Using the wrong sd card can ruin the performance of your camera. Trying to use an SD card that is larger than 32GB can cause the G3 to slow down or display an error.
You may use SD and SDHC memory cards with your Panasonic G3. That means 32GB is the largest card that can be used in the camera.
Avoid memory cards with slow transfer speeds. SD memory cards that don't satisfy requirements will slow down continuous shooting and can stop video from being taken.
Just want the best? Here is my suggestion for the Panasonic G3:
SanDisk Extreme Pro 32GB SDHC Memory Card
The absolute best card you can buy for the camera.
64GB or larger cards are not compatible with the camera.
Table of Contents
Best SD Cards
In the time since the introduction of Panasonic G3, the price of memory cards has dropped.
With the price range being so low, it doesn't make sense to pick anything but a professional-quality SD card.
The best cards I use have been the SanDisk Extreme Pro, Lexar Professional, and PNY Elite Performance models. I have never encountered a card failure or corrupted data with any of those SD memory cards.
All the issues I have had have been due to cheap unbranded SD cards. Trying to save around a dollar isn't worth it if your G3 will not work correctly.
If you want to save some money, buy a lower capacity SD card from a high-quality company. Because of this, you'll know your shots are secure on the memory card.
Recommended SD Cards
SanDisk Extreme Pro 32GB SDHC Memory Card
- Best value for the money.
- Read speeds of up to 95MB/s; write speeds of up to 90MB/s.
- Shock-proof, temperature-proof, waterproof, and x-ray proof.
SanDisk Ultra 32GB SDHC Memory Card
- Quick transfer speeds up to 80MB/s.
- Class 10 rating for Full HD video (1080p).
- Waterproof, temperature proof, X-ray Proof, magnet-Proof, and shockproof.
Lexar Professional 633X 32GB SDHC UHS-I Memory Card
- High-speed, Class 10 performance.
- UHS-I technology for a read transfer speed up to 633x (95MB/s).
- High-speed file transfer from card to computer to dramatically accelerate workflow.
Panasonic G3 SD Card Compatibility
Only SDHC and SD memory cards can be used by the Panasonic G3. Check to ensure that your camera has the most up to date firmware.
SDXC or SDUC cards cannot be used in the G3.
Four different types of Secure Digital (SD) cards exist that you need to be aware of. They are divided by size.
- 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.
Image Capacity
Here is an estimation of how many large JPEGs you can expect to fit on a card:
- 4GB - 1,160 images
- 8GB - 2,320 images
- 16GB - 4,640 images
- 32GB - 9,280 images
Speed, Class, & UHS Ratings
Card Speed
The speed rating of an SD memory card is based on the sequential write and read speeds. Card continuous write speed is essential for continuous shooting and video.
Slows SD cards can cause a decrease in the number of continuous images the Panasonic G3 can capture. This is due to the camera's buffer not being able to write data to the memory card fast enough.
When recording video, a slow memory card can cause a sudden end to the recording. The video file could also be corrupted. If you intend to record video, it is critical the SD card you use meets the minimum requirements of the camera.
Read speed is important for transferring files to a computer. If you have cards that are full, a card with a fast read speed will save you time.
Speed Class Rating
The Class rating of an SD card is determined by the sustained write speed. Cards that have a minimum write speed of at least 10MB/s will be rated Class 10.
- Class 2 - 2MB/s
- Class 4 - 4MB/s
- Class 6 - 6MB/s
- Class 8 - 8MB/s
- Class 10 - 10MB/s or faster
Every brand name card that you can buy today will be rated Class 10. You can check the class rating of a card by looking for a number inside of a C on the label.
Ultra High Speed (UHS)
The Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus comes in SDUC, SDXC, and SDHC cards. UHS allows offers a way to improve file transfer rates.
There are three different specifications. They are UHS-I, UHS-II, and UHS-III.
Look at the front of the card to find out the UHS rating of an SD card. If the memory card has UHS, a Roman numeral I, II, or III can be seen 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
Related Cameras
Based on the topics that were discussed is why the SanDisk 32GB Extreme Pro is the best Panasonic G3 memory card. You are now also prepared for any future camera you own.
Listed here are more posts on digital cameras similar to the G3:
