Are you planning an adventure and wondering which SD card is best for your Sony a7 II camera? Look no further! In this article, we provide recommendations on Sony A7 II SD card speed to help you choose the right SD card for your camera.
The Sony a7 II is a fantastic beginner’s camera, offering many advanced features in a compact mirrorless design.
If you’re unsure what card speed is ideal for shooting with your a7 II, this article will provide all the answers you need.
Sony a7II SD Card Speed Recommendation
To ensure good performance, the Sony a7 II requires SDXC cards with a U3 write speed rating. The bitrate at which the a7 II can record video depends on the resolution, codec, and frame rate. For example, it can record at bitrates of 100 Mbps for 4K and HD (100P/120P), 60 Mbps for 4K and HD (100P/120P), or 50 Mbps for HD (24P/25P/30P/50P/60P). It’s important to avoid recording at lower bitrates to get good output footage.
Memory card write speeds are typically measured in MB/s, while video bitrates are expressed in Mbps. To give you an idea of the relationship between these two measurements, a bitrate of 100 Mbps is equivalent to 12.5 MB/s. Therefore, a memory card with a write speed of 12.5 MB/s or higher should be able to handle HD footage at 100 Mbps, as well as 4K footage at the same bitrate.
While the Sony a7 II has a slow memory card write speed of 33 MB/s, thanks to its large buffer, this shouldn’t be an issue when shooting. This is because the camera uses USB 2.0 bus speeds, which can affect the write speed to the memory card. However, even if you purchase a very fast memory card, it may not offer many advantages for the a7 II due to the camera’s slower write speed.
SD Card Parameters To Consider For Sony A7II?
Here are the key points to consider when choosing an SD card for your Sony a7 II camera:
- Card Type: Make sure to use an SDXC card, as these are fully compatible with the a7 II.
- Speed Class: Class 10, UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) rated cards are recommended for the a7 II. These cards maintain a minimum write speed of 30 MB/s to ensure smooth recording without dropped frames. While UHS-II cards are faster than UHS-I cards, they may not offer many benefits for the a7 II due to the camera’s bitrates. However, UHS-II cards may allow you to offload footage faster if you have a fast hard drive and a compatible card reader.
- Size: The size of the card you choose is up to you, but it’s generally recommended to use cards with capacities of 64GB or 128GB when shooting with the a7 II. This helps to minimize the risk of losing data if there are any issues, as the data is divided over multiple cards.
Note: When inserting a memory card into the camera, make sure to power the camera off first. The memory card slot is located on the side of the camera.
Formatting an SD card is essential to ensure compatibility with your device and avoid data corruption. Formatting deletes all data and sets up a file system that the device can recognize. This reduces the risk of errors when saving files and ensures proper card reading. Also, formatting can help prolong the lifespan of the card and enhance its performance. It is advisable to format the SD card when using it for the first time or switching it between devices. Read more:Guide to SD Card Format for the Sony a7 Camera
SD Cards Recommended for Sony A7II
Find here 3 SD cards recommended for Sony a7 ii.
SanDisk Extreme Memory Card
- Brand: SanDisk
- Speed Class: UHS-I (U3), Class 10, V30
- Maximum Read Speed: 150MB/s
- Maximum Write Speed: 60MB/s
- Storage Capacity: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB,256GB
SanDisk Extreme Memory Card offers a transfer speed of up to 150 MB/s and can record at 60 MB/s. They are known to capture uninterrupted high-resolution video with UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and Video Speed Class 30 (v30). The exterior of SanDisk cards is made of highly durable material to keep your data safe. They are tested to be temperature proof, shockproof, waterproof, and X-ray proof. SanDisk Extreme Memory cards are available in 32GB, 64GB, 128GB,256GB capacities.
SanDisk Extreme Pro Memory Card
- Brand: SanDisk
- Speed Class: UHS-I (U3), Class 10, V30
- Maximum Read Speed: 170MB/s
- Maximum Write Speed: 90MB/s
- Storage Capacity: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB,256GB,512GB,1TB
SanDisk Extreme Pro Memory Cards are an excellent choice for use with your Sony a7 II camera. Known for their speed and quality, these cards offer fast read speeds of up to 170 MB/s and write speeds of up to 90 MB/s, making them ideal for capturing 4K UHD video and using sequential burst mode photography. They are also built with durable materials to withstand harsh weather conditions.
SanDisk Extreme Pro Memory Cards come in a range of capacities, including 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, so you can choose the right amount of storage for your needs.
Lexar Professional 1066x Memory Card
- Brand: Lexar
- Speed Class: UHS-I (U3), Class 10, V30
- Maximum Read Speed: 160MB/s
- Maximum Write Speed: 120MB/s
- Storage Capacity: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB,256GB,512GB
Lexar Professional 1066x Memory Cards are durable and offer excellent performance. They have read speeds of up to 160 MB/s and write speeds of up to 120 MB/s, allowing you to capture high-quality images and extended lengths of Full-HD and 4K video without any lag or interruptions.
These cards also come with the Lexar Recovery Tool to help you recover most photos and select video files. Lexar Professional Memory Cards are available in a range of capacities, including 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB.
What is the Best Speed for for the Sony A7II
The Sony a7 II is an excellent camera for beginners, and by choosing the right SD card, you can get the most out of it. In addition to the options mentioned above, Sony SD cards are also a great choice for use with Sony cameras. Just be sure to keep the right speed class and memory size in mind to ensure that you can shoot without any worries. With the right SD card, you’ll be amazed by the footage you can capture with your Sony a7 II.
Thank you for reading this guide! I hope that it was helpful in teaching you everything you need to know about Sony A7ii SD card speed:)
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Also Read:
- Guide to SD Card Format for the Sony a7 Camera
- Sony a7III SD Card Speed Recommendation for Your Best Videos
- Top 5 Best SD Memory Cards for Sony a7III
- Sony a6400 Memory Card: 7 SD Cards for BEST Performance
- 7 Best SD Cards for Sony a7RV
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