Knowledge Article: What are the differences between SD, SDHC, SDXC and SDUC cards? A detailed guide

We will explain in an easy-to-understand manner the differences between SD cards, SDHC cards, SDXC cards, and SDUC cards.
First of all, SD card stands for "Secure Digital" and is a type of memory card used to store and transfer data.
It is used in a variety of device, including cameras, smartphones, and tablets.
Each card has different characteristic and benefits.

Types and Features of SD Cards

Card Type	capacity	Filesystem	transfer speed	compatibility
SD Card	Up to 2GB	FAT16	Normal Speed	Works on most device
SDHC card	4GB to 32GB	FAT32	high-speed (Class 10 and UHS speed class compatible)	Widely supported on new device
SDXC card	32GB to 2TB	exFAT	Extremely high-speed (UHS-I, UHS-II compatible)	Supported on latest device, not supported on some older device
SDUC Card	2TB to 128TB	exFAT	Extremely high-speed (UHS-III compatible)	Will be supported on future device

Difference in capacity

SD card: Up to 2GB, suitable for storing small amounts of data.
SDHC Card: Supports capacities from 4GB to 32GB, ideal for storing photos and standard definition videos.
SDXC cards: Offering large capacities from 32GB to 2TB, they are ideal for storing high-definition videos and large amounts of data.
SDUC Card: With ultra-large capacity ranging from 2TB to 128TB, it is ready to store even more data in the future.

File system differences

SD Card: Uses FAT16 and is widely supported by older device.
SDHC Card: Uses FAT32 and can handle larger file sizes.
SDXC card: Uses exFAT and is excellent for managing large amounts of data.
SDUC Card: Uses exFAT and is an extension of SDXC that can handle even larger amounts of data.

Compatibility Differences

SD Card: Compatible with most device.
SDHC cards: Widely supported by newer device, but may not be recognized by older device.
SDXC cards: Supported by newer device, but not supported by older device.
SDUC cards: Will be supported in future device.

Differences in transfer speed

SD Card: Normal speed, good for basic data storage.
SDHC card: Allows high-speed data transfer and is suitable for taking photos and standard-definition videos.
SDXC Card: Extremely high-speed data transfer speeds make it ideal for high-quality video and continuous shooting.
SDUC card: Extremely high-speed data transfer is possible and it is suitable for future high-capacity, high-speed data storage.

Conclusion

Understanding the differences between SD, SDHC, SDXC, and SDUC cards can help you choose the best card for your device.
Consider factors such as capacity, compatibility, and transfer speeds to choose the card that best suits your needs.
If you are using the latest device, we recommend you choose SDXC cards or future SDUC cards, which have larger capacity and high-speed.

Please note that the AH4000 / AL4000 we sell only supports SD cards.