If you are looking for an SD card for GoPro camera, you might face some confusion while choosing one because of so many types and options available. SD cards for GoPro are essential for everyday use since they don’t have inbuilt storage like some of the newer action cameras.
It is not as difficult as it looks and we’ll explain that in details below but if you’re just quickly looking to get the best SD card for your GoPro to record at maximum quality then here is a quick chart for you to select from.
Note: All GoPro Hero cameras use microSD cards, not standard SD cards. Make sure you purchase the correct type of card for your camera to avoid compatibility issues.
GoPro Best MicroSD Card Recommendation
| GoPro Models | Recording Quality | SD Card Speed Rating | Recommended MicroSD Cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hero 10 Black, Hero 11 Black, Hero 12 Black | For 4K and 5K video recording at High Frame Rate. | UHS-II U3/V60 | 1. Lexar 128GB Professional Gold Micro SD Card, UHS-II, C10, U3, V60, A1, Full HD, 4K UHD, Up to 280/180 MB/s, for Drones, Action Cameras 2. ProGrade Digital microSD Memory Card – V60 microSD Card for DSLR and Action Cameras – High Speed Transfer of Files & Large Storage – Up to 250MB/s Read and 130MB/s Write Speed 128 GB |
| Hero 10 Black, Hero 11 Black, Hero 12 Black And Older Models: Hero 7 Black, Hero 8 Black, Hero 9 Black, Hero MAX, Fusion | For 1080p and 4K recording | UHS-I U3 (V30) | 1. SanDisk 128GB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I – Up to 190MB/s, U3, V30 (128 GB) 2. SanDisk 256GB Extreme PRO, microSD, UHS-I Card with Adapter C10, U3, V30, A2, 200MB/s Read, 140MB/s Write (256 GB) 2. Samsung EVO Select Micro SD-Memory-Card + Adapter, 256GB microSDXC 130MB/s Full HD & 4K UHD, UHS-I, U3, V30, Expanded Storage for Android Smartphones, Tablets, Nintendo-Switch (256 GB) 3.SanDisk 512GB Extreme Pro Durable, Captures 4K UHD Video, 200MB/s Read and 140MB/s Write microSD UHS-I Card for Recording Outdoor Adventures and Weekend Trips (512 GB) 4. SanDisk Extreme PRO microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card 1 TB + Adapter & RescuePRO Deluxe (for Smartphones, Action Cameras or Drones, A2, Class 10, V30, U3, 200 MB/s Transfer) (1 TB) |
| Older Models: HERO5 Black, HERO6 Black, HERO5 Session | For 1080p or Higher | UHS-I U1 | 1. SanDisk 256GB Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter – 100MB/s, C10, U1, Full HD, A1, Micro SD Card (256 GB) |
What type of SD cards do GoPro action cameras need?
Here’s a breakdown of the MicroSD card classes and Speed ratings you’ll need for different GoPro models to record the maximum quality videos:
| Model | Minimum Class | Recommended Class | Video Speed Class |
| Hero 7 Black, Hero 8 Black, Hero 9 Black, Hero MAX, Fusion | Class 10 or UHS-I | UHS-I U3 (V30) | V30 (30MB/s sustained write speed) |
| Hero 10 Black, Hero 11 Black, Hero 12 Black | Class 10 or UHS-I | UHS-I U3 (V30) or UHS-II V60 | V30 or V60 (60MB/s sustained write speed) |
SD Card Class/Types for GoPro Video Recording (Difference)
- Class 10: This is the minimum class you should use for any GoPro model. It guarantees a minimum write speed of 10MB/s, which is essential for recording high-resolution videos (1080p).
- UHS-I U3 (V30): This is the recommended class for most GoPro models. It ensures a minimum write speed of 30MB/s, which is ideal for 4K and 5K video recording at high frame rates.
- UHS-II V60: This is the recommended class for the Hero 10 Black, Hero 11 Black, and Hero 12 Black if you plan to record at the highest quality settings (5.3K60 HDR). It offers a minimum write speed of 60MB/s, ensuring smooth recording of high-bitrate footage.
Video Quality Difference in Different GoPro Camera Models:
- Resolution: Hero 7 Black and 8 Black can only record up to 4K, while Hero 9 Black to 12 Black offer 5.3K or 5.3K HDR recording.
- Frame rate: Hero 7 Black and 8 Black have lower max frame rate than newer models, especially for high resolutions.
- Bitrate: Hero 12 Black has significantly higher bitrate compared to older models, resulting in potentially better video quality.
- Additional features: Newer models have features like TimeWarp 2.0, HindSight, Local Horizon Leveling, 8x Slo-Mo, and GP2 engine for improved image processing and stability.
How to Choose SD Card for GoPro
- Decide the quality at which you want to record on your GoPro.
- Make sure you understand class/type of SD Card.
- If you’re on a budget, Choose SD Cards with minimum class requirement for the video quality you plan to record with.
- If you want to be future proof or you might also record in highest quality with faster frame rates and bit rate, then you should just get the best SD Card you can get for your GoPro.
- If you don’t know the highest quality video recording capabilities of your GoPro Hero Black, check this table below:
| Model | Max Resolution | Max Frame Rate | Bitrate (est.) | Additional Features |
| Hero 7 Black | 4K60 | 120fps (1080p) | 75 Mbps | – |
| Hero 8 Black | 4K60 | 240fps (1080p) | 75 Mbps | TimeWarp 2.0 |
| Hero 9 Black | 5K30 | 240fps (1080p) | 100 Mbps | HindSight & HyperSmooth 3.0 |
| Hero 10 Black | 5.3K60 | 240fps (1080p) | 100 Mbps | Local Horizon Leveling |
| Hero 11 Black | 5.3K60 | 240fps (1080p) | 120 Mbps | 8x Slo-Mo, GP2 engine |
| Hero 12 Black | 5.3K60 HDR | 120fps (4K) | 200 Mbps | Max Lens Mod 2.0 (177° FOV) |
Some FAQ about GoPro SD Cards:
How to format sd card in GoPro before using it?
The exact recording time depends on several factors like Video resolution and frame rate, Bitrate, and Codec. As a rough estimate, here’s a general idea:
128GB: 4-8 hours of 1080p, 2-4 hours of 4K
256GB: 8-16 hours of 1080p, 4-8 hours of 4K
While some cameras share the same SD card size and format, others use different types entirely. Here’s the breakdown:
Standard SD cards: These are the larger cards typically used in DSLR cameras. They are not compatible with GoPros.
microSD cards: These are the smaller cards used in GoPros and many other action cameras. Some DSLR cameras also use microSD cards, but not all.
Generally, using an SD card in a different camera is not recommended. Even if the size and format match, the camera might not be formatted for the specific card, potentially leading to data loss. Always stick to the recommended card type for your camera.
The maximum supported card size varies depending on your GoPro model. Here’s a quick guide:
HERO9/8/7 Black, MAX, Fusion: Up to 1TB microSDXC
HERO5 Black, HERO6 Black, HERO5 Session: Up to 256GB microSDXC
Older models: Up to 128GB microSDXC
GoPro recommends cards with specific speed ratings to ensure smooth recording and playback. Here are some Gopro Recommended SD Cards:
UHS-I U3/V30: Minimum recommended speed for 1080p and basic 4K recording. Popular options include SanDisk Extreme, Samsung EVO Plus.
UHS-II U3/V60: Ideal for high frame rate 4K and 5K recording. Examples: SanDisk Extreme PRO, Sony Tough-G.
GoPro Hero cameras use microSD cards, not standard SD cards for their GoPro Hero Black Action Cameras.
Yes, Most GoPros don’t have internal storage so they need a micro SD card to function properly and record.
I hope you’re able to get best SD Card for your GoPro as per your requirements after explanation in this article.
I’ll recommend that instead of choosing SD Cards for 1080p recording or SD card for 4K video recording, you should just go for the best one as the difference in price is not much. By going for higher class of SD Card for your GoPro, you won’t have to spend again if you upgrade in the future.