Memory card
What is a memory card?
A memory card is a removable storage device for photos, videos, music, documents, and device service files. It is smaller than a postage stamp but can hold hundreds of gigabytes of data. Memory cards are used in cameras, drones, dashcams, action cameras, and other equipment that lacks sufficient internal storage.
What are memory cards used for?
In a camera, the card receives every frame and video clip. In a drone, it records video during flight, and in a dashcam, it operates in a loop for hours, constantly erasing old files. Such tasks require not just large capacity, but stable recording without interruptions.
Data from the card can be transferred to a laptop via a built-in slot or card reader. Some smartphones support microSD for photos, music, and downloads, although newer models may not have such a connector. Videos from a camera can also be viewed on a device connected to a TV.
Types of memory card formats and classes
SD and microSD are the most common. A large SD card is suitable for cameras and some professional equipment. MicroSD is used in phones, drones, dashcams, and action cameras; if necessary, it can be inserted into an SD adapter.
There are many small markings on the card itself, but you should look at a few:
- 32–512 GB — available capacity for files;
- Class 10 — recording speed no lower than 10 MB/s;
- U1 or U3 — minimum stable speed in UHS mode;
- V30, V60, V90 — benchmark for video recording;
- A1 or A2 — application performance speed;
- SDHC and SDXC — standard that determines compatibility.
For 4K video, U3 or V30 is usually the minimum to look for. The number 100 or 170 MB/s in large font often refers to reading speed, but for a camera, how well the card maintains continuous recording is more important.
Recommendations for choosing memory cards for different devices
When you need to buy a memory card for a smartphone, first check if there is a slot and what maximum capacity the model supports. For a camera, format, continuous shooting, and video resolution are important. A drone needs a card with a stable speed, otherwise, recording may stop before the flight is complete.
Do not buy the cheapest storage device of unknown origin. Counterfeit cards often show 256 GB in the menu, although they actually have significantly less memory. In such cases, files are corrupted after the real capacity is filled.
A memory card intended for a dashcam must withstand many rewrite cycles. For photos and regular files, capacity, warranty, and reading speed will be more important.
Where to buy memory cards?
To choose, you only need to know three things: which device the card is for, how much memory it supports, and at what speed it records data. After that, it becomes clear whether you need a regular 64 GB microSD, a durable card for a dashcam, or a fast model for a 4K camera.
At Flash Army, you can find cards of various formats and classes, adapters, and equipment for working with files. You won't have to pick a card at random: you can compare the parameters with the requirements of your camera, drone, or phone and avoid paying for speed that the device won't use anyway. On the website, you can also view other equipment, including televisions for watching movies on a large screen.