The Best Memory Cards for the Sony A500
- Nathaniel Stephan
- Sony a500
- April 15, 2020
Table of Contents
The A500 has a single memory card slot that supports SD memory cards. SD memory cards with a maximum size of 32GB can be used in the camera.
Attempting to use an SD memory card that is 64GB or larger will cause the A500 to display an error code. For more storage space, you’ll need to buy multiple memory cards. The key specifications to care about should be the read and write speeds the SD card is capable of.
Sony PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo cards can also be used in the camera. They are limited to a maximum capacity of 16GB. PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo memory cards are no recommended as they are discontinued and expensive to buy.
Faster transfer speeds can cut down on the time needed to transfer photos, especially if your camera gets used regularly. At this time, a UHS-I SD card and compatible memory card reader are the most efficient way to transfer files.
Getting a high quality memory card also helps to future proof the memory card for use in another device or camera. To prevent finding yourself with a camera upgrade requiring you to shop for a new card that has fast enough write speeds for recording 4k video.
Do you own a suitable focal length lens for the types of photography you want to do? Have a look at the best lenses for the A500.
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The SDHC format was announced in 2006. All 32GB cards that are currently being produced will have almost identical performance. You cannot go wrong buying the cheapest class 10 name brand card. At the time of writing this, the PNY Elite 32GB SD memory card has the best price.Best SD Cards
Since the launch of the A500, memory card prices have gone down and storage capacities have become larger. The price difference between the the card that is the fastest and a mediocre one is surprisingly small. The price is more closely related to storage, with the largest SD memory cards having a higher price.
Investing in the cards with the largest capacity only makes sense if you are going to capture a large amount of RAW files for action, sports, events, or wildlife photography. Another consideration could be if you plan to upgrade your camera or use the sd card in another device.
The SanDisk Extreme Pro line of sd cards are in most cases the best choice for most conditions. They are very fast cards which gives them the best chance of working in future digital cameras or devices that also use SD memory cards.
PNY Elite Performance And Lexar Professional are other cards that I also have had good experiences with. I have not had images or files become corrupted or lost on these brands. If that scenario did occur, all of the manufacturers provide image recovery software.
Troubles I have experienced have been with generic SD cards. Being a bundled item or a low price are the selling points of these cards. However, this is also the most commonly encountered type of card to have an incorrect product description.
A label that promises Class 10 speed is really easy to put on a Class 4 SD card. When the camera image processor starts writing data there is bound to be an error message or corrupted images if the card’s write speed doesn’t satisfy the requirements.
One of the biggest controls over price you have is the storage capacity of a card. You’ll be better off by getting a card with a smaller storage capacity to reduce cost instead of picking a relabeled brand. Read and write speeds are important factors that will influence your satisfaction with the A500.
Recommended SD Cards
- 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.
Memory Card Reader
The UGreen 4-in-1 memory card reader supports four common types of memory cards. These include all card formats camera manufacturers use in all but their latest professional-level cameras.
The UGREEN memory card reader has a USB 3.0 connection. The card reader’s USB 3.0 transfer speeds will be faster transfer rates than what the A500 can reach using the USB transfer mode.
There are many favorable customer reviews for the UGREEN card reader, which I agree with. I would recommend it because the card reader has been compatible with all the computers (Windows, Mac, and Linux) I have tried it with.
The cable keeps card slots from being blocked by other accessories or devices that are being used in an adjacent port.
When I searched for a smaller card reader that would be used for travel, I needed to return a couple of orders. I came across the most frequent problem mentioned in customer reviews, the card readers would not work with my computer.
The UGREEN card reader can use the card types below:
- CompactFlash Cards
- SD, SDHC, & SDXC Cards (UHS-I supported)
- Memory Stick (MS), MS Pro, MS PRO-HG, & MS XC DUO
- MicroSD, Micro SDHC, & Micro SDXC Cards
