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SD Card Specifications

The document discusses specifications and compatibility for different types of SD memory cards, including SD, SDHC, and SDXC. It covers capacities, formats, compatibility with host devices, speed class ratings, and a compatibility summary chart.

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rinthus
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49 views5 pages

SD Card Specifications

The document discusses specifications and compatibility for different types of SD memory cards, including SD, SDHC, and SDXC. It covers capacities, formats, compatibility with host devices, speed class ratings, and a compatibility summary chart.

Uploaded by

rinthus
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SD/SDHC/SDXC Specifications and Compatibility

What SD (or microSD) cards are compatible with my host device? How do I choose the best card
for my host device?

There are three main types in the SD memory card family. SD, SD High Capacity (SDHC™),
and SD Extended Capacity (SDXC™). This article details the different specifications of all
three types of SD memory cards and the speed class ratings and compatibilities that are different
with each type.

Click here to jump straight to Speed Class & UHS Speed Class Ratings
Click here to jump straight to the Compatibility Summary

Additional Reference: SD Assocation Consumer Information

SD capacities range from 128MB to 2GB

Default Format: FAT16

SD cards will work in all host devices that support SD, SDHC, or SDXC

SD High Capacity (SDHC™) card is an SD™ memory card based on the SDA 2.0 specification.

SDHC capacities range from 4GB to 32GB

Default Format: FAT32

Because SDHC works differently than standard SD cards, this new format is NOT backwards
compatible with host devices that only take SD (128MB - 2GB) cards. Most readers and host
devices built after 2008 should be SDHC compatible.

To ensure compatibility, look for the SDHC logo on cards and host devices (cameras,
camcorders, etc.)
SD Extended Capacity (SDXC™) card is an SD™ memory card based on the SDA 3.0
specification.

SDXC capacities range from 64GB to 2TB

Default Format: exFAT

Because SDXC uses a different file system called exFAT and it works differently than standard
SD cards, this new format is NOT backwards compatible with host devices that only take SD
(128MB to 2GB) or host devices that only take SDHC (4GB to 32GB). Most host devices built
after 2010 should be SDXC compatible.

To ensure compatibility, look for the SDXC logo on cards and host devices (cameras,
camcorders, etc.).

NOTE: Internal card readers on laptops from 2008 and prior may NOT support SDXC cards.
SDXC cards will work in SDHC compatible readers (not SD readers) if the computer OS
supports exFAT. For more information on exFat see: Operating Systems that support the exFAT
File System

Ultra High Speed, Phase I (UHS-I) bus design for SDHC and SDXC cards was added in SD spec
3.0. This is a design enhancement to increase the performance of SDHC/SDXC cards.

UHS-I specification defines two bus architecture options for up to 50MB/s (UHS-50) and
104MB/s (UHS-104) data transfer rates. These are theoretical maximum limits and actual
maximum performance for a specific card is defined on it label or in advertising.

UHS is an enhancement to the original SD interface specifications. Host devices will obtain the
UHS maximum speed when both the card and host device support UHS. Otherwise, the host
device and card will use the slower SD maximum speed obtainable.

There is no compatibility problem using a UHS card with a non-UHS device.


Ultra High Speed Phase II (UHS-II) bus design for SDHC and SDXC was added in SD spec 4.0.
This is an additional design enhacement with connector interface modifications to increase
performance.

UHS-II specification defines bus architecture for options of 156MB/s and


312MB/s. Manufacturers implemented the 312MB/s option in memory cards. These are
theoretical maximum limits and actual maximum performance for a specific card is defined on
the label or in advertising.

Host devices will obtain the maximum UHS-II speed when both the card and the host device
support UHS-II. Otherwise, the host device and card will use the highest compatible UHS-I or
SD bus speed.

There is no compatibility problem using a USH-II card in a UHS-I or non-UHS device.

Speed Class & UHS Speed Class Rating


Speed class ratings define a minimum guaranteed speed of SDHC/SDXC cards. Speed class
rating is important for HD video mode or camcorders, where the device is actually saving a
steady stream of data. The resolution and format of the video determines the amount of steady
stream data. You should consult your camera user manual for minimum speed class requirements
for HD video modes.

Speed Class (SD Bus)

Class Minimum Speed


2 2MB/s
4 4MB/s
6 6MB/s
8 8MB/s
10 10MB/s

UHS Speed Class (UHS Bus)

UHS Class Minimum Speed


1 10MB/s
3 30MB/s
For a more detailed explanation of speed class see: Difference between Speed Class, UHS Speed
Class, and Speed Ratings...
SD Association: Speed Choices

Compatibility Summary
The chart below shows the host device and the memory cards supported.

Host device Memory cards supported


(ex. cameras, video recorders, phones,
readers, etc.)

© images by sdcard.org

SDXC cards and host devices


- SDXC memory cards can ONLY be used with SDXC host devices.
- SDXC memory cards will NOT work with SD / SDHC host devices.

Additional info on SDXC cards and host devices


- SDXC host devices can use and support SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards.
- SDHC host devices can use and support both SD and SDHC memory cards.
- SDHC memory cards can be used with SDHC and SDXC host devices.
Operating Systems that Support the exFAT File System
What operating systems support the exFAT file format?
SDXC Memory Cards and 256GB CompactFlash cards are formatted natively in the exFAT file
system. Flash Drives may also be formatted in exFAT. The operating system must support the
exFAT file system in order for these devices to function properly.

exFAT Supported Operating Systems

Operating
exFAT support Patch download
System
Windows 10 Supported natively
Windows 8 Supported natively
Windows 7 Supported natively
Windows Vista Requires update to Service Download Service Pack 1 (with exFAT
Pack 1 or 2 support)
(both supports exFAT) Download Service Pack 2 (with exFAT
support)
Windows XP No longer supported by
exFAT patch is no longer available for
(Service Pack Microsoft
Windows XP systems
2 or 3)
Mac OS X Requires Mac OS X version 10.6.6 and above

NOTE: Some Host devices may NOT support SDXC cards.

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