Best Memory Card for Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV remains a workhorse for professionals, but its dual-slot configuration—one CF and one SD—often confuses photographers looking for peak performance. Whether you’re capturing 30.4MP RAW bursts or wrestling with the camera’s data-heavy 4K MJPEG video, your choice of media is critical. I’ve tested dozens of cards in this body, and while the SanDisk Extreme Pro CF remains the gold standard, there are several nuances to the SD slot you need to know to avoid frustrating buffer lags.
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Best Memory Card for Canon EOS 5D Mark IV: Detailed Reviews
SanDisk Extreme Pro CompactFlash View on Amazon View on B&H
The SanDisk Extreme Pro CompactFlash is my “ride or die” card for the 5D Mark IV. Since this camera’s primary speed advantage lies in its CF slot, you need a card that can keep up with the 800Mbps bitrate of 4K MJPEG video. With read speeds up to 160MB/s and write speeds of 150MB/s, this card ensures you aren’t staring at a blinking red light while your buffer clears during a fast-paced wedding or sporting event. It features a Video Performance Guarantee (VPG-65), which means it will never drop below a 65MB/s sustained write speed—essential for high-resolution video. The only downside is that CF technology is aging, making these cards a bit more expensive per gigabyte than modern SDs, but for the 5D IV’s internal architecture, this is the undisputed king of reliability.
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Lexar Professional 1066x CF View on Amazon View on B&H
If you need the speed of a CF card but are on a tighter budget, the Lexar Professional 1066x is a fantastic alternative to the SanDisk. In my experience, it handles the 7fps burst rate of the 5D Mark IV with almost identical efficiency. It also carries the VPG-65 certification, making it safe for 4K recording. I’ve used Lexar cards for years, and while they had a brief period of brand transition, their current Silver and Gold series are rock solid. You get a massive performance boost over any SD card used in this specific camera, as the CF slot doesn’t suffer from the same UHS-I bus speed limitations. It’s a great way to maximize your camera’s potential without paying the “SanDisk tax.” Just be sure to use a high-quality CF reader for transfers to your PC.
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SanDisk Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I View on Amazon View on B&H
Here is a crucial tip: the 5D Mark IV’s SD slot is only UHS-I compatible. This means that even if you buy a super-expensive UHS-II card, it will operate at UHS-I speeds (maxing out around 100MB/s). Therefore, the SanDisk Extreme PRO UHS-I is the smartest “budget” purchase you can make. It is incredibly affordable and fills that second slot perfectly for “redundancy” mode—where you write RAWs to the CF card and JPEGs to this SD card. For casual shooting or portraiture where you aren’t firing off 20 shots in a row, this card is more than capable. However, don’t try to record 4K video directly to this slot; the write speed simply won’t sustain the camera’s massive bitrate, leading to recording stops. For stills, though, it’s a reliable classic.
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Delkin Devices Cinema CF View on Amazon View on B&H
When I’m shooting in harsh conditions—think dusty deserts or humid rainforests—I reach for Delkin Devices. Their Cinema CF cards are built like tanks. While the speed specs (160MB/s read, 150MB/s write) are similar to SanDisk, Delkin uses high-grade components designed to withstand broader temperature ranges and physical shock. For a 5D Mark IV user who treats their gear like a rugged tool rather than a piece of jewelry, this is the premium choice. It handles 4K video flawlessly and offers one of the best warranties in the business. If you’ve ever had a CF card’s plastic casing crack or the pin-holes get damaged, you’ll appreciate the build quality here. It’s an investment in peace of mind for mission-critical shoots where a card failure isn’t an option.
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Kingston Canvas Go! Plus SD View on Amazon View on B&H
The Kingston Canvas Go! Plus is an underrated gem for the 5D Mark IV’s SD slot. While most people flock to SanDisk, I’ve found Kingston cards to be remarkably resilient in the field. This card is rated for 170MB/s read speeds (using proprietary readers), but in the 5D IV, it performs at the ceiling of the UHS-I bus. It’s a V30 card, which is perfect for 1080p video or high-resolution RAW stills. If you use your SD slot as a secondary overflow or for instant backup, this card offers a fantastic balance of speed and price. It’s also X-ray and shockproof, making it a great companion for travel photographers. It won’t replace your CF card for 4K video, but as a secondary storage solution, it’s as reliable as they come.
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Buying Guide: How to Choose a Memory Card for Your 5D Mark IV
Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| SanDisk Extreme Pro CF | 4K Professional Video | ★★★★★ | Check |
| Lexar Professional 1066x CF | Action Photography | ★★★★☆ | Check |
| SanDisk Extreme PRO SD | Portrait Backup | ★★★★☆ | Check |
| Delkin Devices Cinema CF | Extreme Durability | ★★★★★ | Check |
| Kingston Canvas Go! Plus | Travel & Reliability | ★★★★☆ | Check |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use UHS-II SD cards in the 5D Mark IV?
Yes, you can physically use them as they are backward compatible, but it is a waste of money. The 5D Mark IV only has UHS-I contacts in its SD slot. A UHS-II card will perform at the same speed as a high-quality UHS-I card (usually around 90-100MB/s write speed). For the best performance, put your money toward a faster CompactFlash card instead.
Why does my 4K video stop recording after a few seconds?
This is almost always due to using an SD card for 4K video. The 5D Mark IV records 4K in a very data-heavy MJPEG format (up to 800Mbps). Most SD cards cannot sustain the write speed required for this. To fix this, set your camera to record video to the CF slot and use a card with a VPG-65 rating.
What is the maximum card capacity supported?
The 5D Mark IV officially supports SDXC and CF cards with capacities of 256GB and even 512GB. I personally recommend sticking to 128GB or 256GB cards. It’s often better to have two 128GB cards than one massive 256GB card, just in case one is lost or physically damaged during a shoot.
Does the 5D Mark IV support CFast cards?
No. While the 1D X Mark II used CFast 2.0, the 5D Mark IV uses the traditional CompactFlash (CF) format with the 50-pin connector. Do not buy CFast cards for this camera as they will not fit. Ensure you are buying standard “CompactFlash” cards like the SanDisk Extreme Pro series mentioned above.
What is the best “Dual Slot” setup?
I find the best setup is using a 128GB SanDisk Extreme Pro CF as the primary card for RAW files and video, while using a 128GB SanDisk Extreme Pro SD as a “Backup.” In the camera menu, set ‘Record Func+Card/Folder Sel’ to ‘Rec. to multiple.’ This ensures you have an instant backup of every photo you take.
Final Verdict
For professional work with the 5D Mark IV, don’t cut corners: get the SanDisk Extreme Pro CF for your primary slot. If you’re a wedding photographer, use the “Record to Multiple” feature with a high-quality SD card like the SanDisk Extreme Pro UHS-I for safety. Hobbyists focused solely on stills can get away with the Lexar 1066x CF, which offers nearly identical performance for a fraction of the cost.
