The camera buffs of the world have had their eyes on the GoPro HERO10 camera for a bit now. Its ultra-portable design is only the second-best thing about this camera since it supports both 5.3K video at 60 frames-per-second and 4K video at 120 frames-per-second.
When it comes to writing such high-quality video files, a camera needs a special, high-end SD card that supports write speeds high enough for the video quality.
Here are some things you’ll want to keep in mind when buying a new SD card for your HERO10 camera.
Buyer’s Guide
SD Card Size
When buying an SD card, it’s critical to ensure that you buy an SD card that is of the same size as the ones you can insert into your device. Not all devices use the same size SD card.
GoPro’s HERO10 camera uses a MicroSD card. So, you’ll want to buy cards in that size.
Cards of the wrong size may have adapters that allow them to write using an SD card slot of a larger size, but SD cards that are too large will not be able to be adapted to an SD card slot that is smaller than the original card.
SD Card Write Speed
To put it simply, SD card write speed is the speed at which an SD card can populate its memory with information.
Recording video requires the camera to take, process, and store hundreds or even thousands of photos every minute.
If an SD card’s write speed can’t keep up with the camera’s information output, the information is lost to the annals of time and your video might start to look choppy or low resolution as the camera cuts corners to try and keep the information within the write speed constraints. In severe cases, which one might run into when shooting in ultra-high definition, you may find that the camera overheats or freezes up when trying to write video files to the card.
The HERO10 camera features video writing bitrates of up to 100 Mb per second which is pretty beefy by comparison to most low and mid-end cameras. You’ll want an SD card that supports at least 100 Mbps write speeds if you intend to use the ultra-high-def or burst photo modes that utilize the higher write speeds.
Video Speed Class
You’ll also want to make sure that the SD card is compatible with your device.
The two main write speed expressions are Video Speed Class and UHS Speed Class. The HERO10 camera uses Video Speed Class and has a UHS-I native interface to interact with UHS-rated cards.
You’ll want a card that’s rated for at least Video Speed Class 30 (V30); this means that the card supports a minimum write speed of 30 Mbps. These are the middle of the spectrum cards for recording in 4K definition and the minimum required to record in higher definitions than 4K, which the HERO10 supports.
SD Card Storage Space
You’ll also want to consider how much space your SD card has. Ultra-high-definition video isn’t small potatoes when it comes to storage.
Shooting in RAW video formats will produce lossless video at a high storage space cost. While a 32 GB SD card might have cut it for your old digital camera for family vacations, you’ll fill up that space pretty quickly when you’re working with lossless video.
Our Favourites: Comparisons and Top Picks
Samsung EVO Select V30 UHS-I 256 GB: Best Overall
Samsung is a very reliable brand when it comes to consumer electronics, and their SD cards are top quality. This is a V30-rated card that packs a whopping 256 GB, so it’s good to store all your large files and record video in ultra-high definition.
It’s UHS-I and V30 rated so it can be used with your HERO10 and other devices that may use UHS. It can be hard to know which Samsung EVO card to get since they don’t have a generation number; they just kind of change the colour of the unit. But this teal version and the previous green, gold, and white version are both perfectly good SD cards for the HERO10.
This unit comes in sizes ranging from 64 GB to 512 GB. So, there are plenty of options depending on your needs. It also comes with an adapter to use with items that have a full-sized SD card slot.
Pros
- Compatible with UHS-I and V30
- Comes with SD Card Adapter
Cons
- No extra-small or extra-large sizes for other devices
- Confusing marketing
Sandisk Extreme V30 UHS-I 256 GB: Best Value
Like Samsung’s EVO Select, Sandisk is very well-known in the consumer electronics world as a great place to get high-quality storage for a low cost, and the Sandisk Extreme V30 UHS-I SD card delivers on all points.
It’s generally a little cheaper than the Samsung option and features a similar repertoire of specifications. The Sandisk Extreme V30 UHS-I does pack a slightly lower write speed, capping out at 90 Mbps, so bear that in mind as its lower than the HERO10’s maximum write speed.
The Sandisk Extreme is a great option for people who are on a tight budget and need to get the most value out of their purchases. You can buy this SD card in sizes ranging from 16 GB to 1 TB. It’s a fantastic value that will get you the most out of every buck you spend. You can even get the card with a card reader that will allow you to transfer files from your computer to your SD card and vice versa.
Pros
- Compatible with UHS-I and V30
- Comes with SD Card Adapter
- Extra-Small and Extra-Large storage sizes
Cons
- Write speed is slightly slower than ideal for this camera
Lexar Professional 1000x 256 GB V60 UHS-II: Best Premium
Lexar’s Professional 1000x series is a great starter option for users looking for a premium product that can be used with other high-end cameras. It features write speeds up to 150 Mbps which entirely eclipses the needs of the HERO10 camera and allows it compatibility with cameras that utilize higher write speeds like Blackmagic or high-end Canon cinema cameras.
It features a V60 rating which makes it perfect for recording in ultra-high definition like the HERO10’s 5.3K60 mode, and it has a native interface for UHS-II which makes it up to date with the latest in SD card technology. Don’t worry though; it’s backward-compatible with UHS-I devices. So, you’ll be able to use this with just about any device.
Pros
- Extra-fast write speed
- V60 rated
Cons
- Expensive
ProGrade Digital 256 GB V60 UHS-II
ProGrade Digital makes professional-grade audio and video equipment. You’ll have to go a little out of your way to get your hands on a lot of ProGrade’s better products because they have such a small window of retailers. This set comes from B&H Photo and Video, a major retailer of photography and videography supplies and gadgets.
This a bundle of two 256 GB cards making it one of the most affordable options on the list, but still a markedly more—even prohibitively—expensive option which is why we can’t recommend it as a best overall choice. This set is V60 rated. So, they’re perfect for capturing ultra-high definition video or burst shot cameras like the HERO10.
Pros
- Fantastic space-to-cost ratio
- V60 rated with a maximum write speed of 130 Mbps
Cons
- Prohibitively expensive
Angelbird 256 GB AV Pro UHS-II V60
Angelbird cards are prohibitively expensive for most consumers, but to the hardcore technology enthusiast their hardy and reliable technology can’t be beat. Angelbird specializes in creating memory cards and drives with audio and video buffs in mind.
This SD card is tested and rated for performance in regard to use with high-end photo and video equipment. It’s perfect whether you’re intending to utilize the HERO10’s ultra-high definition features or burst shot mode.
Pros
- Extremely high read and write speeds
Cons
- Prohibitively expensive
Final Thoughts
The SD card that you use with your device does matter, especially when it comes to getting the most out of the things that you buy. Preparing for the future by buying up-to-date hardware prevents you from having to replace your devices regularly.
Check out our favourite choices for SD cards to use with GoPro’s HERO10 camera!
