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Canon t3i has been the attention of the crowd for quite some time because of its enhanced features such as JPEG option, resolution settings, picture style mode, swivel screen, etc.
If you aren’t familiar, the t3i has one sd card slot and is compatible with SDXC and the SDHC type cards. The UHS-I type cards also work with the t3i, you won’t find much of a difference in spite of using higher speed memory cards.
Memory cards play a vital role in deciding the speed of clicking and processing pictures. That is why it becomes necessary to find the best memory cards for canon t3i. Some people also call memory cards by the name of SD cards too. We’ve covered all the right choices for you and the recommended options that you should go for!
Without delays, let us get straight to the list!
Table of Contents
Best Memory Cards for Canon t3i in 2020
SanDisk 64GB Extreme PRO: Recommended for Canon EOS Rebel t3i
The best memory card for canon t3i is the Sandisk Extreme Pro 170MB/s UHS-I U3. It is comparatively cheaper and much better performing memory cards. The company claims max speed of 170MB/s and in my testing, it could reach around 100MB/s easily on bulk image transfer. The Pricing of this product is very good and is currently #1 best seller on Amazon at the time of writing this review. The maximum shot speed on this one is 90MB/s and 170MB/s in post-production works.
The T3i is the fastest in shooting bursts and the max rate falls at Full HD 30fps, you can say that the difference between these cards will not be noticeable. However, Sandisk is always the most trusted and reliable brand when it comes to Memory cards.
Lexar Professional 633x 64GB SDXC
The performance of this Lexar Sd card on the Canon t3i is really good. The shots can be captured at high speeds without issues. With Class 10 Performance it leverages UHS-1 technology. The UHS-1 technology can capture read transfer speeds upto 95MB/s on the 633x by Lexar. So, capturing high quality images or even HD or higher quality videos will not be any issue. The sizes range all the way from 32 GB up to 1 TB. It also goes really well with the Nikon D3300. You can also download their Imaging rescue software using the code provided with the Sd card.
Micro Center 64GB SDXC – Cheapest Memory card for Canon t3i
The memory card by Micro center is the most affordable one, yet is capable of delivering decent performance. It comes in a pack of 2 and the cost 2 cards is equal to one SD card from Sandisk. It has a class 10 speed rating with the max read speed of 60 mb/s which is very good for people who have just started out and are looking for something friendly to their pockets. This comes in a pack of 2, from sizes starting from 16 GB all the way up to 128 GB.
Transcend, just like Lexar above, gives you the option of downloading their free image recovery program and they both work pretty good in most cases. It comes in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB sizes.
SanDisk Extreme U3 UHS-I
The SanDisk Extreme line is a great option if the emphasis is on video recording. They have faster write speeds than SanDisk’s Ultra range, but still provide great bang for their buck without access to the faster (and more expensive) Extreme Plus and Extreme Pro models.
SanDisk recycles its model names. This latest version of the Extreme card is designed for V30 / U3 for video recording and uses the UHS-I interface. It’s faster than what this camera technically needs, but because the Extreme line is so popular, it’s generally easy to find and competitively priced.
PNY Elite Performance V30 UHS-I
PNY is not a brand that’s really popular, but their pricing to performance is really good. Since they have been around for a long time, they are a good pick for your canon t3i. They come all the way from 32GB through 512GB
Transcend V30 UHS-I
Transcend isn’t as well-known as SanDisk or Lexar, but they’ve been known for making strong, reliable memory cards for a long time, and their SD cards are often competitively priced.
This particular card is faster than what this camera actually needs, but it’s still a good option. It is available in sizes ranging from 64 GB to 256 GB.
What should be the speed of a memory card for the canon t3i camera?
The speed of the memory card becomes a necessity when you have been doing some intensive tasks such as HDR photography, burst shots, or Full HD recording.
In the case of Video recording, you should always get an SD card that can easily record videos smoothly. Being a practiced person, I would suggest that you should always go for Class 10 SD Cards or something better like U3.
UHS-I or UHS-II won’t have a greater impact in the particular case as this camera can’t take advantage of the speeds. However, if you get one, the speed of transferring files to and from your PC will improve.
The Canon T3i only features a single SD card slot. However, it is compatible with SDHC and SDXC type cards without any issues. That does not mean that you will not be able to use a UHS-I card on the camera. The only disheartening thing is that you won’t be able to take full advantage of the high speeds of a UHS-I type SD card.
What are UHS SD Cards?
UHS memory cards help in giving higher recording quality with almost real time broadcast. These cards can be used for capturing high quality and large size high definition videos and can in fact also be used for professional filmography.
What size of SD card should I go for?
This will vary from person to person. If you are somebody who shots ocassionally, purchasing a 16 GB memory card would suffice. If you cover a small event photography, you can go with a 32 GB memory card. But if you try to cover some bigger events, you should always keep a couple of Sd cards handy with you.
I have made the list of the memory cards for Canon Rebel t3i on the basis of 3 factors:
- Speed
- Performance
- Price
The Canon t3i has been a more intensive camera and the grip has improved a lot in this one. Swivel Screen is one of the main reasons why people buy this one over its predecessor, Canon t2i.
Comparison of Memory Card Brands for Canon Rebel t3i
| Card | Size | Write Speed | Read Speed |
| Sandisk | 64 GB | Write: 90 MB/s | Read: 170 MB/s |
| Lexar | 64 GB | Write: 60 MB/s | Read: 95 MB/s |
| Micro Center | 64 GB | Write: 30 MB/s | Read: 60 MB/s |
How I Selected this list above?
The Rebel T3i’s manual isn’t particularly helpful in determining what type of memory card works best. I’m just adding a few scattered references to the memory card, noting that it works with SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards. But this is not particularly revealing.
So, I’m trying to cut the lingo here and make some handy memory card recommendations so that you can use your T3i for taking photos and videos. My priorities here are cards that not only perform well in the T3i, but also have a combination of reliability, out of the box, good memory size range, and good value for money. There’s no point in buying a high quality, super-fast, expensive memory card because the T3i can’t use it – so I’m not including it here. I have also not included all the cards that work on the camera.
Memory card manufacturers are constantly releasing new models of memory cards. And because of how the market works, these newer, faster cards can sometimes be cheaper and more readily available than the older, slower versions. That’s why some of the ones I’ve included here may be much faster than the minimum camera requirements, but they’re also probably a good combination of value and uptime. I will do my best to keep this list up to date.
What size of memory card should you get?
Many of them are available in storage sizes ranging from 8GB to 128GB. They all work in the T3i and the choice between them largely comes down to the convenience of not running out of space to take new photos. or record new videos. For most users, 32GB and 64GB are probably good choices in terms of cost and convenience.
These aren’t necessarily the fastest SD cards out there, but they’re pretty fast for this camera. It is also not designed to be a complete list of all SD cards that will work.
I am focusing here on cards that meet these criteria: fast enough for all functions of this camera; from a reputable and reliable brand; available in retail stores; and good value for money.
If you want to use a faster, more expensive card, you can, but you won’t have any additional use for it when using the camera (however, depending on your PC and PC combination, you may notice faster speeds when downloading photos to a computer (Memory card reader).
Frequently Asked Questions
What Brands are the Best for memory cards?
The most well-known brands for SD or memory cards are Sandisk, Lexar, Transcend, Kingston, Sony, and Toshiba. However, many new brands have entered the market and are giving tough competition to these brands.
What should be noted before buying a card for rebel t3i?
You should note the type of use you have. If you only capture photographs or are a beginner, you can go with the Micro Center SD card. But if you want something that’s more trusted and can last potentially long, it is always recommended to stick around with brands like Sandisk as they have been tested repeatedly over the years.
Conclusion
I hope you liked my coverage of the Best SD cards for Canon t3i. If you have any suggestions or doubts, drop them in the comments below. Also, stick around for more content like this on Photography By Wren.
