Whether you want to capture some great wildlife shots, or need a great security camera, a trail camera can be quite helpful. That is because it is able to automatically take photos without the photographer being present. They can take high-quality images as well.
However, in order for these cameras to work as expected, you need a quality SD card. That will help ensure the photos and videos can be saved to the device so they won’t get lost.
This guide is going to take you through how to choose the right SD card for your trail camera, as well as show you some of the best options on the market.
Contents
Who Should Get This
These SD cards are perfect for anyone who wants a little extra space for photos or videos on their trail camera. The more space you have, the better the chance that you will capture something incredible or important. In addition, these cards can generally work in a variety of other devices as well.
Once you’ve transferred all of the photos off the card from the trail camera, you can freely use it in other ways. If you never use a trail camera, or don’t use other devices that could benefit from a bit of extra space, you may not need an SD card at all.
How to Choose the Best SD Card for Trail Camera
Take the following factors into consideration during your research process.
Storage Capacity
First and foremost, you need to consider your SD card’s storage capacity. These cards come in a range of different storage sizes, from as little as 128MB to well over 1TB.
Generally, the more space, the better. However, you need to make sure your device can handle it. Also, the larger the capacity, the more expensive the SD card. Keep that in mind as well.
Size of the Card
Next, you need to think of your card’s size. While some people might assume all SD cards are the same, that isn’t always the case.
There are a few different sizes, which include the standard size, miniSD cards, and microSD cards. Your device may only be able to fit one size, so you will need to find that out before making the final purchase.
Speed of the Card
SD cards can also vary in speed. When getting one, you can choose between 2,4,6, or 10. The higher the number, the higher the speed class. A higher speed class means the card can save data faster than others.
While high-speed cards aren’t always needed, they can be helpful if you like to record high-quality video or take multiple photos in rapid succession.
Best SD Card for Trail Camera: Our Picks
Here you’ll find our top recommendations, along with a quick review of each memory card.
1. Lexar Professional 633x 64GB SDXC UHS-I Card
This SD card is perfect for someone who wants something that’s simple, yet high-quality, and effective.
It offers class 10 performance when it comes to speed, which makes read transferring lightning fast. It can also quickly transmit files to your computer without a lot of waiting. It’s quite versatile as well.
This SD card allows you to capture hours of high-quality content (including 4k) with ease. There are also various capacity options to ensure you can find one that fits your device.
This will keep you from having to frequently change SD cards. You will also receive limited lifetime product support.
Pros
- Incredible read transfer speed
- Comes in various different storage capacities
- Limited lifetime product support
Cons
- Doesn’t last as long as other models
2. Netac 128GB Micro SD Card
This SD card is great for those who want something that’s both durable and built to last.
It’s waterproof, shockproof, and can work in hot, cold, or moderate temperatures. It’s even x-ray radiation proof.
You would be hard pressed to find a better SD card if you want something that can be left out in extreme conditions.
Of course, this card also offers great storage capacity, fast read and file transfer speeds, and it works in a variety of devices.
It supports hours of video recording in HD, and the write speeds of the SD card are impressive as well.
Pros
- Strong and durable
- Works with several different devices
- Fast speeds when it comes to both reading and writing
Cons
- Some have complained about formatting difficulty
3. 5 Pack – SanDisk Ultra 16GB SD SDHC Memory Flash Card
If you want not one, but five SD cards, this bundle is for you.
Each of the cards here offers class 10 speed and comes with 16 GB of storage. They also have their own plastic carrying case, so you never have to worry about them being wrecked or damaged.
As an added bonus, SanDisk is perhaps the biggest name in the space. Their SD cards are extremely popular.
While some may think a small size is a bad thing, that’s not always the case. Many trail cameras will only work with smaller-capacity cards, so this card should work on nearly any device you can find. Just make sure the device is compatible with SDHC.
Pros
- Five speedy cards in one bundle
- From a respected and reliable company
- Carrying cases for all of the extras
Cons
- Will struggle with 4K video
Useful Tips and Resources
Before you plan to use your SD card for your trail camera, you need to make sure it’s formatted correctly. Formatting helps the camera arrange the file structure in a certain way that works for the device.
Without it, your files could become corrupted. Thankfully, formatting your SD card in the trail camera tends to be relatively quick and easy.
Also, be sure that you know how to use a trail camera before you attempt to set one up with an SD card. Videos like this one provide a lot of helpful tips.
You can’t get any value out of your SD card if you don’t know how to use the trail camera you bought it for.
Conclusion
Having the right SD card is incredibly important when it comes to making sure you get great footage on your trail camera.
Any of the mentioned cards will help ensure your camera is able to capture and store some truly breathtaking pictures. If you’re looking for high quality, it’s hard to do better.
Do you know of some other great trail camera SD cards that we should have mentioned? If so, let us know in the comment below.