The Nikon D5300 digital single-lens reflex camera boasts excellent capability for both video and burst photography. However, in order to get the most out of them, you need a memory card that is capable of keeping up. If you get one that is too sluggish for the camera, you run the risk of running into problems such as the camera freezing up or the video abruptly ceasing.
I don’t know how helpful you find that, but I don’t find it particularly helpful at all. Therefore, I have taken those official guidelines from Nikon and converted them into more practical suggestions that cut through all of the convoluted jargon that memory card manufacturers use in their marketing. These recommendations can be seen below.
The Nikon D5300 is capable of reading and writing SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards.
The only variation between these types is the amount of memory that they can hold. All of these types appear exactly the same. Cards with a capacity of up to 2 gigabytes might be referred to as 1 SD. If your camera can handle larger memory cards, there is no reason to purchase a 2GB card now that memory card prices have dropped to the point where very nice 32GB cards can be purchased for $15. Instead, you should consider upgrading your storage capacity.
For the Nikon D5300, I believe that you should stick with SDHC or SDXC memory cards. SDHC cards can range in size from 4 gigabytes all the way up to 32 gigabytes. Cards with a capacity of 64GB or more are referred to as SDXC. A memory card with a capacity of at least 32 gigabytes will provide you with more storage space, which is especially important if you plan to capture RAW images with your Nikon D5300.
When it comes to video recording, you’ll need a card that’s been rated as class 6 or higher at the very least. When the video is being recorded, the camera must swiftly write a large amount of data to the memory card. This is the reason why. The video recording will be terminated if the card you are using is unable to write data at a fast enough rate. You won’t find any older memory cards that have a class lower than 10, therefore it’s best to just go with one of those rather than rummaging around for an older card with a lower rating.
For the most part, when it comes to brands, I prefer to stick with the larger, more well-known ones. You should be able to discover a memory card manufactured by Sandisk, Lexar, Delkin, Sony, Samsung, Kingston, Panasonic, Toshiba, or Transcend that not only satisfies your requirements but also comes at an affordable price. These are just some of the major brands that provide high-quality memory cards. Sandisk and Lexar are the brands that are used by professionals the most frequently.
The following is a selection of memory cards that are recommended, all of which are compatible with the Nikon D5300, have reasonable prices, are easily accessible, and offer a lot of bang for their buck. (The prices shown here were accurate at the time this article was written; however, prices have a way of fluctuating.)
This list is not exhaustive; there are cards that operate just as well despite being either quicker or slower, and there are also cards that are either smaller or larger. These recommendations are essentially the same as those for the Nikon D300 as there are a lot of parallels between the two cameras.
Best Nikon D5300 Memory Cards
SanDisk 256GB Ultra SDXC UHS-I Memory Card - 100MB/s, C10, U1, Full HD, SD Card - SDSDUNR-256G-GN6IN
- Fast for better pictures and Full HD video(2) | (2)Full HD (1920x1080) video support may vary based upon host device, file attributes, and other factors
- Great choice for compact to mid-range point-and-shoot cameras
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Lexar Professional 633x 256GB SDXC UHS-I Card, Up To 95MB/s Read, for Mid-Range DSLR, HD Camcorder, 3D Cameras, LSD256CBNL633 (Product...
- High-speed, Class 10 performance leverages UHS-I (U1 or U3 depends on capacity) technology for a read transfer speed up to 95MB/s (633x).
- Capture high quality images of stunning 1080p full-HD, 3D, and 4K video
Kingston 256GB SDXC Canvas Select Plus 100MB/s Read Class 10 UHS-I U1 V30 Memory Card (SDS2/256GB)
- Faster speeds — Class 10 UHS-I speeds up to 100MB/s.
- Capture in full HD & 4K UHD video (1080P) — the advanced UHS-I interface makes the card ideal for cinema-quality full HD (1080P).
- Multiple capacities — Up to 512GB to store all your memorable photos and videos.
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PNY 256GB Elite-X Class 10 U3 V30 SDXC Flash Memory Card - 100MB/s, Class 10, U3, V30, 4K UHD, Full...
- Class 10 U3 V30 speed rating with read speeds up to 100MB/s
- Class 10 U3 V30 rating delivers speed and performance for burst mode HD photography and 4K Ultra HD Videography
- Ideal for photography and videography enthusiasts and for recording and transferring content between devices and computer
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Delkin Devices 256GB Advantage SDXC UHS-I (V30) Memory Card (DDSDW633256G)
- Unmatched Speed: Achieve impressive data transfer rates up to 100MB/s read and 80MB/s write, ensuring minimal waiting and uninterrupted 4K UHD and Full HD 1080p video capture. Perfect for professional photographers and videographers.
1. SanDisk Ultra U1 UHS-I
SanDisk 256GB Ultra SDXC UHS-I Memory Card - 100MB/s, C10, U1, Full HD, SD Card - SDSDUNR-256G-GN6IN
- Fast for better pictures and Full HD video(2) | (2)Full HD (1920x1080) video support may vary based upon host device, file attributes, and other factors
- Great choice for compact to mid-range point-and-shoot cameras
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- (2)Fast for better photos and video in full high definition(2) | (2)Full HD video support (1920 x 1080) may vary depending on…
- An excellent option for point-and-shoot cameras that are either compact or of a mid-range.
Their most budget-friendly offering in the middle of their price range is the SanDisk Ultra line. The most recent iterations of the Ultra cards are significantly quicker than the older models, and they are an excellent choice for entry-level cameras that do not place a particularly high demand on their SD cards. Extreme cards, which are the level above Ultra cards, are also a nice option; however, Ultra cards typically have prices that are significantly cheaper. They are also typically fairly simple to track down at retail establishments.
SanDisk reuses its model names, so you can still buy older, less efficient versions of its products. This most recent iteration of the Ultra card makes use of a UHS-I interface and has been given a rating of U1 for video recording.
It is available in sizes ranging from 32 gigabytes all the way up to 256 gigabytes.
2. Lexar 633x V30 UHS-I
Lexar Professional 633x 256GB SDXC UHS-I Card, Up To 95MB/s Read, for Mid-Range DSLR, HD Camcorder, 3D Cameras, LSD256CBNL633 (Product...
- High-speed, Class 10 performance leverages UHS-I (U1 or U3 depends on capacity) technology for a read transfer speed up to 95MB/s (633x).
- Capture high quality images of stunning 1080p full-HD, 3D, and 4K video
- Performance that is both high-speed and Class 10 leverages UHS-I technology, which can either be U1 or U3, depending on the capacity, is used for a reading…
- Take pictures of exceptional quality and record video in 1080p full-HD, 3D, and 4K resolutions.
Since quite some time ago, the Lexar 633x family of SD cards has been one of the company’s most reliable product lines. There are currently cards available that are quicker, but this one is fast enough for this camera while also providing a decent value for the money.
The fact that they are offered in capacities ranging from 32 GB all the way up to ‘TB is one of the things that sets this range apart.
3. The Kingston Canvas Select Plus V30 UHS-I
Kingston 256GB SDXC Canvas Select Plus 100MB/s Read Class 10 UHS-I U1 V30 Memory Card (SDS2/256GB)
- Faster speeds — Class 10 UHS-I speeds up to 100MB/s.
- Capture in full HD & 4K UHD video (1080P) — the advanced UHS-I interface makes the card ideal for cinema-quality full HD (1080P).
- Multiple capacities — Up to 512GB to store all your memorable photos and videos.
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- rates that are up to 100 MB/s faster than those of Class 10 UHS-I.
- Full High Definition (1080P) and Ultra High Definition (4K) videos may both be captured with this card, thanks to its superior UHS-I interface.
Kingston is a brand that may not be as well known as some of the others, but they have a very long history of producing memory cards that can be relied upon. Memory cards that are dependable and offer a decent value tend to be the brand’s primary focus, rather than the most cutting-edge speeds available.
Although this particular card from Kingston (the SDS2 Canvas Select Plus model) is not the quickest in the company’s lineup, it is quick enough to function effectively with this camera. It comes in sizes ranging from 16 gigabytes all the way up to 128 gigabytes.
4. PNY Elite-X V30 UHS-I
PNY 256GB Elite-X Class 10 U3 V30 SDXC Flash Memory Card - 100MB/s, Class 10, U3, V30, 4K UHD, Full...
- Class 10 U3 V30 speed rating with read speeds up to 100MB/s
- Class 10 U3 V30 rating delivers speed and performance for burst mode HD photography and 4K Ultra HD Videography
- Ideal for photography and videography enthusiasts and for recording and transferring content between devices and computer
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- Read speeds of up to 100MB/s are possible with a Class 10 U3 V30 speed certification.
- The speed and performance that come with a Class 10 U3 V30 grade are perfect for burst mode HD photography and 4K Ultra HD…
PNY is another brand that isn’t as well known as some of the others, but they’ve been around for a very long time and create very strong memory cards that are typically priced quite competitively and offer a decent value.
This particular model is offered in storage capacities ranging from 64 gigabytes all the way up to 512 gigabytes.
5. Delkin devises Advantage V30 UHS-I
Delkin Devices 256GB Advantage SDXC UHS-I (V30) Memory Card (DDSDW633256G)
- Unmatched Speed: Achieve impressive data transfer rates up to 100MB/s read and 80MB/s write, ensuring minimal waiting and uninterrupted 4K UHD and Full HD 1080p video capture. Perfect for professional photographers and videographers.
- Offers the Capability to Record Videos in 4K and Full HD 1080p at High Frame Rates
- Approved for Continuous Shooting in RAW Format
Delkin Devices has been in business for a considerable amount of time but has maintained a low profile in recent years. However, they have recently updated their whole assortment of cards in an effort to streamline the available options and bring the cards in line with modern standards.
The Advantage card features a UHS-I interface and has a V30 rating on its speed rating. It is now available in sizes ranging up to 512 gigabytes.
Different Brands
There is also a great deal of lesser-known brands that are widespread. In general, I would suggest sticking to a brand that you are familiar with and trust or selecting one of the companies that I have recommended on this page because they have well-established reputations for producing cards of good quality.
It’s possible that some of the other, less well-known brands will work, but there’s also a chance that they won’t live up to their claims. The ones that are listed above should provide a solid selection of ones that are quite easy to locate at retailers close to you.
