Nikon Z30 Memory Card Recommendations

Nikon Z30 Memory Card Quick Recommendations

If you just want to cut to the chase, here are some quick recommendations on which memory cards to get for your Nikon Z30.

I have a more detailed version below, but any of these will work well in the Z30. These SD cards meet the needs of the Z30’s features, have a strong track record of reliability, are readily available, and are usually cost-effective.

Nikon Z30 SD Card Requirements

The Z30 has one SD card slot. You can use either SDXC or SDHC in them (SDXC probably makes more sense simply because those cards have more storage capacity). And the memory card slot is UHS-I compatible. So while you can use a UHS-II card in it, you’re not going to get any extra speed benefits in doing so–it will roll back to UHS-I speeds.

The Z30 shoots 21-megapixel photos and 4K30 video. The Nikon Z30 is aimed at creators sharing their photos and videos online. So it doesn’t have the same kind of speed requirements of higher-end cameras making broadcast quality 8K video.

What that means in terms of choosing SD cards for the Nikon Z30 is that you only need a moderately fast SD card, and it doesn’t make much sense to pay extra for a superfast UHS-II V90 card, because you won’t see any benefit in using it in this camera.

Nikon’s Recommendations for the Z30

As usual, the Z30’s instruction manual isn’t especially helpful on the topic of which SD card to get. There is a section titled “Approved Memory Cards,” which you can find on page 592. This is what it says:

• The camera can be used with SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards.
• UHS-I is supported.
• Cards rated UHS Speed Class 3 or better are recommended for video recording and playback. Slower speeds may result in recording or playback being interrupted.
• When choosing cards for use in card readers, be sure they are compatible with the device.
• Contact the manufacturer for information on features, operation, and limitations on use.

None of which is especially practical advice.

So what I’m aiming to do here is provide some practical recommendations on which SD cards to get for the Nikon Z30 so you can spend less time searching online and more time out shooting.

I’m not trying to list every SD card that works in the Z30, and there are others that will work just fine as well.

I’m focusing here on ones that offer a good combination of meeting the requirements of all of the Z30’s features, are readily available at major retailers, are cost-effective, and come from major manufacturers with track records for good-quality cards. I’m also basing this on my own long-running independent SD card speed tests.

Nikon Z30 Memory Card Detailed Recommendations

Here’s more information on the cards mentioned above, along with some other good alternatives.

What Size SD Card to Use in the Nikon Z30

The Z30 is compatible with SDHC and SDXC cards. That means you can use cards from 4GB all the way to the largest cards currently available, which are 512GB and 1TB cards.

There’s really no right answer when it comes to what size, or storage capacity, to get–it’s mostly a matter of convenience so that you don’t keep running out of space. As is probably obvious, you can fit twice as many photos on a 64GB card as on a 32GB card. And with a 128GB card, you can fit four times as many photos as on a 32GB. And so on. And that’s especially handy when you’re traveling; even more so if you’re shooting any video.

The Z30 leans heavily into video shooting, and notably, it can shoot up to 125 minutes at a time. So the most logical sizes for this camera in terms of convenience and price are probably the 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB sizes. But if you want to use a larger or smaller one, say 64GB or even 1TB, go right ahead—they’ll work just fine because of the way that the SDXC spec is designed.

How to Format SD Cards

When you buy a new SD card, you should format it before use and then regularly after that. If you’re formatting a card that you’ve already been using, make sure that you’ve downloaded any photos and videos you want to keep, because formatting deletes everything on the card.

Here’s some information on how to format the memory card.

How to Format SD Cards in the Nikon Z30

It is best practice to always format memory cards in the camera that you’ll be using them in. That sets the card up with the filesystem, folder hierarchy, and, in some cameras, a database file, so that the card is just how the camera expects. That greatly reduces the risk of unexpected errors and unpleasant surprises.

Always be sure you’ve backed up everything you want from the card, because formatting it will wipe everything. (If you’ve formatted accidentally, it still might be possible to recover data from the memory card, but it’s not always guaranteed, and it can incur the expense of buying recovery software; more on that below.)

On the Nikon Z30, you can find the format function under:

MENU > Setup Menu (wrench icon) > Format Memory Card

How to Format SD Cards with a Computer

Having said that, it is still possible to format memory cards using a card reader and computer. You get a lot more flexibility that way, but also some extra risk if things aren’t set up just how the camera wants them. It’s also sometimes a good troubleshooting step if you’re having issues with a memory card.

There are some things to watch out for, particularly when it comes to choosing which filesystem to use. So I’ve put together guides on how to format SD cards on Mac and how to use the free SD Card Formatter app for Windows or Mac.

Nikon Z30 Memory Card FAQs

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