SanDisk Extreme SDXC 128GB vs PNY Elite-X SDXC Memory Card

The SanDisk Extreme is the stronger card: its rated 230 MB/s read and 160 MB/s write are far ahead of the PNY Elite-X's 100 MB/s read and 30 MB/s write, which matters for burst shooting, large RAW files and offloading footage. Both are 128 GB UHS-I SDXC cards rated U3 and V30, so both meet the minimum for 4K video, but the PNY's 30 MB/s write leaves little headroom for sustained high-bitrate recording. The PNY counters with water, magnet, shock and temperature resistance and a 4-out-of-5 average from 82 ratings. Buy the SanDisk for speed and heavy workloads; pick the PNY if you want a rugged card for lighter shooting.

• Choose the SanDisk Extreme if you shoot bursts, record high-bitrate 4K, or move large files often and want the fastest UHS-I card of the two.
• Choose the PNY Elite-X if your camera writes modest files, you value the rugged water, shock and temperature ratings, and speed is secondary.