SD cardis an integral part of digital photography, but it's hard to know when it's time to replace one before you've already lost important files. We share what the experts have to say about how long your micro SD card should last, which brands are reliable, and what photographers say are the best practices for using memory cards.
Reliability of memory cards
Whether you're a professional photographer, a hobbyist, or something in between, you'll undoubtedly use an SD card to store data and then transfer images from your camera to your computer.Micro SD card, or small "secure digital" cards that use flash memory to transfer digital data, are the smallest commonly used memory cards on the market.
Micro SD cards were designed for use in mobile phones, but are now widely used in small electronic devices, tablets and cameras of all kinds.
SD cards retain downloaded files by writing and erasing cycles on the card's memory cells.The lifespan of an SD card has everything to do with how often it is used.According toHow things workMemory cells in micro SD cards can go through up to 10,000 write and erase cycles before they wear out.
Because 10,000 write cycles correspond to writing and erasing the card's contents every day for almost 30 years, memory cards generally have a long lifespan. However, there are specific measures a photographer can take to extend the life of their micro SD card.
Which brands are the best?
The best way to ensure that your micro SD is reliable is to purchase it from a trusted, SD Association approved brand. Founded in 2000 by leading SD card brands, shortly after the invention of the SD card, the SD Association provides industry standards for SD card technology. Brands approved by the SD Association include SanDisk, Lexar and Transcend.
Make sure you buy a card with the storage capacity and read/write speed that meets your needs.
If you want to buy the best memory card on the market, choose one that has oneSD Associationauthentication is a smart idea.
Total lifespan of SD card
There is no set lifespan for an SD card, despite their theoretical timeline of 30 years. Based on current flash memory technology,Most SD cards are expected to last ten years or more.However, cards that are used a lot wear out faster.
Although SD cards have a long lifespan, it makes sense to replace your SD cards relatively often if you run a photography business or are an avid photographer in any way. It's probably also a good idea to save your files to an internal storage device or external hard drive in addition to your SD card so that you have duplicate copies of your photos.
Can you reuse SD cards across devices?
Yes, you can reuse SD cards. You can use an SD card in your camera, remove it, and then use it on your laptop, tablet, phone, or other SD card-capable device.
You can also use the same SD card in Android device or Apple device.
According to the SD association
OfSD Associationindicates that the lifespan of your SD card depends on several factors, including how the card was manufactured. The association's position suggests that SD card memory technology is built to last well over a decade under "normal use" and will outlast the lifespan of several compatible devices, including cameras and computers.
According to Lexar
Although Lexar does not openly state the intended lifespan of SD card products, the SD Association-endorsed memory company claims that its products undergo a rigorous reliability testing process. In addition, Lexar offers aLifetime Warrantyon all its micro SD products, suggesting they are meant to last.
Photo doorjasleen_kaur under licenseCC BY-SA 2.0
According to SanDisk
Like Lexar, SanDisk, the founding member of the SD Association, offers a lifetime warranty on most of its SD card products. Although it is difficult to determine the exact lifespan of the brand, it is extensivehelpforumon the SanDisk website for troubleshooting defective cards, indicating a moderate failure rate.
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According to photographers
Professional photographer QT Luong is an experienced photographer with recent experience with SD card failure. His experience reinforces the idea that memory cards can last for years. In his article "Lessons from losing a week's worth of photos to memory card failure", he writes that he has been practicing professional photography since 2000 (around the time these types of memory cards were invented), but did not have an accident with an SD card until 2018.
Nevertheless, when he eventually lost important files to a card error, his biggest regret was that he had not backed up his material elsewhere, as the effort it took to restore his files far outweighed the time it took him would have cost to back up his files. files. recordings.
Matthew Saville, a professionalwedding photographer, adheres to the general principle that well-designed micro SD cards are built to last for years to come. He has never experienced a card error at a crucial point in his career.
Despite this, he sticks to itcertain practicesto prevent image loss, includingreplacing fully functional SD cards (even cards with no signs of wear) every two to three years.Furthermore, he vows to only buy high-quality SD Association-approved memory cards.
Photo doorNeil. Moralee under licenseCC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Best practices for SD card maintenance
According to the professionals, the lifespan of an SD card is expected to last for years, but it is by no means certain. Most photographers (inclLuong,Saville, and Mike O'Leary onF-stoppers) contains some useful tips to avoid SD card errors and file loss.
- Go for a trusted brand.
All three professional photographers we consulted cautioned against buying the cheap brand and suggested seeking out authorized sellers when shopping for big-name brands like Lexar and SanDisk, as some sellers offer counterfeit cards.
- Buy more SD cards.
Owning multiple cards allows constant rotation and minimizes the write and erase frequency of memory cells. Let's say you buy just one high-capacity card. In that case, one mistake can cause all your work to be lost, while if you spread your work evenly across multiple cards, you never have to risk losing your entire portfolio.
- Back up your photos to a separate device.
It is always a safe choice to store your meaningful images in multiple places and according to professional photographers, this proves to be the responsible way to prevent loss of personal files and client content.
- Handle your card with care.
SD cards – and especially micro SD cards – are vulnerable. Be careful when removing memory cards from cameras, computers or mobile phones. Make sure it does not get wet or dirty and do not expose it to extreme temperatures. Additionally, in daily use, you should be careful when removing the card from your computer or from the camera's SD card slot, and always make sure to properly remove your memory card from your computer after downloading files.
Frequently asked questions about micro SD cards
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about micro SD cards and the answers from professionals.
How do I know if my Micro SD card is defective?
The unfortunate thing about flash memory technology is that if your SD card wears out from writing and rewriting, you often can't tell that something is wrong with your card until you can no longer access your files.
DataNumen compiled most of itcommon signs that you have a faulty SD card,even if your files disappear, your devices cannot recognize your card or you receive an error message. Another factor to consider when evaluating the performance of your SD card is any physical damage or long-term wear and tear on your memory card.
Can I check the status of my Micro SD card?
There are some tools available to check the remaining life of your SD card. These tools read the map's internal metadata and give you an overview. This metadata contains important information about the status of the card, including the amount of space used and the amount of space remaining.
Some cameras may also have a built-in feature that allows you to check the remaining life of your SD card directly on the camera's LCD screen.
Here are a few options:
- SD Insight: This is a free app that you can download to your smartphone or tablet. It allows you to view important information about your SD card and other storage devices. It gives you information such as manufacturer, model, capacity and speed. It also provides information about the status of the card and its estimated remaining life.
- H2testw: This is a free software tool that you can download to your computer. It is designed to test the read and write speeds of your SD card and also checks for errors or corruption.
- CrystalDiskInfo: This is another free software tool that you can download to your computer. It provides information about the health and status of your SD card, including temperature, read and write errors, and overall performance.
- SanDisk RescuePRO: This is a paid software tool that you can purchase from SanDisk. It is designed to recover lost or damaged files from your SD card, but it also includes a feature that checks the health of your card and provides a report on its remaining life.
Are Micro SD Cards Good for Long-Term Storage?
While it may be easier to store files solely on your micro SD card than to go through the trouble of saving your photos in multiple locations, it pays to store your files on multiple devices. The storage space on an SD card is technically unaffected by extended periods of non-use, although most store cards are not ideal for archival purposes.
After all, a memory card's primary role isn't long-term file storage, but rather transferring files from your camera to larger, more reliable devices built for editing and distribution purposes. Especially if your card is on the older side,backing up your photos to a separate device and downloading files are often both safe options.
Does the Micro SD card slide?
Short answer: yes. Any storage devicebe able tobetray. After the excessive writing and erasing that comes with heavy use, the flash memory system's micro SD card failsbe able toworn out. It's always a good idea to backup your files and have multiple cards on hand, especially if you use your SD card often.
How often do SD cards fail?
Most memory cards do not fail. According to photographer Mike O'Leary atF-stoppers,most memory cards are completely reliable.A survey of professional photographers concluded that the more photos a photographer takes, the more likely they are to have encountered an SD card error.
Therefore, you are facing some memory card errors altogethercareeras a photographer is almost inevitable. However, most photographers operate from this assumption and should always be prepared.
Where can I buy SD cards near me?
- Electronics Stores: Stores that specialize in electronics, such as Best Buy, Micro Center, or Fry's Electronics, usually have a wide selection of SD cards in different capacities and speeds. You can check their websites to see if they have a physical location near you.
- Office supply stores: Stores like Staples or Office Depot often carry SD cards, especially for use in cameras or other portable devices.
- Camera stores: Specialty camera stores such as B&H Photo or Adorama often have a variety of SD cards, including high-quality options designed for professional photographers.
- Department Stores: Many major department stores such as Walmart, Target or Costco have SD cards in their electronics department.
- Online retailers: If you prefer to shop from home, there are plenty of online retailers that sell SD cards, including Amazon's website, Newegg, or Best Buy. You can have your SD card shipped directly to your home or choose store pickup if the retailer offers this option.
Key learning points
- SD cards are designed for data storage and should last 10 years or more.
- Frequent users should replace their SD cards every few years.
- Professional photographers should have a significant collection of high-quality backup SD cards on hand.
How long your micro SD card lasts depends on a number of factors. But by using backups and replacing them regularly, you can continue shooting with peace of mind.
