Best Memory Cards for Sony a6300

Are you a proud owner of the Sony a6300 camera? Are you looking for the best memory cards to enhance your photography and videography experience? Look no further! In this article, we will explore the top memory cards that are perfect for the Sony a6300, ensuring optimal performance and storage capabilities. Whether you’re shooting 4K videos or capturing high-resolution images, these memory cards will meet your needs. So let’s dive in and discover the best options available.

The Sony a6300 is a powerful camera that offers impressive features for both photography and videography enthusiasts. However, to make the most out of its capabilities, it’s crucial to invest in high-quality memory cards that can keep up with its performance. In this article, we will guide you through the process of selecting the best memory cards for your Sony a6300.

Understanding SD Card Compatibility

The Sony a6300 features a single SD card slot that supports UHS-I SD cards. This means that the camera will have limited write speeds, reaching approximately 32MB/s during continuous shooting of RAW images. While UHS-II SD cards can be used with the Sony a6300, they will only operate in UHS-I mode. As a result, you won’t experience any write speed benefits from using a UHS-II SD card. However, you can still take advantage of the read speed of UHS-II cards, which can reach up to 300MB/s. This becomes particularly useful when transferring your 4K videos or a large number of high-resolution images to a computer.

UHS-I vs. UHS-II SD Cards

UHS (Ultra High Speed) is a classification of SD cards that indicates their maximum data transfer rates. UHS-I cards have a maximum bus speed of 104MB/s, while UHS-II cards have a maximum bus speed of 312MB/s. However, it’s important to note that the Sony a6300, despite supporting UHS-II cards, will not fully utilize its write speed capabilities. Therefore, it is recommended to focus on UHS-I SD cards that offer reliable performance within the camera’s limitations.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Memory Cards

When selecting a memory card for your Sony a6300, there are several factors to consider:

1. Capacity: Determine how much storage you need based on your shooting requirements. Consider the size of the files you’ll be capturing, such as RAW images or 4K videos, and choose a card with sufficient capacity.
2. Speed Class: Look for memory cards with a U3 speed class rating. U3 cards have a minimum sustained write speed of 30MB/s, ensuring the smooth and uninterrupted recording of high-resolution videos.
3. Brand and Reliability: Opt for reputable brands known for producing reliable and high-quality memory cards. Trustworthy brands often provide better warranty support and offer better durability.
4. Price: Set a budget for your memory card purchase. Compare prices and features to find the best balance between performance and affordability.

Best Memory Card Recommendations

Based on the considerations mentioned above, we have curated a list of the best memory cards for the Sony a6300:

1. SanDisk Extreme PRO UHS-I Card 170 MB/s (V30, U3)

• UHS-I / V30 / U3 / Class 10
• Max Read Speed: 170 MB/s
• Max Write Speed: 90 MB/s

With write rates of up to 90 MB/s and read speeds of up to 170 MB/s, the SanDisk Extreme Pro 170MB/s UHS-I card is the fastest UHS-I SD card and the most popular. It’s one of my top recommendations for consumer UHS-I cameras. SanDisk Extreme Pro UHS-I card is compatible with the UHS-I bus and has a speed class rating of V30, which guarantees minimum write rates of 30 MB/s. The SanDisk Extreme Pro 170 MB/s UHS-I card is great for capturing extreme sports and other fast-action events without missing frames.

2. Lexar Professional 1667x UHS-II SD Card (250 MB/s, V60)

• UHS-II / V60 / U3 / Class 10
• Max Read Speed: 250 MB/s
• Max Write Speed: 90 MB/s

The Lexar Professional 1667x UHS-II card is perfect for quick burst shooting, raw and JPEG captures, and 4K & full HD video recording. This card delivers great performance at a price comparable to UHS-I cards. UHS-II cards can transmit data to your computer faster without costing extra. This is a quick and dependable UHS-II card with UHS-I pricing.

3. Sony SF-E Series UHS-II SDXC Memory Card (270 MB/s, V60)

• UHS-II / V60 / U3 / Class 10
• Max Read Speed: 270 MB/s
• Max Write Speed: 120 MB/s

The Sony SF-E Series UHS-II SDXC Memory Card can read up to 270 MB/s and write up to 120 MB/s, making it ideal for 4K, 3D, HFR, and Full HD video recording, as well as continuous shutter bursts and quick photography. V60 speed class guarantees minimum write rates of 60 MB/s. This card defaults to your device’s speed class and bus rating. This card can read 95 MB/s and write 90 MB/s in a UHS-I device. You’ll need a UHS-II SD card reader to transfer huge media files rapidly. More doing, less waiting.

4. SanDisk Extreme UHS-I SDXC Card (V30, U3)

• UHS-I / V30 / U3 / Class 10
• Max Read Speed: 150 MB/s
• Max Write Speed: 70 MB/s

SanDisk Extreme UHS-I SDXC Cards (V30, U3) is the finest value. SanDisk Extreme UHS-I SDXC Card (V30, U3) is designed for SD devices that can capture Full HD, 3D, and 4K video, as well as raw and burst photography. It supports read speeds of up to 150MB/s and write speeds of up to 70MB/s, and its speed class rating of V30 guarantees minimum write speeds of 30 MB/s. A write-protect switch prevents unintentional data loss.

5. Lexar Professional 2000x UHS-II Card (300 MB/s, V90)

• UHS-II / V90 / U3 / Class 10
• Max Read Speed: 300 MB/s
• Max Write Speed: 260 MB/s

Best Value UHS-II SD Card! The Lexar Professional 2000x UHS-II card can read up to 300 MB/s and write up to 260 MB/s, making it ideal for any UHS-II camera that shoots 4K or Full HD video at 8fps+. Faster buffer cleaning implies more shots. Free Lexar SD UHS-II Reader speeds file transmission from card to PC, accelerating workflow. This card will default to your device’s speed class and bus rating, such as UHS-I and U3, which allows 30 MB/s write rates.

Conclusion

Investing in the right memory card is essential to fully utilize the capabilities of your Sony a6300 camera. By considering factors such as capacity, speed class, reliability, and price, you can choose a memory card that suits your needs. The recommended memory cards mentioned in this article provide excellent performance within the camera’s limitations, ensuring smooth video recording and efficient file transfers.

FAQs

Q: Can I use UHS-II SD cards with the Sony a6300?

A: Yes, the Sony a6300 supports UHS-II SD cards. However, it will operate in UHS-I mode, meaning you won’t experience the full write speed benefits of UHS-II cards.

Q: What is the maximum write speed I can expect with the Sony a6300?

A: The Sony a6300 has a write speed of approximately 32MB/s when using UHS-I SD cards.

Q: How do I ensure smooth video recording with the Sony a6300?

A: To ensure smooth video recording, use U3 speed class SD cards that have a minimum sustained write speed of 30MB/s.

Q: Can I use microSD cards with an adapter in the Sony a6300?

A: Yes, you can use microSD cards with an adapter in the Sony a6300 as long as they are UHS-I and meet the necessary speed requirements.

Q: Are the recommended memory cards compatible with other Sony camera models?

A: Yes, the recommended memory cards can be used with other Sony camera models that support UHS-I SD cards.