Kingston Canvas Go! Plus 256GB review

The Kingston Canvas Go! Plus, 256GB is an SD card that combines tried-and-true technology with modern speed and reliability standards, making it an attractive option for both amateur and professional users.

This card is categorized as an entry-level device, but it’s at the pinnacle of its class when it comes to speed and reliability. It adopts the UHS-I bus type, which, while not as swift as the newer UHS-II, still delivers impressive performance. The card also meets various speed class standards, including the traditional Class 10 and UHS Speed Class U3. However, the standout feature is its V30 video speed class rating, ensuring it never drops below a write speed of 30MB/s. This is a critical benchmark for 4K video recording, as 30MB/s is generally the minimum speed required. Thus, the Kingston Canvas Go! Plus, 256GB is adept at handling both high-resolution photography and video recording for a majority of cameras.

Despite its prowess, it’s always advisable to opt for the fastest card possible, especially for more advanced equipment like the Canon EOS R5 C, which demands higher speeds for optimal performance. That said, for cameras such as the Nikon Z30, this card capably meets all the demands, ensuring smooth operation. Additionally, in high-end cameras like the R5 C and Sony A7 IV, the Canvas Go! Plus, 256GB serves admirably as a backup to faster CFExpress cards.

In summary, the Kingston Canvas Go! Plus, 256GB is a cost-effective, efficient SD card storage solution. It boasts read speeds of up to 170 MB/s and write speeds of up to 90 MB/s, with a minimum of 30 MB/s, and is equipped to handle a wide range of photography and videography needs. Its resilience to harsh environments – being water, shock, vibration, x-ray, and temperature resistant – further adds to its appeal. This card is an ideal choice for photographers looking for reliable performance without breaking the bank.

The Kingston Canvas Go! Plus, the 256GB SDXC card, in terms of physical appearance, adheres to the standard guidelines of SD card design, making it visually similar to other cards in its class. The distinctive labelling on the card is a helpful feature, allowing for easy identification among a collection of memory cards.

On closer inspection, the back of the card reveals a single row of contacts, indicating its UHS-I classification. This differs from the UHS-II cards, which have an additional row of contacts for faster data transfer. The UHS-I interface of the Kingston Canvas Go! Plus, with a maximum read speed of 170 MB/s and a maximum write speed of 90 MB/s, it strikes a balance between performance and compatibility with a wide range of cameras and devices.

In practical use, the card fits smoothly into various cameras, computers and devices, ensuring its compliance with standard SD card dimensions and form factors. This universal fit is crucial for photographers and videographers who may use the card across different equipment.

The build quality of the Kingston Canvas Go! Plus, 256GB is robust. The card features a typical lock switch on the side, allowing users to protect their data from accidental overwrite or deletion. The casing is made of quality plastic, designed to withstand regular use and handling. Its durability is further enhanced by its resistance to environmental factors such as water, shock, vibration, and X-rays, making it a reliable choice for use in varying conditions.

The Kingston Canvas Go! Plus, the 256GB SDXC Memory Card is a great choice for photographers and videographers shooting HD and UHD 4K, blending high-capacity storage with robust performance. This card is particularly optimized for UHD 4K video recording and high-resolution photo bursts, making it a perfect fit for most cameras.

One of the most striking features of this card is its speed, especially considering the fact that this is a UHS-I rather than a faster UHS-II card. Kingston states that the card offers read speeds of up to 170 MB/s and write speeds of up to 90 MB/s. This high-speed capability enables swift file transfers but also ensures efficient handling of large files, which is especially crucial when working with 4K videos or continuous photo bursts.

The card’s performance is further enhanced by its advanced speed class ratings. These include a V30 video speed class rating, ensuring that it never drops below a minimum write speed of 30 MB/s, vital for 4K video recording. Similarly, its U3 classification under the UHS speed class also guarantees consistent performance at the same speed level. For devices that adhere to the Class 10 standard, the card provides the reassurance of not dropping below 10 MB/s write speeds, suitable for Full HD recordings and high-resolution photography.

Durability is another feature of the Canvas Go! Plus card. It is designed to withstand the rigours of harsh shooting environments, being resistant to water, shock, vibration, and X-rays. This ruggedness makes it an ideal choice for outdoor and adventure photography, although it isn’t waterproof, where exposure to challenging conditions is common. Moreover, it is built to operate across a wide temperature range, from -13 to 185°F / -25 to 85°C, offering reliability in diverse climatic conditions.

The Kingston Canvas Go! Plus, the 256GB SDXC Memory Card was beyond my initial expectations, especially considering its positioning as an entry-level option in a market dominated by brands like Lexar and SanDisk. My experience with Kingston, a manufacturer often overlooked for these more popular brands, has consistently been positive. Notably, I’ve never encountered a Kingston card breaking or losing data, and this card upholds that standard of reliability.

During testing, the Canvas Go! Plus, the card was subjected to rigorous conditions to assess its durability and performance. Initial formatting in various camera bodies was seamless, with the card getting off to an excellent start in every test. 

A noteworthy aspect of Kingston cards, including this model, is their popularity as reliable backup options. I’ve observed photographers initially purchasing these cards as secondary options, only to rely on them as their primary storage solution due to their dependable performance. 

In terms of endurance, the card was put through extreme tests. It was frozen for several days in a card case and then thawed, after which it was promptly used in a camera without any issues. This level of resilience against extreme temperatures is impressive and crucial for photographers who work in varying environmental conditions. The card also survived being dropped and transported in a backpack without a case, alongside other equipment like a GoPro. Even after such rough handling, a simple dust down was enough for it to function flawlessly in the camera again.

Regarding transfer speeds, the card boasts a read speed of 91MB/s and a write speed of 80MB/s. These speeds, particularly the write speed, are crucial for ensuring smooth performance while recording high-resolution videos or capturing rapid photo bursts. This speed capability, combined with the card’s 256GB storage capacity, makes it suitable not only for beginners on a budget but also for professional photographers who require reliable, high-capacity storage.

Transfer Speeds:

• Read: 91 MB/s
• Write: 80 MB/s

The Kingston Canvas Go! Plus, the 256GB SDXC Memory Card is much more than just an entry-level option. It stands out as a highly reliable and large-capacity storage solution, suitable for a broad range of photographers, from amateurs to professionals.

Kingston, often overshadowed by more prominent brands like Lexar and SanDisk, has delivered a product that challenges the misconception that only higher-priced cards can offer quality and reliability. The Canvas Go! Plus excels in its resilience and performance.

The card’s endurance is particularly impressive. It survived extreme tests, including being frozen and subjected to rough handling, and yet it continued to function flawlessly.

Performance-wise, the card’s read and write speeds are more than adequate for most photography and videography needs. With a read speed of 90 MB/s and a write speed of 80 MB/s, it handles high-resolution video recording and rapid photo bursts with ease. The 256GB capacity offers ample storage, reducing the need for frequent card changes during shooting sessions.

The Kingston Canvas Go! Plus, 256GB is a card that not only meets the basic needs of storage for your photos and videos but also provides unexpectedly speedy and reliable performance.