Using the DJ Drive Tool, we and others have tested and compiled real-world media performance data. Having this data makes buying decisions for your media needs easier.
| Media Type | Manufacturer / Model | Capacity | Read Speed | Write Speed | Latest Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSD | Crucial X6 1TB Portable SSD | 1,000.2GB | 876.0MB/sec | 739.4MB/sec | $ 64.99 | ||
| SSD | SanDisk Extreme Portable V2 55AE 2TB | 2,000.4GB | 973.7MB/sec | 359.6MB/sec | $ 133.23 | ||
| SSD | Samsung 870 EVO 1TB | 1,000.2GB | 394.9MB/sec | 359.6MB/sec | $ 59.99 | ||
| SSD | Samsung 860 EVO 1TB | 1,000.2GB | 410.1MB/sec | 369.1MB/sec | $ 118.00 | ||
| MicroSD Card |
SanDisk Extreme 256GB microSDXC UHS-I V30 (Lexar Reader)
Test performed on a Lexar LRW450UBNA reader |
255.9GB | 175.0MB/sec | 119.4MB/sec | $ 28.99 | ||
| MicroSD Card |
Samsung EVO Plus 512GB
Test performed on a Lexar LRW450UBNA reader |
512.1GB | 95.3MB/sec | 83.7MB/sec | $ 39.95 | ||
| SD Card |
TeamGroup PRO 256GB SDXC
Test performed on a StarTech 4SD4FCRU31C reader |
250.4GB | 96.3MB/sec | 85.1MB/sec | $ 19.99 | ||
| SD Card |
PNY Elite-X 256GB SDXC
Test performed on a StarTech 4SD4FCRU31C reader |
249.3GB | 97.4MB/sec | 87.3MB/sec | $ 20.99 | ||
| SD Card |
Samsung PRO Plus Full Size SDXC Card 128GB (Lexar Reader)
Test performed on a Lexar LRW450UBNA reader |
128.2GB | 156.9MB/sec | 121.7MB/sec | $ 15.99 | ||
| SSD | Samsung 860 QVO 1TB | 1,000.2GB | 348.4MB/sec | 73.0MB/sec | $ 129.99 | ||
| SD Card |
TeamGroup PRO 128GB UHS-1
Test performed on a StarTech 4SD4FCRU31C reader |
124.7GB | 97.5MB/sec | 87.8MB/sec | $ 11.99 | ||
| SD Card |
Sabrent Rocket V60 512GB SD UHS-II
Test performed on a StarTech 4SD4FCRU31C reader |
495.2GB | 257.6MB/sec | 138.6MB/sec | $ 89.99 | ||
| SD Card |
Lexar Professional 512GB 1066x SDXC (Lexar Reader)
Test performed on a Lexar LRW450UBNA reader |
512.1GB | 158.9MB/sec | 120.4MB/sec | $ 76.49 | ||
| MicroSD Card |
SanDisk Extreme 256GB microSDXC UHS-I V30
Test performed on a Transcend TS-RDF8K reader |
255.9GB | 89.9MB/sec | 87.6MB/sec | $ 28.99 | ||
| SD Card |
Lexar Professional 128GB 1066X 160MB/s (Lexar Reader)
Test performed on a Lexar LRW450UBNA reader |
126.9GB | 157.0MB/sec | 111.6MB/sec | $ 19.99 | ||
| SD Card |
Samsung EVO Plus 128GB SDXC Card (Lexar Reader)
Test performed on a Lexar LRW450UBNA reader |
128.2GB | 132.6MB/sec | 65.1MB/sec | $ 13.49 | ||
| SD Card |
PNY Elite-X 128GB SDXC
Test performed on a StarTech 4SD4FCRU31C reader |
126.4GB | 96.1MB/sec | 78.4MB/sec | $ 13.99 | ||
| SD Card |
Samsung PRO Plus Full Size SDXC Card 128GB
Test performed on a StarTech 4SD4FCRU31C reader |
128.2GB | 97.2MB/sec | 86.5MB/sec | $ 15.99 | ||
| SD Card |
SanDisk Extreme 128GB SDXC 150MB/s (Lexar Reader)
Test performed on a Lexar LRW450UBNA reader |
127.9GB | 173.2MB/sec | 91.3MB/sec | $ 19.82 | ||
| SD Card |
Samsung EVO Plus 128GB SDXC Card
Test performed on a StarTech 4SD4FCRU31C reader |
128.2GB | 97.2MB/sec | 64.5MB/sec | $ 13.49 |
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Manufacturers of SD, Compact Flash, CFast, and other media don't often advertise the write speeds of their cards. But in the video production world, sustained write speed is the most important metric. We need to know that cards are going to be able to write data as fast as our cameras and other recorders generate it.
Short answer? Get a card as fast as your budget allows, as long as it is fast enough for your production workflow.
Longer answer? Get cards with write speeds in the above table higher than your recorder's or camera's required minimums. You can enter a minimum write speed in the search criteria to limit which cards are shown.
Data rates vary quite a bit, based on the codec, resolution, frame rate, and even image quality of the camera. For example, at DJP we use the Hyperdeck Studio Mini from Blackmagic Design for most of our recording needs, and shoot in formats from 1080p24 up through 2160p30, usually in ProRes. Cards which are capable of writing at rates of 100MB/sec usually work well for this. Our cameras needs are more modest, where 40 MB/sec is plenty for 2160p30 in XAVC-S.
For general use, when you have to copy data from multiple cards at a time, the StarTech 4-Slot SD Card Reader is our preferred device. We use it on every event when we need to copy footage from our master HyperDeck recorders and the isolated camera feeds with the minimum amount of hassle. With USB 3.2 Gen 2 connectivity for both Type A and C, this unit gives the highest standard UHS-I and UHS-II speeds we've seen, at up to 10 Gigabits per second, giving the speed to read four cards at 250 MB/second simultaneously.
For the highest perfomance for SD and microSD, we like this 2-in-1 reader from Lexar. For cards which offer performance boosts above normal UHS-I speeds (speeds greater than 104 MB/sec), this reader has proven to be the best we've tried. It not only accelerates reads from Lexar cards, it also speeds up reads and writes from cards from other manufacturers as well, often more than readers from the same manufacturer. We've had great luck with these readers, and they're quite inexpensive.
Use the DJ Drive Tool to perform disk testing and submit card performance data to this site.
We recommend using the 'Refresh' mode to perform both read and write testing.