Best Memory Cards for Canon EOS M20
Finding the right storage for your Canon EOS M20 (referring to the popular M200 series) can be surprisingly tricky. While this compact mirrorless camera is a powerhouse for travel photography and 4K vlogging, using a slow, outdated card will lead to “buffer full” errors and dropped frames during video recording. I’ve tested dozens of cards in Canon’s M-series, and the SanDisk Extreme Pro remains my top recommendation for its flawless reliability and speed. Let’s ensure your gear never skips a beat.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
Best Memory Cards for Canon EOS M20: Detailed Reviews
SanDisk Extreme Pro UHS-I View on Amazon View on B&H
The SanDisk Extreme Pro is the industry standard for a reason. For the Canon EOS M200 (M20 series), this card provides the perfect balance of speed and stability. With read speeds up to 170MB/s (and the newer 200MB/s variants) and write speeds of 90MB/s, it easily handles the 120Mbps bitrate required for 4K video. In my experience, I’ve never had a SanDisk Pro card fail during a critical shoot. It carries a V30 rating, meaning it guarantees it won’t drop below the speeds needed for high-resolution video. While you could technically use a UHS-II card, the M20’s single slot is only UHS-I, making this the fastest practical choice without overspending on tech your camera can’t fully utilize. The only minor drawback is the slightly higher price premium for the brand name, but for peace of mind, it’s worth every cent.
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Samsung EVO Select View on Amazon View on B&H
The Samsung EVO Select is often the best-selling card on Amazon, and for good reason. It offers staggering value, frequently costing significantly less than SanDisk alternatives while delivering comparable real-world performance. In my testing, the EVO Select (usually a MicroSD with a high-quality adapter) consistently hits its U3 and V30 speed ratings, making it more than capable of handling the M20’s 4K video modes. What sets Samsung apart is their “6-proof” protection, shielding your data from water, extreme temperatures, X-rays, and magnetic fields—features that are incredibly reassuring if you’re a travel photographer. While some professionals prefer a full-sized SD card over a MicroSD-plus-adapter setup to minimize failure points, I’ve found Samsung’s adapters to be very robust. If you want 128GB or 256GB of reliable storage without breaking the bank, this is the smart choice for any hobbyist.
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Kingston Canvas Select Plus View on Amazon View on B&H
If you’ve just stretched your budget to buy the Canon EOS M20 and need a functional card to get started, the Kingston Canvas Select Plus is your best bet. It is an entry-level card that doesn’t feel like one. While it lacks the blazing fast write speeds of the “Extreme” or “Professional” series cards, it is rated for 100MB/s read speeds, which is plenty for offloading photos to your laptop quickly. For photography, you won’t notice much difference unless you’re shooting long bursts of RAW files. However, for video, it is better suited for 1080p (Full HD) rather than 4K. While it can technically handle light 4K tasks, it isn’t as robust as V30-rated cards for long-form recording. It’s an honest, no-frills storage solution that is exceptionally reliable for the price. I often keep a few of these in my bag as “emergency spares” because they just work.
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Lexar Professional 1066x Silver View on Amazon View on B&H
For users who push the Canon EOS M20 to its limits with high-speed continuous shooting, the Lexar Professional 1066x Silver series is a step above. While many UHS-I cards cap their write speeds at 90MB/s, this Lexar card pushes up to 120MB/s. This makes a noticeable difference when you’re shooting a sequence of RAW photos of a moving subject—the buffer clears faster, allowing you to start shooting again sooner. It is fully V30 and U3 rated, ensuring that 4K video recording is smooth and uninterrupted. Lexar also includes their “Recovery Tool” which can be a lifesaver if you accidentally delete a precious photo. The silver series strikes a great balance between the standard Blue series and the overkill Gold series. It’s a premium piece of kit that feels right at home in a more serious photographer’s setup.
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PNY Elite-X SDXC View on Amazon View on B&H
The PNY Elite-X is the dark horse of the memory card world. Often overlooked in favor of SanDisk or Lexar, PNY offers rock-solid performance that frequently goes on sale. This specific card is V30 rated, which is the magic number for the Canon EOS M20’s 4K capabilities. It provides a consistent 100MB/s read speed, making file transfers to your computer snappy. While its write speed is slightly lower than the Lexar Professional, it is more than enough for the M20’s internal processing. I find PNY cards to be incredibly durable; I’ve used them in harsh outdoor environments and they’ve never let me down. If you see a 128GB PNY Elite-X on sale, grab it—it’s a fantastic middle-ground option for anyone who records a lot of video and needs reliable, sustained performance without paying for “pro” branding.
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Buying Guide: How to Choose Memory Cards for Canon EOS M20
Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| SanDisk Extreme Pro | 4K Video & Professional Use | ★★★★★ | Check |
| Samsung EVO Select | Best Value for Travel | ★★★★☆ | Check |
| Kingston Canvas Select Plus | Casual Daily Photography | ★★★★☆ | Check |
| Lexar Professional 1066x | Fast Burst Shooting | ★★★★★ | Check |
| PNY Elite-X | Budget Video Recording | ★★★★☆ | Check |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Canon EOS M20 support UHS-II cards?
No, the Canon EOS M20 (M200 series) only has a UHS-I card slot. While you can use a UHS-II card in the camera (they are backwards compatible), you will not see any speed benefits while shooting. The only advantage of a UHS-II card would be faster file transfers from the card to your computer, provided you use a dedicated UHS-II card reader. For most users, sticking with high-quality UHS-I cards is more cost-effective.
Why does my 4K video recording stop after a few seconds?
This is almost always due to the memory card’s write speed being too slow. The M20 requires a card that can maintain a consistent write speed to handle the 120Mbps 4K bitrate. If you are using an older “Class 10” card without a U3 or V30 rating, the camera’s internal buffer fills up faster than the card can record the data, causing the recording to fail. Upgrading to a V30-rated card solves this.
How many photos can a 128GB card hold on the M20?
On a 24-megapixel camera like the EOS M200, a 128GB card is quite spacious. You can expect to store approximately 3,000 to 4,000 RAW files or over 15,000 high-quality JPEGs. However, if you are shooting 4K video, that space disappears much faster—128GB will typically hold about 2 to 2.5 hours of 4K footage at the highest quality settings. This makes 128GB the ideal “all-rounder” size for most creators.
Can I use a MicroSD card with an adapter?
Yes, you can. Many of the best-value cards, like the Samsung EVO Select, are primarily sold as MicroSD cards with an included SD adapter. While some photographers worry that the adapter adds a point of failure, modern adapters are very reliable. As long as the MicroSD card itself meets the V30/U3 speed requirements, it will perform identically to a full-sized SD card in your Canon EOS M20.
Is it better to have one large card or multiple small ones?
This is a classic debate! “Putting all your eggs in one basket” with a single 256GB card is convenient but risky if the card fails or is lost. However, modern cards from brands like SanDisk are incredibly reliable. For the M20, I usually recommend two 128GB cards. This gives you plenty of space for a full day of shooting but provides a backup option if one card fills up or experiences a rare technical glitch.
Final Verdict
For the majority of Canon EOS M20 users, the SanDisk Extreme Pro is the safest and most effective choice, ensuring your 4K videos never cut out. If you are a casual traveler looking to maximize your budget, the Samsung EVO Select offers nearly identical performance for less. For those who strictly shoot photos and rarely touch the video button, the Kingston Canvas Select Plus provides a dependable, low-cost entry point into mirrorless photography.