What Does V30 Mean on SD Card? SD Card Speed Ratings Explained

Micro SD cards have become a vital part of several electronic devices, including smartphones, tablets, drones, and cams.

When buying a Micro SD card, you might come across technical terms such as “V30,” which is usually printed on the product description, or the card’s exterior, which can perplex potential buyers. This guide will demystify what v30 means on an SD card and give straightforward meanings to different speed classes and ratings.

Understanding SD Card Speed Classes

SD cards have different speed classifications that indicate the minimum write speeds they support. This helps consumers pick the right card for their intended use case. The main SD card classes and SD card speeds are:

Speed Class

The standard Speed Class rating specifies the minimum writing speed of an SD card in MB/s. Common SD card speeds are 2, 4, 6, and 10, with higher numbers indicating faster writing speeds. Class 10 SD cards have a minimum write speed of 10MB/s and are recommended for full HD video recording.

UHS Speed Class

UHS (Ultra High Speed) is an additional classification that supports faster bus interfaces on SD cards. UHS-I cards support up to 104MB/s bus speed, while UHS-II cards can handle up to 312MB/s, and class 10 SD card is usually capable of 10MB/s.

Within UHS, there are further speed grades U3 vs U1 SD card:

• U1 cards have a minimum write speed of 10MB/s
• U3 cards support minimum 30MB/s write speed

So, U3 SD cards are faster than U1 and are ideal for 4K video recording and burst photography.

Video Speed Class

The Video Speed Class specifies the minimum writing speed for high-resolution video recording.

• V6 cards support minimum 6MB/s write speed
• V10 cards support 10MB/s
• V30 cards have minimum 30MB/s write speed
• V60 supports 60MB/s minimum write speed
• V90 SD card support 90MB/s minimum write speed

Higher V class cards allow video to be recorded at higher bit rates with minimal dropped frames.

What Does V30 Mean on SD Card?

V30 is a Video Speed Class rating printed on MicroSD cards that guarantees a minimum writing speed of 30MB/s. So, any card with a V30 marking supports a write speed of 30 megabytes per second or higher.

What does v30 mean on Micro SD card? V30 SD cards are optimized for recording high-bitrate 4K, UHD, and full HD video without dropped frames or lags. The fast write speed also enables shooting bursts of high-resolution images in quick succession.

V30 MicroSD Card Comparison

Here is how V30 cards compare to other video speed classes:

• V6 cards are too slow for 4K video. They can only handle HD or lower resolution.
• V10 cards can support 4K video but may have dropped frames and performance issues with very high bitrate 4K or UHD recording.
• V30 SD cards are recommended for stable 4K video recording at higher bitrates with no lag. They support the full capabilities of action cams and drones that shoot 4K or UHD video.
• V60 and V90 cards are overkill for 4K video. The extra write speed does not provide tangible improvements. They are meant for 8K recording and 360-degree VR capture, which requires very high bitrates.

So, for most 4K shooting uses, V30 SD cards offer the ideal combination of speed and value. Unless you plan to record 8K video, V30 cards are fast enough for smooth 4K and full HD video capture.

When to Use V30 SD Cards

V30 SD cards can be utilized in various scenarios, including the following:

Video Recording

V30 SD cards are ideal for recording 4K UHD and full HD video without dropped frames, especially at higher bitrates. They allow you to fully utilize the video capabilities of DSLR, mirrorless, and compact cameras.

Photography

The fast write speed of V30 cards enables shooting bursts of 20+ Megapixel images in quick succession without slowing down. This is useful for action photography.

VR

V30 cards seamlessly support 360-degree VR video recording at 4K resolution. Some VR cameras may even require V30 speed class cards.

Security and Surveillance

Surveillance cameras with 4K sensors can leverage V30 SD cards to record sharp UHD video smoothly without running into speed bottlenecks.

How to Identify a V30 SD Card

It’s easy to identify V30 SD cards when shopping online or in-store—simply look for the V30 marking on the card itself or in the product description. The writing speed will also be listed clearly.

Some other indicators:

• UHS-I U3 - U3 cards support 30MB/s speed, so they are also V30 compliant.
• 4K support - If a card mentions compatibility with 4K video, it is most likely V30 or above.
• High capacity - V30 cards often come in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB, and higher capacities are ideal for 4K video storage.

SD Card U1 vs. U3: What’s the Difference?

UHS-I U1 and U3 refer to Ultra High-Speed bus interface SD card highest speed defined below:

• U1: Minimum 10MB/s write speed
• U3: Minimum 30MB/s write speed

The U1 SD card class is slower than the U3. U1 works for full HD video, while U3 is optimized for 4K recording. The U3 specification meets the V30 standard, so U3 cards can be used interchangeably with V30 cards.

Bonus: Best Security Camera Compatible with V30 MicroSD Cards

The Argus PT battery-powered security camera is an excellent choice to pair with V30 SD cards. This 5MP outdoor WiFi camera can record sharp 2K+ Super HD video, which V30 cards can easily handle. It has pan/tilt functionality for full 360-degree coverage.

The camera runs on battery or solar power, allowing flexible placement anywhere outdoors. With V30 card support, the Argus PT’s color night vision feature reliably captures and stores high-quality security footage even in low-light conditions.

FAQs

Is V30 enough for 4K?

Yes, V30 meets the speed requirements for recording 4K UHD video smoothly at high bitrates without lag, stutter, or dropped frames. Faster standards like V60 and V90 offer no real-world speed advantage for 4K video.

What is the difference between U3 and V30 SD cards?

U3 and V30 refer to the same minimum write speed of 30MB/second, so U3 and V30 SD cards have equivalent performance. Check for either rating on the card to confirm it supports 30MB/s speed.

What does the V number mean on SD cards?

The V number refers to the Video Speed Class. V6 means a minimum writing speed of 6MB/s, V10 is 10MB/s, V30 is 30MB/s, and so on. Higher V numbers denote faster video recording speeds.

Conclusion

The minimum write speed for MicroSD cards with the V30 marking is 30MB/s. This provides an optimized rate of at least 30MB/s for recording 4K UHD video without glitches or lags. Though there may be faster ones like V60 and V90, when it comes to supporting smooth footage on different devices and use cases such as drones, VR 360 cameras, action cams, DSLRs, etc., V30 does the trick just right.

Have you ever noticed the "V30" symbol on a microSD card? Do you know what it means? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Let's discuss it together!