Canon PowerShot Memory Card Compatibility
Canon PowerShot cameras are compatible with different versions of SD cards.
- SD (Secure Digital) - Capacities up to 2GB
- SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity)- Capacities Up to 32GB
- SDXC (Secure Digital eXtended Capacity)- Capacities Up to 2TB
Using a SD card with higher capacity than what a camera is compatible with will cause errors.
Any SanDisk, Lexar, Transcend, Samsung, or PNY card with UHS-I. The card will be fast enough for the camera or other devices. UHS-I is only on 32GB SDHC or SDXC cards.
For cameras that use the original SD card standard, your only choice is a 2GB card from Transcend. 🤷♂️
MicroSD cards are a smaller format with the same capacity limitations. They can be used in microSD to SD card adapters.
Potential Problems
- Make sure the card isn’t physically locked.
- Format the card in the camera.
- Buy direct from a reputable source to avoid fake cards.
The PDF manual for your camera has answers to common questions and problems. They can be downloaded from the Canon Support Site.
MMC - MultiMediaCard
Some PowerShot models are compatible with MMC cards in addition to SD. The format lost to SD.
One is fine to use if you already have it. I would not recommend buying one. Let collectors fight over them.
Wikipedia MultiMediaCard page.
SD Models (2GB Maximum Capacity)
These Canon PowerShot models are only compatible with SD memory cards with a maximum capacity of 2GB. Using a larger capacity card will cause errors.
SD Cards Only
These models can only use SD cards. The maximum compatible size is 2GB.
These models had the same model name in all regions.
| PowerShot | Canon Model |
|---|---|
| S80 | PC1155 |
| S2 IS | PC1130 |
| A400 | PC1080 |
| A410 | PC1156 |
| A420 | PC1185 |
| A430 | PC1186 |
SD and MMC Cards
These can use SD and MMC cards with a maximum compatible capacity of 2GB.
These models had different names depending on the region.
| PowerShot | Digital IXUS | IXY Digital | Canon model |
|---|---|---|---|
| SD10 | i | L | PC1060 |
| SD20 | i5 | L2 | PC1108 |
| SD30 | i Zoom | L3 | PC1144 |
| SD100 | II | 30 | PC1035 |
| SD110 | IIs | 30a | PC1085 |
| SD200 | 30 | 40 | PC1102 |
| SD300 | 40 | 50 | PC1101 |
| SD400 | 50 | 55 | PC1150 |
| SD430 | Wireless | Wireless | PC1190 |
| SD450 | 55 | 60 | PC1158 |
| SD500 | 700 | 600 | PC1114 |
| SD550 | 750 | 700 | PC1169 |
| SD600 | 60 | 70 | PC1193 |
| SD630 | 65 | 80 | PC1147 |
| SD700 IS | 800 IS | 800 IS | PC1176 |
| A510 | PC1107 | ||
| A520 | PC1106 | ||
| A530 | PC1184 | ||
| A540 | PC1183 | ||
| A610 | PC1146 | ||
| A620 | PC1145 | ||
| A700 | PC1182 |
Transcend 2GB SD Memory Card
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- You don’t really have a choice.
- The 2GB SanDisk card is twice as expensive.
SDHC Models (32GB Maximum Capacity)
Trying to use a SD card with a capacity larger than 32GB will likely result in errors or corrupt image files.
These models had the same model name in all regions.
| PowerShot | PowerShot | PowerShot | PowerShot |
|---|---|---|---|
| D10 | S3 IS | A460 | A650 IS |
| D20 | S5 IS | A470 | A720 IS |
| D30 | SX1 IS | A480 | A800 |
| E1 | SX10 IS | A550 | A1000 IS |
| G7 | SX20 IS | A560 | A1100 IS |
| G9 | SX100 IS | A570 IS | A1200 |
| G10 | SX110 IS | A580 | A2000 IS |
| G11 | SX120 IS | A590 IS | A2100 IS |
| S90 | SX200 IS | A630 | |
| TX1 | A450 | A640 |
These models had different names depending on the region.
| Powershot | Digital IXUS | IXY Digital | Canon model |
|---|---|---|---|
| SD750 | 75 | 90 | PC1227 |
| SD770 IS | 85 IS | 25 IS | PC1262 |
| SD780 IS | 100 IS | 210 IS | PC1353 |
| SD790 IS | 90 IS | 95 IS | PC1261 |
| SD800 IS | 850 IS | 900 IS | PC1209 |
| SD850 IS | 950 IS | 810 IS | PC1235 |
| SD870 IS | 860 IS | 910 IS | PC1249 |
| SD880 IS | 870 IS | 920 IS | PC1308 |
| SD890 IS | 970 IS | 820 IS | PC1266 |
| SD900 | 900 Ti | 1000 | PC1206 |
| SD940 IS | 120 IS | 220 IS | PC1430 |
| SD950 IS | 960 IS | 2000 IS | PC1248 |
| SD960 IS | 110 IS | 510 IS | PC1356 |
| SD970 IS | 990 IS | 830 IS | PC1357 |
| SD980 IS | 200 IS | 930 IS | PC1437 |
| SD990 IS | 980 IS | 3000 IS | PC1332 |
| SD1000 | 70 | 10 | PC1228 |
| SD1100 IS | 80/82 IS | 20 IS | PC1271 |
| SD1200 IS | 95 IS | 110 IS | PC1355 |
Recommended SDHC Memory Cards
32GB cards are often less expensive than 16GB versions.
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- Sequential read speed of up to 100MB/s
- Class 10, U1 rating delivers speed and performance for full HD photography and HD videography.
- V10 video speed rating to capture uninterrupted HD video at 1920x1080 format
- Compatible with point & shoot cameras, DSLR cameras, standard & advanced HD-enabled video cameras, and more
- Reliable & Durable: Magnet Proof, Shock Proof, Temperature Proof, Waterproof
- Quick transfer read speeds up to 90MB/s.
- Write speeds are not capable of recording 4k video.
- Class 10 rating for Full HD video (1080p).
- Waterproof, temperature proof, X-ray Proof, magnet-Proof, and shockproof.
- UHS Speed Class 1 (U1) supports Full HD video and burst shots. 130MB/s transfer speeds1 let you upload footage to your PC in an instant.
- Built to survive tough conditions and heavy usage, whether you’re at home, outside, or on the go. Backed by 10-year limited warranty.
- Highly durable with comprehensive 7-proof protection.
- Backed by a 10 year warranty.
SDXC Models (2TB Maximum Capacity)
These models had the same name in all regions.
| Powershot | Powershot | Powershot |
|---|---|---|
| G12 | SX30 IS | SX420 IS |
| G15 | SX40 HS | SX430 IS |
| G1 X | SX50 HS | SX500 IS |
| G16 | SX130 IS | SX510 HS |
| G1 X Mark II | SX160 IS | SX520 HS |
| G7 X | SX170 IS | SX530 HS |
| G3 X | SX210 IS | SX540 HS |
| G5 X | SX220 HS | SX600 HS |
| G9 X | SX230 HS | SX610 HS |
| G7 X Mark II | SX240 HS | SX620 HS |
| G9 X Mark II | SX260 HS | SX700 HS |
| G1 X Mark III | SX270 HS | SX710 HS |
| G5 X Mark II | SX280 HS | SX720 HS |
| G7 X Mark III | SX400 IS | SX730 HS |
| SX410 IS | SX740 HS |
These models had different names depending on the region.
| Powershot | Digital IXUS | IXY Digital | Canon model |
|---|---|---|---|
| SD1300 IS | 105 | 200F | PC1469 |
| SD1400 IS | 130 | 400F | PC1472 |
| SD3500 IS | 210 | 10S | PC1467 |
| SD4000 IS | 300 HS | 30S | PC1473 |
| SD4500 IS | 1000 HS | 50S | |
| 500 HS | 310 HS | 31S | |
| 300 HS | 220 HS | 410F | PC1591 |
| 100 HS | 115 HS | 210F | |
| 510 HS | 1100 HS | 51S | |
| 310 HS | 230 HS | 600F | |
| 520 HS | 500 HS | 3 | |
| 110 HS | 125 HS | 220F | PC1733 |
| 530 HS | 510 HS | 1 | |
| 320 HS | 240 HS | 420F | |
| - | 245 HS | 430F | |
| 330 HS | 255 HS | 610F | |
| 115 IS | 132 | 90F | |
| 120 IS | 135 | 100F | |
| 130 IS | 140 | 110F | |
| - | - | 620F | |
| 340 HS | 265 HS | 630 | |
| 135 | 145 | 120 | |
| 140 IS | 150 | 130 | |
| 150 IS | 155 | 140 | |
| 160 | 160 | 150 | |
| - | 165 | 160 | |
| 170 IS | 170 | 170 | |
| 350 HS | 275 HS | 640 | |
| 180 | 175 | 180 | |
| 190 IS | 180 | 190 | PC2266 |
| 360 HS | 285 HS | 650 | |
| 185 | 185 | 200 | |
| 200 IS | 190 | 210 |
Recommended SDXC Memory Cards
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Outside the Shot is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase. I also participate in affiliate advertising programs with KEH and Adorama. More can be found on the Affiliate Discolsure page.
- UHS-I, U1, and Class 10 Speed Rating. Can sustain 10MB/s write speeds.
- Excellent choice for photos.
- Capable of recording Full HD (1920x1080) Video.
- Inexpensive with more than good enough performance.
- Larger capacities are available for a reasonable price.
- UHS-I, U3, V30, and Class 10 Speed Rating. Can sustain 30MB/s write speeds.
- Good for burst shooting photos and recording 4K video.
- Larger capacity cards are available.
- Reliable & Durable: Magnet Proof, Shock Proof, Temperature Proof, Waterproof.
- Comparatively expensive for faster read speeds.
- UHS-I, U3, V30, and Class 10 Speed Rating. Can sustain 30MB/s write speeds.
- Only makes sense for professional use or if you need the largest storage capacity available.
- Temperature-proof, waterproof, shock-proof, and X-ray-proof.
PowerShot Models that Use MicroSDXC Cards (2TB Maximum Capacity)
- Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS / IXUS 500 HS
- Canon PowerShot ELPH 530 HS / IXUS 510 HS
- Canon PowerShot N
Any UHS-I card from SanDisk, Lexar, PNY, or Samsung will be fine. I would recommend 128GB capacity cards for the cheapest GB per dollar.
Speed, Class, & Capacity
SD Card Image Capacity
This is an estimation of the quantity of large JPEGs you could expect to keep on an SD memory card.
- 4GB - 1920 images
- 8GB - 3840 images
- 16GB - 7680 images
- 32GB - 15360 images
Memory Card Speed
Speed ratings for SD cards are established by the sequential read and write speeds. The speed of the SD memory card is important in the event that many images need to be written to the SD card.
SD Card Speed Class Rating
The Class speed rating of an SD memory card is based on the sustained write speed of the memory card. A Class speed rating of 2 means that the card can maintain a write speed of at minimum 2MB per second.
- Class 2 - 2MB/s
- Class 4 - 4MB/s
- Class 6 - 6MB/s
- Class 8 - 8MB/s
- Class 10 - 10MB/s
The best rating a card can obtain is Class 10. There are cards that are significantly faster than 10MB/s. Those cards use other technology, such as UHS (Ultra Highspeed Bus), that have a separate rating specifications.
Sustained write speeds of 2MB, 4MB, 6MB, or 8MB per second means the card has a speed class of 2, 4, 6, or 8. Cards that have write speeds of 10MB/s or faster are rated as Class 10.