The storage game moves quickly. Just one quick glance at current prices can tell you that. This means it can be a very attractive option to use what you have on hand, no matter the age, but it can come at a price. When it comes to your creative bag, you’re only as good as the weakest link in your setup, and for most people, that’s their storage. But everyone has a tough decision to make, because SD cards don’t really have an expiration date like some equipment.
The bigger question is whether your SD card can keep up with your equipment. That comes down to a few key factors such as speed, capacity, performance, and the actual physical age and usage of your cards. If your card is still meeting all of your needs in a reliable fashion, then maybe you don’t need to switch, but in a day and age where equipment is now so advanced, the chances are that if your card is more than just a couple of years old or of a “bargain” variety, it’s failing you in some regard.
Check your SD card speed
Fast is the name of the game these days
The most common sign it’s time to replace your old SD card is its write speed. First, though, let me offer a brief explanation of what that actually means. Think of SD cards like a tiered system. Class 10 SD cards guarantee a minimum write speed of 10 MB/s, which makes any card suitable for what’s considered “HD” video and photography. A U1 marker guarantees 10 MB/s, while a U3 marker indicates a minimum of 30 MB/s. Then, there’s the V-rating, which guarantees a minimum write speed for video only. V10 guarantees 10 MB/s, V90 guarantees 90 MB/s, and so forth.
These things matter a lot in a time when mirrorless systems have completely taken over. My Nikon Z6 III, which I used to shoot all the photos in this story, can record up to 6K video. The next model up, the Z8, can record 8K video. This means that, to store that video, we typically have to record to either a very fast microSD card or a CFExpress card. I could pop any old SD card into my microSD slot, but if it can’t keep up with the equipment in my hand, that SD card becomes impractical and, in most cases, completely useless. The speed markings on the card itself are the best way to determine if your SD card is out of date for the device you’re using, so dig a bit into that owner’s manual before you pop any old card into the slot.
The storage capacity of yesteryear simply doesn’t begin to keep up with the technology and equipment available today.
Look at capacity and compatibility
Can the card handle what your device actually produces
The storage capacity of yesteryear simply doesn’t begin to keep up with the technology and equipment available today. As someone who enjoys shooting Polaroids and film photography every now and again for the love of the game, I’m constantly shocked by just how much data my newer cameras actually both process and output. For instance, in undergrad, I took a video editing course that taught me the basics. My 32GB card held every project from that semester, plus the B-roll, interviews, and any other associated clips. Now, I fill 32 GB of storage within my first few hours at every event, race, or outdoor adventure I cover.
The trick isn’t necessarily whether an SD card is compatible with your device. In reality, it’s more about whether your storage device is capable of keeping up with your equipment or not. I could pop that same old 32GB card into my camera or any other device, and it would work fine for around an hour. Then I’d have to swap cards mid-shoot or mid-event because the storage capacity simply isn’t enough for what I’m working on.
Your card can actually fail, too
Luckily, there are a few signs you can take note of
A storage angle that really doesn’t get the interest it should is trust, as in, can you actually trust your SD card with the important data that could be linked to precious memories or your livelihood? If your card has started showing a few odd corrupted videos or photos, then it’s probably time to ditch it for a replacement, because you never know when it could corrupt either the money shot of the day or even an entire album.
This is the biggest difference on this list, mind you — the difference between slow performance and not performing at all. You can deal with slow performance depending on the project, but failing altogether is a completely different story. A card can be slow because it’s out of date or its specs don’t match your equipment, but corruption or repeated errors can signal that the card itself is failing. The 128 GB you see in these photos is that kind of card. The write speeds took a nosedive, and video playback became spotty at best. As much as it hurt the wallet, I immediately retired the card because I can’t have it failing on me in the field.
How old is too old for your SD card
There isn’t actually an expiration date, per se
There is no hard set expiration date on an SD card, full stop. There’s not a universal rule like “replace every X number of years,” either. In reality, the timing of replacing your SD card comes down much more to how heavily it’s been used and how it’s currently responding to usage. If your old card still meets your needs, handles your capacity, and is reliable in the field, then you’re probably safe and don’t need to swap cards just yet.
But, if any of the above sounds like your SD card, then it might be time to make the switch.
