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Sony a6400 SD card requirements

Best SD Card for Sony a6400

Expert recommendations based on Sony a6400 specifications

Recommended Spec

SD UHS-I (V30 or faster)

The a6400 has one SD UHS-I slot. Sony requires a U3/V30 card for 4K XAVC S at 100 Mbps.

Official Sony a6400 SD Card Requirements

  • Format: SD UHS-I
  • Minimum Speed: V30 (30 MB/s write)
  • Maximum Capacity: No official limit (512GB+ tested)
Why these requirements? The a6400 shoots high-bitrate 4K video (XAVC S). To record at the highest quality (100Mbps), Sony requires a U3/V30 speed class card to prevent recording from stopping unexpectedly.

Detailed Specifications

Type
SD UHS-I
Min Speed Class
V30
Write Speed
30 MB/s
Recommended Size
64GB, 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-I V30 SD card - 100USD
SanDisk Extreme PRO SD UHS-I
Full Review
V30 Up to 120 MB/s
  • Among the fastest UHS-I SD cards
  • with V30 and fast buffer clearing.
$$ 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

Compare These Cards

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See how the recommended cards for Sony a6400 stack up side by side, or swap in any other card.

recommended
SanDisk Extreme PRO SD UHS-I

SanDisk Extreme PRO SD UHS-I

$$ · Premium
  • UHS RatingUHS-I
  • Speed ClassV30
  • App PerformanceN/A
  • Read SpeedUp to 250 MB/s
  • Write SpeedUp to 120 MB/s
  • EnduranceStandard
Available Capacities64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1024GB

Pros

  • Among the fastest UHS-I SD cards
  • with V30 and fast buffer clearing.

Cons

  • Costs more than the SanDisk Extreme.
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

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SanDisk Extreme PRO SD UHS-I

The SanDisk Extreme PRO SD UHS-I reads up to 200 MB/s with a SanDisk reader and carries a V30 rating. It covers 4K in most UHS-I cameras and clears bursts faster than the SanDisk Extreme.

Target User: Professional photographers and videographers, content creators requiring fast storage
Best For: Mirrorless Cameras, DSLR Cameras, Smartphones & Tablets

Choose SanDisk Extreme PRO over the standard Extreme for enhanced write performance and V30 speed class guarantee. The Extreme PRO also outperforms the other premium storage options in terms of read/write speeds.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What SD Card Do I Need for Sony a6400?
The Sony a6400 takes a SD UHS-I card rated V30 or faster. 64GB or 128GB or 256GB covers most owners, and the maximum is No official limit (512GB+ tested). Buy SanDisk, Lexar, Samsung or Kingston from a reputable seller: counterfeit cards are the most common cause of lost files.
Is a V30 card necessary for the Sony a6400?
For 4K at 100 Mbps, yes. The camera won't record that mode on slower cards. For photos, any Class 10 card works.
Is V30 required for Sony a6400?
Yes. V30 guarantees 30 MB/s of sustained write, which keeps the Sony a6400 free of dropped frames, clips that stop early, or corrupted files. Faster cards work too.
What size SD card should I get for Sony a6400?
64GB covers light use; 256GB suits heavy use. Maximum capacity: No official limit (512GB+ tested).
Can I use older or slower cards with Sony a6400?
Not below V30. Slower cards cause dropped frames, clips that stop early, or corrupted files. Check the card label for the V30 mark.
Is a UHS-II card faster in Sony a6400?
No. The Sony a6400 has a UHS-I slot, so a UHS-II card runs at UHS-I speed. It only offloads faster in a UHS-II card reader.
Does the brand matter for Sony a6400?
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 Sony a6400?
A card slower than V30 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 Sony a6400?
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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