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Leica Q3 43 SD card requirements

Best SD Card for Leica Q3 43

Expert recommendations based on Leica Q3 43 specifications

Recommended Spec

SD UHS-II (V60 (V90 for ProRes) or faster)

The Leica Q3 43 has the same single SD UHS-II slot and 8K/30 video as the Q3. Use a V60 card, or V90 for ProRes.

Official Leica Q3 43 SD Card Requirements

  • Format: SD UHS-II
  • Minimum Speed: V60 (V90 for ProRes) (60 MB/s write)
  • Maximum Capacity: No official limit
Why these requirements? The Q3 43 is the Q3 with a 43mm f/2 APO lens. It shares the 60MP sensor, 8K/30 and ProRes video, and the single SD UHS-II slot, so card needs are the same.

Detailed Specifications

Type
SD UHS-II
Min Speed Class
V60 (V90 for ProRes)
Write Speed
60 MB/s
Recommended Size
128GB, 256GB
Max Capacity
No official limit (512GB tested)

Top SD Card Recommendations

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SD Card Verified Speed Class Write Speed Pros Price
SanDisk Extreme PRO SD UHS-II V90 SD card - 100USD
SanDisk Extreme PRO SD UHS-II
V90 Up to 260 MB/s
  • V90 UHS-II card for high-bitrate video and fast bursts.
$$ Check Price
Lexar Professional 1667x SD V60 SD card - 45USD
Lexar Professional 1667x SD
Full Review
V60 Up to 120 MB/s
  • Low-cost way into UHS-II SD.
$ Check Price
Sony TOUGH G-Series SD V90 SD card - 100USD
Sony TOUGH G-Series SD
Full Review
V90 Up to 299 MB/s
  • One-piece molded body rated for drops
  • water and bending. Writes up to 299 MB/s.
$$ Check Price

Compare These Cards

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See how the recommended cards for Leica Q3 43 stack up side by side, or swap in any other card.

professional
SanDisk Extreme PRO SD UHS-II

SanDisk Extreme PRO SD UHS-II

$$ · Premium
  • 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, 512GB

Pros

  • V90 UHS-II card for high-bitrate video and fast bursts.

Cons

  • High cost per GB.
View on Amazon
recommended
Lexar Professional 1667x SD

Lexar Professional 1667x SD

$ · Mid-Range
  • UHS RatingUHS-II
  • Speed ClassV60
  • App PerformanceN/A
  • Read SpeedUp to 250 MB/s
  • Write SpeedUp to 120 MB/s
  • EnduranceStandard
Available Capacities64GB, 128GB, 256GB

Pros

  • Low-cost way into UHS-II SD.

Cons

  • V60
  • not V90. Too slow for All-Intra 4K.
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

Lexar Professional 1667x SD

The Lexar Professional 1667x Silver is a V60 UHS-II SD card that reads up to 250 MB/s and writes up to 120 MB/s. It covers most 4K modes and clears bursts faster than UHS-I, but All-Intra video needs V90.

Target User: Content creators with a tight budget, amateur videographers
Best For: Action Cameras, Smartphones & Tablets, Mirrorless Cameras, DSLR Cameras

For more demanding professionals, consider upgrading to a faster UHS-II SD card. In comparison, other popular options like SanDisk Extreme may offer slight speed improvements but at a higher cost. If budget is not a concern, the faster speed may be worth the investment, but for those on a tighter budget, Lexar Professional 1667x Silver SD provides a cost-effective solution.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What SD Card Do I Need for Leica Q3 43?
The Leica Q3 43 takes a SD UHS-II card rated V60 (V90 for ProRes) 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.
Do the Leica Q3 43 and Q3 use the same SD card?
Yes. Same sensor, same processor, same single SD UHS-II slot.
Is V60 required for Leica Q3 43?
Yes. V60 guarantees 60 MB/s of sustained write, which keeps the Leica Q3 43 free of dropped frames, clips that stop early, or corrupted files. Faster cards work too.
What size SD card should I get for Leica Q3 43?
128GB covers light use; 256GB suits heavy use. Maximum capacity: No official limit (512GB confirmed working).
Can I use older or slower cards with Leica Q3 43?
Not below V60 (V90 for ProRes). Slower cards cause dropped frames, clips that stop early, or corrupted files. Check the card label for the V60 (V90 for ProRes) mark.
Do I need a UHS-II card for Leica Q3 43?
No, but it helps. The Leica Q3 43 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 Leica Q3 43?
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 Leica Q3 43?
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 Leica Q3 43?
A card slower than V60 (V90 for ProRes) 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 Leica Q3 43?
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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