Introduce SD Cards
SD cards, which stands for Secure Digital cards, are a non-volatile storage device developed in 1999 by Panasonic, SanDisk and Toshiba as an improvement over MultiMediaCards (MMC) 1. They are widely used in consumer electronic devices such as digital cameras, camcorders, mobile phones, tablets, and portable media players. The SD standard has gone through several revisions and capacity improvements over the years. Some key developments include:
- SD cards were initially available in capacities up to 128MB.
- SDHC (High Capacity) format increased capacity to 32GB in 2006.
- SDXC (Extended Capacity) further increased capacity starting at 64GB in 2009.
Today, SD cards are commonly available from 256MB up to 1TB capacities. They provide portable, removable data storage for various types of files like photos, videos, music, documents, applications, and more. Their small physical size, durability, and decreasing cost make them highly popular for consumer electronics.
Speed Classes
SD cards are assigned speed classes that represent their minimum guaranteed speeds. The speed class indicates the minimum write speed that the card can sustain.
The main speed classes are:
- Class 2 – Minimum write speed of 2 MB/s
- Class 4 – Minimum write speed of 4 MB/s
- Class 6 – Minimum write speed of 6 MB/s
- Class 10 – Minimum write speed of 10 MB/s (SD Card Association)
There are also UHS speed classes that support faster speeds:
- UHS U1 – Minimum write speed of 10 MB/s
- UHS U3 – Minimum write speed of 30 MB/s
Higher speed classes indicate faster performance. Class 10 cards are becoming the most popular as they provide reasonably fast speeds at an affordable price.
Class 10
Class 10 SD cards, also known as UHS Speed Class 1 cards, are designed to support a minimum sequential write speed of 10 MB/s according to the SD Association[1]. This makes them ideal for capturing 1080p Full HD video and fast action shots with digital cameras. While Class 10 doesn’t specify a maximum write speed, most modern cards can deliver speeds much faster than 10 MB/s. For example, SanDisk’s Extreme Pro SD cards boast write speeds up to 90 MB/s[2].
Class 10 cards are commonly used in DSLR and mirrorless cameras for Full HD and 4K video recording, as well as burst mode photography. Their fast sequential write speeds allow them to quickly save large video files without slowing down the recording. They’re also ideal for shooting rapid action shots like sports, wildlife, or kids running around. The fast write speed minimizes the risk of losing shots due to a full buffer[3].
Regular SD Cards
Regular SD cards are typically Class 2, 4, or 6 which indicates slower minimum write speeds compared to Class 10 cards. The speed class refers to the minimum guaranteed sustained write speed. For example, a Class 2 card has a minimum write speed of 2MB/s, Class 4 is 4MB/s, and Class 6 is 6MB/s.
These speed ratings were sufficient in the past for basic point-and-shoot cameras and other devices. However, with improvements in technology, many devices now require faster read/write speeds. While regular SD cards are cheaper, their slower speeds result in longer wait times when transferring data or recording high-resolution videos.
According to the SD Association, a Class 2 card offers minimum sequential write speeds of 2 MB/s, Class 4 cards can write at 4 MB/s, and Class 6 cards can write at 6 MB/s. These cards work for standard definition content but may be too slow for HD video recording or burst photo shooting.[1]
In summary, regular SD cards are cost-effective options for light or occasional use. However, their slow speeds make them a poor choice for recording HD video or quickly transferring large files.
[1] https://www.sdcard.org/developers/sd-standard-overview/speed-class/
Performance
Class 10 SD cards are much faster than regular SD cards in real-world speed tests, especially when used in cameras, phones, and other devices. According to tests by Adorama, Class 10 cards can achieve write speeds of around 10-30 MB/s, while regular SD cards top out at 4-5 MB/s. This results in Class 10 cards uploading photos and videos to computers much faster.
The minimum write speed for a Class 10 card is 10 MB/s according to the SD Association, while regular SD cards only require a minimum write speed of 2 MB/s. So in theory, Class 10 should be at least 5 times faster. But in practice, high quality Class 10 cards are designed to far exceed that minimum speed.
When shooting bursts of photos or 4K video, Class 10 SD cards can keep up with capturing all that data without slowing down the camera. Regular SD cards are more likely to throttle performance if they can’t sustain the write speed needed. So for any device that creates a lot of data like cameras and drones, Class 10 offers a major speed boost.
Price
Class 10 SD cards are generally more expensive than regular SD cards. According to Adorama, regular SD cards can cost as little as $5-10 for a 16-32GB card, whereas most Class 10 SD cards start around $10-15 for the same capacity. The price difference is due to the higher performance that Class 10 offers. While regular SD cards have no guaranteed minimum speed, Class 10 SD cards are guaranteed to have minimum write speeds of 10MB/s. This improved speed comes at a small premium in price.
However, the price difference has narrowed significantly over time. When Class 10 SD cards were first introduced, they commanded a much higher premium over regular SD cards. But as Class 10 has become the de facto standard for SD cards, regular SD card prices have risen while Class 10 prices have declined. Now there is usually only a $5-10 difference for equivalent capacities. Considering the performance benefits, most consumers agree that the small bump in price is worth it for the reliable speeds of a Class 10 SD card.
Durability
Class 10 SD cards are often more durable and reliable than regular SD cards. According to HowToGeek, an SD card built to specification should last around 10 years, but factors like manufacturing quality and usage can affect the actual lifespan.
Compared to regular SD cards, Class 10 SD cards are required to meet higher minimum speed standards, indicating they go through more rigorous validation testing. This results in increased reliability and lifespan. Sources suggest Class 10 SD cards can withstand over 10,000 insertions and removals from devices.
Additionally, the faster write speeds of Class 10 SD cards generate less heat compared to slower cards, reducing thermal stress. The flash memory and controller chips used in Class 10 cards are higher-grade components engineered for intensive workloads. Overall, these factors contribute to longer durability for Class 10 SD cards versus regular SD cards in most use cases.
Capacity
Class 10 SD cards are available in capacities ranging from 4GB to 1TB according to Kingston[1]. In comparison, regular SD cards have a maximum capacity of 2GB according to the SD Card Association[2]. This means that Class 10 SD cards can offer significantly higher storage capacities than regular SD cards.
The reason Class 10 SD cards can reach up to 1TB while regular SD cards max out at 2GB has to do with advancements in flash memory technology and formatting. Specifically, Class 10 SD cards utilize SDXC (Secure Digital Extended Capacity) formatting which supports capacities up to 2TB while regular SD cards use SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) formatting with a limit of 32GB[2].
In summary, Class 10 SD cards have a clear advantage when it comes to available capacities, ranging from 4GB up to 1TB. Regular SD cards max out at just 2GB.
[1] https://www.kingston.com/en/blog/personal-storage/memory-card-speed-classes
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SD_card
Use Cases
When deciding between a Class 10 SD card and a regular SD card, the main factors to consider are the device you’re using it with and what you plan to do with the card. According to Wired[1], Class 10 cards are best suited for devices that need faster write speeds like DSLR cameras, HD camcorders, and drones. The faster write speeds allow Class 10 cards to quickly save large files like high resolution photos and 4K video without lagging or stuttering. Regular SD cards are sufficient for smaller file sizes like documents, music, or photos from basic point-and-shoot cameras.
Kingston[2] recommends using Class 10 cards or faster for 1080p/4K video recording as regular cards may not be able to keep up with the data transfer demands and could result in dropped frames or lagging. For basic photo storage though, a regular card should suffice. The SD Association[3] also notes Class 10 cards are required for HD video recording and burst-mode photo capture where buffer clearing speed is crucial.
In summary, if you need to quickly capture media like 1080p/4K video, burst photo shots, or HD video – Class 10 is strongly recommended. Otherwise, a regular SD card will work for everyday use cases like documents, music, or basic photo storage where fast write speeds are not as essential.
[1] https://www.wired.com/story/sd-card-speeds-explained/
[2] https://www.kingston.com/en/blog/personal-storage/memory-card-speed-classes
[3] https://www.sdcard.org/developers/sd-standard-overview/speed-class/
Recommendations
When choosing between a Class 10 SD card and a regular SD card, a Class 10 card is generally recommended for most use cases. Class 10 SD cards have a minimum write speed of 10MB/s, making them much faster than regular SD cards which only guarantee a minimum write speed of 2MB/s. The higher speed of Class 10 cards makes them better suited for recording and working with large video files, high resolution photos, or any application where fast write speeds are needed. According to Wired, Class 10 cards are suitable for 1080p HD video recording while regular SD cards may only support standard definition 480p video. For basic storage needs like documents or music, a regular SD card may be sufficient. But the price difference between Class 10 and regular SD cards has narrowed significantly, so Class 10 is recommended in most cases for the performance advantages.
Source: https://www.wired.com/story/sd-card-speeds-explained/