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SanDisk’s SD memory cards are among the best on the market. However, it’s difficult to tell at a glance which one is better or which one to choose, as they come in many varieties.
Perhaps you’ve been wondering about what the difference is between the SanDisk Extreme and the Extreme Pro. Or, maybe you want to know more before spending money on either.
In this article, we’ll take a look at SanDisk’s Extreme and Extreme Pro SD cards to find out which one is the best choice for you.
SanDisk Extreme | SanDisk Extreme Pro | |
|---|---|---|
Capacity options | 16GB / 32GB / 64GB / 128GB / 256GB | 32GB / 64GB / 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB |
Card types | SDHC / SDXC | SDHC / SDXC |
Bus types | UHS-I | UHS-I / UHS-II |
Speed classes | Class 10 | Class 10 |
Video speed classes | V30 | V30 / V90 |
UHS speed class | U3 | U3 |
Max read speeds | 90MB/s, 150MB/s | 95MB/s, 170MB/s, 300MB/s |
Max write speeds | 40MB/s, 60MB/s, 70MB/s | 90MB/s, 260MB/s |
Durability | Temperature/water/shock/x-ray proof | Temperature/water/shock/x-ray proof |
Price | $ | $$ / $$$ |
When looking at the SanDisk Extreme Pro vs. Sandisk Extreme, we can see that they share very similar specs. They both come in SDHC and SDXC variants, and they share the same bus type, video speed class, and UHS speed class. Additionally, they both can withstand extreme conditions like high temperatures, water submersion, shocks, and x-ray exposure.
The SanDisk Extreme Pro UHS-I has a maximum read speed (a.k.a. transfer speed) of up to 170MB/s compared to the 150MB/s of the SanDisk Extreme. However, the Extreme Pro also comes in a UHS-II type version which has a maximum read speed of up to 300MB/s.
The SanDisk Extreme Pro UHS-I has a maximum write speed (a.k.a. shot speed) of up to 90MB/s compared to the 70MB/s of the SanDisk Extreme. The Extreme Pro UHS-II takes it a step further with a maximum shot speed of up to 260MB/s.
When comparing the price of the SanDisk Extreme vs. Pro, the latter is more expensive. This is due to the faster read and write speeds of the Extreme Pro SD cards.
If you’re an average hobbyist who doesn’t mind waiting a little longer to transfer your files and or are on a budget, then the Extreme memory card could be the one for you. It might take a little longer, but it will save you some money.
If you’re a professional, however, you’re more likely to be transferring a high volume of large files. So, investing in the more expensive Extreme Pro might be the way to go.
There are five different storage capacity options that you can choose from with the SanDisk Extreme series: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB. The 16GB and 32GB cards are SDHC while the 64GB to 256GB capacity cards are SDXC.
SanDisk’s Extreme UHS-I cards can withstand operating temperatures from -13F to 185F (-25C to 85C). They are waterproof at a depth of 1m for 72 hours in salt- or freshwater. They are capable of withstanding 500Gs of shock. Lastly, they are immune to x-rays, which means they won’t get damaged when going through airport security.
SanDisk’s Extreme memory cards are less expensive than the Extreme Pro SD cards. This is mainly due to the lower transfer speeds.
However, this does not mean that the Extreme memory cards won’t do the job. In fact, both hobby photographers and professional photographers have praised the SanDisk Extreme’s durability and long lifespan.
It really depends on what you are going to use the card for and your budget. If you don’t need exceptionally large storage and don’t mind waiting slightly longer for transferring files, then the SanDisk Extreme memory card should do just fine.
✅ Read speeds of up to 150 MB/s
✅ Write speeds of up to 70MB/s
✅ More budget-friendly
❌ More budget-friendly
When comparing the SanDisk Extreme Pro vs. Sandisk Extreme, you’ll see that the former has higher overall specs which means better performance.
The SanDisk Extreme Pro is the upgraded version of the SanDisk Extreme. This SD card was made with professionals in mind who do a lot of 4K video capturing or take long burst shots. You can choose from higher max capacity options, up to 1TB.
The SanDisk Extreme Pro Series is unique in that it comes in two different bus types: UHS-I and UHS-II.
SanDisk’s Extreme Pro UHS-I memory card has upgraded capacities compared to the Extreme series. As its name suggests, it’s made for professional photographers. However, even if you are just an average hobbyist but are okay with spending more to get the performance to go with it, this is a worthwhile investment.
There are six different storage capacity options to choose from with the SanDisk Extreme Pro UHS-1 SD card: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. The 32GB card is an SDHC-type, while 64GB to 1TB cards are SDXC.
All Extreme Pro UHS-I cards are Class 10, U3, and V30. Much like its predecessor, the higher the capacity you choose, the faster read and write speed you’ll get:
These cards boast the same level of durability as SanDisk’s other memory cards, as they’re designed to withstand harsh conditions. These cards are waterproof, temperature-proof, x-ray proof, and shock-proof.
These cards can handle extreme temperatures from -13F (-25C) and up to 185F (85C). They can handle being submerged underwater for 72 hours at a depth of 1m as well as up to 500Gs of shock. Furthermore, they are x-ray proof. So, if you travel a lot, you won’t have to worry about them getting damaged when your luggage goes through airport security.
SanDisk’s Extreme Pro SD cards are more expensive than their Extreme counterparts. This comes as no surprise considering the higher max capacity options you can choose from, as well as higher speed and overall performance.
✅ Read speeds of up to 170MB/s
✅ Write speeds of up to 95MB/s
✅ Capacity of up to 1TB
❌ Costs more than the Extreme SD card
The UHS-II types drastically improve upon the previous UHS-I types. The Extreme Pro UHS-II cards basically skyrocket in performance. This upgrade was created for photographers who are capturing SHV 8K video.
The Extreme Pro UHS-II cards come in only three different capacities: 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB. The 32GB card is an SDHC-type, while the 64GB and 128GB cards are SDXC.
For these UHS-II types, all three cards are Class 10, U3, and V90. They also share the same maximum read speeds of up to 300MB/s, while the write speeds clock out at a whopping 260MB/s. This is double the transfer speed and nearly triple the write speed compared to the Extreme Pro UHS-I version.
Just like the other SanDisk memory cards, the Extreme Pro UHS-II cards can withstand extreme temperatures of -13F to 185F (-25C to 85C). If they get wet, you need not worry, as they are waterproof for up to 72 hours (3 days) at 1m. They can withstand 500Gs of shock, which is roughly equivalent to the weight of a steel wrench. On top of that, you can take them worry-free through airport security as they are x-ray proof.
The Extreme Pro UHS-II memory card types are more expensive than the Extreme and Extreme Pro UHS-I types. This is due to the even higher performance and read/write speeds of the UHS-II type memory cards. However, you sacrifice space as the max capacity of these cards only goes up to 128GB.
✅ Extremely high read/write speeds
✅ Amazing SHV 8K video capturing
❌ Highest capacity option is 128GB
❌ Can only be used with a compatible device
❌ Quite expensive
With UHS-I and UHS-II, the difference between the two is seen in the time it takes to transfer data. UHS-I has one row of pins and UHS-II has two rows. The more rows you have, the faster the data transfer.
The SanDisk Extreme Pro UHS-II, on the other hand, features a V90 speed class. This means that it is able to perform at a minimum sustained write speed of 90MB/s. SD cards with a V90 spec class can be used for Super Hi-Vision System (SHV) 8K video capturing.
SanDisk Ultra is the precursor to the Extreme and the Extreme Pro SD cards. The Ultra SD card was made primarily for phones, tablets, and point-and-shoot cameras.
While it shares the speed class, Class 10, it has a lower UHS speed class (U1) and video speed class (V10). The maximum read and write speeds are 120MB/s and 30MB/s respectively.
If you’re a professional photographer, you will most likely require an SD card that can handle fast write speeds. Faster read speeds are also critical if you want to spend less time waiting for your files to transfer. Having a larger storage capacity may also be essential as RAW files take up considerably more space.
However, if you are simply looking for an SD card that can hold more vacation photos and don’t mind the slower transfer-to-computer speeds, a high-performance SD card may not be necessary.
If you don’t mind spending a little more time transferring your photos to your computer, then the SanDisk Extreme SD card series would do just fine. They won’t break the bank and they’ll do the job right.
However, if you’re a professional photographer, then faster transfer times and higher shot speeds are key to getting your work done. This is where investing in the SanDisk Extreme Pro UHS-I would be a no-brainer.
If you want to take it even further and invest in an SD card that will last a very long time, then we suggest going for the Extreme Pro UHS-II.
⭐ Repair Rips, Tears & Fading
⭐ Colorize Black & White Photos
⭐ Order Prints To Your Door
⭐ 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
