Best Memory Card for Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Choosing the right memory card for your Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is more crucial than many photographers realize. This camera is a powerhouse, boasting a 30.4MP sensor, 4K video capabilities, and a robust continuous shooting mode, all of which demand fast, reliable storage to avoid frustrating buffer delays and dropped frames. You need cards that can keep up! Having extensively tested various options, I’ll cut straight to it: for pure speed and performance, especially with RAW and 4K, a top-tier CompactFlash card like the Lexar Professional 1066x is hard to beat. But fear not, we’ve got excellent SD card recommendations too, ensuring you get the most out of both your 5D Mark IV’s card slots.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
Best Memory Cards for Canon EOS 5D Mark IV: Detailed Reviews
Lexar Professional 1066x CompactFlash 128GB View on Amazon View on B&H
When it comes to unleashing the full potential of your 5D Mark IV, especially for demanding tasks like continuous RAW shooting or cinema-quality 4K video, the Lexar Professional 1066x CompactFlash card is my absolute top pick. This UDMA 7 card consistently delivers exceptional performance. In real-world tests with the 5D Mark IV, the 128GB version averaged an impressive 112.1 MB/s write speed when shooting RAW images, which is critical for clearing that buffer quickly and letting you keep shooting without interruption. Lexar rates this card for up to 160MB/s read and 155MB/s write, also carrying a Video Performance Guarantee (VPG-65) rating, ensuring sustained write speeds of at least 65MB/s – perfect for the 500Mbps 4K bitrate. I’ve personally relied on these cards for critical shoots, and their reliability has been unwavering. Its only minor drawback is that CF cards are becoming less common, but for the 5D Mark IV, this is the speed king you want in your primary slot.
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SanDisk Extreme Pro SDXC UHS-I V30 128GB View on Amazon View on B&H
For photographers and videographers seeking a fantastic balance of performance and affordability for their 5D Mark IV’s SD slot, the SanDisk Extreme Pro SDXC UHS-I V30 card is an unbeatable choice for value. While the 5D Mark IV’s SD slot only supports UHS-I speeds, meaning it won’t leverage faster UHS-II cards, this SanDisk card excels within those limits. It boasts impressive read speeds of up to 200MB/s and write speeds up to 140MB/s (for larger capacities, 90MB/s for 128GB and smaller), making it more than capable for continuous shooting and, crucially, for smooth 4K UHD video recording. Its V30 (Video Speed Class 30) rating guarantees a minimum sustained write speed of 30MB/s, but in practice, it far exceeds this, making it reliable for the 5D Mark IV’s 500Mbps (approx. 62.5 MB/s) 4K bitrate. This card is a workhorse, offering excellent reliability from a trusted brand without breaking the bank for a card whose full speed wouldn’t be utilized by the camera anyway.
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Komputerbay 1066x CompactFlash 128GB View on Amazon View on B&H
For those looking to get solid CompactFlash performance for their 5D Mark IV without the premium price tag, the Komputerbay 1066x CompactFlash 128GB card makes for an excellent budget pick. This UDMA 7 card advertises impressive speeds, boasting up to 160MB/s sequential read and 155MB/s sequential write. While its brand recognition might not be on par with industry giants, in-camera tests have shown promising results, with the 128GB version achieving an average RAW write speed of 110.9 MB/s in the 5D Mark IV. This means it’s perfectly capable of handling burst photography and 4K video recording without significant hangups, offering a fantastic performance-to-price ratio. It’s a great option if you need that CF speed for your primary slot but have a tighter budget. However, as with any budget option, I’d always recommend having a reliable backup solution in place, perhaps utilizing your SD slot, just to be extra safe with critical work.
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SanDisk Extreme Pro CompactFlash 160MB/s 128GB View on Amazon View on B&H
For professionals who simply cannot compromise on performance or reliability, the SanDisk Extreme Pro CompactFlash 160MB/s card is an investment that truly pays dividends. SanDisk has long been a trusted name in flash storage, and their Extreme Pro line lives up to that reputation for a reason. This UDMA 7 card is perfectly optimized for both 4K video recording and rapid burst shooting. It boasts impressive read speeds of up to 160MB/s and write speeds of up to 150MB/s. In rigorous in-camera tests with the Canon 5D Mark IV, the 128GB version demonstrated an average RAW write speed of 110.8 MB/s, proving its mettle for demanding workflows. This consistency is exactly what you need when you’re capturing fast-paced action or critical events where a dropped frame or a stalled buffer simply isn’t an option. While it sits at the higher end of the price spectrum, the peace of mind that comes with SanDisk’s proven durability and lifetime warranty is, in my opinion, well worth the cost for professionals.
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ProGrade Digital V90 SDXC UHS-II 128GB View on Amazon View on B&H
While the Canon 5D Mark IV’s SD slot only supports UHS-I speeds, meaning it won’t fully utilize the blazing fast interface of a UHS-II card, the ProGrade Digital V90 SDXC UHS-II 128GB card is still an “also great” choice for several reasons. Firstly, it’s backward compatible, so it will operate flawlessly at the maximum UHS-I speeds the 5D Mark IV can handle, delivering excellent in-camera performance for both photos and 4K video. Its true power lies in its unwavering sustained write performance, guaranteed by the V90 rating (minimum 90MB/s sustained write). This makes it incredibly reliable for 4K video, even when the camera is only accessing it at UHS-I speeds. Secondly, its robust durability and build quality are outstanding, a favorite among professional videographers. Finally, if you ever upgrade to a camera that supports UHS-II or use a UHS-II compatible card reader, you’ll unlock its full, incredible speed for lightning-fast transfers, making it a smart investment for the long haul.
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Buying Guide: How to Choose Memory Cards
Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexar Professional 1066x CompactFlash 128GB | Pro stills & 4K video (CF slot) | ★★★★★ | Check |
| SanDisk Extreme Pro SDXC UHS-I V30 128GB | Balanced photo & 4K video (SD slot) | ★★★★☆ | Check |
| Komputerbay 1066x CompactFlash 128GB | Budget-conscious CF users | ★★★★☆ | Check |
| SanDisk Extreme Pro CompactFlash 160MB/s 128GB | Utmost reliability & speed (CF slot) | ★★★★★ | Check |
| ProGrade Digital V90 SDXC UHS-II 128GB | Future-proofing & robust SD performance | ★★★★☆ | Check |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Canon 5D Mark IV support UHS-II SD cards?
While the Canon 5D Mark IV has an SD card slot, it only supports the UHS-I interface. This means that even if you insert a faster UHS-II card, it will operate at UHS-I speeds. You won’t get the full benefit of UHS-II’s increased pin interface inside the camera, but the card will still be backward compatible and perform at the top end of UHS-I speeds. If you have a UHS-II card and a compatible card reader, you’ll still benefit from faster transfer speeds to your computer.
Which memory card slot is faster on the 5D Mark IV, CF or SD?
In the Canon 5D Mark IV, the CompactFlash (CF) slot generally offers faster write speeds and clears the camera’s buffer quicker than the SD card slot. This is particularly noticeable during continuous burst shooting of RAW files or when recording high-bitrate 4K video. Many professionals choose to use a fast CF card as their primary recording medium and the SD card for backup or overflow.
What speed memory card do I need for 4K video recording on the 5D Mark IV?
The Canon 5D Mark IV records 4K video at a high bitrate of 500Mbps, which translates to approximately 62.5 MB/s. Therefore, you need a card with a minimum *sustained* write speed above this to ensure smooth recording without dropped frames. For CF cards, look for UDMA 7 ratings. For SD cards, a Video Speed Class 60 (V60) or V90 card is recommended, even though the camera’s SD slot operates at UHS-I speeds.
How much memory capacity is enough for the 5D Mark IV?
The ideal capacity depends on your shooting style. RAW photos from the 5D Mark IV are around 38.5MB each, and 4K video consumes a lot of space – a 256GB card can hold about 4 hours of 4K video. For general photography, 64GB or 128GB cards are a good starting point. Many professionals prefer using multiple 64GB or 128GB cards rather than one very large card. This strategy minimizes the risk of losing all your data if a single card fails.
Can I use both card slots simultaneously for backup?
Absolutely, and I highly recommend it! The Canon 5D Mark IV’s dual card slots are a fantastic feature for redundancy. You can configure your camera to write images simultaneously to both cards (e.g., RAW to CF, JPEG to SD, or RAW to both). This provides an instant backup, safeguarding your precious photos and videos against potential card corruption or failure, which is invaluable for professional work and once-in-a-lifetime events.
Final Verdict
For your Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, investing in a high-quality memory card is investing in your workflow and peace of mind. For photographers demanding the absolute best performance for continuous shooting and 4K video, the Lexar Professional 1066x CompactFlash remains the king of the CF slot. If you’re looking for superb, reliable performance for your SD slot at a great price, the SanDisk Extreme Pro SDXC UHS-I V30 is your go-to. And for those on a tighter budget who still need fast CF speeds, the Komputerbay 1066x offers a compelling solution. Don’t let slow cards hold back your incredible 5D Mark IV!