Best Memory Cards for Canon EOS 5DS & 5DS R Mark II
The Canon EOS 5DS and 5DS R are high-resolution monsters, pushing out massive 50.6MP files that can quickly choke an inferior memory card. Whether you’re shooting studio portraits or fine-art landscapes, the bottleneck is often the write speed, leading to frustrating buffer delays. My top pick, the SanDisk Extreme Pro CF, ensures your workflow remains fluid. Having tested these bodies extensively, I’ve identified the best CompactFlash and SD cards to maximize performance and ensure your data stays safe.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
Best Memory Cards for Canon EOS 5DS & 5DS R: Detailed Reviews
SanDisk Extreme Pro CF View on Amazon View on B&H
When you are dealing with the 50.6-megapixel RAW files of the 5DS, you need a card that can keep up. The SanDisk Extreme Pro CF is the undisputed king for this camera. Supporting UDMA 7, it hits read speeds of up to 160MB/s and write speeds of 150MB/s. In my experience, this is the most reliable card for minimizing the “Busy” message on your top LCD during burst shooting. While the 5DS isn’t a speed demon at 5fps, those files are roughly 60-70MB each, and this card clears the buffer significantly faster than any SD card in the secondary slot. It is also VPG-65 rated, which is more than enough for the 1080p video capabilities of these cameras. The only real drawback is that CF technology is older and more expensive than modern SD cards, but for the 5DS primary slot, it’s a necessary investment for peace of mind.
Check Price on Amazon → Check Price on B&H
✓ Free Shipping · ✓ Easy Returns · ✓ Secure Checkout
Lexar Professional 1066x CF View on Amazon View on B&H
Lexar has long been the primary alternative to SanDisk, and their 1066x CF card offers a fantastic balance of speed and price. For photographers who find the SanDisk cards a bit too pricey, this Lexar card delivers nearly identical real-world performance. It handles the massive data throughput of the 5DS R brilliantly, especially during long exposure landscape sessions where you don’t want to wait ages for the camera to write to the card before reviewing the histogram. It features a VPG-65 rating, ensuring consistent write speeds. I’ve found Lexar’s build quality to be quite sturdy, though some users historically reported issues with pin alignment—a standard risk with all CF cards that requires a bit of care when inserting. For the price, you can often pick up a higher capacity (like 128GB) for the same price as a 64GB SanDisk, which is helpful when each shot consumes so much space.
Check Price on Amazon → Check Price on B&H
✓ Free Shipping · ✓ Easy Returns · ✓ Secure Checkout
SanDisk Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I View on Amazon View on B&H
The Canon 5DS and 5DS R feature an SD slot that is only UHS-I compatible. This means that while you can use faster UHS-II cards, you won’t see any speed benefit in-camera. The SanDisk Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I is the most logical choice for this slot. It is incredibly affordable and provides a reliable destination for JPEGs while your RAWs go to the CF card. With write speeds up to 90MB/s, it is significantly slower than the CF slot, but it’s the fastest the SD slot can handle. I often use this as a “redundancy” card, writing to both slots simultaneously. Just be aware: if you write RAW to both cards, the camera will slow down to match the speed of this SD card. For many, this is a fair trade-off for the security of a backup. It’s also shockproof and waterproof, which adds a layer of durability.
Check Price on Amazon → Check Price on B&H
✓ Free Shipping · ✓ Easy Returns · ✓ Secure Checkout
Delkin Devices Power CF View on Amazon View on B&H
Delkin Devices is a favorite among professionals who demand extreme durability. The Delkin Power CF card is built to withstand harsh environments, making it a perfect match for the weather-sealed Canon 5DS R. It fully supports UDMA 7 and provides read/write speeds that rival the SanDisk Extreme Pro. What sets Delkin apart is their rigorous testing and reputation for card longevity. I’ve used these in freezing temperatures and high-humidity environments without a single corrupted file. If you are a professional photographer whose livelihood depends on capturing those 50MP files in the wild, the slight premium for Delkin is worth it. They also offer a superior warranty and replacement service compared to most consumer brands. It’s a rock-solid performer that won’t flinch when you’re pushing the camera to its limits during a high-speed fashion shoot or a week-long trek.
Check Price on Amazon → Check Price on B&H
✓ Free Shipping · ✓ Easy Returns · ✓ Secure Checkout
Kingston Canvas Go! Plus SD View on Amazon View on B&H
The Kingston Canvas Go! Plus is a fantastic secondary card for the SD slot. While it is a UHS-I card, it boasts impressive read speeds of up to 170MB/s (when used with compatible readers), which makes offloading your photos to your computer much faster. In the 5DS, it performs reliably as a storage overflow or for shooting smaller JPEG files. I like Kingston cards because they often provide a more modern controller than older UHS-I cards, leading to very stable performance. It’s specifically designed for users on the move, with a focus on durability against water, shock, and X-rays. If you aren’t shooting rapid-fire bursts and just need a solid, dependable card for a day of street photography or travel, this Kingston card is an excellent, cost-effective choice that won’t let you down when the 5DS starts pumping out those huge image files.
Check Price on Amazon → Check Price on B&H
✓ Free Shipping · ✓ Easy Returns · ✓ Secure Checkout
Buying Guide: How to Choose Memory Cards for Canon EOS 5DS & 5DS R
Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| SanDisk Extreme Pro CF | Pro Reliability | ★★★★★ | Check |
| Lexar Professional 1066x | High Value CF | ★★★★☆ | Check |
| SanDisk Extreme PRO SD | Budget Backup | ★★★★☆ | Check |
| Delkin Devices Power CF | Rugged Work | ★★★★★ | Check |
| Kingston Canvas Go! Plus | Fast Offloading | ★★★★☆ | Check |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use UHS-II SD cards in the Canon 5DS R?
Yes, you can absolutely use UHS-II cards in the 5DS and 5DS R. However, because the camera’s internal SD slot hardware is only designed for UHS-I, the card will operate at the slower UHS-I speeds. The only real benefit of using a UHS-II card is that it will offload your photos much faster to your computer if you use a UHS-II compatible card reader. For in-camera performance, it won’t make a difference.
How many 50MP RAW photos can I fit on a 128GB card?
On average, a 128GB card will hold approximately 1,600 to 1,800 RAW files from the Canon 5DS. If you shoot in RAW+JPEG mode, that number will drop to around 1,200. Given the high resolution, these files are massive, often exceeding 60MB each. If you are planning a long shoot or a multi-day trip without access to a computer, I highly recommend carrying multiple 128GB cards or stepping up to 256GB.
Which slot is faster: CF or SD?
The CompactFlash (CF) slot is significantly faster in the Canon 5DS and 5DS R. It supports the UDMA 7 protocol, which allows for write speeds up to 150MB/s. In contrast, the SD slot is limited to UHS-I, which typically maxes out around 90MB/s in real-world use. If you want the best performance and the fastest buffer recovery, you should always set your camera to write your primary RAW files to the CF card.
Does the 5DS support 256GB or 512GB cards?
Yes, both the 5DS and 5DS R support high-capacity SDXC and CF cards. I have used 256GB cards without any issues. While the manual was written when smaller capacities were common, the file system (exFAT) used for cards larger than 32GB supports massive storage sizes. Using a larger card is actually quite convenient for these cameras, as it saves you from having to swap cards frequently during a shoot due to the large file sizes.
Is it better to use two cards or just one?
I always recommend using both slots. You can set the camera to “Rec. to multiple,” which writes the same image to both cards simultaneously. This provides an instant backup in case one card fails—a rare but catastrophic event. Alternatively, you can record RAW to the CF card and JPEG to the SD card. Just remember that writing to both slots will limit your burst speed to the speed of the slower SD card.
Final Verdict
For the serious professional using the Canon EOS 5DS or 5DS R, the SanDisk Extreme Pro CF is the only way to go for the primary slot. Its UDMA 7 speed is essential for managing those 50.6MP files. If you’re looking to save some money while maintaining performance, the Lexar 1066x is a brilliant alternative. Don’t forget to populate the SD slot with a SanDisk Extreme Pro SDXC for backup—it’s cheap insurance for your valuable shots.