Panasonic G3 Memory Card Compatibility
The Panasonic G3 needs SD memory cards. 32GB is the biggest capacity SD card that will work in the G3.
SD memory cards that meets the SDXC or SDUC specifications are not going to function in the G3. These cards can be easily avoided as they have a capacity of 64GB or more.
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 G3 SD Cards
Here are some choices to choose between that can be used with the G3. With any of the cards below, you won’t have to be worried about poor performance or SD memory card glitches.
- 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
Premium quality memory cards are produced by both Lexar and SanDisk. Avoid getting cards from bargain-priced generic brands.
Cheap cards are more probable to have file corruption, meaning that you’ll lose all of your photos on the card. The decrease in the level of quality is not worth the minor savings.
If you really need to decrease costs, buy a card with a reduced capacity. They tend to be slightly more affordable and you will not have to stress out about the SD card having data failure.
Even then, SD card issues are not common. Over the years, I have only had two cards fail on me. Age could have played a role, as the SD cards were included with previously owned digital point & shoots.
Panasonic G3 SD Card Compatibility
The Panasonic G3 is limited to using SD memory cards. There are four different technical specs of Secure Digital (SD) cards. The benefit is that there is a boost in the maximum capacity and transfer rates with the release of each updated technical 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 Panasonic G3’s card reader can only read the initial two SD card technical specs. SDXC or SDUC SD memory cards won’t function correctly.
- Secure Digital (SD) - These memory cards have a maximum capacity of 2GB and are compatible with the G3.
- Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) - The capacity of these memory cards range from 4GB to 32GB and are also compatible with the G3.
- 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.
Panasonic G3 Memory Card Full Error
Attempting to use a card that is 64GB or larger in size in the G3 will cause the point and shoot camera to display an error.
Use an SD memory card with a capacity of 32GB or smaller to prevent the error.
If you are using a memory card that is 32GB or a smaller capacity, and the card is not working correctly, format the SD memory card in the camera.
Speed, Class, & Capacity
SD Card Image Capacity
The following is a quick estimation of the total number of large JPEGs you will be able to save on an SD card.
- 4GB - 1920 images
- 8GB - 3840 images
- 16GB - 7680 images
- 32GB - 15360 images
Memory Card Speed
The speed rating for SD cards is determined by the sequential read and write speeds. The speed of the card is important for when many pictures need to be written to the card.
SD Card Speed Class Rating
The Class speed rating of an SD memory card is dependant on the sustained write speed of the card. A Class speed rating of 2 means that the card can sustain 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 best rating a card can attain is Class 10. There are SD memory cards that are substantially faster than 10MB/s. Those SD cards use other solutions, such as UHS (Ultra Highspeed Bus), that have a different 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.
Conclusion
Buy an SD memory card for the Panasonic G3 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.