Welcome to our Canon R8 Memory Card Guide where you’ll find all you need to know about the memory cards for the Canon EOS R8 mirrorless camera.
We have tested 24 memory cards in the R8 to find the best cards based on their actual in-camera performance and not just the write speeds claimed on their labels.
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
- Supported Memory Cards
- In-Camera Card Speed Comparison
UHS-II Memory Card Speed & Buffer Tests+−
- 1. Sony SF-G Tough UHS-II
- 2. Kingston Canvas React Plus UHS-II
- 3. Exascend Catalyst UHS-II
- 4. Ritzgear Video Pro UHS-II
- 5. Lexar Professional 2000X UHS-II
- 6. PNY X-PRO 90 UHS-II
- 7. SanDisk Extreme Pro UHS-II
- 8. Integral Ultima Pro X2 V90 UHS-II
- 9. Hoodman Steel 2000x UHS-II
- 10. Delkin Devices POWER UHS-II
- 11. ProGrade V90 UHS-II
- 12. Transcend SD 700S UHS-II
- 13. Sony SF-M Tough UHS-II
- 14. Sony SF-M UHS-II
- 15. ProGrade V60 UHS-II
- 16. Lexar Professional 1667X UHS-II
- 17. Sony SF-E UHS-II
- 18. Angelbird AV Pro Mk 2 V90 UHS-II
- Elec. 1st-Curtain Shutter 6 FPS Speed & Buffer Tests
- What Size Memory Card Do You Need for Stills?
- Summary
- FAQs
Canon R8 Forum & Facebook Group
If you are looking for further help and advice on the Canon R8 or would simply like to share your photos and videos, then please head over to our friendly Forum. If you prefer Facebook then we also run the Canon R8 Shooters Group.
Supported Memory Cards
The Canon EOS R8 Mark II has just one memory card slot and this supports SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I and UHS-II memory cards.
Here’s a speed comparison between UHS-I and UHS-II cards.
- UHS-I: theoretical maximum transfer speeds of up to 104MB/s
- UHS-II: theoretical maximum transfer speeds of up to 312MB/s
For burst shooting we would strongly recommended going with one of the faster UHS-II SD cards. But if you don’t shoot bursts often then a UHS-I SD card will probably be all you will need.
That said, even if you don’t shoot many bursts you will still benefit from the faster read times of UHS-II cards when copying images to your computer.
In-Camera Card Speed Comparison
Here’s a quick in-camera card speed comparison for all of the memory cards that we have tested so far in the R8.
Please note that all of these tests were done using the electronic shutter and shooting at the maximum frame rate of 40 FPS.
We shot RAW + JPEG L to make sure that both the camera and memory cards were pushed to their limits.
Best UHS-II Memory Cards
These in-camera tests were carried out using the Canon R8 with firmware version 1.0.0. All cards used were 64GB SDXC UHS-II memory cards apart from the Exascend Catalyst which was 128GB.
Click the memory card name to jump to our full buffer test results with multiple file formats.
Best UHS-I Memory Cards
These in-camera tests were carried out using the Canon R8 with firmware version 1.0.0. All cards used were 64GB SDXC UHS-I memory cards.
Click the memory card name to jump to our full buffer test results with multiple file formats.
| Memory Card | In-Camera Write Speed * | Max Burst ** | 4K60 | Price Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Delkin Devices Advantage UHS-I | 78 MB/s | 51 | Yes | B&H Photo | Amazon |
| 2. Kingston Canvas Go! Plus UHS-I | 78 MB/s | 51 | Yes | B&H Photo | Amazon |
| 3. SanDisk Extreme Pro UHS-I | 71 MB/s | 51 | Yes | B&H Photo | Amazon |
| 4. Lexar Professional 1066x UHS-I | 62 MB/s | 51 | Yes | B&H Photo | Amazon |
| 5. Transcend 500S UHS-I | 61 MB/s | 51 | Yes | B&H Photo | Amazon |
| 6. SanDisk Extreme UHS-I | 59 MB/s | 51 | Yes | B&H Photo | Amazon |
UHS-II Memory Card Speed & Buffer Tests
The R8 with firmware version 1.0.0 was used for these tests which were carried out using the Electronic Shutter in Hi+ (40 FPS) mode.
We used a shutter speed of 1/250th which is comfortably sufficient for 40 FPS (we tested it) and ISO 100. Shooting at lower ISO’s will help you to achieve the maximum number of shots before hitting the buffer. As the ISO increases the number of shots before the buffer is hit decreases.
To calculate the in-camera write speed we shoot in RAW + JPEG L to ensure that we are pushing the camera and cards to their limits. Shooting in RAW only would result in a slightly lower write speed due to the smaller total file size. The write speed is then calculated by multiplying the size of the RAW + JPEG L files by the number of shots in the burst, then dividing by the time taken to shoot the burst then clear the buffer.
1. Sony SF-G Tough UHS-II
Please note that these cards are a little thicker than other memory cards and can be a slightly tight fit in the R8’s memory card slots.
- Bus speed: UHS-II
- Video speed class: V90
- Capacities: 32GB (SDHC), 64GB, 128GB, 256GB (SDXC)
- Read speed: 300 MB/s
- Write speed: 299 MB/s
- 4K60: Yes
In-Camera Speed / Buffer Test Results
Here are our complete in-camera speed / buffer test results when using a 64GB card in Hi+ Drive Mode using the Electronic Shutter (40 FPS).
The actual R8 in-camera write speed is approximately 177 MB/s when shooting in RAW + JPEG L or 153 MB/s shooting in RAW only with the Sony SF-G Tough UHS-II card.
| Image Type | Shots Before Hitting Buffer (Max Burst) | Time to Clear Buffer (Seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| RAW (25.6MB) | 54 | 7.25 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) | 128 | 10.88 |
| JPEG L (8.2MB) | 145 | 10.05 |
| HEIF L (10.1MB) | 136 | 12.48 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 54 | 8.38 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 128 | 12.51 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 34 | 11.18 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 120 | 33.88 |
2. Kingston Canvas React Plus UHS-II
Their Kingston Canvas React Plus UHS-II are very well reviewed and extremely fast, and often out perform more expensive cards.
Their price per GB together with their performance and reliability makes this our number one UHS-II card recommendation for the R8.
- Bus speed: UHS-II
- Video speed class: V90
- Capacities: 32GB (SDHC), 64GB, 128GB, 256GB (SDXC)
- Read speed: 300 MB/s
- Write speed: 260 MB/s
In-Camera Speed / Buffer Test Results
Here are our complete in-camera speed / buffer test results when using a 64GB card in Hi+ Drive Mode using the Electronic Shutter (40 FPS).
The actual R8 in-camera write speed is approximately 170 MB/s when shooting in RAW + JPEG L or 151 MB/s shooting in RAW only with the Kingston Canvas React Plus UHS-II card.
| Image Type | Shots Before Hitting Buffer (Max Burst) | Time to Clear Buffer (Seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| RAW (25.6MB) | 54 | 7.41 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) | 139 | 12.26 |
| JPEG L (8.2MB) | 160 | 11.18 |
| HEIF L (10.1MB) | 150 | 13.86 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 54 | 9.03 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 130 | 13.70 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 35 | 11.78 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 123 | 35.90 |
3. Exascend Catalyst UHS-II
- Bus speed: UHS-II
- Video speed class: V90
- Capacities: 64GB, 128GB
- Read speed: 300 MB/s
- Write speed: 280 MB/s
In-Camera Speed / Buffer Test Results
Here are our complete in-camera speed / buffer test results when using a 128GB card in Hi+ Drive Mode using the Electronic Shutter (40 FPS).
The actual R8 in-camera write speed is approximately 170 MB/s when shooting in RAW + JPEG L or 151 MB/s shooting in RAW only with the Exascend Catalyst UHS-II card.
| Image Type | Shots Before Hitting Buffer (Max Burst) | Time to Clear Buffer (Seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| RAW (25.6MB) | 54 | 7.42 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) | 124 | 10.98 |
| JPEG L (8.2MB) | 145 | 11.16 |
| HEIF L (10.1MB) | 136 | 12.78 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 54 | 9.04 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 128 | 14.55 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 34 | 12.18 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 119 | 35.60 |
Check Price & Buyer Reviews: Exascend Catalyst UHS-II
At: B&H Photo | Amazon
4. Ritzgear Video Pro UHS-II
- Bus speed: UHS-II
- Video speed class: V90
- Capacities: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB (SDXC)
- Read speed: 280 MB/s
- Write speed: 250 MB/s
In-Camera Speed / Buffer Test Results
Here are our complete in-camera speed / buffer test results when using a 64GB card in Hi+ Drive Mode using the Electronic Shutter (40 FPS).
The actual R8 in-camera write speed is approximately 164 MB/s when shooting in RAW + JPEG L or 147 MB/s shooting in RAW only with the Ritzgear Video Pro UHS-II card.
| Image Type | Shots Before Hitting Buffer (Max Burst) | Time to Clear Buffer (Seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| RAW (25.6MB) | 54 | 7.76 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) | 132 | 11.58 |
| JPEG L (8.2MB) | 146 | 10.40 |
| HEIF L (10.1MB) | 137 | 12.86 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 54 | 9.38 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 132 | 15.78 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 34 | 11.81 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 123 | 36.36 |
Check Price & Buyer Reviews: Ritzgear Video Pro UHS-II
At: B&H Photo | Amazon
5. Lexar Professional 2000X UHS-II
- Bus speed: UHS-II
- Video speed class: V90
- Capacities: 32GB (SDHC), 64GB, 128GB, 256GB (SDXC)
- Read speed: 300 MB/s
- Write speed: 260 MB/s
In-Camera Speed / Buffer Test Results
Here are our complete in-camera speed / buffer test results when using a 64GB card in Hi+ Drive Mode using the Electronic Shutter (40 FPS).
The actual R8 in-camera write speed is approximately 165 MB/s when shooting in RAW + JPEG L or 146 MB/s shooting in RAW only with the Lexar Professional 2000X UHS-II card.
| Image Type | Shots Before Hitting Buffer (Max Burst) | Time to Clear Buffer (Seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| RAW (25.6MB) | 54 | 7.78 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) | 137 | 12.05 |
| JPEG L (8.2MB) | 156 | 15.28 |
| HEIF L (10.1MB) | 138 | 12.95 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 54 | 9.33 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 132 | 15.28 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 34 | 14.36 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 123 | 35.71 |
6. PNY X-PRO 90 UHS-II
- Bus speed: UHS-II
- Video speed class: V90
- Capacities: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB (SDXC)
- Read speed: 300 MB/s
- Write speed: 280 MB/s
In-Camera Speed / Buffer Test Results
Here are our complete in-camera speed / buffer test results when using a 64GB card in Hi+ Drive Mode using the Electronic Shutter (40 FPS).
The actual R8 in-camera write speed is approximately 163 MB/s when shooting in RAW + JPEG L or 148 MB/s shooting in RAW only with the PNY X-PRO 90 UHS-II card.
| Image Type | Shots Before Hitting Buffer (Max Burst) | Time to Clear Buffer (Seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| RAW (25.6MB) | 54 | 7.65 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) | 132 | 11.55 |
| JPEG L (8.2MB) | 148 | 10.45 |
| HEIF L (10.1MB) | 139 | 13.18 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 54 | 9.48 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 132 | 13.11 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 34 | 12.68 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 123 | 36.40 |
7. SanDisk Extreme Pro UHS-II
- Bus speed: UHS-II
- Video speed class: V90
- Capacities: 32GB (SDHC), 64GB, 128GB (SDXC)
- Read speed: 300 MB/s
- Write speed: 260 MB/s
In-Camera Speed / Buffer Test Results
Here are our complete in-camera speed / buffer test results when using a 64GB card in Hi+ Drive Mode using the Electronic Shutter (40 FPS).
The actual R8 in-camera write speed is approximately 159 MB/s when shooting in RAW + JPEG L or 141 MB/s shooting in RAW only with the SanDisk Extreme Pro UHS-II card.
| Image Type | Shots Before Hitting Buffer (Max Burst) | Time to Clear Buffer (Seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| RAW (25.6MB) | 54 | 7.95 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) | 129 | 11.51 |
| JPEG L (8.2MB) | 146 | 10.28 |
| HEIF L (10.1MB) | 137 | 13.35 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 54 | 9.90 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 129 | 13.63 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 34 | 12.61 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 119 | 35.88 |
8. Integral Ultima Pro X2 V90 UHS-II
- Bus speed: UHS-II
- Video speed class: V90
- Capacities: 32GB (SDHC), 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB (SDXC)
- Read speed: 280 MB/s
- Write speed: 240 MB/s
In-Camera Speed / Buffer Test Results
Here are our complete in-camera speed / buffer test results when using a 64GB card in Hi+ Drive Mode using the Electronic Shutter (40 FPS).
The actual R8 in-camera write speed is approximately 159 MB/s when shooting in RAW + JPEG L or 138 MB/s shooting in RAW only with the Integral Ultima Pro X2 V90 UHS-II card.
| Image Type | Shots Before Hitting Buffer (Max Burst) | Time to Clear Buffer (Seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| RAW (25.6MB) | 54 | 8.20 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) | 129 | 11.91 |
| JPEG L (8.2MB) | 143 | 10.03 |
| HEIF L (10.1MB) | 135 | 12.76 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 54 | 9.55 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 128 | 14.68 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 34 | 12.06 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 120 | 36.11 |
9. Hoodman Steel 2000x UHS-II
- Bus speed: UHS-II
- Video speed class: V90
- Capacities: 64GB, 128GB (SDXC)
- Read speed: 300 MB/s
- Write speed: 260 MB/s
- 4K60: Yes
In-Camera Speed / Buffer Test Results
Here are our complete in-camera speed / buffer test results when using a 64GB card in Hi+ Drive Mode using the Electronic Shutter (40 FPS).
The actual R8 in-camera write speed is approximately 158 MB/s when shooting in RAW + JPEG L or 151 MB/s shooting in RAW only with the Hoodman Steel 2000x UHS-II card.
| Image Type | Shots Before Hitting Buffer (Max Burst) | Time to Clear Buffer (Seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| RAW (25.6MB) | 54 | 7.48 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) | 129 | 11.25 |
| JPEG L (8.2MB) | 144 | 10.18 |
| HEIF L (10.1MB) | 135 | 13.01 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 54 | 9.83 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 129 | 14.13 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 34 | 12.18 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 120 | 35.63 |
10. Delkin Devices POWER UHS-II
Delkin Devices design and support their memory cards in the USA.
The Power cards have been built specifically for extreme conditions and are protected against water, shock, and x-rays. They also feature built-in error correction and wear leveling.
Each card is backed by a Lifetime Warranty and Delkin’s American-based customer support team.
- Bus speed: UHS-II
- Video speed class: V90
- Capacities: 32GB (SDHC), 64GB, 128GB, 256GB (SDXC)
- Read speed: 300 MB/s
- Write speed: 250 MB/s
In-Camera Speed / Buffer Test Results
Here are our complete in-camera speed / buffer test results when using a 64GB card in Hi+ Drive Mode using the Electronic Shutter (40 FPS).
The actual R8 in-camera write speed is approximately 157 MB/s when shooting in RAW + JPEG L or 141 MB/s shooting in RAW only with the Delkin Devices POWER UHS-II card.
| Image Type | Shots Before Hitting Buffer (Max Burst) | Time to Clear Buffer (Seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| RAW (25.6MB) | 54 | 7.95 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) | 128 | 11.51 |
| JPEG L (8.2MB) | 144 | 10.40 |
| HEIF L (10.1MB) | 135 | 13.61 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 54 | 9.95 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 128 | 14.05 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 34 | 11.90 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 119 | 35.31 |
11. ProGrade V90 UHS-II
- Bus speed: UHS-II
- Video speed class: V90
- Capacities: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB (SDXC)
- Read speed: 300 MB/s
- Write speed: 250 MB/s
In-Camera Speed / Buffer Test Results
Here are our complete in-camera speed / buffer test results when using a 64GB card in Hi+ Drive Mode using the Electronic Shutter (40 FPS).
The actual R8 in-camera write speed is approximately 149 MB/s when shooting in RAW + JPEG L or 138 MB/s shooting in RAW only with the ProGrade V90 UHS-II card.
| Image Type | Shots Before Hitting Buffer (Max Burst) | Time to Clear Buffer (Seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| RAW (25.6MB) | 54 | 7.67 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) | 128 | 11.25 |
| JPEG L (8.2MB) | 144 | 10.05 |
| HEIF L (10.1MB) | 135 | 13.05 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 54 | 10.16 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 128 | 14.40 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 34 | 11.95 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 120 | 36.11 |
12. Transcend SD 700S UHS-II
- Bus speed: UHS-II
- Video speed class: V90
- Capacities: 32GB (SDHC), 64GB (SDXC)
- Read speed: 285 MB/s
- Write speed: 180 MB/s
In-Camera Speed / Buffer Test Results
Here are our complete in-camera speed / buffer test results when using a 64GB card in Hi+ Drive Mode using the Electronic Shutter (40 FPS).
The actual R8 in-camera write speed is approximately 144 MB/s when shooting in RAW + JPEG L or 134 MB/s shooting in RAW only with the Transcend SD 700S UHS-II card.
| Image Type | Shots Before Hitting Buffer (Max Burst) | Time to Clear Buffer (Seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| RAW (25.6MB) | 54 | 8.48 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) | 124 | 11.93 |
| JPEG L (8.2MB) | 149 | 10.60 |
| HEIF L (10.1MB) | 139 | 13.10 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 54 | 10.96 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 132 | 15.91 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 34 | 14.55 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 122 | 38.26 |
13. Sony SF-M Tough UHS-II
The Sony SF-M Tough memory cards are similar to the more expensive SF-G Tough version, but these are rated V60 for video and their read speed has been cut to 277MB/s and the write speed to 150MB/s.
Please note that these cards are a little thicker than other memory cards and can be a tight fit in the R8’s memory card slots.
- Bus speed: UHS-II
- Video speed class: V60
- Capacities: 32GB (SDHC), 64GB, 128GB, 256GB (SDXC)
- Read speed: 277 MB/s
- Write speed: 150 MB/s
In-Camera Speed / Buffer Test Results
Here are our complete in-camera speed / buffer test results when using a 64GB card in Hi+ Drive Mode using the Electronic Shutter (40 FPS).
The actual R8 in-camera write speed is approximately 122 MB/s when shooting in RAW + JPEG L or 113 MB/s shooting in RAW only with the Sony SF-G Tough UHS-II card.
| Image Type | Shots Before Hitting Buffer (Max Burst) | Time to Clear Buffer (Seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| RAW (25.6MB) | 54 | 10.73 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) | 129 | 13.58 |
| JPEG L (8.2MB) | 144 | 10.31 |
| HEIF L (10.1MB) | 134 | 12.73 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 53 | 13.06 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 121 | 18.51 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 34 | 14.91 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 119 | 40.08 |
14. Sony SF-M UHS-II
- Bus speed: UHS-II
- Video speed class: V60
- Capacities: 32GB (SDHC), 64GB, 128GB, 256GB (SDXC)
- Read speed: 277 MB/s
- Write speed: 150 MB/s
In-Camera Speed / Buffer Test Results
Here are our complete in-camera speed / buffer test results when using a 64GB card in Hi+ Drive Mode using the Electronic Shutter (40 FPS).
The actual R8 in-camera write speed is approximately 122 MB/s when shooting in RAW + JPEG L or 113 MB/s shooting in RAW only with the Sony SF-G Tough UHS-II card.
| Image Type | Shots Before Hitting Buffer (Max Burst) | Time to Clear Buffer (Seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| RAW (25.6MB) | 54 | 10.73 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) | 129 | 13.58 |
| JPEG L (8.2MB) | 144 | 10.31 |
| HEIF L (10.1MB) | 134 | 12.73 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 53 | 13.06 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 121 | 18.51 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 34 | 14.91 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 119 | 40.08 |
15. ProGrade V60 UHS-II
- Bus speed: UHS-II
- Video speed class: V60
- Capacities: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB (SDXC)
- Read speed: 250 MB/s
- Write speed: 130 MB/s
In-Camera Speed / Buffer Test Results
Here are our complete in-camera speed / buffer test results when using a 64GB card in Hi+ Drive Mode using the Electronic Shutter (40 FPS).
The actual R8 in-camera write speed is approximately 114 MB/s when shooting in RAW + JPEG L or 104 MB/s shooting in RAW only with the ProGrade V60 UHS-II card.
| Image Type | Shots Before Hitting Buffer (Max Burst) | Time to Clear Buffer (Seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| RAW (25.6MB) | 54 | 11.18 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) | 128 | 14.00 |
| JPEG L (8.2MB) | 145 | 10.13 |
| HEIF L (10.1MB) | 136 | 12.78 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 54 | 14.04 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 120 | 19.05 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 34 | 15.81 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 118 | 41.60 |
16. Lexar Professional 1667X UHS-II
- Bus speed: UHS-II
- Video speed class: V60
- Capacities: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB (SDXC)
- Read speed: 250 MB/s
- Write speed: 120 MB/s
In-Camera Speed / Buffer Test Results
Here are our complete in-camera speed / buffer test results when using a 64GB card in Hi+ Drive Mode using the Electronic Shutter (40 FPS).
The actual R8 in-camera write speed is approximately 84 MB/s when shooting in RAW + JPEG L or 80 MB/s shooting in RAW only with the Lexar Professional 1667X UHS-II card.
| Image Type | Shots Before Hitting Buffer (Max Burst) | Time to Clear Buffer (Seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| RAW (25.6MB) | 54 | 15.26 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) | 120 | 16.15 |
| JPEG L (8.2MB) | 145 | 19.50 |
| HEIF L (10.1MB) | 136 | 15.75 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 54 | 19.86 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 120 | 25.38 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 34 | 21.11 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 117 | 49.53 |
17. Sony SF-E UHS-II
- Bus speed: UHS-II
- Video speed class: 64GB V30, 128GB and higher V60
- Capacities: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB (SDXC)
- Read speed: 270 MB/s
- Write speed: 64GB 70 MB/s, 128GB + 256GB 120 MB/s
In-Camera Speed / Buffer Test Results
Here are our complete in-camera speed / buffer test results when using a 64GB card in Hi+ Drive Mode using the Electronic Shutter (40 FPS).
The actual R8 in-camera write speed is approximately 72 MB/s when shooting in RAW + JPEG L or 63 MB/s shooting in RAW only with the Sony SF-E UHS-II card.
| Image Type | Shots Before Hitting Buffer (Max Burst) | Time to Clear Buffer (Seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| RAW (25.6MB) | 51 | 18.86 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) | 170 | 17.90 |
| JPEG L (8.2MB) | 144 | 31.21 |
| HEIF L (10.1MB) | 135 | 16.45 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 51 | 21.75 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 120 | 29.80 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 34 | 23.35 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 115 | 56.46 |
18. Angelbird AV Pro Mk 2 V90 UHS-II
- Bus speed: UHS-II
- Video speed class: V90
- Capacities: 32GB (SDHC), 64GB, 128GB, 256GB (SDXC)
- Read speed: 300 MB/s
- Write speed: 280 MB/s
In-Camera Speed / Buffer Test Results
Here are our complete in-camera speed / buffer test results when using a 64GB card in Hi+ Drive Mode using the Electronic Shutter (40 FPS).
The actual R8 in-camera write speed is approximately 65 MB/s when shooting in RAW + JPEG L or 67 MB/s shooting in RAW only with the Angelbird AV Pro Mk 2 V90 UHS-II card.
The Angelbird AV Pro Mk 2 V90 UHS-II card underperforms badly in the R8. It has also underperformed in all of the R Series cameras that we have tested it in. We have purchased two of these cards to rule out a bad card, with the most recent purchased in December 2022, but they both perform poorly.
| Image Type | Shots Before Hitting Buffer (Max Burst) | Time to Clear Buffer (Seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| RAW (25.6MB) | 53 | 18.27 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) | 119 | 21.10 |
| JPEG L (8.2MB) | 145 | 17.25 |
| HEIF L (10.1MB) | 136 | 24.41 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 53 | 25.73 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 119 | 38.80 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 34 | 23.28 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 117 | 66.67 |
UHS-I Memory Card Speed & Buffer Tests
If you are more of a single shot shooters than a burst shooter, then you could save some money by purchasing a slower UHS-I SD card instead of a UHS-II card.
However, you will miss out when copying images over to your computer, since these cards are around 3x slower than UHS-II cards when copying files.
Here are our R8 in-camera speed and buffer tests for 6 different UHS-I memory cards.
1. Delkin Devices Advantage UHS-I
Delkin Devices Advantage UHS-I memory cards are designed and supported in the USA.
They are protected against water, shock, and x-rays, and also features built-in error correction and wear leveling.
Each memory card is supported by a Lifetime Warranty and Delkin’s American-based customer support team.
Bus speed: UHS-I
Video speed class: V30
Capacities: 32GB (SDHC), 64GB, 128GB, 256GB,512GB, 1TB (SDXC)
Read speed: 100 MB/s
Write speed: 80 MB/s
In-Camera Speed / Buffer Test Results
Here are our complete in-camera speed / buffer test results when using a 64GB card in Hi+ Drive Mode using the Electronic Shutter (40 FPS).
The actual R8 in-camera write speed is approximately 78 MB/s when shooting in RAW + JPEG L or 76 MB/s shooting in RAW only with the Delkin Devices Advantage UHS-I card.
| Image Type | Shots Before Hitting Buffer (Max Burst) | Time to Clear Buffer (Seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| RAW (25.6MB) | 51 | 15.23 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) | 128 | 15.90 |
| JPEG L (8.2MB) | 143 | 11.61 |
| HEIF L (10.1MB) | 135 | 15.13 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 51 | 19.98 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 119 | 26.21 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 34 | 21.60 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 116 | 53.45 |
2. Kingston Canvas Go! Plus UHS-I
Bus speed: UHS-I
Video speed class: V30
Capacities: 32GB (SDHC), 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB (SDXC)
Read speed: 170 MB/s
Write speed: 90 MB/s
In-Camera Speed / Buffer Test Results
Here are our complete in-camera speed / buffer test results when using a 64GB card in Hi+ Drive Mode using the Electronic Shutter (40 FPS).
The actual R8 in-camera write speed is approximately 78 MB/s when shooting in RAW + JPEG L or 76 MB/s shooting in RAW only with the Kingston Canvas Go! Plus UHS-I card.
| Image Type | Shots Before Hitting Buffer (Max Burst) | Time to Clear Buffer (Seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| RAW (25.6MB) | 51 | 15.22 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) | 128 | 15.98 |
| JPEG L (8.2MB) | 145 | 11.57 |
| HEIF L (10.1MB) | 136 | 14.71 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 51 | 19.95 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 120 | 26.63 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 34 | 22.23 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 117 | 54.32 |
3. SanDisk Extreme Pro UHS-I
Bus speed: UHS-I
Video speed class: V30
Capacities: 32GB (SDHC), 64GB, 128GB, 256GB,512GB, 1TB (SDXC)
Read speed: 170 MB/s
Write speed: 90 MB/s
In-Camera Speed / Buffer Test Results
Here are our complete in-camera speed / buffer test results when using a 64GB card in Hi+ Drive Mode using the Electronic Shutter (40 FPS).
The actual R8 in-camera write speed is approximately 71 MB/s when shooting in RAW + JPEG L or 71 MB/s shooting in RAW only with the SanDisk Extreme Pro UHS-I card.
| Image Type | Shots Before Hitting Buffer (Max Burst) | Time to Clear Buffer (Seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| RAW (25.6MB) | 52 | 16.80 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) | 121 | 16.95 |
| JPEG L (8.2MB) | 147 | 14.03 |
| HEIF L (10.1MB) | 137 | 17.06 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 51 | 22.45 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 121 | 31.08 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 34 | 23.05 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 116 | 56.75 |
4. Lexar Professional 1066x UHS-I
Bus speed: UHS-I
Video speed class: V30
Capacities: 32GB (SDHC), 64GB, 128GB, 256GB,512GB, 1TB (SDXC)
Read speed: 160 MB/s
Write speed: 120 MB/s
In-Camera Speed / Buffer Test Results
Here are our complete in-camera speed / buffer test results when using a 64GB card in Hi+ Drive Mode using the Electronic Shutter (40 FPS).
The actual R8 in-camera write speed is approximately 62 MB/s when shooting in RAW + JPEG L or 61 MB/s shooting in RAW only with the Lexar Professional 1066x UHS-I card.
| Image Type | Shots Before Hitting Buffer (Max Burst) | Time to Clear Buffer (Seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| RAW (25.6MB) | 52 | 19.90 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) | 121 | 19.00 |
| JPEG L (8.2MB) | 146 | 16.10 |
| HEIF L (10.1MB) | 137 | 19.73 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 51 | 26.08 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 120 | 33.85 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 34 | 26.15 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 116 | 63.35 |
5. Transcend 500S UHS-I
Bus speed: UHS-I
Video speed class: V30
Capacities: 8GB, 16GB, 32GB (SDHC), 64GB, 128GB (SDXC)
Read speed: 95 MB/s
Write speed: 60 MB/s
In-Camera Speed / Buffer Test Results
Here are our complete in-camera speed / buffer test results when using a 64GB card in Hi+ Drive Mode using the Electronic Shutter (40 FPS).
The actual R8 in-camera write speed is approximately 61 MB/s when shooting in RAW + JPEG L or 57 MB/s shooting in RAW only with the Transcend 500S UHS-I card.
| Image Type | Shots Before Hitting Buffer (Max Burst) | Time to Clear Buffer (Seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| RAW (25.6MB) | 51 | 20.91 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) | 121 | 20.98 |
| JPEG L (8.2MB) | 147 | 18.50 |
| HEIF L (10.1MB) | 137 | 23.25 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 51 | 26.48 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 119 | 41.85 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 34 | 25.55 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 116 | 62.82 |
6. SanDisk Extreme UHS-I
Bus speed: UHS-I
Video speed class: V30
Capacities: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB (SDXC)
Read speed: 150 MB/s
Write speed: 70 MB/s
In-Camera Speed / Buffer Test Results
Here are our complete in-camera speed / buffer test results when using a 64GB card in Hi+ Drive Mode using the Electronic Shutter (40 FPS).
The actual R8 in-camera write speed is approximately 59 MB/s when shooting in RAW + JPEG L or 59 MB/s shooting in RAW only with the SanDisk Extreme UHS-I card.
| Image Type | Shots Before Hitting Buffer (Max Burst) | Time to Clear Buffer (Seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| RAW (25.6MB) | 52 | 19.71 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) | 121 | 20.08 |
| JPEG L (8.2MB) | 145 | 16.75 |
| HEIF L (10.1MB) | 136 | 20.55 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 51 | 27.15 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 121 | 36.45 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 34 | 26.41 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 117 | 65.97 |
Elec. 1st-Curtain Shutter 6 FPS Speed & Buffer Tests
We know that some of you might prefer to shoot with the Elec. 1st-Curtain Shutter which is restricted to a maximum of 6 FPS on the R8.
We have not tested every single memory card at 6 FPS like we have with our 40 FPS electronic shutter tests since this would drive us a little crazy and also add significant wear to the mechanical shutter.
However, we have tested the fastest card from our UHS-II SD card tests which was the Sony SF-G Tough memory card.
In-Camera Speed / Buffer Test Results
Here are our complete in-camera speed / buffer test results when using a 64GB Sony SF-G Touch memory card in Hi+ Drive Mode using the Elec. 1st-Curtain Shutter (6 FPS). We stopped shooting once we hit 500 shots because it’s highly unlikely that anyone will be shooting such a long burst at 6 FPS.
| Image Type | Shots Before Hitting Buffer (Max Burst) | Time to Clear Buffer (Seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| RAW (25.6MB) | 500+ | < 2 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) | 500+ | < 2 |
| JPEG L (8.2MB) | 500+ | < 2 |
| HEIF L (10.1MB) | 500+ | < 2 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 500+ | < 2 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + JPEG L (8.2MB) | 500+ | < 2 |
| RAW (25.6MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 90 | 15.13 |
| CRAW (10.9MB) + HEIF L (10.1MB) | 256 | 29.20 |
What Size Memory Card Do You Need for Stills?
This really depends on how and what you are shooting.
The table below shows how many shots you can take depending on the file format that you are shooting in.
It’s based on a 32GB card, so just double the figures for a 64GB card.
*2: When set to [HDR shooting (HDR PQ): Disable].
*3: When set to [HDR shooting (HDR PQ): Enable].
File sizes are determined based on Canon testing standards.
Memory Cards for Recording Video
Here is Canon’s list of memory card performance requirements for the R8 depending on the video format that you are recording in.
As you can see, none of the R8’s video modes require an SD card that is rated faster than V60.
We would recommend a card like the Sony SF-M UHS-II card which is V60 rated (B&H Photo | Amazon).
Alternatively the Sony SF-E 128GB or 256GB UHS-II cards which are also V60 rated (B&H Photo | Amazon). Just not the 64GB version because this card is only V30 rated.
You could also go with a faster V90 card if you prefer and future proof yourself for if you upgrade your camera in the future, we’d recommend the Kingston Canvas React Plus UHS-II (B&H Photo | Amazon). We’d also recommend this card is you shoot a lot of continuous bursts.
Whichever card you buy please make sure that it is 64GB or larger in capacity, since these will be SDXC cards. 32GB and lower capacity cards that are labelled SDHC use the FAT32 file system and will split your movies into 4GB chunks which makes for more work in post.
Movie Recording Times
The amount of time that you can record for will vary based on the size of memory card that you are using and the video format that you are recording in.
Here are the estimated recording times for the EOS R8 depending on your movie settings and memory card size.
H.264/AVC (Canon Log: Off, HDR PQ : Off)
* Audio is recorded when [C.Fn4 audio compression:Enable] (Audio: AAC) is set.
* Movie recording stops when the maximum recording time per movie is reached.
* No audio is recorded for approx. the last two frames with the compression method for movie recording quality set to IPB (Standard) or IPB (Light) and the camera set to [C.Fn4 Audio compression: Enable]. Moreover, the video and sound may be slightly out of sync when movies are played back in Windows.
* Mbps — megabits per second (8 megabits = 1 megabyte)
H.265/AVC (Canon Log: On, HDR PQ : On)
* Audio is recorded when [C.Fn4 audio compression:Enable] (Audio: AAC) is set.
* Movie recording stops when the maximum recording time per movie is reached.
* No audio is recorded for approx. the last two frames with the compression method for movie recording quality set to IPB (Standard) or IPB (Light) and the camera set to [C.Fn4 Audio compression: Enable]. Moreover, the video and sound may be slightly out of sync when movies are played back in Windows.
* Mbps — megabits per second (8 megabits = 1 megabyte)
Memory Card Readers
If your computer does not include a UHS-II card reader built in then you will require a UHS-II Reader/Writer to take advantage of the faster speeds that UHS-II cards offer.
Sony MRW-S1 UHS-II SD Memory Card Reader
The MRW-S1 card reader supports the USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 Gb/s) bus to get the most from the high-performance UHS-II memory cards. It supports both Mac and Windows and is also backwards compatible with UHS-I memory cards.
Kingston Mobilelite Plus SD Card Reader
The Kingston Mobilelite Plus SD Card Reader supports the USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gb/s) and delivers speeds up to 10x faster than USB 2.0. Both Windows and Mac are supported and it’s also backwards compatible with UHS-I SD cards.
Apple USB Type-C to SD Card Reader
The Apple USB Type-C to SD Card Reader supports USB 3.1 / 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gb/s) and is compatible with a variety of notebooks and third-generation iPad Pros. It’s also backwards compatible with UHS-I SD cards.
Memory Card Storage
To keep your Canon R8 images and videos safe we would strongly recommend storing your memory cards in a secure case.
Ruggard Leda Memory Card Case
The Ruggard Leda memory card case can hold up to 12 SD (UHS-I & UHS-II) & 12 microSD cards. It features a molded-rubber lining, a polycarbonate exterior shell, and a weatherproof snap closure. It also includes a carabiner.
Summary
Due to their in-camera performance and price per GB, our recommended memory card for those of you who shoot a lot of continuous bursts with the R8 is the Kingston Canvas React Plus UHS-II (B&H Photo | Amazon).
If you shoot more single shots than continuous bursts then you might find that a UHS-I card is fast enough, however you won’t benefit from the faster UHS-II read times when coping images over to your computer. We would again recommend Kingston but this time their Kingston Canvas Go Plus UHS-I card (B&H Photo | Amazon).
If you shoot more video than stills then we’d recommend a card like the Sony SF-M UHS-II card which is V60 rated (B&H Photo | Amazon).
Whatever card you buy just don’t buy the Angelbird AV Pro Mk 2 V90 UHS-II since it underperforms badly in the R8 and has underperformed in every R Series camera that we have tested it in.
Alternatively the Sony SF-E 128GB or 256GB UHS-II cards which are also V60 rated (B&H Photo | Amazon). Just not the 64GB version because this is only V30 rated.
FAQs
SDHC cards use the FAT32 file system and can store up to 32 GB of data, while SDXC cards use the exFAT file system and can store up to 2 terabytes (2000 GB).
One.
SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I and UHS-II memory cards.
Thanks. I now have plenty of Sandisk and only found problems with high speed writing. I’ll start using your recommended cards. It seems like those marked with “V90” will take care of all future needs. I’d like to find out which has the best “write” total reliability.