GoPro cameras are known for their versatility, durability, and ability to capture ultra high-definition video and images even in extreme conditions. Since the first GoPro HD Hero camera launched in 2009, GoPro has released new models every year with significant improvements in video quality, resolution, frame rates and other features.
With video resolutions now up to 5.3K and advanced capabilities like HyperSmooth stabilization, GoPro cameras generate very large, high bitrate video files. For example, the GoPro HERO11 Black shoots up to 5.3K video at 60fps with a data rate of up to 135 Mbps in the H.265 codec, while the HERO10 Black shoots up to 5.3K/60fps with a data rate of up to 100Mbps.
To handle these data-intensive video files and high frame rate capabilities, using a high performance SD card is critical. Slow SD cards can lead to dropped frames, corrupted footage and recording failures. This guide will provide recommendations on the best SD cards for different GoPro models and use cases.
SD Card Speeds Explained
SD cards have both read and write speeds that determine how quickly data can be transferred to and from the card. These speeds are measured in MB/s (megabytes per second) or Mbps (megabits per second), with 1 MB/s equal to 8 Mbps.
The read speed determines how fast data can be read from the card, while the write speed determines how fast data can be written onto the card. Write speeds tend to be lower than read speeds for SD cards.
SD cards are assigned speed classes that indicate their minimum guaranteed speeds: https://www.kingston.com/en/blog/personal-storage/memory-card-speed-classes
- Class 2 cards have a minimum write speed of 2 MB/s
- Class 4 cards have a minimum write speed of 4 MB/s
- Class 10 cards have a minimum write speed of 10 MB/s
Higher speed classes like U3 and V30 indicate even faster minimum write speeds up to 30 MB/s. For high resolution video recording, cards with U3, V30, or even V60/V90 ratings are recommended.
SD Card Capacities
GoPro cameras support SD cards up to 512GB, with typical storage capacities ranging from 32GB to 256GB. The capacity you need depends on your video resolution and frame rate. Higher video quality settings like 4K60 take up significantly more space than lower settings like 1080p30.
According to GoPro’s HERO10 Black SD card calculator, at 4K60 you get around 2 minutes of recording time per 1GB of storage. So on a 128GB card you can record for approximately 256 minutes or 4 hours and 16 minutes [1]. For 5.3K30, 1GB allows 3 minutes of footage, so a 128GB card stores around 384 minutes or 6 hours and 24 minutes.
At the other end, 1080p30 only requires 0.4GB per minute. So on a 128GB card, you can record over 5 hours of 1080p30 video. For longer recording, higher capacity 256GB or 512GB cards become useful.
It’s important to check GoPro’s recording time calculator to estimate capacity needs based on your specific camera model, settings, and desired recording length [2].
Recommendations by Model
When choosing an SD card for your GoPro, it’s important to consider the specific model you have. Here are some top recommendations for different GoPro cameras:
GoPro Hero5
The Hero5 shoots up to 4K video at 30 fps, so you’ll want a card that can handle high resolution and data rates. Top cards include:
GoPro Hero6
The Hero6 shoots up to 4K60 video. Look for cards with fast write speeds of 60+ MB/s like:
GoPro Hero7
The Hero7 films up to 4K60 just like the Hero6. Recommended cards are:
GoPro Hero8
For the Hero8’s 4K60 and 1080p240 video modes, consider these fast cards:
GoPro Hero9
The Hero9 shoots 5K video, so you’ll need a high-speed card like:
Brand Recommendations
When selecting an SD card for your GoPro camera, the brand is an important consideration for reliability and performance. Based on testing and reviews, the most dependable brands for GoPro SD cards are SanDisk, Lexar, and Samsung.
SanDisk is consistently rated as one of the top brands for SD cards and is an officially recommended brand by GoPro. Their Extreme and Extreme Plus lines are designed specifically for action cameras like GoPro with high write speeds, shockproof durability, temperature resistance, and reliability for capturing Ultra HD and 4K footage without dropping frames. Popular models include the SanDisk Extreme V30 and SanDisk Extreme Pro V30 A2 cards.
Lexar is another leading brand trusted by professionals and enthusiasts for dependability and speed. Their Professional 1066x Silver Series cards offer excellent performance for filming GoPro video at up to 120Mb/s write speeds. Lexar cards undergo rigorous testing and leverage proprietary technology for smooth video capture.
For a balance of value and quality, Samsung EVO Select SD cards provide solid performance at an affordable price point. While not as fast as SanDisk Extreme or Lexar models, Samsung EVO cards offer ample write speeds of up to 100MB/s to handle 4K video recording.
Sticking with major brands like SanDisk, Lexar, and Samsung gives you peace of mind that your SD card will work when you need it. Avoid less reliable, generic cards that could fail at inopportune moments and cause you to lose precious footage.
Avoiding Counterfeits
With any technology product, there is a risk of running into counterfeit or fake options when shopping for accessories like SD cards. This is especially true with a high-demand item like GoPro cameras. Fake SD cards may appear to have the correct capacity, but in reality they can have much less storage which leads to problems like corrupted files or camera crashes. They also tend to fail more quickly and have worse performance. How can you make sure you get a legitimate SD card for your GoPro?
First, only buy SD cards from well-known, reputable brands like SanDisk or Lexar. Check that the packaging looks professional and matches the branding. Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true on storage capacity. Run the card through a program like h2testw to verify the actual capacity matches what is advertised. Only shop on sites you trust, and avoid marketplaces like eBay where fakes are common. The few extra dollars are worth it for the peace of mind of getting an authentic, high-performance SD card.
Maximizing Performance
To get the best performance from your SD card with your GoPro camera, there are some formatting tips and camera settings you can use:
GoPro recommends reformatting your SD card in the camera every time you put in a new card. This helps optimize the card for use with GoPro cameras specifically. You can find the reformatting option in your camera’s settings menu. Reformatting erases all content on the card, so be sure to offload photos/videos first if needed [1].
Enabling High Performance mode in your GoPro settings can also help maximize the capabilities of higher speed SD cards like V30 or U3 cards. This mode increases the data rates for recording to reduce artifacts and improve quality. Just keep in mind it will fill up the card faster [2].
It’s also important to make sure your camera firmware is up to date, as firmware updates often include optimizations for memory cards and recording. Check your camera’s current firmware version in the settings and upgrade it through the GoPro mobile app if needed.
Following these best practices helps your GoPro take full advantage of your SD card’s speeds and performance for smooth 4K or high-framerate recording.
Downloading and Managing Footage
Once you’ve captured your footage on your GoPro, you’ll need to transfer it to a computer for editing and sharing. GoPro offers some software options to help make this process smooth and easy.
The official GoPro Quik app available for desktop and mobile allows you to quickly import your footage, edit videos with transitions and effects, and share your final edits. Quik offers automatic editing options if you want the app to create edits for you with just a couple clicks. This software connects to your GoPro camera or memory card for direct transferring.
For more advanced editing, GoPro’s free GoPro Player software allows you to playback and trim video, as well as export photos and time lapses. You can also update your camera firmware through the Player app.
Options like DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro, and iMovie work well for transferring and organizing GoPro clips before editing and exporting your finished videos.
The key is finding software that allows quick and seamless importing from your GoPro camera or SD card, so you can easily access, organize, and edit your footage.
Longevity and Reliability
High quality SD cards can last for years of normal use in a GoPro camera before needing to be replaced. However, there are some factors that can impact the lifespan of an SD card:
Heavy use – Cards used to record hours of high bitrate video every day will wear out faster than cards used more casually.
Environmental factors – Exposing cards to high heat, water, or rough conditions can accelerate failure.
Low quality cards – Cheaper cards often have lower rated lifespans. High end cards are built for durability.
According to GoPro’s community forums, cards used in Hero models like the Hero9 Black and Hero10 Black can reliably record over 4 hours of 5K video before needing to be replaced due to wearing out. With moderate use, high end cards can last for years.
To minimize corruption risks, it’s important to properly eject the SD card before removing it from the camera. Also, avoiding low quality counterfeit cards and buying from reputable brands reduces the chances of abrupt failures.
Overall, with proper care and handling, a high end SD card should provide reliable performance for extensive use over an extended lifespan in a GoPro camera.
Summary
In summary, the recommended SD cards for GoPro cameras are ones that are rated for high speed data transfer. Look for SD cards that are rated as Class 10 or UHS-3, as those will provide the best performance for recording high resolution video. The higher capacity cards within those speed ratings, such as 128GB or 256GB, are ideal to have enough storage space available on the card. GoPro’s own branded SD cards have been tested and optimized specifically for their cameras, so they are a smart choice for reliability. Brands like SanDisk, Lexar, and Samsung also make high quality options. Be sure to buy from a reputable retailer and watch for counterfeits. Test your card in the GoPro before an important shoot, and follow best practices for downloading, managing, and storing your footage after recording. Using the right high speed SD card will ensure you reliably capture stunning video and photos with your GoPro.
