Question 1

What's the difference between UHS-I and UHS-II memory cards?

Accepted Answer

UHS-I supports read speeds up to 104 MB/s, while UHS-II can reach up to 312 MB/s — but only if both your camera and card reader support UHS-II. In practice, a UHS-II card inserted into a UHS-I device will simply run at UHS-I speeds. The upgrade is worth it if you regularly transfer large RAW files or shoot high-bitrate 4K video and your equipment supports it. Otherwise, save your money.

Question 2

Which memory card speed class do I need for 4K video recording?

Accepted Answer

For 4K video, you need at minimum a V30-rated card (30 MB/s sustained write speed). V30 handles most consumer 4K cameras comfortably. If you're using a professional cinema camera or shooting high-bitrate 4K/8K, step up to V60 or V90. Using a card rated below V30 for 4K recording risks dropped frames and corrupted footage — it's not a risk worth taking.

Question 3

Is a SanDisk memory card actually worth the premium over cheaper brands?

Accepted Answer

SanDisk cards are genuinely reliable, but the premium isn't always justified. Kingston, Transcend, and Samsung offer comparable real-world performance at lower average prices. Where SanDisk earns its price is in the Extreme PRO range — those UHS-II cards deliver consistently high speeds. For everyday use (smartphones, dashcams, action cameras), a Kingston or Samsung card at a lower price point is a perfectly sensible choice. Just buy from an authorised UK retailer to avoid counterfeits.

Question 4

Can I use a microSD card in a full-size SD card slot?

Accepted Answer

Yes — most microSD cards come with a full-size SD adapter, which lets you use them in standard SD slots. However, the adapter limits the card to the speed of the slot, and some cameras don't read adapters reliably for sustained video recording. If your camera has a full-size SD slot, buying a native SDXC card is the safer choice for professional work.

Question 5

What memory card should I buy for a Nintendo Switch?

Accepted Answer

A microSDXC card with at least 128 GB and a UHS-I Speed Class 3 (U3) rating is the recommended minimum for Nintendo Switch. The Switch doesn't support UHS-II, so there's no point paying for it. SanDisk makes official Nintendo-branded cards, but any reputable A1 or A2 UHS-I card from Kingston or Samsung will work just as well for less. 256 GB is a comfortable size if you download games digitally.

Question 6

Are cheap memory cards from unknown brands worth the risk?

Accepted Answer

No — counterfeit and low-quality memory cards are one of the most common sources of data loss in consumer electronics. Cards sold below market rate on marketplace platforms frequently misreport their capacity or fail silently, corrupting files without warning. The price difference between a budget card from an unknown brand and a reputable Kingston or Integral card is often just a few pounds. It's not worth gambling your photos or footage on. Always buy from a known UK retailer.

Question 7

How much storage do I actually need on a memory card in 2026?

Accepted Answer

For most users, 128 GB to 256 GB is the practical sweet spot. A 128 GB card holds roughly 35,000 JPEG photos or around 4–5 hours of 4K video. If you shoot RAW files or record long sessions without access to a laptop, 256 GB or 512 GB makes more sense. 1 TB cards exist and are useful for extended expeditions or professional shoots, but the cost per GB is still higher than mid-range capacities.

Memory Cards Price Comparison

Verbatim Pro 32 GB SDHC UHS Class 10

Hama 00124135 memory card 32 GB SDHC UHS-I Class 10

SanDisk 32GB Extreme CompactFlash

SanDisk CF Extreme 128GB CompactFlash

Hama SDXC 128GB UHS-I Class 10

NEC BE116502 memory card 1 GB SD

SanDisk Extreme 32 GB MicroSDHC UHS-I Class 10

SanDisk SDCFSP-064G-G46D memory card 64 GB CFast 2.0

SanDisk Extreme 32 GB MicroSDHC UHS-I Class 10

SanDisk Extreme Plus 32 GB MicroSDHC UHS-I

SanDisk Extreme Pro 32 GB MicroSDHC UHS-I Class 10

ADATA Premier 128 GB MicroSDXC UHS-I Class 10

ADATA 32GB, microSDHC, Class 10 UHS-I

ADATA 64GB, microSDHC, Class 10 UHS-I

Transcend SD Card SDHC 300S 16GB

Transcend SD Card SDHC 300S 32GB

Transcend microSD Card SDHC 300S 16GB

Transcend SD Card SDXC 500S 128GB

SanDisk Extreme Pro 512 GB CFast 2.0

Axis 01491-001 memory card 128 GB MicroSDXC Class 10

DELL 385-BBKJ memory card 16 GB MicroSD

ADATA UD256GEX3L1-C memory card 256 GB MicroSDXC UHS-II

Hama 00123997 memory card 256 GB SDXC UHS-I Class 10

ADATA ASDX256GUI3V30S-R memory card 256 GB SDXC UHS-I Class 10

Memory Cards Price Comparison