If you are looking for the best SD card for the Nikon D3300, the most important factors to consider are storage capacity, read speed, and class speed. Below, I handpicked my favorite products based on these features. So read on if you want to learn more about why they are essential.
When I think about the best entry-level cameras on the market today, the first product on my mind is the Nikon D3300. It packs robust features in a compact, lightweight, and affordable package.
However, if you want to take full advantage of this camera, you need to ensure that you can save photos and videos. Hence, it is essential to invest in a high-quality SD card. I know that it is not an easy task, though, considering that there are countless options on the market.
Fortunately, I got you covered! I researched multiple articles and user reviews to determine the five best SD cards for Nikon D3300. Below, I will discuss each item’s pros and cons as well as its features.
And if you are clueless about which buying factors matter to you, feel free to read the suggested card specifications.
Finally, there is a handy FAQ section below for those who have questions about SD cards in general.
Without further ado, let’s get on with it!
Memory Card Specifications for Nikon D3300
Based on Nikon’s website, the Nikon D3300 DSLR camera supports SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards. However, it can only accept memory cards with an SD Speed Class rating of 6 or faster.
With that said, I still suggest using SD cards with at least a rating of 10 to avoid potential data transfer issues. Doing so also enables you to shoot 4K and Full HD 1080p videos without buffer.
If you go for a memory card with slower speeds, it is likely that you will encounter lag, or worse, the recording will stop. That is because recording videos requires the camera to write a lot of data to the card. So when your SD card could not keep up with this speed, you might get corrupted and unreadable files.
Fortunately, it is pretty easy to find Class 10 SD cards today. Almost all memory cards on the market already offer this speed level.
Besides the speed, you might also want to consider the storage space or size of the card. In general, look for memory cards with at least 16GB worth of free space. Better yet, go with 32GB or even 64GB cards. These will ensure that you can save a lot of files, especially since the Nikon D3300 shoots 24MP photos and Full HD 1080/60p videos.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorite Memory Cards for Nikon D3300
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Editor's Choice  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Runner-up  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
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| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
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| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
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| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
5 Best SD Cards for Nikon D3300
Below are my top picks for the best memory cards for Nikon D3300. Each one is compatible with the Nikon D3300 and offers a large memory capacity to store your files.
SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO Memory Card SDXC UHS-I – Editor’s Pick
SanDisk is one of the most popular SD card brands on the market today, and for good reasons. It produces a wide range of high-speed and reliable memory cards. These include the SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO Memory Card SDXC UHS-I, which is among their best-selling products.
This SD card for Nikon D3300 has a whopping 128GB capacity. It allows you to save hundreds of photos and videos on a single memory card. Thus, it might be more than enough for your daily shooting needs.
Additionally, it offers fast read speed of up to 170MB per second and writes speed of up to 90MB per second. So whether you want to capture burst photos or record Full HD 1080/60p videos, this memory card efficiently saves them. There is no need to worry about the recording potentially stopping or the files getting corrupted.
Moreover, this SD card for Nikon D3300 is waterproof, shockproof, and temperature-proof. Hence, it can withstand harsh outdoor shooting conditions and the rigors of professional use.
Finally, Sandisk provides a free two-year subscription to RescuePRO Deluxe when you buy their Extreme PRO memory cards. It is a data recovery software that allows you to retrieve accidentally deleted files.
Most importantly, the reviews for this product were overwhelmingly positive. If there is any critic, it would be that the card requires a dedicated reader to achieve the advertised read and write speeds. Plus, some Mac users said that their device does not recognize the SD card.
But other than that, the SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO Memory Card features high-quality and reliable technology. For this reason, I deemed it the best Nikon D3300 memory card.
Pros:
- Large 128GB storage capacity allows you to save multiple photos and videos
- Ultra-fast read and write speeds to prevent buffering or loss of data
- Highly durable SD card can withstand harsh shooting conditions
- Free two-year subscription to RescuePRO Deluxe data recovery software
Cons:
- It requires a dedicated card reader to achieve the advertised read and write speeds
- Mac users experienced compatibility issues
SanDisk 128GB Ultra SDXC UHS-I Memory Card – Runner-Up
If you liked the previous SD card but need something a tad cheaper, consider checking out the SanDisk 128GB Ultra SDXC UHS-I Memory Card.
It features the same large storage capacity of 128GB. Thus, it also lets you record multiple 24MP photos and Full HD 1080p videos.
Furthermore, this SD card for Nikon D3300 is waterproof, shockproof, and temperature-proof. So whether you are using it daily or shooting in harsh weather conditions, it can last longer and will not easily be damaged.
But unlike the Extreme Pro card, this Ultra SDXC card is geared towards budget consumers instead of professional photographers and videographers. Hence, you can expect slower read and write speeds. You should also note that other users repeatedly got a “needs formatting” message when they already formatted the card multiple times.
Nevertheless, it still offers relatively quick transfer speeds of up to 100MB per second. Plus, the SD card has a Class 10 rating and a UHS Speed Class 1 (U1) to ensure efficient file transfer.
With these factors in mind, I also included SanDisk 128GB Ultra SDXC UHS-I in this list of the best SD card for Nikon D3300.
Pros:
- Large 128GB memory capacity
- Quick read speeds of up to 100MB per second
- Waterproof, shockproof, and weather-proof memory card
- Relatively cheap SD card
Cons:
- Write speeds is slow at only 10MB per second
- A few users cannot use the card even if they already formatted it multiple times
SanDisk 256GB Extreme SDXC UHS-I Card – Best High-Capacity Card
Do you prefer having a single SD card to store all your files? If so, the SanDisk 256GB Extreme SDXC UHS-I Card might best suit your needs.
It has a huge memory capacity of 256GB. Thus, this SD card for Nikon D3300 can handle both burst photos and 4K videos with relative ease.
Plus, there is no need to worry about lagging or stuttering when saving and transferring files. This Extreme card features a UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and Video Speed Class 30 (V30). So you can expect fast read speeds of up to 150MB per second and write speeds of up 70MB per second.
What’s more, this SD card for Nikon D3300 ensures a sustained video capture rate of 30MB per second. It even supports real-time video recording when you use UHS-enabled host devices.
And like the previous SanDisk memory cards, this particular item is also built for and tested in harsh conditions. It can withstand water, shock, freezing temperatures, and even X-ray scans.
On top of all these benefits, SanDisk provides a lifetime limited warranty. However, those living in Canada, Germany, and other countries that do not recognize lifetime warranty get a 30-year coverage instead.
However, before buying this SD card, it is best to know its downsides. First, it is the most expensive memory card on this list. Some customers also mentioned that it is not compatible with other camera models. So if you plan to use it on cameras besides the Nikon D3300, keep this fact in mind.
Nevertheless, the SanDisk 256GB Extreme SDXC is still among the best SD cards for Nikon D3300. I highly suggest it to those who need a huge memory capacity.
Pros:
- 256GB huge storage capacity can handle multiple files with ease
- Fast transfer speeds of up to 150MB per second
- Built for harsh shooting conditions
- Lifetime limited warranty
Cons:
- Most expensive SD card on this list
- A few users said that other cameras could not properly read this memory card
BOYMXU 32GB Professional 1000 x Class 10 UHS-I U3 Memory Card – Best Low-Capacity Card
Those who do not necessarily need a huge memory space can go for a low-capacity SD card like the BOYMXU 32GB Professional 1000 x Class 10 UHS-I U3.
It only offers 32GB of storage space. But if you simply shoot casual photos and videos for social media sharing, this memory capacity might be more than enough for your needs.
Additionally, this SD card for Nikon D3300 features relatively fast read speeds of up to 95MB per second. Meanwhile, the UHS Speed Class is rated at U3 to ensure efficient file transfer. Plus, it even allows you to capture burst photos without lag or stuttering.
Moreover, the BOYMXU memory card has also been tested in harsh outdoor conditions. It can withstand water, shock, harsh temperatures, as well as X-ray tests.
Finally, this memory card can guarantee smooth video playback, even when you are previewing Ultra HD 4K video.
Despite all these advantages, it is still essential to consider the cons of this product. First, some users said that it is not compatible with other cameras. Second, a few were disappointed with the slow write speeds.
But consider its other features, the BOYMXU 32GB Professional 1000 x Class 10 UHS-I U3 is still one of the best SD cards for Nikon D3300.
Pros:
- Relatively fast transfer speeds of up to 95MB
- UHS Speed Class rating of U3 allows you to capture burst photos without stutter
- Waterproof, shockproof, and freezeproof memory card
- Smooth 4K video playback
Cons:
- Some users said that the memory card does not work with other cameras
- The read speed might be slow for other customers
Lexar Professional 633x 64GB SDXC UHS-I Card – Best Budget Card
If you are short on budget but still want a highly capable SD card, consider investing in the Lexar Professional 633x 64GB SDXC UHS-I.
This memory card for Nikon D3300 has a 64GB storage capacity. It is not the largest on this list, but it still offers plenty of space for your high-definition photos and videos.
There is also a fast transfer speed of up to 95MB per second. It can ensure efficient and stutter-free recording on your camera and playback via laptop or PC.
What’s more, the Class 10 and UHS-I rating allows you to capture burst photos continuously. Thus, it can dramatically improve workflow performance.
Besides these impressive features, this SD card for Nikon D3300 is also tested for harsh shooting conditions. It can withstand harsh temperatures from 0° C up to 70° C.
Finally, Lexar provides a limited lifetime warranty on their products, including this specific card.
But before buying it, I recommend checking the user reviews. That is because some customers said that they received a fake or defective product from the seller. Thus, it is still best to purchase one from an official store. Also, others were disappointed with the slow write speeds.
But considering its low price, I think the Lexar Professional 633x 64GB SDXC UHS-I is still among the best SD cards for Nikon D3300. I recommend it to users who do not have a large budget for a single memory card.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly memory card
- 64GB storage capacity might be more than enough for your everyday shooting needs
- Fast read speeds of up to 95MB per second
- Durable SD card
Cons:
- Slow read speeds
- Some users received a fake or defective item from the seller
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between SD/SDHC/SDXC cards?
When shopping for the best SD card for Nikon D3300, it is likely that you have come across SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards.
These letters simply refer to the file system used to store data.
SD stands for Secure Digital and is the oldest type of memory card. It can only handle up to 2GB of photos and videos.
Meanwhile, SDHC or Secure Digital High Capacity cards can support up to 32 GB of data.
Finally, SDXC or Secure Digital High Capacity cards can store up to 2 terabytes, equivalent to 2000 GB.
What kind of write speeds do I need?
The recommended write speed of the SD card for Nikon D3300 depends on your needs and preferences.
Ask yourself about what kind of photos and videos you want to capture. Will you be shooting Full HD or simply HD? What about burst images?
The larger the files, the more likely it is that you will need a faster writing speed. Go for at least 50MB per second to avoid stuttering when recording. But if not, a 10MB writing speed might be acceptable, albeit slower.
How to format a Nikon D3300 SD card?
If you wish to format or delete all the files on your SD card, follow the steps below.
- Press the Menu button located at the back panel of the Nikon DSLR.
- Scroll down to the Setup menu (identified by the icon that looks like a wrench) by pressing the Down arrow.
- In the Setup menu, select the Format Memory card option.
- Select Yes and click OK.
- Once you have formatted the memory card, a prompt will show up “Folder Contains No Images.”
Conclusion
That sums up our list of the best SD cards for Nikon D3300! We highly recommend every product in this article.
However, my top choice would be the SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO Memory Card SDXC UHS-I. It features a large 128GB storage capacity that can handle multiple photos and videos with ease. Additionally, it offers a fast performance of 170MB read speed and a 90MB write speed. Finally, this memory card is waterproof, shockproof, and temperature-proof to ensure durability in harsh shooting environments.