Don't Overpay for a Pentax K10D Memory Card (32GB Max)

Nathaniel Stephan
May 24, 2025

Table of Contents

The Pentax K-10D uses SD memory cards. 32GB is the largest size that can be used.

Using a 64GB card or larger will cause an error.

It’s good to get a card that is fast enough to clear the image buffer and record video. Any card with UHS-I will be fast enough.

Pentax K-10D SD Card Compatibility

The Pentax K-10D can use card the meet the SD, and SDHC standards.

For best compatibility, make sure the latest firmware is installed.

The SDXC and SDUC memory cards can not be used in the K-10D. They are too large.

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

Estimated number of JPEGs that can be stored:

4GB - 1,920
8GB - 3,840
16GB - 7,680
32GB - 15,360

Speed Class Rating

The rating is based on sustained write speeds.

For instance, a Class 2 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

Cards can be faster. There are more ratings. They don’t mater for the Pentax K-x.

Ultra High Speed (UHS)

The Ultra High Speed bus (UHS) is built into SDHC, SDXC, and SDUC cards. The UHS bus allows for increase transfer speeds.

Do not pay more for a UHS-II or UHS-III card. The K-10D is not compatible with them.

A card’s rating will be shown on the label as a Roman number I, II, or III.

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

Recommended SD Cards

The sweet spot for price to performance is a 32GB card.

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