Camera Memory Speed
Memory Card Comparison & Performance Tests for Digital Cameras
Fuji X-T3 dual card slots with sd cards and door open

Fastest SD cards for the Fuji X-T3

Published: November 27, 2018

The Fuji X-T3 is an APS-C mirrorless camera that has many improvements over the previous X-T2. The X-T3 has a fourth-generation X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor with 26.1MP resolution and back-side illumination for less noise at high ISO. Its base sensitivity is 160 ISO. Fuji improved the image processor with the X-Processor 4 which is three times faster than the previous generation. The autofocus system incorporates over 2 million phase detect points on the sensor that cover the frame. It can record 4K video up to 60 fps.

The X-T3 has dual memory cards slots and supports UHS-II cards in both slots. A total of 116 SD cards were tested in the X-T3, including UHS-I and UHS-II cards. Results are provided in write speed for continuous shooting of RAW images. A detailed analysis contains observations from the tests. Recommended SD cards for the X-T3 are given based on the test results and summarize the fastest cards for this camera.

Fuji X-T3 Camera Details & Settings

The tests are conducted with X-T3 mounted on a tripod and controlled by a remote release timer. The image subject is a detailed test scene with controlled lighting. A manual focus adapted lens is used with fixed aperture.

Write speed is calculated using the buffer full condition. The remote timer is set to 30 seconds and the test interval is the time from when the frame rate is limited to the end of the interval. This provides a more accurate and consistent measurement of write speed compared with the card access indicator since the write indicator illuminates when the shutter is activated and not when the first file begins writing. The fastest 28 cards were tested twice and the result is averaged. Write speed is provided in megabytes per second, where 1 MB = 1,048,576 bytes. The write speed results are for RAW image mode. RAW+JPEG and JPEG modes result in lower write speed.

Fuji X-T3 SD Card Write Speed

+ Show more prices
Memory CardSize
(GB)
Average Write Speed (MB/s)Price
Lexar Professional 2000x UHS-II 64GB64169.5$125.50
Sony Tough UHS-II 64GB64168.1$98.00
Lexar Professional 2000x UHS-II 32GB32164.2$86.50
Sony SF-G 300MB/s UHS-II 64GB64162.9$49.99
Sony SF-G 300MB/s UHS-II 128GB128162.5$167.19
Sony SF-G 300MB/s UHS-II 32GB32160.1$92.54
Delkin Power 2000x UHS-II V90 64GB64160.0$62.99
SanDisk Extreme Pro 300MB/s UHS-II 64GB64158.7$87.99
Integral UltimaPro X2 UHS-II V90 64GB64158.6$91.15
Lexar Professional 1800x microSD UHS-II 64GB64158.6$386.00
ProGrade 250MB/s UHS-II V90 64GB64157.7
Verbatim Pro II Plus UHS-II V90 64GB64157.4$49.95
Lexar Professional 2000x UHS-II Rev E 32GB32157.0$86.50
SanDisk Extreme Pro 300MB/s UHS-II 128GB128157.0$254.99
Lexar Professional 2000x UHS-II Rev B 128GB128157.0$189.99
Adata Premier One UHS-II V90 64GB64154.6$42.82
Delkin Power UHS-II V90 128GB128153.4$116.92
Lexar Professional 2000x UHS-II Rev E 64GB64150.2$125.50
Transcend 700S UHS-II V90 64GB64145.1$34.99
Toshiba Exceria Pro UHS-II 32GB32144.0
Transcend Ultimate UHS-II U3 64GB64136.6
SanDisk Extreme Pro 300MB/s UHS-II 32GB32134.4$51.02
Hoodman Steel UHS-II 64GB64133.9$89.99
Transcend Ultimate UHS-II U3 32GB32129.5
SanDisk Extreme Pro 280MB/s UHS-II 32GB3292.7$69.00
Sony M Series UHS-II 32GB3292.2$55.77
Delkin Prime UHS-II V60 64GB6485.7$29.99
ProGrade 200MB/s UHS-II V60 64GB6481.2$54.99
Sony M Series UHS-II 128GB12880.0$59.86
SanDisk Extreme Pro 95MB/s microSDXC 64GB6477.1$14.29
SanDisk Extreme Plus 95/90 MB/s U3 V30 microSDXC 64GB6476.9$28.95
SanDisk Extreme Pro 95MB/s microSDHC 32GB3276.1$15.23
SanDisk Extreme Plus 100MB/s A1 microSDXC 64GB6475.6$50.00
SanDisk Extreme Pro 95MB/s U3 V30 64GB6475.6$39.00
SanDisk Extreme Plus 95/90 MB/s U3 V30 microSDXC 128GB12875.4$69.99
SanDisk Extreme Plus 100MB/s A1 microSDXC 128GB12875.3$75.00
SanDisk Extreme Pro 95MB/s U3 V30 128GB12875.3$76.00
Sony M Series UHS-II 64GB6474.4$39.99
Samsung PRO Plus microSDXC 64GB6474.1$52.99
SanDisk Extreme Plus 95/90 MB/s U3 V30 microSDHC 32GB3274.1$15.95
SanDisk Extreme Pro UHS-II 275MB/s microSDXC 64GB6474.0$68.13
SanDisk Extreme Plus 100MB/s A1 microSDHC 32GB3273.9$11.95
SanDisk Extreme Pro 95MB/s U3 V30 32GB3273.6$12.99
PNY Pro Elite microSDXC 64GB6473.2$10.99
Patriot EP PRO microSDXC 64GB6472.9$33.17
Sony Ultra-High Durability Professional 64GB6472.7$75.07
Kingston U3 90/80 MB/s 256GB25672.0$144.00
Samsung PRO Plus microSDXC 128GB12871.4
Lexar Professional 1000x UHS-II 32GB3269.7$44.99
Lexar Professional 1000x UHS-II 128GB12869.0$54.95
Lexar Professional 1000x UHS-II Rev B 32GB3268.0$44.99
Sony 95MB/s U3 64GB6467.9$34.99
Lexar Professional 1000x UHS-II 64GB6467.8$47.40
Lexar Professional 1000x UHS-II Rev C 128GB12866.7$54.95
Lexar Professional 1800x microSD UHS-II 32GB3266.0$29.95
Delkin Black 32GB3266.0
Samsung EVO Select microSDXC 256GB25665.8$60.50
Kingston Canvas Go! V30 256GB25665.7$62.28
Delkin Elite 633x 32GB3265.5$19.99
Toshiba Exceria Pro N401 95/75 MB/s 128GB12865.5$113.47
Sony 95MB/s U3 32GB3265.5$15.99
Lexar Professional 1800x microSD UHS-II 128GB12865.2$199.99
SanDisk Extreme 90MB/s U3 V30 microSDHC 32GB3265.0$10.28
Kingston Canvas Go! V30 64GB6465.0$30.90
Kingston U3 90/80 MB/s 128GB12865.0$49.28
Verbatim Pro Plus V30 64GB6464.7$26.29
Toshiba FlashAir W-04 64GB6464.5$220.00
Polaroid Extreme Performance 95/90 MB/s 64GB6464.3$50.00
Kingston Canvas React V30 64GB6464.3$10.99
Kingston Canvas React V30 256GB25664.2$166.99
Kingston Canvas React V30 128GB12864.0$66.58
PNY Elite-X microSDHC 32GB3262.6$19.99
SanDisk Extreme 100MB/s A1 microSDXC 64GB6462.4$13.50
SanDisk Extreme 90MB/s U3 V30 microSDXC 64GB6462.1$11.25
SanDisk Extreme 100MB/s A1 microSDHC 32GB3261.5$10.36
SanDisk Extreme 90MB/s U3 V30 128GB12858.2$21.99
SanDisk Extreme Plus 90MB/s U3 V30 32GB3257.7$18.92
PNY Elite Performance U3 64GB6457.7$20.26
PNY Elite-X microSDXC 64GB6457.4$23.99
SanDisk Extreme Plus 90MB/s U3 V30 64GB6457.3$35.99
Transcend 500S V30 64GB6456.8$29.99
SanDisk Extreme 100MB/s A1 microSDXC 128GB12856.7$23.99
SanDisk Extreme 90MB/s U3 V30 256GB25656.7$61.77
SanDisk Extreme 90MB/s U3 V30 microSDXC 128GB12856.4$55.88
Transcend 600x 128GB12856.4$18.95
Transcend 95/60 MB/s U3 256GB25655.3$172.91
Transcend 500S V30 128GB12853.3$55.99
Lexar Professional 1000x UHS-II microSD 128GB12852.6$168.00
Lexar Professional 633x U3 256GB25652.5$51.97
Lexar Professional 1000x UHS-II Rev C 64GB6452.3$47.40
Lexar Professional 1000x UHS-II 256GB25649.0$89.99
SanDisk Extreme 90MB/s U3 V30 64GB6448.0$15.99
SanDisk Extreme 90MB/s U3 V30 32GB3247.1$10.42
Lexar Professional 1000x UHS-II microSD 64GB6445.1$29.95
Lexar Professional 1000x microSD UHS-II 32GB3244.3$19.99
Kingston Class 10 256GB25642.6$161.52
Panasonic MicroP2 UHS-II 32GB3241.2
SanDisk Ultra 80MB/s 32GB3235.0$8.76
PNY Elite Performance U1 32GB3233.7
SanDisk Ultra 80MB/s microSD 128GB12833.4$14.97
PNY Elite microSDXC 128GB12829.8$36.99
Lexar Professional 633x U1 128GB12828.9$17.95
Samsung EVO Select microSDXC 64GB6427.8$22.99
PNY Elite microSDXC 64GB6425.8$27.98
Lexar Professional 633x U1 64GB6423.7$12.99
Lexar Professional 633x microSDXC 64GB6423.2$9.99
Kingston Canvas Select 64GB6422.6$14.04
SanDisk Ultra 80MB/s 128GB12820.0$19.69
SanDisk Ultra 80MB/s 32GB Card 23219.5$8.76
Lexar Professional 633x microSDXC 128GB12819.3$15.99
Lexar Professional 633x U1 32GB3219.1$9.99
Samsung EVO Select microSDXC 128GB12818.8$59.95
Samsung EVO Plus 128GB microSDXC12818.8$49.00
SanDisk Ultra 80MB/s microSD 64GB6417.7$11.68
SanDisk Ultra 90MB/s microSD 200GB20015.3$58.50
SanDisk Ultra 80MB/s 64GB6414.3$9.98

Analysis of Memory Card Testing in the Fuji X-T3

The Fuji X-T3 measured up to 169.5MB/s average write speed during continuous shooting of uncompressed RAW images. The camera supports UHS-II as well as UHS-I mode SDR104. The highest write speed using UHS-I cards was 77.1MB/s. Buffer capacity when shooting 56.1MB uncompressed RAW images was from 34 to 43 shots; the fastest cards fastest cards provided up to 43 shots, while the slowest card provided only 34 shots before the frame rate slowed.

The most notable difference between SD cards is experienced after the buffer has reaches capacity. In this condition fast cards provide up to 3 fps uncompressed RAW while the slowest cards only provide 0.25 fps.

Switching to 34.2MB compressed RAW images, the camera captured up to 52 shots at full frame rate with the fastest card before dropping to a lower frame rate of 4.6 fps for 38 shots, then 3.2 fps for the remainder.

Shooting 16.1MB JPEG images the camera captured up to 262 shots at full frame rate (11.1fps) using the fastest card, then dropped to 7.3 fps for the remainder. Using slower cards reduces these numbers.

Using Multiple SD Cards in the X-T3

Mode: Overflow - writing to one cardImages in 30 Seconds
RAW (uncompressed)
Sony Tough SF-G UHS-II 64GB117
Lexar 2000x UHS-II 64GB117
SanDisk Extreme Pro 95MB/s U3 V30 64GB71
Mode: Backup Card 1 & Card 2Images in 30 Seconds
RAW (uncompressed)
Sony Tough SF-G UHS-II 64GB (Card 1)
Lexar 2000x UHS-II 64GB (Card 2)
114
Sony Tough SF-G UHS-II 64GB (Card 1)
SanDisk Extreme Pro 95MB/s U3 V30 64GB (Card 2)
71
Mode: RAW Card 1 / JPEG Card 2Images in 30 Seconds
RAW / JPEG
Sony Tough SF-G UHS-II 64GB (Card 1: RAW)
Lexar 2000x UHS-II 64GB (Card 2: JPEG)
111
Sony Tough SF-G UHS-II 64GB (Card 1: RAW)
SanDisk Extreme Pro 95MB/s U3 V30 64GB (Card 2: JPEG)
110
Sony Tough SF-G UHS-II 64GB (Card 1: RAW)
SanDisk Extreme 90MB/s U3 V30 64GB (Card 2: JPEG)
110

The Fuji X-T3 has two cards slots. Both slots support UHS-II. Setting the camera to backup mode where the same images are written to both cards, using the fastest two cards from these results, the camera was able to capture 114 uncompressed RAW shots in 30 seconds. This is only slightly less than the 117 captured when writing to only one of the cards individually. When writing RAW to one card and JPEG to the second card, a total of 111 images were captured in 30 seconds.

Switching to a slower card in Slot 2, the SanDisk Extreme Pro 95MB/s UHS-I V30 64GB card, and setting the card to backup mode where the same uncompressed RAW images are written to both, a total of 71 shots were captured. This is the same as writing to the slower card alone. When a slower card is used in the second slot in backup mode, that card becomes the limiting factor.

When writing RAW to Slot 1 with a fast card and JPEG to Slot 2 with a slower card, the SanDisk Extreme Pro 95MB/s UHS-I V30 64GB card, the camera captured 110 shots in 30 seconds. There is little penalty when using a slower card in the second slot provided the card can still sustain the write speed for smaller JPEG images. Switching the card in Slot 2 to the SanDisk Extreme 90MB/s U3 V30 64GB, the camera still captured 110 shots in 30 seconds.

Comparison of Image Mode: Shots in 30 Seconds

Image ModeImages in 30 Seconds
RAW (uncompressed)117
RAW (uncompressed) + JPEG fine96
RAW (compressed)140
RAW (compressed) + JPEG fine117
RAW (compressed) + JPEG normal124
JPEG fine309

RAW uncompressed: 56.1MB, RAW compressed: 34.2MB, JPEG normal 16.1MB, JPEG fine 10.7MB

Recommended SD Cards for the Fuji X-T3

Lexar Professional 2000x UHS-II 64GB SDXC Card
Lexar Professional 2000x UHS-II 64GB SDXC Card
Sony Tough SF-G UHS-II V90 64GB SDXC Card
Sony Tough SF-G UHS-II V90 64GB SDXC Card
Sony SF-G UHS-II 64GB SDXC Card
Sony SF-G UHS-II 64GB SDXC Card

The fastest card measured in the X-T3 was the Lexar 2000x UHS-II 64GB SDXC card which averaged 169.5 MB/s during continuous shooting. Following this were the Sony Tough SF-G, and Sony SF-G cards. Delkin Power, and SanDisk Extreme Pro, Integral UltimaProX2 UHS-II V90, ProGrade 250MB/s UHS-II V90 64GB, Verbatim Pro II Plus, Adata Premier One, Transcend 700S and Toshiba Exceria Pro. Among UHS-I cards, the fastest cards were various capacities of the SanDisk Extreme Pro 95MB/s UHS-I cards.

Fuji X-T3 USB Type-C cable to download from camera

Transferring images from the X-T3

The Fuji X-T3 has a USB Type-C port that can be used to transfer images directly from the camera. In testing, downloading images from the camera by USB to a USB 3.1 port averaged 53.0 MB/s transfer rate when downloading 5.5GB of RAW images. Much faster transfers are possible using UHS-II card readers, up to 250MB/s read speed when transferring RAW images. Card Reader Reviews compare card reader performance with different memory cards.