Sd card for mavic air

[RonanCork]

Hi guys.

From my old sony phone I've an sd card and I'm wondering can I use it on my mavic air?

It's make is: SanDisk ultra 64GB micro sd XC1 (10).

Nervous to put it into the slot in the mavic in case it gets stuck or lost

Any guidance would be great

Thanks guys - Ro

 

[CanadaDrone]

Not unless it has a "U3" or "V30" label on it indicating that it has a minimum sustained write speed of at least 30 MB/s. Slower cards will drop frames. If it does have one or both of those labels, then you're fine.

Also whatever card you use make sure you format it in the drone before use, especially if it was previously used in a different device.

Don't be nervous to put a card in the Mavic Air...that is literally what you are supposed to do. It is spring loaded, so gently push in until it clicks to install, and gently push it to make it pop out for the uninstall. It won't get stuck. Also note it goes in upside down (the metal card contacts facing upwards with the drone in a normal position).

 

[msinger]

From my old sony phone I've an sd card and I'm wondering can I use it on my mavic air?

It's make is: SanDisk ultra 64GB micro sd XC1 (10).

If the memory card has a "U1" on it, you could use it to shoot 1080P video. It wouldn't be a good fit for 4K video though.

This guide explains which memory card would be best for you:

Best memory card for your DJI drone

 

[CanadaDrone]

If the memory card has a "U1" on it, you could use it to shoot 1080P video. It wouldn't be a good fit for 4K video though./QUOTE]

That depends on the frame rate he uses - 1080P 48/50/60FPS are right on the edge (I wouldn't risk it) and 1080P 120 FPS is a full 100 Mbps which is too high of a bitrate for a U1/V10/Class 10 card.

Your guide is somewhat misleading as it only references resolutions and does not account for frame rates. This is a very important detail because a lower resolution at a higher frame rate can easily have the same bitrate as a lower frame rate 4K video, requiring a faster card. 1080P itself is not limited to U1/V10/Class 10.

 

[FoxhallGH]

Stick with the U3 rated micro-SD cards ... Best value at the moment is this one on amazon.co.uk ...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07FC7V...&colid=X5BS0IJUTCGA&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

 

[msinger]

1080P 48/50/60FPS are right on the edge (I wouldn't risk it) and 1080P 120 FPS is a full 100 Mbps which is too high of a bitrate for a U1/V10/Class 10 card

How are you calculating those bitrates for DJI drones?

 

[CanadaDrone]

How are you calculating those bitrates for DJI drones?

Editing software will tell you what it is, or alternatively it's simple math based on file size after the fact. Max bitrate for the Mavic Air is 100Mbps which it does in 4k/30p or 1080/120p. Then it goes down from there.

 

[msinger]

Editing software will tell you what it is, or alternatively it's simple math based on file size after the fact. Max bitrate for the Mavic Air is 100Mbps which it does in 4k/30p or 1080/120p.

I created a few test files with my Mavic Air (tested twice for good measure). Here are the results:

4K @ 30 FPS = 12.9 MB/s & 13.0 MB/s
1080P @ 120 FPS = 12.47 MB/s & 12.47 MB/s
1080P @ 60 FPS = 8.9 MB/s & 8.9 MB/s
1080P @ 30 FPS = 4.4 MB/s & 4.4 MB/s

So, it looks like everything below 1080P @ 120 FPS is good to go on a Class 10 memory card.

 

[CanadaDrone]

I created a few test files with my Mavic Air (tested twice for good measure). Here are the results:

4K @ 30 FPS = 12.9 MB/s & 13.0 MB/s
1080P @ 120 FPS = 12.47 MB/s & 12.47 MB/s
1080P @ 60 FPS = 8.9 MB/s & 8.9 MB/s
1080P @ 30 FPS = 4.4 MB/s & 4.4 MB/s

So, it looks like everything below 1080P @ 120 FPS is good to go on a Class 10 memory card.

I'm not sure why you would assume that isn't what I expected to see - those are exactly what one would expect and directly inline with my previous comments. As I said, very easy to test which you have done. Looks like you edited your message though so maybe there was a mistake in the initial results.

I would not trust a class 10 card with 8.9MB/s as the bitrate does vary somewhat, hence my earlier comment. I would want more headroom than that to be safe, especially since memory cards rarely perform precisely to spec - up to you though.

Anyway my point is that if you're telling people that U1 / class 10 cars are OK for 1080p with no FPS qualifier that is misleading because they can easily exceed 10MB/s using 1080P on the Mavic Air.

 

[msinger]

my point is that if you're telling people that U1 / class 10 cars are OK for 1080p with no FPS qualifier that is misleading because they can easily exceed 10MB/s using 1080P on the Mavic Air

Now, that's somewhat misleading too. The majority of pilots can't possibly be filming footage in 1080P @ 120 FPS, so it's not as easy as you're attempting to make it out to be.

Regardless, it would be worth noting that 1080P @ 120 FPS won't record properly on a Class 10 memory card.

 

[FoxhallGH]

It's not worth the time taken to discuss - because a 64GB U3 class micro-SD can now be bought for £10.00
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07FC7V...sc=1&coliid=I2DMS6UKC306WM&colid=X5BS0IJUTCGA
Why put up with the limits? Just fit the card that allows you Mavic to do all it was made for ...

 

[msinger]

It's not worth the time taken to discuss - because a 64GB U3 class micro-SD can now be bought for £10.00

Per my guide above:

"The slower Class 10 memory cards or memory cards with smaller storage capacities are not always the best deal price-wise. For example, there are currently 64GB U3 memory cards that are less expensive than 32GB Class 10 memory cards. So, you might want to also consider purchasing a better memory card if it can be purchased for the same price as the memory card you need right now. Down the road, the better memory card could be used in a newer drone that requires a faster memory card or more storage space."

It sure is worth a discussion though -- or at least a read through my guide to understand how memory cards are labeled. And if someone has Class 10 memory cards laying around (I've got lots of them), it's worth knowing when they can be used.

Why put up with the limits?

What if one is not limited? No need to go out and spend money then.

 

[FoxhallGH]

Per my guide above:

"The slower Class 10 memory cards or memory cards with smaller storage capacities are not always the best deal price-wise. For example, there are currently 64GB U3 memory cards that are less expensive than 32GB Class 10 memory cards. So, you might want to also consider purchasing a better memory card if it can be purchased for the same price as the memory card you need right now. Down the road, the better memory card could be used in a newer drone that requires a faster memory card or more storage space."

It sure is worth a discussion though -- or at least a read through my guide to understand how memory cards are labeled. And if someone has Class 10 memory cards laying around (I've got lots of them), it's worth knowing when they can be used.


What if one is not limited? No need to go out and spend money then.

Overall, the general subject is worth the discussion, and this particular one gets an outing at least once a month ... I know that there are at least 3 other Threads that have just gone through covering all the differences between the SD card types.
What I was meaning was that in this case, and due partly to the reasons you state above, it's not really worth while for the OP to run their drone with a card that limits its capabilities - especially since in relative terms (the price of the drone v's the price of the SD card), it's both cheap and simple to get a U3 card that removes the limitations and allows you to experiment with and experience the full range of the Drones photo/Video capabilities.

 

[msinger]

Overall, the general subject is worth the discussion, and this particular one gets an outing at least once a month ... I know that there are at least 3 other Threads that have just gone through covering all the differences between the SD card types.
What I was meaning was that in this case, and due partly to the reasons you state above, it's not really worth while for the OP to run their drone with a card that limits its capabilities - especially since in relative terms (the price of the drone v's the price of the SD card), it's both cheap and simple to get a U3 card that removes the limitations and allows you to experiment with and experience the full range of the Drones photo/Video capabilities.

If you revisit the OP's post above, you'll see the OP is asking if his memory card will work and not looking for you to suggest the best new memory card to buy. And it looks like we've successfully answered that question. It should work just fine at less than 1080P @ 120 FPS.

I don't agree that using a Class 10 memory card limits capabilities. That would be like saying the OP should have bought an Inspire 2 since the entire Mavic line is doing nothing but limiting his capabilities. Not everyone needs/wants to shoot 4K video.

 

[FoxhallGH]

OK @msinger - but I'd think it remiss not to mention the limitations.
I don't think saying the OP should have brought an Inspire etc. is a fair comparison - because that's completely different than suggesting how to get the best out of what you have. Sure, the OP now knows that he can use the card he has, but he also now knows that it has limitations, what those limitations are (thanks to your excellent info), and what he can do IF he wants to fully use the Mavic to get the type of pictures it's advertised as providing.
As for saying ... "I don't agree that using a Class 10 memory card limits capabilities." that seems to contradict everything you have said so far ... Unless you don't think that recording HD video is a capability that the Mavic Air has? Reviews state "The Mavic Air’s camera is 4K at 30 FPS, recording at up to 100 Mbps with exceptional UHD quality." ... But as you have shown above, you aren't going to get that with a class 10 SD card.

I don't understand why this now feels like an argument with you @msinger???? I think we are in violent agreement on most of this Thread.

 

[msinger]

As for saying ... "I don't agree that using a Class 10 memory card limits capabilities." that seems to contradict everything you have said so far ... Unless you don't think that recording HD video is a capability that the Mavic Air has?

I'm only trying to answer the OP's question. That's why this thread was created. Since it seems his question has been answered, there's likely no need to continue. I trust he now has the information he needs to choose the right memory card for the job (whatever that might be).

 

[FoxhallGH]

Are we good to go @RonanCork - or have we just confused the h*** out of you??

 

[DanMan32]

Here's a question:
How have DJI consumer drones earlier than Mavic Air handled 4k? The U3 requirement for 100Mb wasn't until Air.

 

[RonanCork]

Hi guys

Thanks so much for the very detailed responses. It's been a learning curve but i think I'm getting it

Ended up going with one of the U3 64gb cards from amazon from one of the links above.

Thanks all - Ro

 

[ABHIII]

I was using class 10 previously. I got bought myself couple of 64gb Samsung U3 class cards. They work well for 4k shots. I'm happy now.