Best Memory Cards for Canon EOS 7D Mark II
The Canon EOS 7D Mark II remains a legendary workhorse for sports and wildlife photographers, but its blistering 10fps burst rate puts immense pressure on your storage. If your card can’t keep up, your buffer will choke just as the action gets good. After years of testing various media in dual-slot setups, I’ve found that the SanDisk Extreme Pro CF is the definitive choice for reliability. This guide breaks down the best CF and SD options to keep your shutter firing without hesitation.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
Best Memory Cards for Canon EOS 7D Mark II: Detailed Reviews
SanDisk Extreme Pro CompactFlash View on Amazon View on B&H
In my experience, the SanDisk Extreme Pro CompactFlash is the gold standard for the 7D Mark II. Since this camera utilizes a UDMA 7 interface, this card maximizes the hardware’s potential with write speeds up to 150MB/s. When I’m out in the field tracking birds in flight, I need to know that the buffer will clear as fast as possible. This card delivers exactly that, allowing for sustained RAW bursts that cheaper cards simply can’t handle. It is VPG-65 certified, meaning it guarantees a minimum sustained write speed of 65MB/s, which is more than enough for the 7D II’s 1080p video requirements. While CF cards are becoming a legacy format, SanDisk’s build quality remains top-tier, handling extreme temperatures and rough handling without data corruption. The only real downside is the price-per-gigabyte compared to modern SD cards, but for the primary slot, it is an essential investment.
Check Price on Amazon → Check Price on B&H
✓ Free Shipping · ✓ Easy Returns · ✓ Secure Checkout
Lexar Professional 1066x CompactFlash View on Amazon View on B&H
The Lexar Professional 1066x offers a performance profile that nearly mirrors the SanDisk Extreme Pro but often at a more palatable price point. If you are an enthusiast who wants the high-speed benefits of a UDMA 7 card without the “professional tax,” this is your best bet. I’ve found that it handles the 7D Mark II’s 10fps burst with very little lag. You’ll notice that offloading images to your computer is also a breeze thanks to the 160MB/s read speed. It’s worth noting that Lexar went through a brand transition a few years ago, but their 1066x CF line has remained a consistent performer for DSLR users. It supports VPG-65 for stable video and comes with a limited lifetime warranty, providing peace of mind. For those shooting long events like weddings or airshows where you need multiple high-capacity cards, the value here is hard to ignore.
Check Price on Amazon → Check Price on B&H
✓ Free Shipping · ✓ Easy Returns · ✓ Secure Checkout
SanDisk Extreme SDXC UHS-I View on Amazon View on B&H
If you’re looking to fill the 7D Mark II’s secondary SD slot without breaking the bank, the SanDisk Extreme SDXC is a perfect choice. Since the 7D II only supports UHS-I speeds in its SD slot, buying a more expensive UHS-II card is essentially throwing money away—the camera simply can’t use the extra pins. This card provides a respectable 150MB/s read and 70MB/s write speed, which is plenty for recording JPEGs while your CF card handles the RAW files. It’s also shockproof, temperature-proof, and waterproof, which fits the rugged nature of the 7D II body. While I wouldn’t recommend this as your primary card for heavy burst shooting (it will cause the buffer to hang much sooner than a UDMA 7 CF card), it is exceptionally reliable for general travel or landscape photography where speed isn’t the absolute priority.
Check Price on Amazon → Check Price on B&H
✓ Free Shipping · ✓ Easy Returns · ✓ Secure Checkout
Delkin Devices Power CompactFlash View on Amazon View on B&H
Delkin Devices is often the choice of pros who have been burned by card failures in the past. Their Power CF series is specifically designed for the high-intensity demands of cameras like the 7D Mark II. It supports the full UDMA 7 speed range, ensuring that your 10fps bursts are written to the card with surgical precision. What sets Delkin apart is their rigorous testing and “Lifetime Warranty with 48-Hour Replacement.” If you’re on a shoot and the card fails, they’ll have a new one to you before your next job. In my tests, the write speeds remained extremely consistent even as the card approached full capacity—a scenario where cheaper cards often start to stutter. It is a premium-priced product, but for mission-critical assignments where every frame counts, the added peace of mind is worth every penny.
Check Price on Amazon → Check Price on B&H
✓ Free Shipping · ✓ Easy Returns · ✓ Secure Checkout
Kingston Canvas Go! Plus SDXC View on Amazon View on B&H
The Kingston Canvas Go! Plus is a sleeper hit for the 7D Mark II’s SD slot. While Kingston might not be the first name you think of in photography, this card is remarkably fast for a UHS-I unit. It’s rated for 170MB/s read and 90MB/s write, which actually pushes the limits of what the 7D II’s SD slot can physically handle. I find this card particularly great for those who use their 7D II for a mix of video and stills. The V30 rating ensures that you’ll never see a “movie recording has been stopped automatically” error, even when shooting at the highest bitrates the camera offers. It’s built for those on the move, being highly resistant to water and vibration. If you’re a traveler who wants a reliable secondary card that can double as your primary in a pinch, this is an excellent, versatile option.
Check Price on Amazon → Check Price on B&H
✓ Free Shipping · ✓ Easy Returns · ✓ Secure Checkout
Buying Guide: How to Choose Memory Cards for the 7D Mark II
Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| SanDisk Extreme Pro CF | High-Speed Sports | ★★★★★ | Check |
| Lexar Professional 1066x CF | Value Action | ★★★★☆ | Check |
| SanDisk Extreme SDXC | Casual/Backup | ★★★★☆ | Check |
| Delkin Devices Power CF | Professional Work | ★★★★★ | Check |
| Kingston Canvas Go! Plus | Hybrid Video/Stills | ★★★★☆ | Check |
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use the CF slot or the SD slot as my primary?
You should always use the CF slot as your primary for high-speed shooting. The 7D Mark II’s CF slot supports UDMA 7, which is significantly faster than the UHS-I SD slot. If you are shooting 10fps RAW bursts, the CF card will clear the buffer much faster, preventing the camera from locking up during critical moments. Use the SD slot for JPEGs or as a redundant backup.
Can I use UHS-II SD cards in the 7D Mark II?
Yes, you can physically use UHS-II SD cards, but you won’t see any performance benefit inside the camera. The 7D Mark II lacks the second row of pins required to read UHS-II speeds, so the card will operate at UHS-I speeds (usually capped around 100MB/s). The only advantage is faster file transfers to your computer if you use a UHS-II card reader.
What is the maximum card capacity supported?
The Canon 7D Mark II supports the exFAT file system, which technically allows for cards up to 2TB. In practice, most photographers find 64GB or 128GB to be the “sweet spot” for CF cards, while SD cards can easily go up to 256GB or 512GB. I personally prefer using multiple 64GB cards rather than one massive card to mitigate the risk of data loss.
Why does my camera slow down when shooting RAW to both cards?
When you set the camera to “Record Separately” or “Record to Multiple,” the 7D Mark II can only go as fast as the slowest card. Because the SD slot is inherently slower than the UDMA 7 CF slot, the camera must wait for the SD card to finish writing before the buffer fully clears. For maximum speed, shoot RAW to CF and JPEG to SD.
Is it worth buying CompactFlash cards in 2024?
For the 7D Mark II, yes. While the industry has moved toward CFexpress and SD, the 7D Mark II is a legacy device designed for CompactFlash. To get the 10fps performance you paid for, you need a high-speed CF card. Fortunately, because the format is older, you can often find high-end professional CF cards at a discount compared to their original launch prices.
Final Verdict
For serious wildlife and sports photographers using the Canon 7D Mark II, the SanDisk Extreme Pro CF is the essential choice to keep your 10fps bursts fluid. If you’re looking to save a bit of money without sacrificing much speed, the Lexar 1066x is a fantastic alternative. Don’t overspend on the SD slot—stick to reliable UHS-I cards like the SanDisk Extreme for your backups and JPEGs.