Smooth 360 footage isn’t just about the camera; your microSD—or memory—card is the unsung hero keeping every epic shot glitch-free. A card that’s too slow or incompatible can result in dropped frames, corrupted files, or lost footage, which is the last thing you want after nailing perfect 4K or 8K shots. This guide covers everything you need to know: from speed ratings and UHS-I compatibility to recommended capacities and tips to get the most out of your Insta360 camera.
When choosing a reliable SD card to maximize your Insta360 camera performance, you want a minimum 120MB/s write speed to capture continuous high-definition 8K video. For the best results, consider using SanDisk Extreme or SanDisk Extreme Pro microSD cards with a V30 speed class, UHS-I bus, A2 app performance rating, and a capacity between 128GB and 1TB . Slower speeds may not capture the action, but not all high-capacity cards are compatible.
Avoid cards over 1TB—they won’t work.
When shooting with a 360 camera like Insta360 X5 or X4, the right microSD card matters. Speed, reliability, and capacity are critical factors that affect your ability to shoot uninterrupted, high-quality videos.
For consistent, high-quality results, it’s crucial to use UHS-I microSD cards with a Video Speed Class 30 (V30) or higher speed class formatted in exFAT format.
Don’t let a slow card be the villain in your next epic timelapse. They may stop working or create corrupted files, as has been experienced by those attempting to record 4K using a 64GB microSD UHS-I card. A “100MB/s” card showed similar problems. Playback appeared fine, but no data was actually saved.
When shooting 4K or 8K, write speed isn’t just nice to have—it’s mission-critical. Think of write speed as a throttle on your camera. The faster it is, the more creative freedom you have to capture every jump, splash, and crash in full detail. Simply put, if your card isn’t fast enough, you’re limiting performance right out of the box.
When selecting your memory card, consider the model of Insta360 camera you have, since some models rely entirely on external microSD cards while others have built-in memory.
A minimum 128GB capacity is recommended since lower capacities have lower write speeds. It also depends on the resolution you record in, since higher resolutions require higher capacity. Still, the maximum capacity you can use is 1TB, as higher capacities become incompatible.
After you finish shooting your video, you have two main ways to transfer files:
First, use your Insta360 and the USB charging cable that comes with it. Once connected to the computer, select USB mode on your camera and it will appear as a USB drive on your computer. From there, copy files directly or use Insta360 Studio for selective transfers.
Quick heads-up: Keep your camera battery charged during transfers. Nobody wants to lose their footage halfway through!
The second option for file transfers is to use a high-speed card reader on your computer. It’s the most secure and doesn’t rely on battery power.
The best storage for Insta360 cameras is UHS-I microSD cards with a V30 or higher speed class, formatted in exFAT format, to prevent interrupted shooting or corrupt files, which may occur when using incompatible cards.
For optimal performance with any Insta360 that uses microSD cards, a high-speed UHS-I V30 card is ideal, with a minimum capacity of 128GB or a maximum capacity of 1TB, such as the SanDisk Extreme or SanDisk Extreme Pro microSD cards.
How much memory you need depends on what resolution you shoot in and for how long. For optimal performance with any Insta360 camera, a high-speed UHS-I V30 card with a minimum capacity of 128GB or a maximum capacity of 1TB is best.
In many cases, 128GB of memory should be enough for your Insta360. However, it depends on how much you shoot in 4K or 8K, as higher resolutions require faster write speeds and greater storage capacities. In such cases, a maximum of 1TB is best. Source: https://www.insta360.com/
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