You are most likely here because you’re looking for new Sandisk memory cards and now you want to know the difference between the Sandisk Ultra vs Extreme. In case you are looking for a new memory card in general, you might want to stick around as well. In the past years, I gained experience with several memory card brands and specifications. As I both shoot video and photos, trusty memory cards are a must because my income relies on them. For example, if I can’t deliver the content to my client because the memory card failed it will be a huge challenge to get paid. Worse case, you end up with extra costs instead of income! I can’t stress enough how important a high quality memory card is, as well for professionals as hobbyists. Shooting for fun but losing all the footage in the end is not something you want right? SanDisk is a well-known brand that offers a wide range of memory cards, including the SanDisk Ultra and SanDisk Extreme. Both of these SD cards are popular choices among photographers and videographers. But which one is better? Is SanDisk Extreme or Ultra better? This is a question that often comes up when people are looking to buy a new memory card. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at these two SD cards to help you decide which one is the best option for you. Is SanDisk Extreme better than Ultra for video recording? SanDisk Extreme is better than Ultra for video recording as it offers faster write speeds, which is important for recording high-resolution videos. Can SanDisk Ultra be used for 4K video recording? SanDisk Ultra can be used for 4K video recording, but it may not be the best option for recording high-quality 4K videos as it has a slower write speed compared to SanDisk Extreme. Is SanDisk Extreme worth the extra cost? If you’re using your SD card for demanding tasks such as high-resolution photography or videography, SanDisk Extreme is definitely worth the extra cost as it offers better performance and durability. What Sets SanDisk Ultra Apart From SanDisk Extreme? The SanDisk Ultra and SanDisk Extreme cards are excellent choices if you’re looking for a new memory card, but what makes them different? It’s not immediately obvious why one card is more expensive than the other. Is it truly better since it’s more expensive? Why are some SD cards so expensive? This is a question I see asked a lot. Of course, it depends on your budget but I can tell from experience it can cost you more in the end when you save money on an SD card and go for the cheapest option. I already explained in why memory cards are important, especially for professional shooters. After reading this article you will have a better understanding of what makes high-performing and quality memory cards expensive. SanDisk Ultra vs Extreme video capabilities. The ability to record high quality video is the main difference between SanDisk Ultra vs Extreme memory cards. SanDisk Extreme can record 4K video and is the memory card I recommend to buy when you shoot 4K video. The SanDisk Ultra memory card can record video as well but is limited to a resolution of 1080p HD video resolution. Besides the video resolution, you have to take the frame rates and bitrate in mind as well when you record video with the SanDisk Ultra. Frame rates of 60 fps are the maximum you should record with these cards. For recording 4K video, which is the standard these days for a lot of people, SanDisk Ultra cards’ read and write speeds are too slow. Fortunately, the SanDisk Extreme cards can do this, and they can also record higher frame rates above 60 fps. To assist you more in selecting the SanDisk Ultra or Extreme memory card, let’s compare the two based on all specifications. SanDisk Ultra Memory Card In contrast to professional level Cinema or Mirrorless cameras, the SanDisk Ultra memory card is designed for compact cameras. These cards have storage between 32GB and 256GB and can transfer data at 120mb/s. The majority of photo files can be handled, however, they can only support full – HD video recording. This SD card doesn’t function well with most semi professional mirrorless, DSLR, or Cinema cameras because it doesn’t have fast enough write speeds. SanDisk Ultra cards are widely applicable as they are available as MicroSD or ordinary SD cards. The four storage options for the regular SD card model are 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB. The Ultra MicroSD cards, on the other hand, offer a little bit more storage capacity, with capacities of 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 200GB, 256GB, 400GB, and 512GB. This is because the Ultra MicroSD cards are designed for a wider range of devices, like action cameras, drones, and gaming consoles. SanDisk Extreme Memory Card The SanDisk Extreme memory card is the choice for semi-professionals compared to SanDisk Ultra’s. The Sandisk Extreme provides a significant advantage over the Ultra with faster read/write speeds and 4K video recording capability. These cards are made for both photo and video cameras with intermediate to professional capabilities. This SD card is designed to handle bigger files more quickly. The SanDisk Extreme cards can handle everything, even recording 4K video clips and shooting high burst photographs in RAW. Due to the fact that SanDisk Extreme cards are offered in both conventional SD and MicroSD formats, they work with drones, DSLR/Mirrorless cameras, and action cameras. There are five different file capacity possibilities for the SD devices, ranging from 16GB to 256GB. There are seven different capacity options for the MicroSD Extreme cards, including 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 400GB, 512GB, and 1TB. The SanDisk Extreme Pro is an even more superior card choice within the SanDisk Extreme range. These cards feature additional improvements in card capacity, reading and writing speeds, and video capabilities. Although they are more expensive, they are a probably the best choice for professional shooters. I use the MicroSD Extreme Card 64GB for my drone the DJI Mavic 3 and it performs flawlessly. The Sandisk Extreme MicroSD cards are designed for drones as well. I’m using the SanDisk 64GB Extreme PLUS UHS-I microSDXC Memory Card to have enough storage when I’m up in the air. Sandisk Ultra vs Extreme Memory Card Comparison There is no need to stress choosing between Extreme and Ultra when searching for your next memory card. To make the decision easier, let’s compare these two cards side by side across the most crucial card specifications. Write speeds compared How quickly your memory card can receive data from your device and transfer data to it depends on its maximum write speed and reading speed. For instance, if your reading speed is slow, there will be a delay when playing back pictures or videos. And when the write speed is low, you can experience there a lag time between when capturing a picture till it is stored on your card. With our Sony A7Riii, we can experience this difference when shooting in burst mode. When capturing 10 photos right after each other in burst mode the SanDisk Extreme Pro 300 MB/s is much faster with storing the photos compared to the 95 MB/s, Bus speeds or UHS-Class ratings are terms that are used to describe the speed capabilities of memory cards. How rapidly a memory card can import and export data from the device depends on the bus speed. The write speed of this Sandisk Extreme Pro Memory card is 300mb/s Bus Speed explanation The SanDisk Extreme and Ultra cards are both UHS-1. According to this UHS speed rating, the data intake and outflow for both cards are only managed by a single row of pins. Because there is just one row of pins, you cannot view other saved media while something is downloading to the that, they are only capable to transfer data at a maximum of 104mb/s. The UHS class, on the other hand, is an additional consideration when it comes to card speed. What means UHS Speed Class? The SD Association has two UHS Speed Classes, UHS Speed Class 1 and UHS Speed Class 3. The UHS Speed Class 1 supports a minimum of 10MB/s write speed, whereas the UHS Speed Class 3 supports at least 30MB/s write speed. So the speed class represents the amount of data that a card can transfer continuously depends. A UHS Speed Class 3 card will undoubtedly perform better when taking burst photographs or 4k videos as it has a greater writing speed. The SanDisk Ultra has a U1 speed class rating, as indicated by the U with the number 1 inside. This means that the card can support transfer rates of up to 10MB/S. When compared to the Ultra, the SanDisk Extreme with a speed class of U3 is three times faster at transferring data. The Extreme is a clear option in terms of speed capabilities, with transfer speeds of up to 30MB/S. A difference of 20MB/S per second may not seem like much, but when you’re shooting, it makes a huge difference. As a result, there would be less buffering when taking burst photos and more options for 4K video recording formats. For example, for some poses or to capture the best moment in your frame we like to shoot in high burst mode with our Sony A7Riii. This is why we choose the Sandisk Extreme Pro with a U3 speed class. The UHS Speed Class of this Sandisk Extreme Pro Memory card is 3 Classification of Speed The C on a card represents the card’s speed class. Both the SanDisk Ultra and Extreme cards have a speed class of C10. In easy words, the speed class indicates the card’s minimum write speed. With a C10 speed class, the Ultra and Extreme both have a minimum write speed of 10MB/S. Aside from the minimum write speed, different devices may require different speed classes. Because the C10 speed class is the highest rating, both of these cards will work with the majority of modern devices. Because of the greater speeds, the Sandisk Extreme is a clear winner over the Ultra in terms of performance. We love the Extreme card and if you are convinced this is the case for you as well you can order it HERE. The speed classification of this Sandisk Extreme Pro Memory card is C10 How much storage do you need? It’s critical to get the right capacity when purchasing a memory card. You don’t want to run out of space just as you’re about to capture the perfect moment, especially if you’re shooting a video! In terms of capacity, the SanDisk Ultra and SanDisk Extreme SD cards are comparable. The Ultra is available in 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB capacities, while the Extreme is available in 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB capacities. We use the Sony A7Riii with the Sandisk 64GB and 128GB to capture our photos. Of course, it depends on how many photos you shoot but with the 64GB, we never run out of storage during a day of shooting. A raw photo of the Sony A7Riii has a size of 85MB. The number of photos we can shoot with a 64GB memory card is 753 in total. As 1GB is 1000MB, the calculation for this 64*1000/85MB = 753 128GB can even hold 1505 photos! If your camera has 2 memory card slots, as we have, you can use the second card for reserve or direct backup. Luckily we never had a situation we had to use the backup as the Sandisk Extreme card is very reliable! With only just one capacity option with Extreme’s, the difference between the two isn’t that significant. In that regard, these two cards are very similar to one another. Sandisk Ultra vs Extreme Memory Card Design The SanDisk Ultra and Extreme are both SDXC Secure Digital Extreme Capacity cards that use exFAT storage formats. ExFAT simply indicates that the cards have a capacity greater than 32GB and can store files of any size. Having said that, the SanDisk Ultra 32GB and SanDisk Extreme 16GB and 32GB models are SDHC Secure Digital High Capacity, which uses the FAT32 format instead. The disadvantage of FAT32 is that it has a maximum single file storage capacity of 4GB. That means you couldn’t theoretically store a single 4GB video clip on this card. However, if you were going to shoot video, you’d be unlikely to use either of these capacity ranges anyway. Sandisk Ultra vs Extreme Video Speed Class Comparison When comparing the Sandisk Extreme vs Ultra you’ll observe that the Extreme cards say “V30” while the Ultra cards don’t. This V stands for Video Speed Class to indicate sequential writing speeds. The number next to the V represents the number of megabytes per second that the card can record. Because the SanDisk Extreme card is rated V30, it can continuously write at 30MB/S. To put that in context, V30 is more than enough to record 4K 422 video on almost any mirrorless camera. There is no video class rating on the SanDisk Ultra cards. Despite the absence of a video class rating, you must rely on the speed class, which in this case is C10. This indicates that the SanDisk Ultra cards can only record Full HD 1080p video at 10mb/s. If you want to record at a higher resolution or bit rate, 10mb/s isn’t going to do it for you. The SanDisk Extreme card is the convincing winner. This Sandisk Extreme Pro Memory card can continuously write at 90MB/S Sandisk Ultra vs Extreme Price Aside from the specifications, the price is the one factor that can influence your decision when purchasing a memory card. There is a slight price difference between the Ultra and Extreme because they are two different models. This is especially true given the Extreme’s numerous obvious advantages. For the lowest capacity and performance SD card, the SanDisk 32GB Ultra SDHC UHS-I costs $ at the time of writing this post. The SanDisk 256GB Ultra UHS-I SDXC is the most expensive, costing $ Sometimes B&H photos have great discounts and you can save up to $19 for the 256GB option. It’s expected you pay more for the SanDisk Extreme. Concerning what you get for it, the price difference isn’t too big. The SanDisk 32GB Extreme UHS-I SDHC model will set you back $ The top seller the SanDisk 256GB Extreme PRO UHS-I SDXC costs $ At the time of writing B&H photos sell them with a huge discount for only $ Check out here if the discount is still active! SanDisk Ultra vs Extreme which one to purchase? If you only take photos, the SanDisk Ultra SD card is a viable option. However, if you want faster performance when shooting in burst mode or capturing 4K video, the SanDisk Extreme SD card is the way to go. If I were you, I’d go with the better of the two options, the SanDisk Extreme. Because memory cards will last you for years and through multiple cameras, you might as well get the most capable one. When compared to Ultras, SanDisk Extreme cards provide significantly faster writing speeds and reduced buffer time. As 4K video becomes more common, even in compact cameras, the Extreme card allows you to expand. If case you only plan to take photos or need an SD card for something other than a camera, the SanDisk Ultra is a good choice. While it does not support 4K video recording, it does allow you to save almost all other data. The SanDisk Ultra is more affordable, especially if you need a card for your phone, tablet, or mobile gaming device. It all comes down to what you want to shoot in the end. If you’re a photographer looking to improve your work without constraints, the SanDisk Extreme cards are a must-have. However, if you’re a casual shooter or only need an SD card for basic file storage, the SanDisk Ultra cards are a more affordable option and a great memory card to start with! Conclusion SanDisk Ultra vs Extreme In conclusion, both SanDisk Extreme and Ultra are great SD card options, but they have different features and capabilities. If you’re looking for faster speeds, higher capacity, and better durability, SanDisk Extreme is the better option. However, if you’re on a tight budget and don’t require extreme performance, SanDisk Ultra is a good option. So, when choosing between SanDisk Extreme and Ultra, consider your needs and requirements like discussed in this article to make the right decision. I only recommend products I would use myself. This post may contain affiliate links that won’t result in an additional cost for you. I may earn a small commission which I can use for writing more informative articles like this one! Hi! I'm Atiba, together with my love Ilse we're Digital Travel Couple. In 2018 we sold everything we had in the Netherlands to create a location independent lifestyle. Ever since we're in pursue of a fulfilled and adventurous life, inspired by nature and different cultures. With our blog we share our travel, photo & videography tips. Thanks for being here!

© Oma Photography / The SanDisk Extreme vs. SanDisk Ultra are great choices when you’re shopping for a memory card, so you might be wondering which one to use. When most people first buy a camera, they hardly give any thought to the kind of memory card they’ll need. The choice of an SD card might appear trivial, but do you realize that it’ll ultimately impact your photographing and video-viewing experiences? And, considering that a quality SD card will serve you for many years, it’s important to choose a card that enhances rather than impedes your work. When choosing a memory card, price is, of course, an important consideration. And while you want to get the most affordable card, the one you get should have adequate capacity and speed. Ultimately, the choice of a memory card should boil down to what you intend to use it for. The SanDisk Extreme is an upgrade of the SanDisk Ultra and, as you can expect, there are some factors that make it superior to its predecessor. Below, we take a close look at both products to help you decide which one to choose when you’re shopping for a new memory card. SanDisk Extreme vs. Ultra Side-by-Side Comparison SanDisk ExtremeSanDisk UltraMaximum Writing Speeds90MB/s80MB/sStorage Options16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GBVideo Speed ClassV30No V ratingData Transfer Speed190MB/s120MB/sMinimum Writing Speeds30MB/s10MB/s SanDisk Extreme vs. Ultra What’s the Difference? A casual look at the SanDisk Extreme and the SanDisk Ultra cards might give the impression that they are identical products, but there are some differences that should interest you when you go shopping. Before we continue with the detailed comparison, we should point out that SanDisk Extreme should not be confused with SanDisk Extreme Pro. The latter is a far superior product and boasts better read and write speeds than the former. So, what are the main differences between the SanDisk Extreme and Ultra? Writing and Reading Speeds Regardless of the gadget in which you wish to use your memory card, you need a card that’s fast to write on and also to read from. The writing speed determines the speed at which you can write data on your card, while the read speed indicates how quickly you can read recorded data. Our Pick We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. These speeds are denoted by the letter “C” followed by a number — the higher the number, the higher the speed. With a minimum write speed of 30MB/s, the SanDisk Extreme outperforms the Ultra, whose minimum is 10MB/s. The two cards also differ in maximum write speeds with the SanDisk Extreme having a max of 90MB/s and the Ultra a maximum of 80MB/s. Video Speed Class VSC The video speed class of a memory card is represented by the letter “V” followed by a number, and it shows the number of MBs the card can record per second. The absence of the “V” on a card should make you wary if you intend to use it on your camera or other devices to record video. The SanDisk Extreme has a V30 rating, which means that it can write video at the rate of 30 megabytes per second. There are five video speed ratings and, at 30, the SanDisk Extreme is only exceeded by cards with V60 and V90 ratings. Cards with the video speed class rating assure you of high-quality resolution videos and the ability to use the card on multiple devices. If you own a 360-degree camera or wish to record via drones, these are the kind of cards to invest in. The Ultra does not have a video speed class rating which reduces its ability to produce high-quality video. Despite this limitation, you can trust your Ultra to record full HD 1080p videos. For higher-resolution videos, you’ll need to invest in another card. Storage Capacity The amount of data you can save on your memory card is a critical consideration when buying. Ideally, you want a cost-effective card that also holds a lot of data. Depending on the kind of memory card you want, both the SanDisk Extreme and Ultra are available in cards of different capacities. If you desire a microSD card, the Ultra has a selection of cards ranging from 16GB up to 1TB, while the SanDisk Extreme selection is limited to only cards with a capacity of between 64GB and 256GB. Our Pick SanDisk 256GB Ultra 256 GB memory storage capacity128 GB digital storage capacitySequential read up to 100MB/sVideo class C10, U1 We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. For SD cards, the Ultra also has a wider range; with the Ultra, you can choose between Ultra SDHC/SDXC cards whose storage capacities range from 64GB to 256 GB. You also have the option of Ultra SDHC UHS-I/SDXC UHS-I cards with storage capacities ranging from 16GB to 512 GB. The SanDisk Extreme SD cards are only available for capacities ranging from 32GB to 256 GB. Despite the limitation in the variety of cards with diverse storage capacities, SanDisk Extreme has one clear advantage over Ultra it has CompactFlash cards with capacities ranging from 32GB to 128GB, which Ultra doesn’t have. Price Since the Extreme is a SanDisk Ultra upgrade, there are improvements in the former that are absent from the latter. Modifications come at a cost and that’s the reason why the SanDisk Extreme is a pricier product than its predecessor. Whether you think this price difference is justified will depend on what you need to use your camera for. If, for instance, you’re buying a card to record still photos, the SanDisk Ultra will meet most of your needs. On the other hand, if you’re buying a card to record fast action think action movies or getting 4K video clips, you might find the SanDisk Extreme worth the price. The SanDisk Extreme can be used in a highly diverse range of devices, including gaming consoles, action cameras, phones, and mirrorless cameras, making it a highly versatile product. SanDisk Extreme vs. Ultra 8 Must-Know Facts Both SanDisk Extreme and SanDisk Ultra are products from Western Digital, a leading manufacturer of memory cards and card Extreme is an upgrade of SanDisk Ultra and possesses more capabilities and versatility than the both memory cards are compatible with a wide range of devices, SanDisk Ultra works best for point-and-shoot photography and could meet all the needs of a still a video class of V30, SanDisk Extreme is guaranteed to produce quality high-resolution videos and is compatible with a greater deal of gadgets than SanDisk Ultra. Moreover, SanDisk Ultra doesn’t have a video class rating and might not meet the needs of action video producers and memory cards are available in a wide range of storage capacities, but you have a greater number of choices with the SanDisk Extreme than you have with the SanDisk Extreme has better writing and reading speeds than SanDisk price difference between the SanDisk Extreme and the SanDisk Ultra is substantial because of the upgrades done on the you desire a microSD card, the Ultra has a selection of cards ranging from 16GB up to 1TB while the SanDisk Extreme selection is limited to only cards with a capacity of between 64GB and 256GB. SanDisk Extreme vs. Ultra Which One Is Better? SanDisk Ultra and SanDisk Extreme are both high-quality products, but there are distinct differences between them. Whichever of the two products you choose, you are certain to get a card that will satisfy your storage needs, as both brands have a vast range of products to choose from. As an upgrade, the SanDisk Extreme possesses several features that its predecessor doesn’t have. First, the reading and writing speeds are higher with this memory card than they are with the SanDisk Ultra. Secondly, the SanDisk Extreme could appeal to many people because of its compatibility with many fast-action devices, including phones and the most modern cameras. When you use this memory card, you’re assured of high-resolution pictures delivered at high speeds. While the SanDisk Extreme has distinct advantages over the Ultra, the latter can serve the needs of novice photographers adequately. When you consider the price difference between the two products, it might be worthwhile for a novice photographer to invest in the lower-priced product before upgrading to the pricey product. Despite the high price tag, we think the SanDisk Extreme is worth every penny and recommend it as a better product. SanDisk 256GB Extreme Shot speeds of up to 130MB/s4K UHD video qualityTransfer speeds of up to 180MB/s Buy Now on Amazon We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. 06/12/2023 0451 pm GMT SanDisk 256GB Ultra 256 GB memory storage capacity128 GB digital storage capacitySequential read up to 100MB/sVideo class C10, U1 Buy Now on Amazon We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. 06/12/2023 0451 pm GMT SanDisk Extreme vs. Ultra How Do They Compare? FAQs Frequently Asked Questions Is SanDisk Ultra good for photography?SanDisk Ultra memory cards can be used for photography, but they may not be the best option for professional photographers or those who need to take high-resolution photos or shoot in burst mode frequently. This is because SanDisk Ultra cards have lower read and write speeds compared to SanDisk Extreme cards. As a result, they may not be able to handle high-speed continuous shooting or recording of high-definition video as effectively as SanDisk Extreme cards. However, for casual photography, such as taking pictures with a point-and-shoot camera or smartphone, SanDisk Ultra memory cards should be sufficient. They offer reliable and affordable storage for everyday use, and their slower speeds are unlikely to be a limiting factor for most consumers. Is SanDisk Extreme and Ultra waterproof?SanDisk Extreme and Ultra memory cards are generally water-resistant, but they are not fully waterproof. SanDisk advertises that its Extreme and Ultra cards are designed to withstand water, shock, X-rays, and extreme temperatures to protect your memories from life’s mishaps. However, they should not be submerged in water for extended periods or taken into environments where they may be exposed to water or moisture, such as swimming pools or the ocean. The water resistance of SanDisk Extreme and Ultra cards varies depending on the specific model and product line. For example, some SanDisk Extreme memory cards are designed to withstand exposure to water for up to 72 hours, while others may be able to withstand immersion in water for up to 30 minutes. It’s important to read the product specifications and packaging to understand the specific water resistance rating of a particular SanDisk memory card. What is the difference between SanDisk Extreme and Ultra?SanDisk Extreme products are designed for users who require high-performance storage for demanding applications such as professional photography and videography, while SanDisk Ultra products are geared toward consumers who need reliable, everyday storage for their digital files. Extreme products are faster, have better endurance, and are generally more expensive than Ultra products. Are SanDisk Extreme products compatible with all devices?SanDisk Extreme products are compatible with a wide range of devices that support the respective storage format, including cameras, camcorders, and drones. However, it is important to check the device specifications to ensure compatibility before purchasing an Extreme product. How long do SanDisk cards last? The actual lifespan of a SanDisk memory card will depend on how frequently it is used, how much data is written to it, and how well it is maintained. With proper care and usage, a SanDisk memory card can last for several years. However, it is important to regularly back up your data and replace your memory card periodically to ensure that your data is safe and secure. What is the warranty period for SanDisk Extreme and Ultra products?SanDisk products generally come with a limited lifetime warranty, which varies depending on the product line and region. Customers should check the product packaging or the SanDisk website for specific warranty information for their product.

sandisk ultra vs extreme