For shooting fast-moving action photos in high resolution or writing and transferring large HD video files, the latest advances in SD cards make all the difference. The newest, fastest cards on the market are UHS-II SD cards, which can replace the earlier UHS-I cards. The UHS-II cards have a faster read and write speed than their predecessors, allowing you more efficiency in your workflow with less waiting time for data to write, read or transfer. UHS stands for Ultra High Speed, and with the UHS-II SD card, manufacturers have succeeded in keeping up with the ever growing file sizes of HD 4K video.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a UHS-II SD card different from a UHS-I SD card?
These two types of SD cards look the same, but the difference lies in the hardware technology that links the card and the device. The high-speed bus is the interface that allows the card and the camera to exchange data. With a UHS-II SD card, the high-speed bus technology works faster than that of the original UHS-I SD card, so your images and video will not only write to the card faster, but also read and transfer data more quickly, too.
Can I use a UHS-II SD card in a device that takes UHS-I cards?
Yes. The new, lightning speed UHS-II SD cards have been designed to be backwards compatible, and they work with older card readers and cameras. However, if you’re using a card reader without advanced speed capability, then the data-related operations of the UHS-II card will be slowed down by your older SD card hardware. If you’re interested in all-around high speed, then you can purchase newer card readers and accessories made specifically for UHS-II SD cards.
Buying Guide
You’re excited to try these speedy little cards in your camera and see what a difference their quick responsiveness makes. However, choosing one is far from intuitive. It takes some reading, comparing, and thinking. Before you make your decision, here are some important points to consider when picking out the best UHS-II SD card for your needs:
- Compatibility: Although these ultra high speed UHS-II SD cards work seamlessly with older card readers and equipment, there is another aspect of compatibility to consider. Not all brands of SD cards work well with every brand of camera. Check the seller’s product listing or information from the manufacturer to make sure that the brand of SD card you’re looking at will perform optimally in your camera. This issue aside, in fact, most cameras work well with any brand of SD card. Incompatibilities in this area are uncommon, but worth noting.
- Speed: All UHS-II cards do not operate at the same speed. The speed of data functions is measured in megabytes per second, or MB/sec. Most cards have a slightly higher read speed than write speed. A high-speed card may read data at speeds of up to around 250 MB/sec, and the higher end cards often have a read speed of 300 MB/sec. Write speeds are usually under 300 MB/sec, with some cards having higher write speeds than others. Check the seller’s product details for each UHS-II SD card’s specifications regarding read and write speeds.
- Ruggedness: Out in the field shooting nature or capturing live action, anything goes. It might rain, snow, feel like a hot oven in the desert, or be a frigid day out on the northern tundra. Some UHS-II SD cards are made to withstand these extreme conditions with no problem, while others may not fare so well. In addition, some SD cards are extremely durable and suitable for the most adventurous photographers, being shock-proof and X-ray proof as well. If you plan to travel, or shoot photos or video outdoors, a UHS-II SD card that will hold up and perform effortlessly in these challenging situations is a good idea.
Those little UHS-II SD cards all look the same. Literally. They’re all the same shape and size so that they’ll fit in any SD card slot. So, you’ve got to do some research to uncover the differences between brands and capabilities of various UHS-II SD cards. Luckily, we’re one step ahead, and we’ve evaluated many of the newer, faster SD cards on the market. See the list below of our top picks for the best UHS-II SD cards:
Lexar Professional 1667x 128GB SDXC UHS-II Card
Best Overall
From a Trusted Name
Lexar is a name known by photographers and videographers for their long history of making high quality digital products. This high-speed UHS-II SDXC card makes it quick and easy to work with the large files of high-definition images and video.
Pros:
- Large storage capacity of 128G
- Fast reading speeds up to 250 MB per second
- Also available in 64GB and 256GB sizes
- Sold singly or as 2-pack or 10-pack
- Optional Li-Ion battery add-on
Cons:
- May have technical problems with Fuji cameras
- Write speed is lower than listed read speed
Photographers depend on the reliable digital cards from Lexar, and now they offer a card in state-of-the-art UHS-II speed.
Sony TOUGH-G Series SDXC UHS-II Card 128GB
Runner-up
Super Durable & Waterproof
Sony’s TOUGH series is perfect for capturing and transferring photo and video out in the rugged outdoors. Shooting the rain? Changing your card in some inclement weather will not stop this SD card, and it both writes and transfers data at very high speeds.
Pros:
- Waterproof “Tough” SD is 18x stronger than standard SD cards
- Large storage capacity of 128G
- Fast file transfer and writing speed of up to 300 MB per second
- Also available in 32GB and 64GB sizes
Cons:
- Not readable by some SD card readers
- Cards fit tightly in camera and might get stuck
This hardy card from Sony’s TOUGH series will keep your images safe while you are outdoors or indoors.
ProGrade Digital 128GB SDXC UHS-II V90 Memory Card
Most Proven
Rigorous Quality Testing
ProGrade might be a lesser known name than the major electronic corporations, but its quality level meets or exceeds the big guys and its products are trusted by professionals. ProGrade puts their products through an arduous testing process to ensure the quality of their SD cards.
Pros:
- UHS-II technology with 128G of storage
- Reading speed up to 300 MB per second
- Writing speed up to 250 MB per second
- Optimized with firmware for cinematic high-def cameras
- Also available in 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB sizes
- From a small business
Cons:
- May not be as fast as expected with 4K video
- Cards may have errors in rare incidents
Quality is important to the people at ProGrade, and this SDXC card easily holds its own against more well-known brands.
SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-II Memory Card
Top Contender
Waterproof, Temperature-Proof & Shockproof
This Extreme PRO card from SanDisk is one trusted by many traveling professionals who shoot on location in a variety of conditions. It can stand up to water, extreme temperatures, and even tolerate airport X-rays well. All this, plus an ultra-fast transfer speed of up to 300 MB/sec.
Pros:
- Pro performance high speed 128 GB SDXC card
- Waterproof, all-temperature, shock-proof, and X-ray safe
- Fast writing speed up to 260 MB per second
- Lightning fast 300 MB/sec transfer speed
- Also available in 32GB and 64GB sizes
- With optional Pro Extreme card reader add-on for fastest performance
Cons:
- May be slower in some cameras
- May ship without an adapter
SanDisk’s Extreme Pro UHS-II SD card can handle just about anything, whether it’s a rainstorm, bumpy travel, or cold or hot temperatures.
Amplim 128GB V90 UHS-II SD SDXC Card
Honorable Mention
From a US Small Business
This fast-reading UHS-II SD card from Amplin is compatible with the vast majority of professional camera brands, and its durability for use in the field is impressive from a small business.
Pros:
- 128 GB SDXC card with universal compatibility
- Waterproof, temperature-proof, shock-proof, magnet-proof, and X-ray-proof
- Ultra-fast read/writer transfer speed of 300 MB/sec
- Also available in 32GB, 64GB, and 256GB sizes
- US company, manufactured in Taiwan
- Made by a small business
Cons:
- Write speed is relatively slow
- Doesn’t come with a case
Shoot and transfer video and high resolution images with ease with this speedy little 128-GB UHS-II SD card from Amplin.
