“SD” or Secure Digital was developed by the SD Association and is a proprietary non-volatile memory card format for use in portable devices. An SD card and its smaller counterpart, the microSD card, can be found in a variety of everyday devices including cameras, smartphones, drones, video game consoles like the Nintendo Switch, and more.

While SD and microSD cards have made recording data faster and storage capacity has become greater, there is still much confusion. Each device, from a camera to a drone, has different SD card requirements. For example, a drone may require a microSD card with a high speed class rating to write data very fast, but if the card you give it has a lower rating that can’t write fast enough, it may not be compatible with the drone. Such mistakes are common, but don't fret. This guide will show you how to avoid using and buying the wrong SDs for your devices. By the end, you’ll be an SD pro.

Confused and in a dash?

If you need SD info in a jiffy we got you covered. When in SD doubt, check this graphic out! (Click to enlarge)