Ensuring you have the best memory card for DJI Mini 3 Pro or Mini not only enhances performance but also makes your aerial photography journey a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Navigating the extensive range of memory card options available in the market can indeed be a daunting task, especially for those new to the drone photography field. That’s where this comprehensive guide comes in. Offering a detailed analysis of the top memory card choices for your DJI Mini and Mini 3 Pro, this article aims to make your memory card selection process a breeze.
7 Best Memory Cards for Mini 3 Pro & DJI Mini
Below, we’ve compiled a list of the top seven memory cards for your DJI Mini and Mini 3 Pro, all available on Amazon:
#1. SanDisk Extreme Pro
The SanDisk Extreme Pro tops our list and for good reasons. It’s a favorite among drone users due to its outstanding speed and unimpeachable reliability. With a staggering read speed of up to 170MB/s and a write speed of 90MB/s, it ensures quick data transfer and smooth recording of high-definition videos. Even though it’s a UHS-I card, its performance competes strongly with many UHS-II cards. The SanDisk Extreme Pro is also built to withstand harsh conditions with a sturdy build and resistance to temperature, water, shock, and X-ray. This card ensures your data’s safety even in the most challenging environments.
#2. SanDisk Extreme
Next on our list is the SanDisk Extreme. This card, though slightly slower than its Pro counterpart, still delivers remarkable performance with read speeds reaching up to 150MB/s and write speeds of 70MB/s. It’s another reliable choice for your DJI drone. Built with the same robust design as the Extreme Pro, this card can resist harsh weather conditions, thereby safeguarding your data effectively.
#3. Kingston Canvas Go! Plus
The Kingston Canvas Go! Plus is a UHS-I card specifically designed for adventurous drone users who demand reliable, high-speed performance. With read speeds of 170MB/s and write speeds of 90MB/s, this card stands tall among its competition. Like the previous two, this card is built to withstand extreme weather conditions, including water, extreme temperatures, and shocks, ensuring your data remains safe and accessible at all times.
#4. Lexar 633x
The Lexar 633x enjoys wide popularity among drone enthusiasts for its effective balance between cost and performance. It promises a maximum read speed of 95MB/s, providing a smooth video capture experience. This card is designed to endure, offering resistance against water, shock, vibration, and X-rays. The Lexar 633x is the go-to choice for those looking for a durable and reliable yet cost-effective memory card solution.
#5. Samsung Evo Plus
The Samsung Evo Plus is an excellent choice for 4K UHD video recording and high-resolution pictures. With read speeds of up to 100MB/s and write speeds of 90MB/s, it ensures smooth video playback and quick file transfers. Samsung Evo Plus comes with a 4-proof protection feature, effectively shielding your data from water, extreme temperatures, and other harsh conditions.
#6. Transcend 300S
The Transcend 300S is a UHS-I card offering up to 95MB /s read and 45MB/s write speeds. This card is a great budget-friendly choice that does not compromise too much on performance. As with other options on this list, the Transcend 300S is built to endure, being shockproof, waterproof, temperature-proof, and X-ray-proof. It provides comprehensive protection for your data in various conditions.
#7. Samsung Pro Plus
The Samsung Pro Plus Micro SD card stands out as a high-performance choice for professionals and enthusiasts alike. Offering a range of storage capacities, it accommodates various users’ needs, particularly those requiring substantial space for high-resolution photos and 4K videos.
Its defining feature is the impressive speed; with read speeds of up to 160MB/s and write speeds of up to 120MB/s, it guarantees fast file transfers and seamless 4K UHD video recording. The Samsung Pro Plus is not just about speed and capacity; it also provides durability. It’s waterproof, temperature-proof, X-ray-proof, and magnet-proof, offering comprehensive protection for your data in diverse environments. Overall, this SD card delivers a combination of performance, reliability, and durability, making it an excellent choice for your DJI Mini 3 Pro drone.
For more SD cards for DJI Mini read: 8 Best Micro SD Cards for DJI Mavic Mini
Does The Mini 3 Include an SD Card?
As of the time of this writing, the DJI Mini 3 Pro drone does not include an SD card in the package. Users will have to purchase an SD card separately. It’s worth noting that the type of SD card you choose can significantly impact the performance and user experience of your drone, so it’s worth investing in a high-quality SD card that meets the drone’s requirements.
What SD Card Do I Need for The Mini 3 Pro (speed, capacity, size)?
The DJI Mini 3 Pro requires a Micro SD card that meets specific speed and size requirements to function at its best. It’s crucial to understand these requirements to ensure you get the optimal performance from your drone.
Speed
The speed class of an SD card is a critical parameter, as it dictates how quickly data can be written to the card. For the Mini 3 Pro, you’ll need a card with a speed class of 3 (U3) and a video speed class of 30 (V30). The U3 rating signifies that the card has a minimum write speed of 30MB/s, while the V30 rating indicates that the card can handle a minimum write speed of 30MB/s continuously, which is vital for recording high-resolution video.
The U3 and V30 ratings are particularly important when capturing 4K footage, as this high-resolution video format generates substantial amounts of data that need to be written to the card quickly. If the card can’t keep up, you might experience dropped frames or corrupted video files.
Read more on SD card speed classes: SD Card Speed Classes (How to Choose Guide).
Capacity
In terms of capacity, the Mini 3 Pro can support Micro SD cards ranging from 16GB to 256GB. The card’s capacity determines how much footage and how many photos you can store before you need to offload files to another storage device.
While a 16GB card may be enough for a short flight or two, you’ll likely find yourself running out of space quickly, especially if you’re shooting in 4K. To make the most of the drone’s recording capabilities and to prevent frequent card swapping or file transferring, a card with a larger capacity, such as 64GB or 128GB, is recommended.
With a larger capacity card, you’ll be able to record longer flights and capture more high-resolution photos without worrying about running out of space. You’ll have the freedom to focus on your flight and photography, rather than worrying about your card’s remaining storage.
Size
The Mini 3 Pro uses the smaller Micro SD card size, which is standard for most drones due to their compact design. It’s essential to ensure you purchase a Micro SD card, not a standard SD card, as the larger card will not fit in the drone’s card slot.
In summary, when choosing an SD card for your Mini 3 Pro, aim for a Micro SD card with a U3 and V30 speed rating and a capacity of at least 64GB. This combination of speed and size will ensure you can capture and store high-quality footage without interruptions.
How Many Memory SD Cards Do You Need?
The number of memory cards you need largely depends on your usage. If you’re a heavy user who frequently records high-resolution videos or captures numerous photos, it would be wise to have multiple memory cards on hand. This way, you ensure you won’t run out of storage mid-flight. However, if your usage is light to moderate, a single high-capacity card should be sufficient.
A minimum of TWO SD cards is recommended. For many pilots, a single SD card typically suffices. However, situations can arise where you might forget to reinsert the SD card after transferring files to your computer, or the card could become damaged. In such instances, having a backup SD card can be a lifesaver. The ideal combination for most users would be one 64GB card and one 32GB card, or perhaps two 64GB cards. Unless you’re a professional user with frequent flights, there’s usually no necessity to opt for larger capacity SD cards.
Should You Put The DJI Mini 3 Pro SD Card in The Drone or Controller?
The SD card for the DJI Mini 3 Pro should be inserted into the drone itself. The controller does not have a slot for an SD card. The card slot is located on the drone’s body and is used to store the photos and videos you capture during your flight. Remember to insert the card correctly and securely to prevent any data loss or damage.
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I hope this guide helped you learn about best memory card for DJI Mini 3 Pro.
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