Samsung has launched its latest range of memory cards for videographers and content creators. The PRO Plus memory cards are available as microSD and full-size SDXC.
Read and write speeds
The Samsung PRO Plus memory cards have read speeds of up to 180 MB/s and write speeds of up to 130 MB/s. The maximum speeds are the same for both SDXC and microSD versions. In addition, Samsung says that the new cards are 12 percent faster for reads and 8 percent faster for writes than the previous models. The cards also support a video speed class rating of V30. This means that the PRO Plus memory cards will capture 4K ultra-high definition and Full HD videos and photos.
Capacities
The microSD PRO Plus memory cards are available in capacities of 128 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB. Unfortunately, the full-sized SDXC cards are only available as 64 GB, 128 GB and 256 GB. Samsung says that a 512 GB card will store up to 207,159 4K UHD photos or 30 hours of 4K UHD video. However, this will vary depending on your camera and the file format used.
Robust design
Samsung says that the microSD PRO Plus memory cards are backed by the company’s six-proof protection. This means that the cards can withstand water, extreme temperatures, X-rays, wear-out, drops and magnetic impact. The SDXC cards are a little more robust, with Samsung claiming seven-proof protection against shock, water, extreme temperatures, x-ray, wear out, drops and magnetic impact. In addition, both the microSD and SDXC card ranges come with a ten-year limited warranty.
What we think
You can never have too many memory cards, so it’s great to see Samsung releasing large-capacity cards for a relatively low price. In addition, the increases in read and write speeds will also help to avoid dropped frames when recording. They will also reduce the time needed to offload your footage after the shoot. It’s a shame that the SDXC cards don’t go up to 512 GB size, and the V30 speed rating may be too slow for some mirrorless cameras. However, if they are right for your device, then the Samsung PRO Plus memory cards offer big brand reliability at a reasonable price.
Pricing and availability
The Samsung PRO Plus memory cards are available now. The PRO Plus microSD range retails at $19 for the 128 GB card, $30 for the 256 GB and $60 for the 512 GB capacity. The PRO Plus SDXC memory cards cost $13 for the 64 GB, $21 for the 128 GB and $37 for the 256 GB capacities. In addition, you can buy most of the cards bundled with a card reader for between $5 to $12 more than the price of the card alone.
