Best SD Cards for DJI Mini 4 Pro

Welcome to our review of the best SD Cards for the DJI Mini 4 Pro.

Referring to many of DJI’s recommended cards, we’ve used and tested a handful of SD cards found on Amazon, looking at key features such as read/write speed, overall data capacity, durability, and value for the money.

These 5 were the best of the cards tested.

When out in the field, either taking photos and videos recreationally or for paying clients, the last thing you want is to get home and find that the SD card in your Mini 4 Pro did not save your media, or the media managed to save but is corrupt and unrecoverable!

Although data corruption can and does happen for a variety of reasons, including the current outdoor conditions when filming, choosing one of these 5 SD cards ensures you get quality cards that minimize the chance of data corruption, as well as perform consistently in the manner and speeds needed to capture the moments you envision.

Ready to capture and retain stunning content, regardless of the environmental conditions you are shooting in? Keep reading.

Quick Verdict #

If you are searching for an SD card and have an idea of what you’re looking for, here’s a quick overview of our choices for best SD cards:

1. Best all-around SD card – SanDisk 256GB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I
2. Best drone-specific SD card – Kingston 256GB Canvas Go Plus 
3. Best budget-conscience SD card – Lexar Professional 1066x 256GB microSDXC UHS-I
4. Best durable SD cards – SAMSUNG EVO Select 256GB microSDXC UHS-I, U3, A2, V30
5. Best Pro-Grade SD card – Angelbird AV PRO 128 GB microSD XC UHS-II V60  

» MORE: Understanding SD Cards for Drones (Explained For Beginners)

Best All-Around SD Card – SanDisk Extreme #

• Multiple capacities available from 32 GB to 1 TB
• Offload speeds of up to 190MB/s 
• Up to 130MB/s write speeds
• 4K and 5K UHD-ready with UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and Video Speed Class 30 (V30)

The SanDisk Extreme line of SD cards is versatile and perfect for those looking for a card that can be used and swapped between their drone(s), action, and ground cameras, such as Sony, Canon, Fuji, and Nikon.

The SanDisk Extreme card is perfect for beginner photographers, at 32 GB and 64 GB, with the varying storage options available.

Enthusiasts will likely use the 128 GB and 256 GB sized cards, while Professionals may want the added capacity of the 512 GB to 1 TB options.

Because I tend to use multiple cards for individual clients, based on the current project, I generally stick with the 128 GB and 256 GB SD card options, although the DJI Mini 4 Pro can accommodate cards up to 512 GB.

Because of the versatility and read/write speeds of their SD cards, for years, I have personally used SanDisk Extreme SD cards for all of my client work and have never had an issue with any aspect of their use.

Our Pick

» MORE: Best SD Cards for DJI Mavic 3 (Classic / Pro / Cine)

Best Drone-Specific SD Card – Kingston Canvas Go Plus #

• Read speed up to 170MB/s and write speed up to 70MB/s 
• Speed Class 10, UHS-I, V30, A2 for high-performance and full HD video recording
• Made specifically for use with Action Cameras and Drones
• Waterproof, magnet-proof, temperature-proof, and X-Ray-proof

For those looking for an SD card that performs equally well in a DSLR, Mirrorless, Action camera, or drone, the Kingston Canvas Go Plus will fit the bill.

Testing on the Kingston Canvas Go Plus series of cards, another DJI-recommended card, has shown that, unlike many lower-cost SD cards, the Canvas Go cards perform at the read/write speeds advertised.

This is something camera owners (drones included) can appreciate.

The fast read and write speeds ensure that media is recording quickly (as is especially the case with Burst and AEB shooting), and that it is resistant to the various conditions we as drone owners might be shooting in, as Canvas Go cards are waterproof, magnet-proof, and temperature-proof.

Drone Specific

» MORE: Best SD Cards for DJI Mini 2 SE

Best Budget-Conscience SD Card – Lexar Professional 1066x #

• Read speeds up to 160MB/s (1066x)
• Professional-level performance for action cameras and drones
• Budget-friendly
• Multiple capacities available from 64 GB to 1 TB

As another DJI-recommended SD card, the Lexar Professional 1066x does not disappoint.

What makes the Lexar Professional series a viable choice for drone owners is its combination of speed, capacity choices, and, more importantly to some, its cost, especially as it is considered a “professional-use” card.

As product pricing fluctuates regularly, the Lexar Professional series continues to maintain a baseline price less than that of most of the cards listed in this best-of article.

As tested, the Lexar SD card has faster write speeds than the Kensington card above, but conversely, slightly slower read speeds.

The slight difference in speed, however, shouldn’t deter you, as the Lexar Professional 1066x, in its various size capacities, is an excellent choice for those on a budget.

» MORE: Best SD Cards for DJI Air 3

Best Durable SD Card – SAMSUNG EVO Select  #

• Transfer speeds of up to 130MB/s
• Optimized for app performance
• Water, temperature, X-ray, magnet, drop, and wear-out protection
• 10-year limited warranty

When it comes to cards for drones, or any outdoor camera, you’ll want something that is tried and tested regarding the elements. The Samsung Evo Select shines in this category.

While the Evo Select SD card might not be the fastest card of the bunch regarding reading and writing speeds, it more than makes up for it in the durability department.

Samsung Evo Select cards are protected against water, temperature extremes, X-rays (perfect when going through security in airports with your drone), magnets, drops, and wear.

As a side note, the Evo Select cards can even sit in saltwater for a limited time and show no signs of damage.

Samsung stands behind these cards and offers a 10-year warranty covering various damage and malfunction.

» MORE: Best SD Cards for DJI Avata

Best Pro Grade SD Card – Angelbird AV PRO microSD V60 #

• For larger video and photo productions
• Made for drones, action, 360, and POV cameras
• Supports Full HD, 4K, and 6K video recording
• Read speed of 280 MB/s

While not on DJI’s recommended list, the Angelbird line of SD cards is regarded by professionals as an essential card when doing professional work.

The costs of these cards are more than other cards in this list, at the same storage capacities.

Geared toward the filming industry, such as movies and television, the Anglebird series are V60 cards, with a specific focus on video, primarily the HD and 4k market.

The Anglebird AV Pro only has the following storage capacities:

• 64 GB
• 128 GB
• 256 GB
• 512 GB

This is about 2/3 the variety of other capacities cards on this list have. However, considering the Mini 4 Pro tops out at accepting 512 GB cards, this really isn’t an issue.

This only becomes an issue if you want a smaller, 32 GB capacity card for your drone, which wouldn’t house much 4k content at that size to begin with.

Professional

» MORE: What SD Card Do I Need for DJI Air 2S?

Buying Guide #

We’ve included this short buying guide to help you understand the common specifications and verbiage related to SD cards, which should help you make a better decision.

SD Card Capacities #

As SD cards are not generally used as a permanent home for data, the main purpose of an SD card is to record and temporarily house the images and videos from the Mini 4 Pro at any particular time.

The media is then transferred to a computer or device for either editing, sharing online or with friends, or delivering to clients.

When considering how much space will be needed for an SD card, consider how you would use the card.

When looking for SD cards, it is good to determine if you are someone who flies a lot, takes tons of pictures and 4k videos, and then leaves the footage on an SD card for quite a while.

Or, do you shoot loads of footage and regularly transfer the content to a computer for eventual editing?

If you plan on leaving media on the SD card for a while before accessing it, then a higher-capacity card over 128 GB is the answer.

On the other hand, if you download content regularly to a computer or portable drive, having multiple, lower-capacity, cost-effective cards of 128 GB or less might be the answer.

Below is a comparison chart of the most used and popular sizes of SD cards. This can help in determining the right-sized card for your Mini 4 Pro.

The chart is based on the Mini 4 Pro’s maximum 48 MP photo option at 98MB/photo, rounded up to an even 100MB, and the 12 MP photo option at 25MB/Photo.

» MORE: How to Format SD Cards in DJI Drones (Quick Steps with Photos)

Photo Storage Examples #

Card Size (GB) 48MP 100MB Photo 12MP 25MB Photo32320128064640204812812805120256256010240512512020480

Below is a comparison chart of how much storage is used in shooting various lengths of 4k 60fps video footage.

» MORE: Best DJI Mini 3 Pro SD Cards

Video Storage Examples #

Video length****Size at 4K/60 FPS – 150 Mbps60 seconds1.09 GB5 minutes5.45 GB10 minutes10.9 GB30 minutes32.7 GB1 hour65.4 GB5 hours327 GB8 hours523.2 GB

» MORE: Best DJI Mini 3 SD Cards

Read/Write Speed #

U1 & U3 #

On the front of SD cards, there will be an image of a bucket with U1 or U3. These are the UHS speed class ratings.

UHS Speed Class 1 supports 10MB/write speed as a minimum, while a UHS Speed Class 3 has a minimum of 30 MB/write speed.

These numbers are significant, as a U3 card is generally required when shooting 4k videos.

Even if you are not planning on filming 4k+ video, having U3 cards, with a speed advantage over U1 cards, is beneficial at times for taking photographs.

The speed benefit for taking pictures on the Mini 4 Pro comes into play when doing 3-5 frame AEB (auto exposure bracketing) and burst shooting, as the images in these modes write very quickly to the card, without the pauses of a slower U1 card.

This all means that you’ll want a UHS-I U3 card for your Mini 4 Pro.

Without going into all of the detailed and technical information, you’ll basically want to purchase the fastest, best-quality card that fits your budget.

» MORE: All About SD Cards for DJI Mavic Mini and Mini 2 Drones

Video Speed Class (V) #

The Mini 4 Pro takes not only excellent photos, it also shoots 10-bit 4k video, at varying frames per second (fps).

Because of this, the video speed class of an SD card is important. Video Speed Class ratings were specifically made for HD video recording.

SD cards with a video speed class rating are ideal, as they are the faster available cards for video, able to read, write, and store high-level media content.

Cards with Video Speed Class designations can handle various videos, such as 8K video, action cam footage, and other types.

When looking at an SD card V ratings, they are as follows:

• (V6) Video Speed Class 6: Minimum write speed = 6MB/s
• (V10) Video Speed Class 10: Minimum write speed = 10MB/s
• (V30) Video Speed Class 30: Minimum write speed = 30MB/s
• (V60) Video Speed Class 60: Minimum write speed = 60MB/s
• (V90) Video Speed Class 90: Minimum write speed = 90MB/s

If you plan to do commercial work for clients, whether photos or videos, you’ll want an SD card with a V rating of at least 30. If doing professional-level recording for the TV or Movie industries, a V60 card will prove to be more beneficial.

» MORE: What SD Card Do I Need for DJI FPV?

Conclusion: Best SD Card for the Mini 4 Pro #

While we only focused on five makes of SD cards, there are many more that will fit the needs for the Mini 4 Pro.

Our overall number one pick is the SanDisk Extreme line.

For the average drone pilot, the SanDisk Extreme line of cards will work well. With various storage capacities and decent read and write speeds, you cannot go wrong.

As mentioned, I have used and continue to use the SanDisk line personally and for paying client projects, and they have never failed me. I highly recommend them.

However, if you are looking for an extremely durable and rugged card, the Samsung Evo line is a sure choice.

Add in the benefit of a 10-year warranty against damage and card malfunction, and you can fly with peace of mind.

Additionally, if providing footage for the Television or Movie industry, the professional-level Anglebird SD cards, with support for 8k video, will be a logical choice.

Regardless of which of our five best SD cards you choose for your Mini 4 Pro, they will be able to quickly record and save the images and content you need, when you need it.

» MORE: SD Cards for DJI Drones (What You Need to Know)