Best Canon PowerShot SX1 IS SD Memory Card

The Canon SX1 IS can use SD memory cards. 32GB is the largest capacity SD card that is compatible with the SX1 IS.

MMCplus and MultiMediaCard (MMC) can also be used. However, they are not produced anymore. If you have one, you can use it. If you don’t have one, do not buy one, they will be more expensive than an SD card.

SD memory cards described as SDXC or SDUC are not going to function in the SX1 IS. These cards are easy to avoid as they are 64GB or larger in size.

The SDHC format was announced in 2006. All 32GB cards that are currently being produced will have almost identical performance. You cannot go wrong buying the cheapest class 10 name brand card. At the time of writing this, the PNY Elite 32GB SD memory card has the best price.

Recommended SX1 IS SD Cards

Listed below are memory cards that are compatible with the SX1 IS. With all of the cards listed below, you will not have to be worried about memory card errors or slow performance.

• Sequential read speed of up to 100MB/s
• Class 10, U1 rating delivers speed and performance for full HD photography and HD videography.
• V10 video speed rating to capture uninterrupted HD video at 1920x1080 format
• Compatible with point & shoot cameras, DSLR cameras, standard & advanced HD-enabled video cameras, and more
• Reliable & Durable: Magnet Proof, Shock Proof, Temperature Proof, Waterproof

• Quick transfer read speeds up to 90MB/s.
• Write speeds are not capable of recording 4k video.
• Class 10 rating for Full HD video (1080p).
• Waterproof, temperature proof, X-ray Proof, magnet-Proof, and shockproof.

• UHS Speed Class 1 (U1) supports Full HD video and burst shots. 130MB/s transfer speeds1 let you upload footage to your PC in an instant.
• Built to survive tough conditions and heavy usage, whether you’re at home, outside, or on the go. Backed by 10-year limited warranty.
• Highly durable with comprehensive 7-proof protection.
• Backed by a 10 year warranty.

Best SD Cards

Good quality memory cards are produced by both Lexar and SanDisk. Low-priced generic brand names should be avoided.

Memory card problems, such as a complete loss of all your photographs as a result of file corruption, is more likely to happen with low-priced cards. The decrease in build quality is not worth the minimal amount of savings.

In the case that you want to cut down on costs, buy a memory card with a smaller capacity. They generally are a tad lower in price and you won’t need to fret about the SD card having data failure.

Be aware that, SD card failures are very rare. Only a couple cards have become unusable out of the various I have acquired over time. Age could have added to the failure, as the SD cards were included with previously owned cameras.

Canon SX1 IS SD Card Compatibility

The Canon SX1 IS is only capable of using SD memory cards. There are currently four separate technical specs of Secure Digital (SD) cards. Each updated memory card specification increases the transfer rates and max capacity when compared to the previous spec.

Secure Digital memory card readers are backward compatible. A card reader built into a digital camera that can use SDXC cards will also be able to use SDHC and SD memory cards.

The card reader in the Canon SX1 IS will only work with the first and second SD card specifications. SDUC or SDXC cards are not going to work.

• Secure Digital (SD) - These memory cards have a maximum capacity of 2GB and are compatible with the SX1 IS.
• Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) - The capacity of these memory cards range from 4GB to 32GB and are also compatible with the SX1 IS.
• Secure Digital eXtended Capacity (SDXC) - The capacity of these memory cards range from 64GB to 2TiB.
• Secure Digital Ultra Capacity (SDUC) - The capacity of these memory cards range from 4TiB to 128TiB.

Canon SX1 IS Memory Card Full Error

Trying to use an SD card that is 64GB or larger in size in the SX1 IS will result in the camera to display an error.

Use an SD card which has a storage capacity of 32GB or less to resolve the problem.

If you are using an SD memory card that has a storage capacity less than 32GB, and it is not working, format the SD memory card while it is in the camera.

Speed, Class, & Capacity

SD Card Image Capacity

Here is an estimation of how many large JPEGs you could expect to fit on an SD memory card.

• 4GB - 1920 images
• 8GB - 3840 images
• 16GB - 7680 images
• 32GB - 15360 images

Memory Card Speed

Speed ratings for SD memory cards are established by the sequential read and write speeds. The speed of the memory card is important when many shots need to be written or read from the SD memory card.

SD Card Speed Class Rating

The Class speed rating of an SD memory card is determined by the sustained write speed of the SD card. A Class speed rating of 2 means that the SD card can maintain a write speed of at least 2MB per second.

• Class 2 - 2MB/s
• Class 4 - 4MB/s
• Class 6 - 6MB/s
• Class 8 - 8MB/s
• Class 10 - 10MB/s

The highest rating an SD card can obtain is Class 10. There are SD cards that are substantially faster than 10MB/s. Those memory cards use other solutions, such as UHS (Ultra Highspeed Bus), that have a separate rating criteria.

Sustained write speeds of 2MB, 4MB, 6MB, or 8MB per second means the card has a speed class of 2, 4, 6, or 8. Cards that have write speeds of 10MB/s or faster are rated as Class 10.

MultiMediaCard Compatibility

The MultiMediaCard specification was established in 1997 by SanDisk and Siemens AG. MMC cards look like a thinner SD memory card.

MMC cards that will be able to work in the Canon SX1 IS include the first 2 generations. Suitable memory cards will be labeled as MMC or MMCplus. Later generations are not going to work with the Canon SX1 IS

I wouldn’t recommend buying any MMC cards. Compatible MMC cards for the SX1 IS are not currently being built. For that reason, they are difficult to come across pre-owned and pricey.

Conclusion

Buy an SD memory card for the Canon SX1 IS based on price. An expensive card isn’t going to improve performance. As long as it is a speed class 10 card, you will be fine. My recommendation is the PNY Elite 32GB SD memory card.