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Best SD Cards For Nikon D3300 – Which Is The Right One For Your Camera?

Cameras are indeed great devices, especially the newer camera models, they can do almost anything.

But, without a memory card (SD card ) they are incomplete or let’s say handicapped.

In today’s article, I will take you guys through what I feel are the best sd cards for Nikon D3300.

A Quick Look At Some Nice SD Cards You Can Buy For Nikon D3300

ImageProductFeaturesPrice
Best Budget
SanDisk 64GB Extreme PRO

SanDisk 64GB Extreme PRO

10
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Most Durable
Transcend TS64GSDC500S-E 64GB

Transcend TS64GSDC500S-E 64GB

9
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Best Value
Kingston 128G SDXC Canvas React

Kingston 128G SDXC Canvas React

8.6
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Best Mid-Range
Lexar Professional 2000x 128GB SDXC

Lexar Professional 2000x 128GB SDXC

8.5
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Best Capacity
SanDisk 256GB Extreme SDXC

SanDisk 256GB Extreme SDXC

8.6
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Key Takeaways

  • Having a fantastic camera is nice, but it is incomplete without a memory card, and for a tremendous camera like the Nikon D3300, you also need an excellent SD card.
  • The Kingston Canvas React Plus 128GB SDXC would be my recommendation for an SD card for a camera if you’re interested, in my opinion, which I know you are.
  • The SanDisk 256GB Extreme SDXC will be a terrific choice if you want to capture as many images and movies as possible.
  • Ensure the SD card you use has a high capacity and fast read/write rates.

Let’s get back to the topic now and start with the SD cards.

The Top 5 Best SD Cards For Nikon D3300

5. SanDisk 64GB Extreme PRO SDXC – Best Budget

What I Like

  • Capacities starting at 32GB
  • V90 video speed class
  • Impressive speed in software tests
  • Waterproof and temperature proof

What I Don’t Like

  • Slow transfer to a computer

Starting things off with what SanDisk considers their most powerful SD UHS-I memory that delivers great performance. This SD card promises high-resolution and stutter free 4k UHD content.

Most of the recording or shooting happens outside, and for that, you need an sd card that is made to survive the elements.

SanDisk Extreme Pro is designed to survive harsh conditions, it is temperature proof, waterproof, and shock-proof.

It has a great shot speed of 90MB/s, making it quite nice to capture every single detail without missing a thing. Once you are done recording or taking shots its 170MB/s transfer speed will accelerate through the process so you can go for the next shots.

As I mentioned earlier it is perfect for capturing 4k UDH videos and burst mode photography. The whole “capture” process is done uninterrupted thanks to its UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and video speed class 30 (V30). The UHS Speed Class 3 means that is designed for the 4K content while the video speed class is made to support real time video recording.

There’s also the RescuePRO Deluxe which is a 2 year data recovery software meaning you are able to restore the files you accidentally deleted.

Verdict:

It is a great SD card, that does what it says in a perfect manner. 4k recording won’t be a problem with this bad boy, but if you want more storage there are the options, as well.

Why should you buy it?

This SD card is designed to survive harsh conditions, it is temperature proof, waterproof, and shock-proof.

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4. Transcend TS64GSDC500S-E 64GB – Most Durable

What I Like

  • Ideal for camcorders and DSLR cameras
  • Waterproof and temperature proof
  • Storage from 16GB to 256GB
  • UHS Speed Class 3 and UHS Video Speed Class 30 standards

What I Don’t Like

  • nothing at all

Transcend’s SDXC/SDHC 500S is billed as an ideal component for use with advanced camcorders and DSLR cameras, a splendid memory card for both video and photographers thanks to its impressive transfer and read rates.

Performance is not the only aspect it exceeds, this memory card from Transcend was made to withstand extreme conditions. Its waterproofness meets JIS IPX7 standards, meaning it can withstand immersion of up to 1 meter while its temperature proof goes from -25°C to 85°C. It is also immune to airport-x rays and it is shockproof too, protecting it against vibrations, bending, and twisting.

A choice of storage from 16GB to 256GB allows you to store thousands of photos and hours of quality video content. The huge storage capacity means that you will be focused on your work more, and worry less if your memory got full yet or not.

It meets both UHS Speed Class 3 and UHS Video Speed Class 30 standards, for breathtaking 4K video content. It does that with a read/write speed of up to 95MB/s and 60MB/s.

But please note before buying, that the U3 and V30 standards apply only to 64GB-256GB capacity cards.

And there’s also the exclusive Transcend recovery software the RecoverRx. This software allows you to fully recover the data you have deleted before by doing a deep search on all files, whether they are digital photos, videos, documents, and even music.

Verdict:

It is a memory card that brings a lot of value to the table, especially for your DSLR. It will easily help you transfer the pics/videos at a high speed so you can start editing them as fast as possible.

Why should you buy it?

The huge storage capacity means that you will be focused on your work more, and worry less if your memory got full yet or not.

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3. Kingston Canvas React Plus 128GB SDXC – Best Value

What I Like

  • Great capacity range
  • Impressive in-camera performance
  • UHS speed class 3

What I Don’t Like

  • Usual plastic construction

The canvas react sits proudly at the top of the Kingston SD card line, it delivers high-performance speed that is designed to work with professional cameras for creative 4k or 8k videos and high resolution pictures.

It is tough for sure since it was built for extreme conditions, it is protected against temperatures ranging from -13 to 185°F.

What I like a lot here is that it includes a UHS-II SD card reader making it easier to download the content from the sd card to your computer through the USB A-port.

It is available in the capacity of 32 GB, 64 GB, 128GB, and 256GB. The React plus leverages the UHS Speed Class 3 ( U3) and Video speed class 90 (V90 ) for improved performance with professional camcorders and cinema cameras in general.

Its read speed of up to 300 MB/s and a write speed of 260 MB/s, combined with its capabilities of capturing 4K and 8K Ultra-HD high-speed shots and videos without dropping frames, make the Canvas React Plus ideal for cinematography.

Verdict:

I feel like Kingston doesn’t get enough respect from people, it is a brand that has proved their selves over and over again in the memory aspects either it is SD cards or RAMs it was always there to provide us with cost-effective gadgets.

Why should you buy it?

It includes a UHS-II SD card reader making it easier to download the content from the sd card to your computer through the USB A-port.

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2. Lexar Professional 2000x 128GB SDXC – Best Mid-Range

What I Like

  • Amazing range of capacity
  • Great read speed
  • High transfer speed
  • Waterproof and temperature proof

What I Don’t Like

  • Expensive

Lexar is one of what we would consider “big dogs” in the memory card field. It lets you quickly capture and transfer high-quality photos and extended lengths of Full High Definition (FHD) and cinematic quality 4k videos.

Its durability is taken for granted, it will let you store your valuable data no matter how harsh the environment is. The Professional 2000x lineup is waterproof, temperature proof, shockproof, vibration proof, and even x-ray proof.

You will find it in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB storage capacity, at the same time it offers super fast speed of up to 300MB’s read and to accelerate the workflow from the start to finish with 260MB’s.

It handles burst mode and RAW or JPEG formats effortlessly, even going as far as to promise us that it won’t miss a shot.

It leverages UHS-II technology (U3) for high transfer speed as I mentioned before 300 MB/s and its V90 speed class vows to take us through a great 4k content.

Something worth mentioning, to provide more versatility Lexas made it also backward compatible with UHS-I devices, besides that it also works with older, non-UHS-i devices that perform at Class 10 speed.

Verdict:

Without a doubt that it is a great sd card, if you upgrade to it from another sd card you will notice the huge difference for sure.

It is fast, durable, and works well with both images and films without buffering when you shoot at 60fps, while it loads really quick so it can save you more time when you upload to edit the content.

Why should you buy it?

It will let you store your valuable data no matter how harsh the environment is.

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1. SanDisk 256GB Extreme SDXC – Best Capacity

What I Like

  • Very large capacity
  • Robust memory
  • Fast read write speeds
  • RescuePro software included

What I Don’t Like

  • Not quite fast enough for the latest action cameras

Started the list with an SD Card from SanDisk and I am wrapping it up again with one from SanDisk, what can I do they make them so good.

The Extreme delivers performance that lets you take control of your creativity without having to worry about capacity and speed.

It is sure built to withstand weather, it is waterproof, shockproof, and other less than ideal conditions, SanDisk made them this durable so their customers have one other less thing to worry about, besides the storage. It will go wherever you go no matter the weather.

The capacity goes from 64GB to 256GB and with its speedy transfer speed, you can quickly move your data where you want them without wasting time. Read speed is rated up to 150 MB/s and the write speed up to 70MB/s.

Its UHS Speed Class 3 is a performance option that is designed to support 4k UHD video recording and the Video Speed Class 30 sits (V30) meaning it has a sustained video capture rate of 30MB/s.

It sure does include the RescuePro software I mentioned on the first memory card from SanDisk. It tracks the deleted files and restores them.

Verdict:

I’ll say just one word and you will understand my thoughts regarding this SD card: SanDisk.

Why should you buy it?

It is built to withstand weather, it is waterproof, shockproof, and other less than ideal conditions.

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Things To Look For Before Buying An SD Card:

Read/Write Speed:

Those are the measurements of the performance of the storage device. The read speed means how long it takes to open the file on the device, while the write speed is the opposite.

Basically, this is the data transfer rate while opening a file or writing a file to the disk.

Capacity:

This part mostly depends on what resolution you plan to shoot at and the format. Since this article is regarding D3300, the camera in word packs a 24MP sensor and the 1GB storage allows you to store 10 RAW files, 100 JPGs, and 5 minutes of 1080p recording content. Meaning if you want to shoot for 1 hour you will need around 15GB of storage/Capacity.

A 64GB memory card should be enough for the D3300, but if you own a high-end camera such as the Sony A7iii, you will need a bigger SD card. If you own an A7iii, you can take a look at the best SD cards for Sony a7iii.

Types:

SDHC high capacity cards can store up to 32 GB of data, while SDXC extended capacity cards can store up to 2TB.


Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Nikon D3300 without an SD card?

A Nikon D3300 camera will turn on and will take pictures without an SD card, but those pictures directly go to the trash! You should never use your Nikon 3300 camera without an SD card!

Will the SD card affect the picture quality in Nikon D3300?

A good SD card deals with everything, but you won’t have a problem with that when it comes to affecting the picture quality. A Nikon D3300 camera has its specifications regarding performance, such as the sensor it uses, and the SD card you will use won’t be doing anything besides keeping the pictures safe.

Are there exact capacities that Nikon D3300 requires?

There is no exact specification that this camera works with only one type of SD card, but you will find this camera compatible with 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB SD cards. Regarding the types, Nikon D3300 accepts SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards.

Final Touch:

If you are serious about photography, I would advise you to go for the high-end/well-known SD cards, and not hesitate on spending on them. Alternatively, you can get an XQD card.

A cheap SD card will slow down your ability to use the D3300 to its full potential, and you will end up buying new ones every time.

Hopefully, this article proved useful to you and gave you an insight regarding memory cards.