SD card speed for K-3

**PKMike** · 01-12-2014, 10:22 AM

Does anyone know optimum card speed for K-3? I have a 32 GB 40 mbs and a 32GB 30 mbs. I am thinking of using 40 mbs for raw and the 30mbs for JPEG in RAW + JPEG mode. Will these cards keep up with the K-3 capabilities, or should I step up a notch for optimum performance? Thanks anyone for comments.

RonHendriks1966 · 01-12-2014, 10:58 AM

Almost, you will miss out on the the topspeed, bu I don't thing you will ever miss that. In most settings teh top writingspeed doesn't get to the max off your card (if the label is correct).

Apapukas · 01-12-2014, 11:05 AM - **1 Like**

I've read that for best performance you should use 95mb/s cards.

But..

I saw somewhere on the forum a test which showed that 45mb/s and 95mb/s cards (Sandisk Extreme and Pro) write files pretty much the same speed.
What interested me, is that CF (60mb/s) was twice as fast as Sandisk Pro (95mb/s). Pity, K3 can't use them.

I believe your cards will fit the K3 just fine.

P.S. found the vid

You Tube

Ole · 01-12-2014, 11:50 AM

A test of a Canon camrea and different cards do not tell anything about the Pentax K-3 and different cards. The K-3 has newer hardware and different software drivers.

Our tests of the K-3 indicated that K-3 users will benefit from the SanDisk Extreme Pro 95 Mbs cards. It is definitely noticable in connection with burst shooting. If you shoot RAW+ there is a lot of data to be written - the faster cards will probably make a difference in that scenario, too.

As per our findings the K-3 writes to one card first, then to the second card - it doesn't write to the two cards in parallel.

ruggiex · 01-12-2014, 12:04 PM

5DM3 has slow SD card memory controller. It's apple and orange comparison.

kenyee · 01-12-2014, 12:56 PM

Originally posted by Ole

It is definitely noticable in connection with burst shooting

But if you don't do burst shooting, it seems to only need a 45MB/sec card (not much difference between that and 90MB/sec cards w/o bursting)...I think that's he's asking...

Adam · 01-12-2014, 01:11 PM

Originally posted by PKMike

Does anyone know optimum card speed for K-3? I have a 32 GB 40 mbs and a 32GB 30 mbs. I am thinking of using 40 mbs for raw and the 30mbs for JPEG in RAW + JPEG mode. Will these cards keep up with the K-3 capabilities, or should I step up a notch for optimum performance? Thanks anyone for comments.

The K-3 can handle today's fastest cards, including the 95 Mb/s ones. You'll notice a difference between a 45 and a 95 card whenever you shoot more than 1 photo in a row (i.e. burst or bracketing).

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)

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Na Horuk · 01-12-2014, 04:21 PM

I suggest you buy cards that have less memory and more speed. With previous models, the camera couldn't use the latest SD card technology fully, but according to specifications and reviews, the K-3 can.
Also, buy a reputable brand like Sandisk. Class 10 cards from different brands have different real world speeds, regardless of what the labels say.
Avoid odd online stores, since it has happened before that someone bought cards on ebays and got lower quality knockoffs.

**PKMike** · 01-12-2014, 11:11 PM

Thanks to everyone for info. I feel much more informed than I was this morning. The card I thought was a 40 is a 45 (Sandisk). I have been using it for JPEG only. Have not shot anything in RAW yet. Come to think of it, I haven't even shot in burst mode yet! I guess I should find out what 8 FPS feels like and test this card. I think at this point I will return the unopened 30 MBS card and go for a 95 MBS card, and put it in the RAW slot and leave the 45 in for JPEG. Does this sound like the most logical configuration? I doubt I'll be shooting more than an occasional burst.

RonHendriks1966 · 01-13-2014, 03:36 AM

Originally posted by PKMike

Thanks to everyone for info. I feel much more informed than I was this morning. The card I thought was a 40 is a 45 (Sandisk). I have been using it for JPEG only. Have not shot anything in RAW yet. Come to think of it, I haven't even shot in burst mode yet! I guess I should find out what 8 FPS feels like and test this card. I think at this point I will return the unopened 30 MBS card and go for a 95 MBS card, and put it in the RAW slot and leave the 45 in for JPEG. Does this sound like the most logical configuration? I doubt I'll be shooting more than an occasional burst.

Then you won't missing on the seconds you have to wait over the coming years. The fast cards are for sports and wildlife when you want to run true the 200k lifecycle off the shutter as fast as possible. You could also invest in the FluCard that offers you the remote-option to controll your camera with smartphone.

**Michaelina2** · 01-13-2014, 04:51 AM

Originally posted by PKMike

I think at this point I will return the unopened 30 MBS card and go for a 95 MBS card, and put it in the RAW slot and leave the 45 in for JPEG. Does this sound like the most logical configuration?

Consider reducing the size of your JPG images going into slot 2. As you propose, I save RAW (DNG) images in slot 1 and JPG in slot 2. My JPG spec is 14MB ***, Natural color with Sharpen set to Fine +1 and NR=Off up to 3200 ISO, then Low for 3200+. Seems to work great.

Cheers... M

01-12-2014, 10:22 AM	#1
PKMike Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 627	SD card speed for K-3 Does anyone know optimum card speed for K-3? I have a 32 GB 40 mbs and a 32GB 30 mbs. I am thinking of using 40 mbs for raw and the 30mbs for JPEG in RAW + JPEG mode. Will these cards keep up with the K-3 capabilities, or should I step up a notch for optimum performance? Thanks anyone for comments.

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01-12-2014, 10:58 AM	#2
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Almost, you will miss out on the the topspeed, bu I don't thing you will ever miss that. In most settings teh top writingspeed doesn't get to the max off your card (if the label is correct).

01-12-2014, 11:50 AM	#4
Ole Administrator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,408	A test of a Canon camrea and different cards do not tell anything about the Pentax K-3 and different cards. The K-3 has newer hardware and different software drivers. Our tests of the K-3 indicated that K-3 users will benefit from the SanDisk Extreme Pro 95 Mbs cards. It is definitely noticable in connection with burst shooting. If you shoot RAW+ there is a lot of data to be written - the faster cards will probably make a difference in that scenario, too. As per our findings the K-3 writes to one card first, then to the second card - it doesn't write to the two cards in parallel.

01-12-2014, 12:04 PM	#5
ruggiex Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: East Bay Area Photos: Gallery Posts: 811	5DM3 has slow SD card memory controller. It's apple and orange comparison.

01-12-2014, 12:56 PM	#6
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026	Originally posted by Ole It is definitely noticable in connection with burst shooting But if you don't do burst shooting, it seems to only need a 45MB/sec card (not much difference between that and 90MB/sec cards w/o bursting)...I think that's he's asking...

01-12-2014, 01:11 PM	#7
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,593	Originally posted by PKMike Does anyone know optimum card speed for K-3? I have a 32 GB 40 mbs and a 32GB 30 mbs. I am thinking of using 40 mbs for raw and the 30mbs for JPEG in RAW + JPEG mode. Will these cards keep up with the K-3 capabilities, or should I step up a notch for optimum performance? Thanks anyone for comments. The K-3 can handle today's fastest cards, including the 95 Mb/s ones. You'll notice a difference between a 45 and a 95 card whenever you shoot more than 1 photo in a row (i.e. burst or bracketing). Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

01-12-2014, 04:21 PM	#8
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	I suggest you buy cards that have less memory and more speed. With previous models, the camera couldn't use the latest SD card technology fully, but according to specifications and reviews, the K-3 can. Also, buy a reputable brand like Sandisk. Class 10 cards from different brands have different real world speeds, regardless of what the labels say. Avoid odd online stores, since it has happened before that someone bought cards on ebays and got lower quality knockoffs.

01-12-2014, 11:11 PM	#9
PKMike Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 627 Original Poster	Thanks to everyone for info. I feel much more informed than I was this morning. The card I thought was a 40 is a 45 (Sandisk). I have been using it for JPEG only. Have not shot anything in RAW yet. Come to think of it, I haven't even shot in burst mode yet! I guess I should find out what 8 FPS feels like and test this card. I think at this point I will return the unopened 30 MBS card and go for a 95 MBS card, and put it in the RAW slot and leave the 45 in for JPEG. Does this sound like the most logical configuration? I doubt I'll be shooting more than an occasional burst.

01-13-2014, 03:36 AM	#10
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Originally posted by PKMike Thanks to everyone for info. I feel much more informed than I was this morning. The card I thought was a 40 is a 45 (Sandisk). I have been using it for JPEG only. Have not shot anything in RAW yet. Come to think of it, I haven't even shot in burst mode yet! I guess I should find out what 8 FPS feels like and test this card. I think at this point I will return the unopened 30 MBS card and go for a 95 MBS card, and put it in the RAW slot and leave the 45 in for JPEG. Does this sound like the most logical configuration? I doubt I'll be shooting more than an occasional burst. Then you won't missing on the seconds you have to wait over the coming years. The fast cards are for sports and wildlife when you want to run true the 200k lifecycle off the shutter as fast as possible. You could also invest in the FluCard that offers you the remote-option to controll your camera with smartphone.

01-13-2014, 04:51 AM	#11
Michaelina2 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SE Michigan USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,300	Originally posted by PKMike I think at this point I will return the unopened 30 MBS card and go for a 95 MBS card, and put it in the RAW slot and leave the 45 in for JPEG. Does this sound like the most logical configuration? Consider reducing the size of your JPG images going into slot 2. As you propose, I save RAW (DNG) images in slot 1 and JPG in slot 2. My JPG spec is 14MB ***, Natural color with Sharpen set to Fine +1 and NR=Off up to 3200 ISO, then Low for 3200+. Seems to work great. Cheers... M

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