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Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K SD card requirements

Best SD Card for Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K

Expert recommendations based on Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K specifications

Recommended Spec

CFast 2.0 and SD UHS-II (V90 (for SD) or faster)

The BMPCC 4K records to CFast 2.0, SD UHS-II or a USB-C SSD. Use a V90 SD card for ProRes and compressed Blackmagic RAW; the lowest-compression RAW settings need CFast or an SSD.

Official Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K SD Card Requirements

  • Format: CFast 2.0 and SD UHS-II
  • Minimum Speed: V90 (for SD) (90 MB/s write)
  • Maximum Capacity: No official limit
Why these requirements? The BMPCC 4K records professional RAW and ProRes formats at very high data rates. A fast V90 SD card is required for many compressed RAW options, while a CFast 2.0 card is needed for the highest-quality settings.

Detailed Specifications

Type
CFast 2.0 and SD UHS-II
Min Speed Class
V90 (for SD)
Write Speed
90 MB/s
Recommended Size
128GB, 256GB
Max Capacity
No official limit

Top SD Card Recommendations

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SD Card Verified Speed Class Write Speed Pros Price
SanDisk Extreme PRO CFast 2.0 VPG-130 SD card - 100USD
SanDisk Extreme PRO CFast 2.0
Full Review
VPG-130 Up to 450 MB/s
  • VPG-130 rated for cinema cameras such as Blackmagic and Canon C-series.
$$ Check Price
Sony TOUGH G-Series SD V90 SD card - 100USD
Sony TOUGH G-Series SD
Full Review
V90 Up to 299 MB/s
  • One-piece molded body rated for drops
  • water and bending. Writes up to 299 MB/s.
$$ Check Price
Kingston Canvas React Plus SD V90 SD card - 45USD
Kingston Canvas React Plus SD
Full Review
V90 Up to 260 MB/s
  • V90 UHS-II card at a lower price than Sony and SanDisk V90 cards.
$ Check Price

Compare These Cards

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See how the recommended cards for Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K stack up side by side, or swap in any other card.

professional
SanDisk Extreme PRO CFast 2.0

SanDisk Extreme PRO CFast 2.0

$$ · Premium
  • UHS RatingNone
  • Speed ClassVPG-130
  • App PerformanceN/A
  • Read SpeedUp to 525 MB/s
  • Write SpeedUp to 450 MB/s
  • EnduranceStandard
Available Capacities64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

Pros

  • VPG-130 rated for cinema cameras such as Blackmagic and Canon C-series.

Cons

  • High price per GB.
View on Amazon
professional
Sony TOUGH G-Series SD

Sony TOUGH G-Series SD

$$ · Premium
  • UHS RatingUHS-II
  • Speed ClassV90
  • App PerformanceN/A
  • Read SpeedUp to 300 MB/s
  • Write SpeedUp to 299 MB/s
  • EnduranceStandard
Available Capacities32GB, 64GB, 128GB

Pros

  • One-piece molded body rated for drops
  • water and bending. Writes up to 299 MB/s.

Cons

  • Expensive.
View on Amazon
professional
Kingston Canvas React Plus SD

Kingston Canvas React Plus SD

$ · Mid-Range
  • UHS RatingUHS-II
  • Speed ClassV90
  • App PerformanceN/A
  • Read SpeedUp to 300 MB/s
  • Write SpeedUp to 260 MB/s
  • EnduranceStandard
Available Capacities32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB

Pros

  • V90 UHS-II card at a lower price than Sony and SanDisk V90 cards.

Cons

  • Harder to find in stores.
View on Amazon

SanDisk Extreme PRO CFast 2.0

The SanDisk Extreme PRO CFast 2.0 reads up to 525 MB/s and writes up to 450 MB/s, with a VPG-130 rating for sustained video. It suits cinema cameras with CFast slots, such as the Blackmagic Pocket 4K and 6K Pro and Canon C-series.

Target User: Professional videographers, high-end photographers, and extreme sports enthusiasts
Best For: Mirrorless Cameras, DSLR Cameras, Action Cameras, Cinematography Equipment

Buy CFast only if your camera has a CFast slot. Blackmagic Pocket cameras can also record to a USB-C SSD, which costs less per GB.

Sony TOUGH G-Series SD

The Sony TOUGH G-Series is a V90 UHS-II SD card that reads up to 300 MB/s and writes up to 299 MB/s. Its one-piece molded body has no ribs or write-protect switch to break, and it is rated for drops, water and bending.

Target User: High-end camera users and professionals in rugged environments
Best For: Mirrorless Cameras, DSLR Cameras, Action Cameras

For users looking for a more budget-friendly option, consider the Lexar Professional SD card or the Delkin Devices Power SD card, which offer similar performance but at a lower price point.

Kingston Canvas React Plus SD

The Kingston Canvas React Plus SD delivers high-speed performance at an affordable price, making it an excellent choice for professionals who require reliable data transfer and recording, but also value budget-friendly options.

Target User: Mobile videographers, photographers, and content creators
Best For: Action Cameras, Drones, Smartphones & Tablets, Mirrorless Cameras

Consider Kingston Canvas React Plus over other mid-range V90 cards in its class, offering comparable performance without the premium price tag.

Frequently Asked Questions

What SD Card Do I Need for Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K?
The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K takes a CFast 2.0 and SD UHS-II card rated V90 (for SD) or faster. 128GB or 256GB covers most owners, and the maximum is No official limit. Buy SanDisk, Lexar, Samsung or Kingston from a reputable seller: counterfeit cards are the most common cause of lost files.
Which card type should I use for the BMPCC 4K?
It depends on your codec. For the highest quality Blackmagic RAW settings (e.g., 3:1), you will need a CFast 2.0 card. For more compressed RAW formats and most ProRes options, a fast V90 SD card will suffice and is more cost-effective.
Is V90 required for Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K?
Yes. V90 guarantees 90 MB/s of sustained write, which keeps the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K free of dropped frames, clips that stop early, or corrupted files. Faster cards work too.
What size SD card should I get for Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K?
128GB covers light use; 256GB suits heavy use. Maximum capacity: No official limit.
Can I use older or slower cards with Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K?
Not below V90 (for SD). Slower cards cause dropped frames, clips that stop early, or corrupted files. Check the card label for the V90 (for SD) mark.
Do I need a UHS-II card for Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K?
No, but it helps. The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K has a UHS-II slot, so UHS-II cards write and offload faster. UHS-I cards work at UHS-I speed.
Should I use more than one card with Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K?
For long shoots, yes. Two mid-size cards cost about the same as one large card, and a failure then loses half your files instead of all of them.
Does the brand matter for Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K?
Yes. SanDisk, Lexar, Samsung and Kingston cards meet their rated speeds. Buy from the brand's store or a major retailer: counterfeit cards sold under those names are common on marketplaces.
What happens if I use the wrong card with Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K?
A card slower than V90 (for SD) causes dropped frames, clips that stop early, or corrupted files. A card over the maximum capacity or in the wrong format may not be recognized.
How long will an SD card last in Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K?
Several years in normal use. Cards usually fail from wear or counterfeit flash, not age. Replace yours at the first write error, corrupted file or "card not recognized" message.

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