Best Sony NEX-C3 Memory Card
Two different kinds of memory cards can be used with the Sony NEX-C3. Sony PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo are compatible with plus SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards.
Only just one memory card can be in the camera at a time. You’ll need to choose between a PRO Duo or SD card.
Sony is the owner of the PRO Duo format. For that reason, SD cards are more affordable and can have better performance than PRO Duo cards.
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- UHS-I, U1, and Class 10 Speed Rating. Can sustain 10MB/s write speeds.
- Excellent choice for photos.
- Capable of recording Full HD (1920x1080) Video.
- Inexpensive with more than good enough performance.
- Larger capacities are available for a reasonable price.
Best SD Cards
SanDisk, Lexar, and PNY are brands that make high-quality Memory cards. The best SD cards I have owned have been SanDisk Extreme Pro memory cards.
That does not mean you need to purchase a card made by SanDisk for your Sony ILCE-NEX-C3. Just make sure the name sounds cool. That will ensure you get fast read/write speeds, water resistance, and other professional features.
I have not had problems with PNY Elite Performance or Lexar Professional memory cards.
When I have encountered problems with memory cards has been when cheap no name brands were used. A low cost card increases the chance of data corruption or card failure.
If you want to spend less, don’t buy a generic card. You will be better off purchasing a professional-quality card with a smaller capacity.
Recommended SD Cards
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Outside the Shot is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase. I also participate in affiliate advertising programs with KEH and Adorama. More can be found on the Affiliate Discolsure page.
- UHS-I, U1, and Class 10 Speed Rating. Can sustain 10MB/s write speeds.
- Excellent choice for photos.
- Capable of recording Full HD (1920x1080) Video.
- Inexpensive with more than good enough performance.
- Larger capacities are available for a reasonable price.
- UHS-I, U3, V30, and Class 10 Speed Rating. Can sustain 30MB/s write speeds.
- Good for burst shooting photos and recording 4K video.
- Larger capacity cards are available.
- Reliable & Durable: Magnet Proof, Shock Proof, Temperature Proof, Waterproof.
- Comparatively expensive for faster read speeds.
- UHS-I, U3, V30, and Class 10 Speed Rating. Can sustain 30MB/s write speeds.
- Only makes sense for professional use or if you need the largest storage capacity available.
- Temperature-proof, waterproof, shock-proof, and X-ray-proof.
Sony NEX-C3 SD Card Compatibility
SDXC, SDHC, and SD cards can be used with the Sony NEX-C3. Use a memory card to get the optimal overall performance out of the camera.
The most recent SDUC cards are not compatible with the NEX-C3.
Currently, there are four different specifications of Secure Digital (SD) memory cards. Newer card specs add more tech that provides for larger storage capacity and noticeably increased read/write speeds.
- Secure Digital (SD) - 128MB to 2GB.
- Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) - 4GB to 32GB.
- Secure Digital eXtended Capacity (SDXC) - 64GB to 2TB.
- Secure Digital Ultra Capacity (SDUC) - 4TB to 128TB.
SD Card Speed
Speed ratings of an SD memory card is dependant on the sequential read and write speeds. Card file write speed is important for clearing the buffer for continuous shooting as well as recording video.
A slow SD card can decrease the number of continuous photos the Sony NEX-C3 can capture. This is because the camera’s buffer is not able to write to the card quickly enough.
When recording video, a slow memory card can cause an unexpected end to recording. The video file could also be corrupted. If you intend to record video, it is crucial the memory card you use meets the requirements of the camera.
Read speed is important for transferring files to a computer. If you have cards that are full, a SD card with a fast read speed will save you time.
Speed Class Rating
A SD memory card is given a Class rating based on the sustained transfer rate of the card. Class 10 is the top rating, even though cards are available that have a faster transfer rate.
Here you can see all of the Classes and applicable minimum read/write speeds:
- Class 2 - 2MB/s
- Class 4 - 4MB/s
- Class 6 - 6MB/s
- Class 8 - 8MB/s
- Class 10 - 10MB/s or faster
Virtually any memory card worth ordering for the Sony NEX-C3 will be a Class 10 SD memory card. In the short time since the launch of the camera, Memory cards have gotten a good deal faster.
Ultra High Speed (UHS)
The Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus can be found in SDUC, SDXC, and SDHC cards. UHS makes it possible provides a way to increase data transfer rates.
Three different specifications exist. They are UHS-I, UHS-II, and UHS-III.
Look at the front of the card to determine the rating of a card. If there is aRoman numeral I, II, or III on the front of the SD memory card, that is the UHS rating of your SD 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
Sony NEX-C3 PRO Duo Card Compatibility
The Sony NEX-C3 may use a PRO Duo or PRO-HG Duo cards. PRO-HG signifies the memory card may have read speeds up to 50MB/s and a 15MB/s minimum write speed.
PRO Duo cards are often double the cost of an SD card. I would not recommend purchasing a Sony PRO Duo card for use with a NEX-C3 due to the fact of the increase in expense.
Image Capacity
Below is an approximate estimation of how many large JPEG images you can expect to store on each size of SD card.
- 16GB - 4,640 images
- 32GB - 9,280 images
- 64GB - 18,560 images
- 128GB - 37,120 images
- 256GB - 74,240 images
Related Cameras
That goes over all of the important specifications you need to find out about PRO Duo and SD cards.