SD cards provide electronic devices with data storage, with different speeds available. High speeds can improve the quality of saved images and videos, but not everyone needs extreme speeds. SD card speed ratings are measured similarly to CD-ROM speed, with SD Speed Class ratings helping consumers find the right card. It’s important to consider whether the listed speed is the write or read speed, and some cameras require a particularly fast write speed for smooth video recording.
The ability to store data on many electronic devices is typically provided by a Secure Digital card. It is commonly known as SD card and there are different speeds available. Not everyone needs extreme speeds to enjoy their electronics, but you should have an idea of how high speeds can help before making your decision.
Many people only consider the amount of space available on their card, forgetting the speed of the SD card. High speed can allow devices such as cameras to save data faster, as well as ensure that the saved images or videos are of high quality. For those who want to save money and don’t plan on doing things in quick succession, like taking several photos quickly, a medium speed SD card should be fine. On the other hand, many professionals may find that speed helps them tremendously when it comes to getting their work done.
SD card speed ratings are measured similarly to CD-ROM speed. Since the average CD has a speed of 150 kB/s, SD cards are usually compared to this number in terms of how many times faster they are. The average speed of the SD card is about six times that of most CD-ROMs, at about 900 kB/s. Some of the best cards have speeds of around 200x, or 30MB/s, but in most cases 50x should be enough.
A handy invention from the SD Association includes SD Speed Class ratings, which can help you find the card you need a little easier. The three classes are intuitive enough for most consumers to remember. Class 2 transfers data at 2MB/s, while Class 4 transfers data at 4MB/s. Predictably, Class 6 can send data at 6 MB/s, or 40 times the speed of a CD-ROM. The class logo is usually on the packaging so that the correct SD card speed is easily found in any store.
You need to keep in mind what speed is listed when considering SD card speed. Some companies put the write speed on the package and some record the read speed. In most cases, you can expect maximum write speeds to be the higher of the two types. While most cameras’ instruction manual should specify, keep in mind that some cameras require a particularly fast write speed to record smooth video. Taking numerous photos in a short amount of time sometimes also requires a faster write speed, which is why professional photographers often put SD card speed in high consideration before purchasing.
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