When you unbox your new GoPro Hero 13, one of the first things you’ll need is a reliable microSD card. With various sizes, speeds, and price points available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about selecting the best SD card size for your GoPro Hero 13, based on your specific shooting style.
Quick Overview
- Hero 13 SD Card Capacity: Supports cards up to 1TB.
- Recommended Speed Rating: V30 or UHS-3 for smooth 4K and 5K video recording.
- Top Pick: SanDisk Extreme series offers excellent speed, durability, and reliability for all types of shoots.
GoPro HERO 13 SD Card Size
The GoPro Hero 13 SD card size you need depends on how you use your GoPro.
Here’s a breakdown:
Short Adventures
For quick outings or casual use, 32GB or 64GB cards work well. They can hold hundreds of photos or about 1-2 hours of 1080p video. A 32GB card can store approximately 90 minutes of 4K video at 30fps or about 8,000 12MP photos.
Long Shoots or Travel
For extended filming, 128GB to 256GB cards are more suitable, reducing the need to swap cards.
If you’re on a multi-day hike, a 256GB card can store around 7.5 hours of 4K video at 30fps.
Professional Use
Content creators filming long-form videos or using high-resolution settings (4K/5K) should consider 512GB or 1TB cards.
Filming a 2-hour documentary in 4K at 60fps can consume over 200GB of storage.
Pro Tip: If you’re unsure, go for at least 128GB to avoid running out of space during a shoot.
GoPro HERO 13 Speed Class and Ratings
The speed of an SD card is one of the most critical factors for smooth recording and playback. Here’s what you need to know:
Speed Class
Look for V30 or UHS-3 ratings. These ensure that the card can handle a sustained write speed of 30MB/s or higher, which is essential for recording 4K and 5K videos without lag or dropped frames.
If you’re filming high-action sports like mountain biking or snowboarding, a slower card may result in stuttering or missed frames. Cards like the SanDisk Extreme PRO or Lexar Professional 1066x are great for such uses.
More about SD card speed classes >>>
Video Speed Class
For professionals shooting ultra-high-resolution footage, a V60 or V90 card is ideal, as these are designed for 8K video recording. While not necessary for the GoPro Hero 13’s 4K/5K needs, they can future-proof your setup.
Why It Matters
Faster cards also reduce time spent transferring files to your computer. For example, a V30-rated card can transfer 1GB of data in approximately 33 seconds, while a lower-rated card would take much longer.
Pro Tip: Always match the SD card speed to your camera’s recording capabilities. A slower card will limit your GoPro Hero 13’s performance.
Compatibility
Not all SD cards work seamlessly with every device. Ensure your SD card is compatible with the GoPro Hero 13 and its recording capabilities.
- UHS-I vs. UHS-II: The Hero 13 supports UHS-I cards, which are widely available and cost-effective. While UHS-II cards are faster, the Hero 13 won’t fully utilize their speed, so they may not be worth the extra cost unless you need faster file transfers.
- Practical Example: A SanDisk Extreme PRO UHS-I card will work perfectly with the Hero 13, while a UHS-II card like the Sony Tough-G may be overkill.
- Camera Firmware Updates: Sometimes, SD card compatibility improves with firmware updates. Always keep your GoPro updated to avoid issues with newer cards.
Best GoPro Hero 13 SD Cards
When it comes to choosing the best SD cards for your GoPro Hero 13, the options can feel overwhelming. To help narrow it down, I’ve listed my favorite picks, all of which are part of the Work with GoPro Program—ensuring optimal performance and compatibility with your GoPro.
Samsung
- Series: EVO Plus Series, EVO Select Series, PRO Plus Series, PRO Ultimate Series
- Recommended Capacities: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
- Up to 95 MB/s read and 90 MB/s write speed with class 10 and U3 compatibility;...
- Free up your devices with the largest capacity and highest read/write speeds in...
- Backed by 4-proof protection, the EVO Plus can withstand up to 72 hours in seawater,...
The Samsung EVO Plus 256GB is a reliable and versatile option for everyday users. It offers read speeds of up to 100MB/s, making it perfect for 4K video recording and high-resolution photos.
Built to withstand extreme temperatures, water, and shocks, this card is a dependable choice for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you’re capturing breathtaking landscapes or action-packed moments, the Samsung EVO Plus won’t let you down.
Find the comparison between Samsung Evo Plus vs Samsung Evo Select>>>
SanDisk
- Series: Extreme Series, Extreme PLUS Series, Extreme PRO Series
- Recommended Capacities: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
- Read Speed: SanDisk 256GB Extreme PRO microSD UHS-I Card features SanDisk QuickFlow...
- Write Speeds of up to 140MB/s: Capture fast-action photos or shoot 4K UHD video with...
- Load Apps Faster with A2: Get faster app performance for an outstanding smartphone...
The SanDisk Extreme PRO stands out as one of the top-tier choices for Hero 13 users. With read speeds of up to 200MB/s and write speeds of 140MB/s, it handles high-demand tasks like 4K video recording, raw photo capture, and time-lapse effortlessly.
It’s built for durability, offering protection against water, shock, extreme temperatures, and even X-rays. Another highlight is the inclusion of RescuePRO Deluxe software, which allows you to recover accidentally deleted files—a huge plus for professionals and adventurers alike.
đź’ˇ Personal Pick: I rely on the SanDisk Extreme 512GB SD card, which provides the perfect balance of speed, capacity, and reliability for my projects.
Lexar
- Series: FLY Series, Professional 1066x Silver Series, Professional Gold Series
- Recommended Capacities: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
- Premium memory solution for action cameras, drones, or high-end smartphones and...
- Superior read speed up to 160MB/s and write speed up to 120MB/s
- Quickly captures, plays back, and transfers media files, including 1080p Full-HD and...
For extended video shoots, the Lexar Professional 1066x is a solid choice. It offers read speeds of up to 160MB/s, making it ideal for recording 4K and 5K video or capturing high-quality burst photos.
Designed to withstand tough environments, this card ensures reliability even during long shoots. If you don’t like frequently offloading footage, the 512GB capacity is a game-changer. This is a great option for those who need high performance over long durations.
PNY PRO Elite 256GB
- Series: PRO Elite Series, Elite-X Series, Premier-X Series
- Recommended Capacities: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
- Class 10, U3, V30 speed class performance with read speeds up to 100MB/s, and write...
- A2 App Performance enables apps to run directly from the microSD card, delivering...
- Record and transfer videos, photos, music, files and more from microSD enabled host...
The PNY PRO Elite 256GB is a budget-friendly yet reliable option for your GoPro Hero 13. It boasts read speeds of 100MB/s and write speeds of 90MB/s, making it an excellent choice for 4K video recording and high-resolution photos.
This card is designed to handle challenging conditions, being waterproof, shockproof, and temperature-resistant. If you’re looking for dependable performance without overspending, this SD card ticks all the boxes.
Kingston
- Series: Canvas Go! Plus Series
- Recommended Capacities: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB
- Superior speeds—Transfer and capture content faster in Full HD & 4K UHD with...
- Ideal for action cameras and drones—High-speeds with UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) & Video...
- Supports A2 app performance class—Expedite your workflow with faster application...
The Kingston Canvas Go! Plus SD card may have smaller storage options, but it delivers when it comes to performance. With read speeds of up to 170MB/s, it supports 4K video recording and sequential burst photography seamlessly.
This card is built for adventurers—it’s waterproof, shockproof, and temperature-resistant, making it perfect for action-packed environments where durability is a must.
Thank you for reading this guide!
I hope that it was helpful in teaching you everything you need to know about the best GoPro Hero 13 SD cards
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