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Top rated SD cards for Sony FX30 4K recording?

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Hey everyone! I just recently picked up a Sony FX30 and I'm super stoked to start shooting some high-quality 4K footage. However, I’m getting a bit overwhelmed looking at all the different memory card options out there. I want to make sure I buy something that can actually keep up with the camera's capabilities without breaking the bank.

I’m planning to shoot mostly in 4K 60p, but I definitely want the flexibility to jump into 120p for slow motion and use the XAVC S-I (All-Intra) codec for better editing. I know the FX30 has those dual slots for both SD and CFexpress Type A, but those CFexpress cards are pretty pricey. I’ve been looking at V60 and V90 SD cards from brands like Sony Tough, ProGrade, and SanDisk, but I’m confused about which one is actually necessary for the higher bitrates.

I really don't want to deal with the camera stopping mid-record or losing data during a shoot, especially since I have a few client projects coming up soon. For those of you who have been using the FX30 for a while, what are your top-rated SD card recommendations that offer the best balance of reliability and speed for 4K recording? Are V60 cards enough for most settings, or should I just bite the bullet and go for V90?


7 Answers
11

Ok so basically, the FX30 bitrate for XAVC S-I 60p hits around 600Mbps, which is way too fast for V60 cards. You definitely need V90 for All-Intra. I've had great results with the Lexar Professional 2000x 128GB SDXC UHS-II V90. Just a heads up tho, if u wanna shoot 120p in S-I, ur gonna HAVE to use ProGrade Digital 160GB CFexpress Type A Gold cuz SD technology just caps out there.


10

So yeah, I feel u on the cost of storage—it's honestly a vibe killer. But tbh, if u want to use that XAVC S-I codec, the FX30 is gonna demand V90 cards at a minimum. I was pretty disappointed when I found out my V60s couldn't even handle All-Intra recording... basically wasted money there cuz the camera just blocks the option.

Here is what I suggest for ur FX30:
* For All-Intra: ProGrade Digital 128GB SDXC UHS-II Video Speed Class V90 Memory Card is a solid balance of price and speed.
* For 120p stability: Sony TOUGH 160GB CFexpress Type A Video Memory Card is pricey but bulletproof.

Quick tip: V60 cards like the SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-II Card V60 work for 4K 60p Long GOP, but they literally won't let u select S-I. Just bite the bullet on one V90 card for ur client projects tho!





5

Just found this thread. Seconding the recommendation above! I tried saving money with slower cards and the camera froze during a gig... honestly sooo stressful. Get the faster ones for safety!!


4

Regarding what #4 said about "Saving this whole thread. So much good info..."

  • I totally agree! This thread is a goldmine for anyone starting out with the FX30. Basically, the consensus here is spot on—dont even bother with V60 if you want that sweet All-Intra quality, youll just get errors and its super frustrating! I'm a total stickler for reliability because losing footage is my literal nightmare. I've been using the Sony TOUGH-G series SDXC UHS-II V90 128GB cards and they are amazing! Theyre built like a tank, literally no ribs or switches to break off which is huge for safety. If those are too pricey, I've had fantastic luck with the Kingston Canvas React Plus 256GB UHS-II V90 too. Theyre usually way cheaper but still super fast! Just remember that for the absolute best performance in 4K 120p S-I, you might eventually want the Sony CEA-G160T 160GB CFexpress Type A. Its a big investment but honestly worth it for the peace of mind during client shoots. Love seeing everyone helping out here!


3

Saving this whole thread. So much good info here you guys are awesome.





2

Like someone mentioned, that 600Mbps for XAVC S-I is the real killer for slower cards. Basically, 600Mbps translates to 75MB/s, so while a V60 card rated for 60MB/s theoretically sounds close, it just wont cut it for sustained writes. I've been doing some DIY testing and found a few more fantastic options.

  • Sabrent Rocket V90 256GB SDXC UHS-II - these are amazing for the price and super reliable for 4K 60p All-Intra.
  • Wise Advanced 160GB CFexpress Type A Card - if you really want that 120p slow mo, this is a killer alternative to the Sony branded ones.
  • Angelbird AV PRO SD MK2 V90 128GB - these have incredibly high sustained write speeds which is what actually matters. NGL, sticking to V90 for everything besides 120p S-I is the smartest play for your budget right now. Just dont skimp on the speed class or you'll definitely regret it when the camera throws an error mid-take!


2

Seconded!


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