The size and speed of the SD card directly impact how smoothly your Insta360 performs, especially for high-resolution footage like 4K and 8K.
A poor choice can lead to dropped frames, corrupted data, or missed shots.
Let’s explore the ideal SD card sizes, speed classes, and top recommendations for Insta360 cameras.
Insta360 SD Card Size Guide
Here are the SD card sizes and my opinion on how they’ll work with insta360:
128GB SD Card – Compact and Reliable
Perfect for shorter sessions, a 128GB card can store about 3 hours of 4K video at 30fps or 90 minutes at 120fps. It’s great for casual users or capturing highlights.
- ALL THE SPACE YOU NEED: Store lots of media on your phone with this micro SD memory...
- FAST AND SMOOTH: Superfast U3, class 10 rated transfer speeds of up to...
- EXPAND AND STORE BIG: The EVO Select card ranges from 64GB - 512GB, allowing you to...
The Samsung EVO Select 128GB microSD Card is an excellent option for Insta360 users. With up to 130 MB/s read speeds and 90 MB/s write speeds, it ensures smooth recording and fast transfers. It’s also waterproof, temperature-resistant, and x-ray-proof, making it ideal for adventures.
256GB SD Card – Versatile for Extended Shoots
A 256GB card balances cost and capacity, offering around 5-6 hours of 4K footage at 30fps or 3 hours at 120fps. This is ideal for longer shoots or frequent users.
- 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 256GB microSD Card offers impressive 200 MB/s read speeds and 140 MB/s write speeds, ensuring lag-free performance for Insta360 cameras. It’s also shockproof, waterproof, and designed to handle extreme conditions.
Find the comparison between Sandisk Extreme vs Sandisk Extreme Pro SD cards>>>
512GB SD Card – Perfect for Professionals
For professionals or those needing long recording sessions, a 512GB card stores around 11 hours of 4K footage at 30fps or 6 hours at 120fps. It’s the go-to choice for intensive projects.
- 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...
The Lexar Professional 512GB microSD Card provides 160MB/s read speeds and 120MB/s write speeds. Its A2 rating makes it perfect for running apps and ensures smooth high-resolution playback and recording.
Why Smaller SD Cards Aren’t Practical
Smaller SD cards, like 32GB or 64GB, quickly fill up with high-quality footage. For example:
- 32GB SD Card: About 30 minutes of 4K video at 30fps.
- 64GB SD Card: About 1 hour of 4K video at 30fps.
Frequent swaps can interrupt filming and lead to misplaced or unorganized footage. Avoid these sizes if you plan extended shoots or use high resolutions.
1TB SD Card – Overkill for Most Users
While 1TB cards provide ample storage, they come with drawbacks:
- High Risk of Data Loss: All your footage is stored on one card, making data recovery harder if the card fails.
- Long Transfer Times: Offloading such large amounts of data can be time-consuming.
- Cost: 1TB cards are expensive, and smaller cards like 256GB or 512GB offer better value and flexibility.
SD Card Speed Classes for Insta360 Cameras
The speed class determines how fast data is written to the card, which is critical for high-resolution video and fast-action scenes.
Choosing the right speed class is essential to:
- Prevent Dropped Frames: Avoid stuttering or missed frames during high-resolution recording.
- Speed Up Transfers: Faster cards save time when offloading footage to your computer.
- Ensure Consistent Performance: Keep your Insta360 camera operating at its best.
To verify your SD card’s speed, use tools like CrystalDiskMark (Windows) or Blackmagic Disk Speed Test (Mac). Find all the Free speed testing tools here>>>
V30 or U3 – Great for 4K
With a minimum write speed of 30MB/s, V30 and U3 cards are excellent for smooth 4K video at 30fps or 60fps. These cards are ideal for casual filming or light action shots.
V60 – Advanced for High-Frame-Rate 4K or 5.3K
V60 cards provide a minimum write speed of 60MB/s, making them suitable for 4K at 120fps or 5.3K footage. They’re ideal for capturing detailed, high-frame-rate scenes.
V90 – Essential for 8K or Professional Use
V90 cards offer a minimum write speed of 90MB/s and are built for demanding tasks like 8K recording or ultra-high-bitrate videos. These cards ensure smooth performance in even the most intensive shooting scenarios.
FAQ
These are some frequent questions about Insta360 SD card size:
What size SD card is best for casual users?
For casual users, a 128GB SD card is a great option. It offers approximately 3 hours of 4K video recording at 30fps, which is perfect for capturing highlights, day trips, or short adventure clips. This size strikes a balance between affordability and storage space, making it suitable for those who don’t record extensively or want to keep their footage organized without dealing with large files. For better performance, look for cards like the Samsung EVO Select, which provides durability and high-speed performance to match your Insta360 camera.
How long can I record 4K video on a 256GB SD card?
A 256GB SD card can hold approximately:
- 5-6 hours of 4K video at 30fps, ideal for extended sessions like a full day of vlogging, event coverage, or long hikes.
- 3 hours of 4K video at 120fps, perfect for capturing smooth slow-motion footage.
What’s the best SD card for high-frame-rate 4K?
For high-frame-rate 4K (e.g., 120fps or higher), choose a V60-rated SD card. This ensures a minimum write speed of 60MB/s, which is crucial for handling the large data streams generated by high-frame-rate recordings. Cards like the SanDisk Extreme PRO or Lexar Professional are excellent options, offering both speed and reliability for demanding shoots. If you want to future-proof your setup for occasional 8K recording, consider upgrading to a V90 card.
Thank you for reading this guide!
I hope that it was helpful in discovering the Insta360 SD card size 🙂
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