The SanDisk Ultra microSDXC UHS-1 256GB card offers a remarkable combination of massive storage capacity, high speed, and compact size, making it an impressive choice for expanding digital storage, particularly for high-definition video recording devices like the GoPro Hero.
Strengths:
- Massive Storage: With 256GB, it holds an extensive amount of data, ideal for high-resolution video recording and extensive photo sessions.
- Speed: Optimized for Full HD filming, it boasts a read speed of up to 95MB/s, ensuring quick data access and efficient performance.
- Compact Design: Its microSDXC form factor makes it incredibly small and lightweight, yet it provides substantial storage capacity.
Weaknesses:
- Physical Size: Its tiny size, while advantageous for portability, also makes it easy to lose if not handled carefully.
- Compatibility: The card’s large capacity might exceed the storage limits of some devices, potentially limiting its usability across different gadgets.
Features:
- The card falls into SanDisk’s mid-Ultra range, designed to cater to users needing reliable storage for high-definition content.
- While primarily targeted at Full HD video, its speed and capacity make it versatile for various storage needs.
- The card’s design includes the distinctive grey and red color scheme, aiding in its visibility and handling.
- Available in 256GB and 200GB variants, it offers flexibility in storage options.
- It includes an SD card adapter, broadening its compatibility with devices that have standard SD card slots.
Overall, the SanDisk Ultra microSDXC UHS-1 256GB card represents a significant leap in portable storage solutions, marrying large capacity with high-speed performance in a tiny form factor. Its value extends beyond just action cameras, appealing to anyone in need of substantial, fast, and reliable storage for their digital devices.
Build and handling
The SanDisk Ultra microSDXC UHS-1 256GB card exemplifies good build quality and practical handling features, essential for microSD cards used in various devices, especially action cameras:
- Build Quality: The card exudes a sense of durability and reliability, attributes that are significant for a storage device expected to hold valuable data. Its sturdy construction suggests it can withstand regular use and handling.
- Design and Color Scheme: The distinctive color scheme of the SanDisk Ultra series not only makes the card visually appealing but also functional, aiding in quick orientation and identification. This is particularly useful in environments where changing or handling cards can be fiddly.
- Handling Features: The small indent on the card’s edge is a thoughtful design element, facilitating easy insertion and removal from devices. This feature enhances the user experience, especially in situations requiring frequent swapping or handling of the card.
Overall, the SanDisk Ultra microSDXC UHS-1 256GB card combines robust build quality with user-friendly design, making it a reliable and convenient choice for extending the storage of devices like action cameras, smartphones, and tablets.
Performance
The SanDisk Ultra microSDXC UHS-1 256GB card demonstrates strong performance, particularly suited for Full HD video recording, with capabilities extending to 4K under optimal conditions:
Performance Overview:
- The card is optimized for Full HD video, as indicated by its design and specifications, with read speeds advertised up to 95MB/s.
- In testing, it nearly achieved these read speeds, averaging 90.6MB/s, which is impressive and ensures quick data access and transfer.
Write Speeds:
- Although the card is rated with a video class of C10, indicating a minimum write speed of 10MB/s suitable for Full HD content, it exceeded expectations in tests, achieving write speeds around 51.2MB/s. This performance suggests the card can handle 4K recording, at least in the short term.
- The card maintained consistent performance across various file sizes, indicating reliable write and read capabilities essential for continuous high-resolution video recording.
Longevity and Durability:
- While the card performed excellently in initial tests, it’s noted that microSD cards can degrade over time, which may impact long-term write speeds and overall performance.
Extended Test Results:
- Consistent high performance in both write and read speeds across different data sizes, reinforcing its reliability for continuous video recording and data transfer.
In conclusion, the SanDisk Ultra microSDXC UHS-1 256GB card offers robust performance for Full HD and potentially 4K video recording, making it a solid choice for users requiring reliable, high-speed storage for their devices. However, users should be mindful of the potential for performance degradation over time, typical of flash memory storage.
Verdict
The SanDisk Ultra microSDXC UHS-1 256GB card stands out for its high capacity and reliable performance, making it an excellent choice for users who need extensive storage for video recording, particularly in Full HD resolution:
Advantages:
- Large Capacity: With 256GB, it significantly reduces the need for card swaps during extensive shooting sessions, which is a major convenience for users on the go.
- Performance: It handles Full HD and even 4K recording impressively, making it suitable for high-resolution video capture on devices like the GoPro Hero 6 Black.
Considerations:
- Compatibility: While the card performs well with newer and high-end devices, its large capacity might not be recognized by older or budget action cameras with lower maximum storage limits.
- Cost vs. Device Compatibility: The card may be more expensive than some of the devices it’s used with, which could influence purchasing decisions based on compatibility and budget.
Conclusion:
The SanDisk Ultra microSDXC UHS-1 256GB card is an exceptional choice for those requiring a large amount of storage for high-quality video recording, offering peace of mind with its ample space and solid performance. It’s particularly recommended for users of newer action cameras and devices that can handle high-capacity cards, ensuring they can capture extensive footage without the need for frequent card changes.