Don't Waste Money on a Sony A500 Memory Card (32GB Max)

The Sony A500 uses SD memory cards, with a maximum capacity of 32GB.

It was released in 2009, and much larger and faster cards have been released.

The A500 will show an error if a 64GB or larger card is used. The camera will not be able to format the card.

Sony PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo Memory Stick cards can be used, but they have been discontinued.

SD cards are faster, cheaper, and have larger storage capacities. The only reason to use a PRO Duo card is if you already have one.

If you need a lens, I have a guide going over fun affordable Sony A500 lenses.

Sony A500 SD Card Compatibility

The Sony A500 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 A500. 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 12.3 megapixel sensor:

• 4GB - 980
• 8GB - 1,960
• 16GB - 3,920
• 32GB - 7,840

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 Cards

Any 32GB SD card with UHS-I will be fast enough.

32GB cards will be the best value per GB. They’re also the only cards with UHS-I, which is helpful for use in other devices.

Don’t pay for a super fast card. The A500 can’t write data that fast.

Don’t buy a UHS-II card. The A500 doesn’t have the hardware to take advantage of the extra speed.

Don’t buy a used card. There is no way to find out how much life is left.

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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.

Samsung EVO Plus 32GB

• 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.

Sony A500 PRO Duo Memory Stick Compatibility

The Sony A500 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 in SDUC, SDXC, and SDHC memory cards. The UHS bus cards to achieve increased transfer rates.

Three different versions exist. The versions are UHS-I, UHS-II, and UHS-III.

You can figure out the rating of a memory card by examining the front of the SD card. If the card has UHS, a Roman numeral I, II, or III will be on the front of the SD memory card.

• 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