Canon PowerShot CF & SD Memory Card Compatibility
Canon Powershot cameras can use CompactFlash or SD memory cards.
Models that use CompactFlash are only compatible with a maximum capacity of 2GB. Using a card with a larger capacity than that will cause errors.
There are three different types of SD cards used in Canon PowerShot cameras. The file system used by the camera determines the maximum capacity of SD card that can be used. The abbreviation can be seen on card labels.
- SD (Secure Digital) - Capacities up to 2GB
- SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity)- Capacities Up to 32GB
- SDXC (Secure Digital eXtended Capacity)- Capacities Up to 2TB
Using a SD card with higher capacity than what a camera is compatible with will cause errors.
Any SanDisk, Lexar, Transcend, Samsung, or PNY card with UHS-I will be fast enough for a camera compatible with SDHC or SDXC cards. Higher capacities can make sense if the camera is capable of recording video.
For cameras that use the original SD card standard, your only choice is a 2GB card from Transcend. 🤷♂️
MicroSD cards are a smaller format with the same capacity limitations. They can be used in microSD to SD card adapters.
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SD Models (2GB Maximum Capacity)
These Canon PowerShot models are only compatible with SD memory cards with a maximum capacity of 2GB. Using a larger capacity card will cause errors.
These models can only use SD cards. They had the same model name in all regions.
| PowerShot | Canon Model |
|---|---|
| S80 | PC1155 |
| S2 IS | PC1130 |
| A400 | PC1080 |
| A410 | PC1156 |
| A420 | PC1185 |
| A430 | PC1186 |
These can use SD and MMC cards. They had different names depending on the region.
| PowerShot | Digital IXUS | IXY Digital | Canon model |
|---|---|---|---|
| SD10 | i | L | PC1060 |
| SD20 | i5 | L2 | PC1108 |
| SD30 | i Zoom | L3 | PC1144 |
| SD100 | II | 30 | PC1035 |
| SD110 | IIs | 30a | PC1085 |
| SD200 | 30 | 40 | PC1102 |
| SD300 | 40 | 50 | PC1101 |
| SD400 | 50 | 55 | PC1150 |
| SD430 | Wireless | Wireless | PC1190 |
| SD450 | 55 | 60 | PC1158 |
| SD500 | 700 | 600 | PC1114 |
| SD550 | 750 | 700 | PC1169 |
| SD600 | 60 | 70 | PC1193 |
| SD630 | 65 | 80 | PC1147 |
| SD700 IS | 800 IS | 800 IS | PC1176 |
| A510 | PC1107 | ||
| A520 | PC1106 | ||
| A530 | PC1184 | ||
| A540 | PC1183 | ||
| A610 | PC1146 | ||
| A620 | PC1145 | ||
| A700 | PC1182 |
Recommended SD Card
The Transcend 2GB card is the only one that is consistently available. Other options are more expensive.
Affiliate Links:
| 2GB Transcend | Amazon | Adorama |
SDHC Models
Trying to use a SD card with a capacity larger than 32GB will likely result in errors or corrupt image files.
These models had the same model name in all regions.
| PowerShot | PowerShot | PowerShot | PowerShot |
|---|---|---|---|
| D10 | S3 IS | A460 | A650 IS |
| D20 | S5 IS | A470 | A720 IS |
| D30 | SX1 IS | A480 | A800 |
| E1 | SX10 IS | A550 | A1000 IS |
| G7 | SX20 IS | A560 | A1100 IS |
| G9 | SX100 IS | A570 IS | A1200 |
| G10 | SX110 IS | A580 | A2000 IS |
| G11 | SX120 IS | A590 IS | A2100 IS |
| S90 | SX200 IS | A630 | |
| TX1 | A450 | A640 |
These models had different names depending on the region.
| Powershot | Digital IXUS | IXY Digital | Canon model |
|---|---|---|---|
| SD750 | 75 | 90 | PC1227 |
| SD770 IS | 85 IS | 25 IS | PC1262 |
| SD780 IS | 100 IS | 210 IS | PC1353 |
| SD790 IS | 90 IS | 95 IS | PC1261 |
| SD800 IS | 850 IS | 900 IS | PC1209 |
| SD850 IS | 950 IS | 810 IS | PC1235 |
| SD870 IS | 860 IS | 910 IS | PC1249 |
| SD880 IS | 870 IS | 920 IS | PC1308 |
| SD890 IS | 970 IS | 820 IS | PC1266 |
| SD900 | 900 Ti | 1000 | PC1206 |
| SD940 IS | 120 IS | 220 IS | PC1430 |
| SD950 IS | 960 IS | 2000 IS | PC1248 |
| SD960 IS | 110 IS | 510 IS | PC1356 |
| SD970 IS | 990 IS | 830 IS | PC1357 |
| SD980 IS | 200 IS | 930 IS | PC1437 |
| SD990 IS | 980 IS | 3000 IS | PC1332 |
| SD1000 | 70 | 10 | PC1228 |
| SD1100 IS | 80/82 IS | 20 IS | PC1271 |
| SD1200 IS | 95 IS | 110 IS | PC1355 |
Recommended SDHC Cards
Any card with UHS-I will be fast enough. 32GB cards are often cheaper than those with smaller capacities.
Affiliate Links:
| 32GB SanDisk Ultra | Amazon | Adorama |
| 32GB Transcend | Amazon | Adorama |
| 32GB PNY Elite | Amazon | |
| 32GB Lexar 800x | Amazon |
SDXC Models
These models had the same name in all regions.
| Powershot | Powershot | Powershot |
|---|---|---|
| G12 | SX30 IS | SX420 IS |
| G15 | SX40 HS | SX430 IS |
| G1 X | SX50 HS | SX500 IS |
| G16 | SX130 IS | SX510 HS |
| G1 X Mark II | SX160 IS | SX520 HS |
| G7 X | SX170 IS | SX530 HS |
| G3 X | SX210 IS | SX540 HS |
| G5 X | SX220 HS | SX600 HS |
| G9 X | SX230 HS | SX610 HS |
| G7 X Mark II | SX240 HS | SX620 HS |
| G9 X Mark II | SX260 HS | SX700 HS |
| G1 X Mark III | SX270 HS | SX710 HS |
| G5 X Mark II | SX280 HS | SX720 HS |
| G7 X Mark III | SX400 IS | SX730 HS |
| SX410 IS | SX740 HS |
These models had different names depending on the region.
| Powershot | Digital IXUS | IXY Digital | Canon model |
|---|---|---|---|
| SD1300 IS | 105 | 200F | PC1469 |
| SD1400 IS | 130 | 400F | PC1472 |
| SD3500 IS | 210 | 10S | PC1467 |
| SD4000 IS | 300 HS | 30S | PC1473 |
| SD4500 IS | 1000 HS | 50S | |
| 500 HS | 310 HS | 31S | |
| 300 HS | 220 HS | 410F | PC1591 |
| 100 HS | 115 HS | 210F | |
| 510 HS | 1100 HS | 51S | |
| 310 HS | 230 HS | 600F | |
| 520 HS | 500 HS | 3 | |
| 110 HS | 125 HS | 220F | PC1733 |
| 530 HS | 510 HS | 1 | |
| 320 HS | 240 HS | 420F | |
| - | 245 HS | 430F | |
| 330 HS | 255 HS | 610F | |
| 115 IS | 132 | 90F | |
| 120 IS | 135 | 100F | |
| 130 IS | 140 | 110F | |
| - | - | 620F | |
| 340 HS | 265 HS | 630 | |
| 135 | 145 | 120 | |
| 140 IS | 150 | 130 | |
| 150 IS | 155 | 140 | |
| 160 | 160 | 150 | |
| - | 165 | 160 | |
| 170 IS | 170 | 170 | |
| 350 HS | 275 HS | 640 | |
| 180 | 175 | 180 | |
| 190 IS | 180 | 190 | PC2266 |
| 360 HS | 285 HS | 650 | |
| 185 | 185 | 200 | |
| 200 IS | 190 | 210 |
Recommended SDXC Cards
It does not make sense to get large capacity cards unless you intend to shoot lots of video.
Affiliate Links:
| 64GB SanDisk Ultra | Amazon | Adorama |
| 64GB Transcend | Amazon | Adorama |
| 128GB PNY Elite-X | Amazon | |
| 128GB Lexar Professional | Amazon | Adorama |
microSDXC Card Models
- Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS / IXUS 500 HS
- Canon PowerShot ELPH 530 HS / IXUS 510 HS
- Canon PowerShot N
Any UHS-I card from SanDisk, Lexar, PNY, or Samsung will be fine. I would recommend 128GB capacity cards for the cheapest GB per dollar.
Recommended microSDXC Cards
Make sure the card comes with a microSD to SD adapter.
| SanDisk Ultra 128GB microSDXC UHS-I | Amazon | eBay |
| Lexar Professional 128GB microSDXC UHS-I | Amazon | eBay |
Potential Problems
- Make sure the card isn’t physically locked.
- Format the card in the camera.
- Buy direct from a reputable source to avoid fake cards.
The PDF manual for your camera has answers to common questions and problems. They can be downloaded from the Canon Support Site.
MMC - MultiMediaCard
Some PowerShot models are compatible with MMC cards in addition to SD. The format lost to SD.
One is fine to use if you already have it. I would not recommend buying one. Let collectors fight over them.
Wikipedia MultiMediaCard page.
CompactFlash Models
The models below are compatible with CompactFlash memory cards with a maximum capacity of 2GB. Using a larger capacity card will cause errors to occur. The camera will not work.
These have the same model name in every country.
| Powershot | Powershot |
|---|---|
| A5 | S10 |
| A5 zoom | S20 |
| A50 | S30 |
| A10 | S40 |
| A20 | S45 |
| A30 | S50 |
| A40 | S60 |
| A60 | S70 |
| A70 | Canon Pro 70 |
| A80 | Canon Pro 90 IS |
| A75 | Canon Pro 1 |
| A85 | S1 IS |
| A95 | G1 |
| A100 | G2 |
| A200 | G3 |
| A300 | G5 |
| A310 | G6 |
These models had different model names depending on where they were sold.
| PowerShot | Digital IXUS | IXY Digital | Canon model |
|---|---|---|---|
| S100 | Digital IXUS1 | IXY Digital | PC1001 |
| S300 | 300 | 300 | PC1008 |
| S110 | v | 200 | PC1012 |
| S200 | v2 | 200a | PC1022 |
| S330 | 330 | 300a | PC1026 |
| S230 | v3 | 320 | PC1037 |
| S400 | 400 | 400 | PC1038 |
| S410 | 430 | 450 | PC1086 |
| S500 | 500 | 500 | PC1084 |
Sources:
- Canon PowerShot Supported Memory Card Types
- Canon Support Page for PowerShot A60
- Wikipedia - Canon PowerShot
- PowerShot Pro70 - Canon Camera Museum
Recommended CompactFlash Cards
2GB capacities were cutting edge tech 20 years ago. There are fewer choices due to less demand. They also tend to be expensive compared to SD cards.
| 2GB Transcend | Amazon | Adorama |
| SD to CF Adapter | Amazon | eBay |
CompactFlash to SD and microSD Card Adapters
I haven’t noticed any issues using the adapters or CF card in my Canon 5D Mark II. I have used SanDisk, Lexar, and PNY 128GB SD cards in the SD adapter with no issues.
The only card that didn’t work was a 128GB SanDisk Extreme Pro SD card.
Affiliate Links:
| SD to CF Adapter | Amazon | eBay |
| microSD to CF Adapter | Amazon | eBay |
CompactFlash Card Readers
Get a card reader with a “tail”. This will prevent ports from being blocked.
USB-C card readers are expensive. The upside is they can most likely be used with your phone or tablet.
USB 2.0 multi-card readers are slow. Ones that plug directly into a USB-A can block other ports. Others will have mini-B USB ports.
Affiliate Links:
| USB-C CF Card Readers | Amazon | eBay |
| Multi Card Readers | Amazon | eBay |
Speed, Class, & Capacity
SD Card Image Capacity
This is an estimation of the quantity of large JPEGs you could expect to keep on an SD memory card.
- 4GB - 1920 images
- 8GB - 3840 images
- 16GB - 7680 images
- 32GB - 15360 images
Memory Card Speed
Speed ratings for SD cards are established by the sequential read and write speeds. The speed of the SD memory card is important in the event that many images need to be written to the SD card.
SD Card Speed Class Rating
The Class speed rating of an SD memory card is based on the sustained write speed of the memory card. A Class speed rating of 2 means that the card can maintain a write speed of at minimum 2MB per second.
- Class 2 - 2MB/s
- Class 4 - 4MB/s
- Class 6 - 6MB/s
- Class 8 - 8MB/s
- Class 10 - 10MB/s
The best rating a card can obtain is Class 10. There are cards that are significantly faster than 10MB/s. Those cards use other technology, such as UHS (Ultra Highspeed Bus), that have a separate rating specifications.
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.