Want to find out the best memory cards for Sony FX30? Here is the guide for you to get the top recommended CFexpress Type A cards and SD cards for Sony FX30 cinema camera.
Aimed at low-budget video and social media production, the Sony FX30 (Amazon, B&H, Adorama) is essentially a 26MP APS-C version of the FX3, and boasts professional-grade image quality at a more reasonable price. Featuring a new 26MP APS-C Exmor R CMOS sensor and BIONZ XR processor, the Sony FX30 is able to high-speed shooting in 4K at up to 120 fps with a 1.6x crop and in Full HD up to 240 fps. It’s ideal for up-and-coming filmmakers looking to record cinematic-quality video with an advanced post-production workflow.
Since in-camera write speeds don’t often match what’s advertised on the card label, I’ve done in-camera speed tests with 5 CFexpress Type-A cards and 19 UHS-II SD cards so far.
This article should help you pick the best memory cards for Sony FX30 cinema camera and also allow you to avoid spending more money than you actually need to.
Sony FX30 Memory Card Compatibility
The Sony FX30 has dual memory card slots that both support CFexpress Type A cards and UHS-II SD cards. Here is the Sony FX30 camera’s compatibility requirements:
- Slot 1: CFexpress Type A Cards and UHS-II and UHS-I SDXC cards
- Slot 2: CFexpress Type A Cards and UHS-II and UHS-I SDXC cards
How to Choose, CFexpress Type A or SD Cards?
For S&Q high frame rate shooting, CFexpress Type A cards will guarantee performance.
For UHD 4K H.264 XAVC S-I, you will need V90 UHS-II SD cards at a minimum.
For UHD 4K H.265 XAVC HS, V60 UHS-II SD cards are fine.
Or, if you are looking to take advantage of the largest capacity cards, you will need to go with the Sony CFexpress Type A cards, which are available in capacities ranging up to 640GB. These cards are the only ones that can meet your needs.
CFexpress Type A Cards | SD Cards
Best CFexpress Type A Cards for Sony FX30
Both Sony FX30 card slots are equipped with the ultra-fast CFexpress Type A cards.
We’ve test all the 5 CFexpress Type A cards currently available on the market. All these tests were carried out using Sony FX30 and 160GB cards. Here’s a quick in-camera card speed comparison for all of the memory cards.
If you can afford it, the Delkin Devices BLACK, Delkin Devices POWER, and Sony TOUGH CFexpress is the top 3 best CFexpress Type A card for the Sony FX30 as they will allow you to do everything.
Just choose the card that is offering the best discount right now.
CFexpress Type A Cards | In-Camera Write Speed | Check Price |
Delkin Devices BLACK CFexpress Type A Card | 699 MB/s | Amazon | B&H | Adorama |
Delkin Devices POWER CFexpress Type A Card | 698 MB/s | Amazon | B&H | Adorama |
Sony TOUGH CFexpress Type A Card | 655 MB/s | Amazon | B&H | Adorama |
ProGrade Digital Cobalt CFexpress Type A Card | 652 MB/s | Amazon | B&H | Adorama |
Lexar Gold Series Professional CFexpress Type A Card | 652 MB/s | Amazon | B&H | Adorama |
Best SD Cards for Sony FX30
Both Sony FX30 card slots also support the widely-used the SD cards, including the UHS-II SD cards and UHS-I SD cards. For Sony FX30 users, if you want to get the SD cards, we highly recommend picking up a couple of V90 UHS-II SD cards. We have tested 19 UHS-II SD cards using the Sony FX30 and 256GB cards. Here’s a quick in-camera write card speed comparison for all the top recommended UHS-II SD cards on the market.
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- Top Choice & Best Value: Kingston Canvas React Plus UHS-II SD cards
- Excellent Choice: PNY X-PRO 90 UHS-II SD Card (V90)
- The Fastest and most expensive: Sony SF-G Tough UHS-II SD Card (V90)
- Popular Choice: Delkin Devices Power UHS-II SDXC Card (V90) and ProGrade Digital UHS-II SDXC Card (V90).
- Budget Choice: Sony SF-M Tough UHS-II SD Card (V60) and ProGrade Digital UHS-II SD Card (V60)
What Size Memory Card Is Best?
For video recording, it is highly recommended that you get the largest memory card that you can afford or use an external recorder.
I would suggest beginning with 128GB cards. I also suggest recording in H.265 if you have the option to do so, since this will help you save money when using V60 UHS-II cards. Then, if you need it, go ahead and get up a CFexpress card capable of S&Q 120fps.
In order to determine what size cards you’ll need, please refer to the chart below.
Movie Record Times
The table below shows how long you can record for if you format a Sony Tough memory card in the Sony FX30. The values might be different based on the camera settings and the storage device.
File Format | Record Frame Rate | Record Setting | 64GB SD | 128GB SD | 80GB CF | 160GB CF |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XAVC HS 4K | 60p/50p | 200M | 30 min | 1h 10 min min | 40 min | 1 h 20 min |
XAVC HS 4K | 60p/50p | 150M | 45 min | 1 h 30 min | 50 min | 1 h 40 min |
XAVC HS 4K | 60p/50p | 100M | 1 h | 2 h 10 min | 1 h 15 min | 2 h 30 min |
XAVC HS 4K | 60p/50p | 75M | 1 h 20 min | 2h 50 min | 1 h 35 min | 3 h 10 min |
XAVC HS 4K | 60p/50p | 45M | 2 h | 4 h 10 min | 2 h 20 min | 4 h 50 min |
XAVC S 4K | 60p/50p | 200M | 30 min | 1 h 10 min | 40 min | 1 h 20 min |
XAVC S 4K | 60p/50p | 150M | 45 min | 1 h 30 min | 50 min | 1 h 40 min |
XAVC S HD | 60p/50p | 50M | 1 h 50 min | 3 h 50 min | 2 h 10 min | 4 h 30 min |
XAVC S HD | 60p/50p | 25M | 3 h | 6 h 10 min | 3 h 30 min | 7 h 10 min |
XAVC S-I 4K | 60p/50p | 600M | 10 min | 25 min | 10 min | 25 min |
XAVC S-I 4K | 60p/50p | 500M | 10 min | 30 min | 15 min | 35 min |
XAVC S-I HD | 60p/50p | 222M | 30 min | 1 h 5 min | 35 min | 1 h 15 min |
XAVC S-I HD | 60p/50p | 185M | 35 min | 1 h 15 min | 40 min | 1 h 30 min |
CFexpress Type A vs SD Cards, what’s the difference?
The main difference between these two cards is their size and speed. CFexpress Type A cards are significantly faster and slightly smaller than the SD cards.
Can You Use V60 UHS-II SD Cards?
There are a variety of UHS-II cards available to you if you determine that you do not need support for very high frame rates in S&Q: V60 or V90.
You can record H.264 at 600Mbps with a V90 card, and H.265 at 280Mbps with a V60 card.
Please keep in mind that CFexpress Type A cards are required for high-frame-rate S&Q. Even if you don’t have any CFexpress Type A cards, you can still use the XAVC modes to record at high frame rates like 120p.
Store Links:
Sony FX30: Amazon, B&H, Adorama.
All possible recommendations have been made. I hope that my buyer’s guide for the Sony FX30 memory cards will be helpful in allowing you to make a well-informed purchase.