Sony A390 Memory Cards: 32GB Limit Explained (Don't Overpay)

Before buying a memory card for your Sony A390, keep these essential rules in mind to avoid wasting money on incompatible gear:

• Strict 32GB Limit: The A390 cannot read modern SDXC cards (64GB or larger). A 64GB or larger card will trigger an error. The card won’t work.
• Stick to SDHC Cards: Memory card tech has improved massively since the camera launched in 2010, but you must stick to 32GB (or smaller) SDHC cards for compatibility.
• Skip Memory Sticks: While the camera accepts legacy Sony PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo cards, they are discontinued and overpriced. Modern SD cards are cheaper, faster, and far more reliable.

Looking for new glass, too? Check out my guide to fun, affordable Sony A390 lenses.

Sony A390 SD Card Compatibility

The Sony A390 is compatible with the SD and SDHC standards.

Make sure the camera is using the latest firmware.

The newest SDXC and SDUC cards will not work with the A390. They are too large and will cause an error.

• SD (Secure Digital) - 128MB to 2GB.
• SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) - 4GB to 32GB.
• SDXC (Secure Digital eXtended Capacity) - 64GB to 2TB.
• SDUC (Secure Digital Ultra Capacity) - 4TB to 128TB.

Image Capacity

Here’s the approximate image capacity for high-quality JPEGs from the 14.2 megapixel sensor:

• 4GB - 1,020
• 8GB - 2,040
• 16GB - 4,080
• 32GB - 8,160

Card Speed Class

Class rating is determined by sustained write speed. The rating will be shown as a number inside of a C on the label.

For example, as card that could write data at 5MB/s would get a Class 4 rating.

Class 10 card are likely much faster than 10MB/s. That’s why there are additional ratings for high resolution video.

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

Recommended SD Card Specs

A standard 32GB UHS-I SD card is the absolute sweet spot for the A390.

To get the best performance without wasting money, keep these key shopping tips in mind:

• Go with 32GB UHS-I: 32GB cards offer the best value per gigabyte while maxing out the camera’s storage capacity. UHS-I cards are inexpensive and easily read by modern computdaers and card readers.
• Skip expensive ultra-fast cards: The A390 has a modest internal write speed limit. Paying extra for extreme transfer speeds won’t speed up photo buffer times.
• Avoid UHS-II cards: The camera lacks the physical second-row pin hardware required to utilize UHS-II technology, making them an unnecessary expense.
• Never buy used memory cards: Flash storage degrades with use, and there is no reliable way to check how much read/write lifespan a pre-owned card has left. Stick to new cards to keep your photos safe.

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PNY Elite 32GB

• 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

SanDisk Ultra 32GB

• 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.

Transcend SDHC 32GB

• UHS Speed Class 1 (U1) supports Full HD video and burst shots.
• Ideal for digital cameras for daily life recording.
• Well-tested to withstand extreme conditions.

Sony A390 PRO Duo Memory Stick Compatibility

The Sony A390 can use PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo Memory Sticks. Those are a proprietary memory card format that Sony has discontinued.

PRO-HG are the fastest with read speeds up to 50MB/s and a 15MB/s minimum write speed. They will cost at least twice as much as an SD card.

If you have a Memory Stick, go ahead and use it.

I would not recommend purchasing a PRO Duo card. SD cards are easier to find, less expensive, come in larger capacities, and are compatible with more devices.

Ultra High Speed (UHS)

The Ultra High Speed bus (UHS) is available with SDHC, SDXC, and SDUC memory cards.

There are three different specifications that increase with maximum transfer rates.

UHS ratings are shown on a card label as a Roman number I, II, or III. Product listing will prominently display the rating.

• UHS-I - Maximum transfer rate of 104 MB/s
• UHS-II - Maximum transfer rate of 312 MB/s
• UHS-III - Maximum transfer rate of 624 MB/s