Quick Answer
GoPro cameras are compatible with microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC memory cards. The specific card capacities and speed requirements depend on the GoPro model. Most newer GoPros require microSD cards with a UHS-I or V30 speed rating for optimal performance when recording high-resolution or high frame rate video.
What is a GoPro Camera?
A GoPro camera is a small, rugged digital camera designed for action video photography and capturing footage in extreme environments. GoPro cameras are compact, lightweight and waterproof, making them popular with action sports enthusiasts, travelers, and professionals filming in tough conditions.
The key features of GoPro cameras include:
- Compact, durable design – GoPros are small enough to mount on helmets, vehicles, gear and more. Their housing protects the camera from water, dust and damage.
- Wide-angle lens – GoPro lenses capture an immersive wide perspective perfect for action shots.
- Waterproofing – Most GoPros can submerge safely at depths of 30 feet or more without requiring a separate housing.
- Mounts and accessories – GoPros work with a variety of mounts, grips and accessories for attaching the camera to gear, vehicles, bodies and more.
- Simple interface – GoPros are designed with an easy-to-use interface for quick shooting in action situations.
- Video resolutions up to 5K – Higher-end GoPros support advanced video modes like 4K and 5K resolution for ultra high-quality footage.
- Rugged build – GoPros are drop-proof, freeze-proof and crush-proof to handle rugged activities.
- Connectivity – Features like WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS allow you to control your GoPro remotely, auto-tag videos and more.
With their durability, video quality and ease of use, GoPros are excellent for capturing hands-free footage of travel adventures, sports, hobbies and more.
Memory Cards Explained
GoPro cameras save videos and photos to removable memory cards. Before using a GoPro, you’ll need to insert a compatible memory card to store your footage.
Memory cards come in standard formats like SD, microSD, CompactFlash and XQD. GoPros use microSD memory cards – these are very small cards designed for compact devices.
Here are some key points about microSD memory cards:
- Physical size – microSD cards measure just 15 x 11 mm (0.6 x 0.4 inches) – about the size of a fingernail.
- Storage capacity – microSD cards are available from 4GB up to 1TB to store more or less footage depending on your needs and budget.
- Speed rating – Faster cards have higher speed ratings for quickly saving 4K or high-framerate video without dropping frames.
- Durability – microSD cards are protected from water, shock, magnets, X-rays and temperature extremes.
- Format – All GoPro cameras use the exFAT format. The card must be formatted properly to work in a GoPro.
- Affordability – microSD cards are inexpensive, with extreme capacities and speeds costing $50-$300+.
When buying a microSD card for your GoPro, pay attention to the capacity, speed rating, brand, and price to ensure compatibility and good performance.
GoPro Memory Card Capacity Requirements
GoPro cameras require a microSD card with adequate storage capacity for your intended shooting time and video settings. Recording high-resolution, high frame rate video to the card takes up significantly more space than lower settings.
Here are the microSD card size recommendations from GoPro for various recording modes:
| GoPro Video Setting | Minimum Recommended microSD Card Capacity |
|---|---|
| 5.3K, 4K, 2.7K at 240fps | 64GB |
| 1440p at 240fps | 32GB |
| 1080p at 240fps | 32GB |
| 4K at 30/25/24fps | 32GB |
| 2.7K at 120/100fps | 32GB |
| 1440p at 120/100fps | 16GB |
| 1080p at 120/100fps | 16GB |
| 720p at 240fps | 8GB |
As you can see, high-end video modes like 5K and high frame rates demand larger card capacities of 64GB to 128GB or more. If you mainly shoot in 4K or 1080p at standard frame rates, a 32GB or 64GB card offers adequate capacity.
It’s also good practice to get a card with extra headroom beyond the bare minimum needed – this allows uninterrupted recording if the card fills up. Opting for a higher capacity card future-proofs your investment if you upgrade to higher resolutions later.
GoPro Memory Card Speed Ratings
In additional to capacity, GoPros need a microSD card with sufficient read/write speed to handle high bitrate video. Fast cards ensure smooth video capture without dropping frames or slowing down recording.
GoPro recommends using cards with write speeds up to Class 10, UHS-I or V30:
- Class 10 – Minimum sustained write speed of 10MB/s. Good basic speed for 1080p video.
- UHS-I – Minimum sustained write speed of 10MB/s, comparable to Class 10. Supports ultra high-speed bus interface.
- V30 – Minimum sustained write speed of 30MB/s. Supports recording high bitrate 4K and 240fps video.
Using a card below these speed ratings can result in choppy, distorted videos – especially with newer GoPro models capturing 4K or 240fps footage.
As a rule of thumb:
- Use UHS-I or V30 cards for new Hero8/9 models. The fastest cards allow 5K or 240fps recording.
- Use Class 10 or UHS-I cards for midrange Hero5-7 models. Fine for 4K/30fps.
- Use Class 10 cards in budget Hero3-4 models. Fast enough for 1080p and lower.
Again, investing in a faster card than the bare minimum standard gives you overhead for uninterrupted recording and flexibility for future upgrades.
Recommended Memory Cards for GoPro Cameras
Based on GoPro’s guidance, here are some excellent, compatible microSD card options:
For New Hero9/10 Black Models:
- SanDisk Extreme V30 – Fast up to 160MB/s read. Up to 256GB capacity.
- Lexar Professional 1800x V30 – Fast up to 180MB/s read. Up to 256GB capacity.
- Samsung EVO Select V30 – Fast up to 100MB/s read. Up to 512GB capacity.
For Hero8 Black and Midrange Models:
- SanDisk Extreme V30 – Fast up to 160MB/s read speed.
- Lexar 633x UHS-I – Fast up to 95MB/s read speed.
- PNY Elite-X Class 10 U3 – Budget-friendly option up to 90MB/s.
For Older Entry-Level Models:
- SanDisk Ultra Class 10 – Affordable card up to 80MB/s.
- Samsung EVO Select Class 10 – Good value up to 90MB/s.
- Kingston Canvas React Class 10 – Budget pick up to 80MB/s.
I always recommend buying name brand memory cards from reliable companies like SanDisk, Lexar, Samsung, etc. Avoid cheap generic cards which may have questionable quality. Spending a bit more ensures you get a card that’s fast, durable and validated to work flawlessly in your GoPro.
Tips for Inserting and Formatting Your Card
Once you’ve picked up a suitable GoPro-compatible microSD card, here are some quick tips for setup:
- Format the card in the camera – GoPros require cards to be formatted in exFAT format. Always format cards in the GoPro before first use for guaranteed compatibility.
- Insert correctly – Check the label indicating the top side of the card to orient it properly while inserting into the GoPro’s slot.
- Push gently – With the label facing the GoPro lens, insert the card gently until it clicks audibly into place.
- Check status – After formatting and inserting the card, check the camera menu that it’s detected properly.
- Reformat regularly – Reformat cards periodically to clear fragmented files and maintain optimal performance.
- Remove safely – Always turn the camera off properly before removing the card to avoid data corruption.
Following these steps helps your memory card work correctly in your GoPro for hassle-free video and photo storage.
Conclusion
To summarize, GoPro action cameras require microSD memory cards for storage, and they must meet certain capacity and speed minimums:
- Capacity – Depends on video mode, but 32GB to 128GB+ is recommended
- Speed Rating – Class 10, UHS-I or V30 rating required
- Brand – Reputable brands like SanDisk, Lexar, Samsung are best
- Format – Must format in camera to compatible exFAT file system
With a compatible, high-quality microSD card properly inserted and formatted, you can reliably capture stunning hands-free footage with your GoPro camera without storage worries. Just be sure to choose a card with ample capacity and speed for your particular GoPro model and video settings.