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On paper, the just lately launched ProGrade 512GB UHS-II V90 reminiscence card is sitting proper close to the highest of the SDXC reminiscence card discipline. Banner options embrace a 300 MB/s learn pace and a 250 MB/s write pace and, after all, the 512GB of area for all of the juicy 4K RAW footage your digital camera can throw at it. However how does it maintain up within the discipline? Discover out by persevering with to learn my overview.
Regardless of a shift in the direction of the CFexpress format within the stills and video world, we nonetheless have quite a lot of cameras that require a quick and reliable SDXC reminiscence card. Amongst these incredible cameras is the Canon EOS C70 (which simply obtained a complete CineD lab check from my colleague Gunther which you’ll view right here. Further information relating to the Canon C70 is the addition of Canon RAW within the type of a free firmware replace from Canon – you possibly can obtain that replace right here.
The Canon C70 is data-hungry whereas capturing 4K and particularly whereas capturing Canon RAW. Up until now, SanDisk has been the market chief in reminiscence playing cards. As a result of the earlier V90 SDXC lineup topped out at a measly 128GB capability, the appearance of Prograde’s $459 512GB UHS-II SDXC V90 has the potential to develop into the go-to selection for Canon C70 shooters.
I’ll be operating the ProGrade’s 512GB UHS-II SDXC V90 (hereafter known as the ProGrade 512GB V90 card) via just a few assessments:
- Double Test Capability – Does it certainly have 512gb of obtainable area?
- Canon C70 RAW/XF-AVC T- Does it work?
- Sustained Learn/Write Take a look at with Blackmagic Disc Velocity Software program (accessible totally free right here)
- AJA System Take a look at Lite (accessible totally free right here)
- SanDisk 128GB Excessive PRO UHS-II SDXC Efficiency Take a look at Vs. ProGrade Digital 128GB UHS-II V90
Earlier than we get began, I ought to point out one other competitor with a comparable product: the Clever 512GB V90 SDXC UHS-II Reminiscence Card (although at a dearer $699).
Capacity Test/Further ProGrade Software program
In response to my MacBook Professional, the ProGrade 512GB V90 does certainly have the 512GB capability as promised by ProGrade. (Home windows gadgets might return completely different outcomes). There’s nonetheless one thing superb about having 512GB of area inside such a tiny card casing, however maybe I’ll recover from that feeling because the capability of those playing cards is pushed additional and additional.
I’ll admit there’s a psychological hurdle with a card like this. If something occurs whereas filming 1920×1080 footage on a single 512GB card, there’s hassle. The benefit to 128GB playing cards is that regardless that you might have to modify them each half-hour, there’s some consolation in figuring out you aren’t shedding the whole day if one thing occurs.
To assist offset any fear on my or your elements, ProGrade affords free software program (with buy) referred to as “Restoration Professional” and “Refresh Professional.” “Restoration Professional” guarantees to get well misplaced information in your card ought to an unintentional format occur or another sort of card concern. “Refresh Professional” is meant to optimize efficiency of your ProGrade playing cards. Each packages might be downloaded right here.
It’s value noting that the ProGrade software program solely works with each a ProGrade reader and ProGrade branded reminiscence playing cards. Here’s a helpful article from ProGrade on how flash reminiscence degrades over time and why a program like “Refresh Professional” is perhaps mandatory for the long-term well being of your treasured reminiscence playing cards.
Canon C70 Outcomes with ProGrade 512GB Card (RAW and XF-AVC UHD)
After I first inserted the ProGrade 512GB V90 card into the Canon C70, I didn’t see a media warning. I took this as a very good signal as a result of the C70 is just not shy about alerting customers when their media is less than spec. A few of my older SDXC playing cards don’t play nicely with the Canon C70. The explanation for that is that the digital camera landed in the course of the shift to faster-and-larger-capacity CFexpress media. We C70 customers might need missed the boat on the CFexpress format, however that doesn’t imply the digital camera isn’t nice and price utilizing usually.
For me, having the ability to shoot the newly added Canon RAW ST, LT or trusty XF-AVC UHD codecs can be the principle buying impetus for the ProGrade 512GB V90 card. The excellent news is the ProGrade 512GB V90 card works with all codecs on the C70 as much as and together with RAW ST and LT, and also you get some killer recording occasions with all that capability:
- 171 minutes of RAW ST on the C70 at 23.98fps (Locked at 4096×2160 398 Mbps)
- 263 min of RAW LT on the C70 at 23.98fps (Locked at 4096×2160 259 Mbps)
- 166 min of XF-AVC YCC422 10-Bit 3840×2160 410Mbps Intra at 23.98
For comparability sake, on a 128GB card, we get 42 min of RAW ST at 23.98fps or 41 min of XF-AVC UHD 4K at 23.98. Having the ability to file almost 3 hours of RAW ST on the C70 is an absolute delight regardless of my already expressed concern about placing every part on one card. Personally, I would go dual-slot file mode with two 512GB playing cards enjoying concurrently for actually mission-critical 1-shot content material, however that’s my paranoia talking.
It may also be value mentioning that Canon RAW isn’t my go-to selection for each circumstance, and this incredible video from Björn Kurtenbach utilizing the Canon C300 MK III (identical sensor because the C70) helps clarify why.
To place a last bow on the compatibility query with the Canon C70, I went forward and burned via a 512GB card to see if there was a drop in efficiency or perhaps a heating concern. I’m pleased to report there wasn’t a hiccup or warning indicator all through the RAW ST recording check.
Learn/Write Take a look at: 512GB V90
I used an AJA System Take a look at Lite to examine the learn/write pace expressed in Frames/Second after which in MB/Second outcomes for the ProGrade 512GB V90. Once more, this software program is on the market totally free right here. The system permits customers to foretell the capabilities of any drive system for recording and enjoying again numerous resolutions and codecs.
The cardboard was formatted prematurely for the Canon C70, and all assessments have been accomplished utilizing the ProGrade Digital Twin-Slot UHS-II SDXC USB 3.2 Gen 2 Kind-C Card Reader (marketed Knowledge Switch Speeds as much as 1.25 GB/s).
The AJA System Take a look at Lite lets you set a particular file dimension to emphasize check. Commonplace UHD 4K and ProRes (HQ) seem to be an awesome benchmark. For tv, because of the 16×9 side ratio, I are inclined to shoot in UHD 4K as an alternative of Cinema 4K.
Outcomes expressed in Frames/s.
Listed below are these MB/s outcomes.
MB/Sec outcomes expressed in graph type.
As you could already know, a V60 card will need to have a minimal sustained write pace of a minimum of 60MB/s to realize a V60 classification, and a V90 card will need to have a minimal sustained write pace of a minimum of 90MB/s for a V90 designation. In response to the 2 charts above, we’re definitely testing a speedy V90 card right here.
And here’s a Learn/Write 5GB stress check utilizing Blackmagic Design’s Disk Velocity Take a look at software program (Model 3.4). Once more, you possibly can obtain this software program totally free right here to check your media at residence. The cardboard was formatted prematurely for the Canon C70.
SanDisk 128GB Excessive PRO UHS-II SDXC Efficiency Take a look at Vs. ProGrade Digital 128GB UHS-II V90
Out of sheer curiosity, I made a decision to place the $149.99 (at the moment on sale down from $199.99 as of Could 2022) SanDisk Excessive PRO UHS-II V90 and the $149.99 ProGrade 128GB UHS-II V90 face to face utilizing each the Blackmagic and AJA software program.
Right here’s the SanDisk 128GB MB/s check set to 4GB and with the identical decision and codec settings because the 512GB V90 assessments (For reference, full settings are positioned on the left facet of the screenshot beneath.)
Now for the Blackmagic Disc Velocity Take a look at on the Sandisk 128GB MB/s.
Barely higher MB/s write outcomes on the Blackmagic software program versus the AJA.
And now we’ll give the ProGrade 128GB a glance. First, with the identical codec and determination settings within the AJA software program:
A look between these outcomes and the SanDisk outcomes above lets us know that we’re touchdown in an analogous spot with learn/write speeds. A guess on my half, however maybe that is why SanDisk lowered their value to extra intently match ProGrade’s present pricing.
And now the identical 5GB stress check with Blackmagic Disc Velocity Take a look at and the ProGrade 128GB:
Once more, almost an identical outcomes with a tiny write-speed edge to the ProGrade 128GB. I additionally double-checked the capability of each 128GB playing cards, and so they landed on the marketed 128GB capability.
Lengthy-term reliability apart, from a pure efficiency check standpoint, I might really feel very snug with both V90 128GB choices from SanDisk or ProGrade.
Closing ideas
As we proceed the transfer in the direction of CFexpress, there are nonetheless a ton of digital camera platforms and even audio combine gadgets counting on the tried-and-true SDXC reminiscence card. The benefit with ProGrade is that it meets the necessity of all shooters searching for excessive capability and excessive pace 512GB playing cards, particularly Canon C70 customers.
There’s quite a lot of belief required on the a part of photographers and cinematographers when selecting reminiscence card producers and the learn/write speeds from ProGrade are nothing to scoff at. The $459 price ticket additionally is available in a number of hundred {dollars} cheaper than the opposite 512GB V90 competitor.
What do you suppose? Are you a Canon C70 shooter? What different cameras do you suppose would can be nice for this card? Tell us within the feedback beneath!
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