rubberized texture prevents it from slipping out of your hand or off of an airplane tray table. The LaCie Rugged SSD is also available in 500GB, two terabytes, or four terabytes, should you want a different capacity, though the four-terabyte option is not on sale right now.

More portable hard drive deals

SSD

• SanDisk E30 2TB USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Portable External SSD $119.99 (was $269.99)
• SAMSUNG T7 Portable SSD 500GB $69.31 (was $94.99)
• Samsung T7 Shield 2TB USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Portable External SSD, Beige $139.99 (was $289.99)
• SAMSUNG T7 Shield 1TB, Portable SSD $79.99 (was $159.99)
• SAMSUNG T7 2TB, Portable SSD $139.99 (was $269.99)
• WD _BLACK P40 2TB Game Drive USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 External SSD $179.99 (was $329.99)
• WD Elements SE 2TB Portable External SSD $109.99 (was $236.83)
• WD 2TB My Passport SSD Portable External Solid State Drive $137.99 (was $379.99)
• Crucial X6 4TB USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C Portable External SSD $229.99 (was $449.99)
• Crucial X8 2TB Portable SSD $129.99 (was $219.99)
• LaCie Rugged SSD 500GB Solid State Drive $128.97 (was $179.99)
• LaCie Portable 2TB USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C External SSD v2 $189.99 (was $349.99)
• SABRENT Rocket XTRM-Q 16TB External Aluminum SSD $1,999.99 (was $2,899.99)

HDD

• WD My Passport 2TB Portable USB 3.2 External Hard Drive, Black $67.99 (was $79.99)
• WD Elements 2TB USB 3.0 Portable External Hard Drive $61.99 (was $89.99)
• WD My Passport Ultra 2TB USB 3.0 Type-C External Hard Drive, Silver $79.99 (was $99.99)
• WD My Passport 5TB USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive, Black $109.99 (was $169.99)
• LaCie Rugged Mini 4TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD $149.00 (was $159.99)
• LaCie 8TB Rugged RAID Shuttle USB-C & USB 3.0 All-Terrain Encrypted Drive $449.99 (was $529.99)
• Seagate Expansion 2TB USB 3.0 Portable External Hard Drive $56.99 (was $61.99)

World Backup Day desktop storage deals

SanDisk Professional G-RAID Shuttle 8-Bay Thunderbolt 3 RAID Array w/160TB HDD $6,699.99 (was $8,499.99)

SEE IT

This storage is an investment, there’s no getting around it. It costs nearly as much as the 2000 Mazda Miata we bought recently. But, if you want serious amounts of in-house storage that is flexible in how you use it, you can’t beat SanDisk’s G-RAID Shuttle. It utilizes eight separate 20-terabyte drives and supports RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60 configurations. It can also be daisy-chained to up to five devices. You can configure this in a way that makes sense for you and your files and because of the large size, you should be set for storage for quite some time. 

WD 18TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive $299.99 (was $539.99)

SEE IT

These Western Digital My Books are some of our favorite desktop drives. They are a fantastic option when you need lots of storage but don’t want anything fancy and don’t want to spend a fortune. They aren’t the fastest around, even compared to other HDDs, so you won’t want to work directly off of them. But, these large-capacity versions are an ideal choice for backing up your entire library at a much more affordable price than other drives. They come in a variety of capacities, but the biggest deal for World Backup day is the 18TB version. 

More external desktop drives on sale

• WD 8TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive $159.99 (was $199.99)
• WD Elements 10TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive $189.99 (was $279.99)
• WD Elements 16TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive $269.99 (was $499.99)
• WD Elements 20TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive $379.99 (was $549.99)
• WD 16TB My Cloud EX2 Ultra Network Attached Storage – NAS $499.99 (was $729.99)
• LaCie 1big Dock 18TB Thunderbolt 3 External Hard Drive $749.00 (was $849.00)
• LaCie 2big Dock Thunderbolt 3 v2 40TB HDD RAID Array with Data Recovery Services $1,699.00 (was $1,799.00)
• SanDisk Professional G-DRIVE PRO 12TB $520.69 (was $649.99)
• SanDisk Professional 20TB G-DRIVE PRO $753.10 (was $949.99)
• SanDisk Professional 24TB G-RAID Shuttle 4 – Enterprise-Class 4-Bay External Hard Drive $1,955.09 (was $2,099.99)
• Seagate One Touch Hub 16TB USB 3.0 Type-C External Desktop Hard Drive $329.99 (was $459.99)
• Seagate 8TB 3.5″ Expansion Desktop USB 3.0 External Hard Drive $134.99 (was $199.99)
• Synology 2 bay NAS DiskStation DS220j (Diskless), 2-bay; 512MB DDR4 $149.99 (was $189.99)

World Backup Day memory card deals

Though we don’t recommend memory cards for keeping your files backed up, they are something you can never really have too many of as a photographer or videographer. And sales happen just frequently enough that it makes sense to hold off on stocking up until you can find discounts, which is the case during World Backup Day sales.

Lexar Professional 2000x 128GB SDXC UHS-II Card $95.99 (was $169.99)

SEE IT

CFexpress is on the rise, but most cameras still use SD or SDXC cards. This Lexar Professional option promises read speeds of 300 MB/s and 260MB/s write speeds. It’s capable of handling 8K video, making it a good choice for videographers as well as photographers. And it’s temperature-proof, shockproof, vibration-proof, and X-ray-proof, so you can trust it will hold up no matter what you through at it (almost).

Lexar Professional CFexpress Type B USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Reader $37.59 (was $69.99)

SEE IT

Having a fast memory card is only one piece of the puzzle for fast performance. You’ll also need a fast card reader if you want to transfer files to your computer quickly. This Lexar CFexpress Type B card reader offers up to 1700MB/s of read speed, meaning you won’t have to wait nearly as long to get files from your shoot transferred and ready to edit. That’s even true if you are working with 8K video.

More memory card deals

• Lexar Professional 80GB CFexpress Type A Gold Series Memory Card $135.99 (was $199.99)
• Lexar Professional 320GB CFexpress Type A Card Gold Series + Type A/SD USB 3.2 Gen 2 Reader $467.96 (was $699.99)
• Lexar Professional CFexpress 128GB Type-B Card $103.99 (was $149.99)
• PNY 256GB PRO Elite Class 10 U3 V30 microSDXC Flash Memory Card $16.98 (was $38.99)
• PNY 64GB Elite-X Class 10 U3 V30 microSDXC Flash Memory Card, 3 Count $15.99 (was $27.99)
• Lexar Professional 1066x 1TB SDXC UHS-I Card Silver Series $152.99 (was $219.99)
• Lexar Professional 1667x 128GB (2-Pack) SDXC UHS-II Cards $55.99 (was $87.99)
• Lexar Professional 3500x 64GB CFast 2.0 Card $59.99 (was $99.99)
• Lexar Professional Multi-Card 3-in-1 USB 3.1 Reader $15.99 (was $29.99)

The post Save up to 70 percent on external storage for World Backup Day appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.