U3 and U1 are among the fastest SanDisk SD cards that this manufacturer has released into the market. U3 came into the market after u1, which means that it has advanced features. Herein we take an in-depth look at these memory cards and their characteristics.
Also, we compare u1 vs. u3 and the features that set them apart as well as the similarities that they share. You can buy u3 cards in both virtual and land-based stores as well as u1 cards. Both these MicroSD cards are UHS versions, and they are known to have higher write speeds, which makes them compatible with an array of DSLR cameras and many others in the market.
Speed class is the first feature that distinguishes these two MicroSD cards. U1 has a speed class of one while that of the U3 is three. This feature dictates the quality, resolution, and format of the video or imagery being recorded. Their names are also derived from this element.
If you want to capture videos that are consistent and steady, then you ought to go for the card with a higher class. You are likely to get an error message if you use a card with a lower level because it cannot accommodate the quality of the video being streamed. The class one variation has a minimum write speed of 10mbps same as the class 10 models while the u3 card has a rate of 30mbps.
Differences and similarities between U1 and U3
Many other features of u1 and u3 are similar and an array of them that are worlds apart. Below are some of the features of these cards that we explore in this comparison of the u1 vs. u3.
Capacity
This feature is measured by gigabytes, and it varies from one memory card to the next. When you compare other cards vs. u3, you will find that they all have varied capacities depending on the choice that the manufacturer made regarding the same. U1 SanDisk models are available from as low as 16 GB to as high as 512 GB.
U3 HAS provisions that range from 16 GB to 1TB availing more options for individuals who are after long term storage or those who have a need the capacity to handle the footage for a given project. Picking the largest capacity available is not an assurance that you will get the best quality of recorded work.
Renowned cinematographers recommend that you buy SD cards with small volumes for better quality work. Also, remember the purpose of the storage card, and this will make it easier for you to choose one between the u1 or u3 variations.
Listed transfer speed
A card that identifies and writes data quickly is among those that most people need for everyday use. U1 models have lower listed transfer speeds when compared vs. U3 models.
U1 models have a rate of 100mb/s, while U3 models are faster with a transfer speed of 175mb/s. If you want high write and copy speed, then the u3 model is your ideal pick for the task at hand.
UHS Bus Speed
This feature is indicated by roman numbers on the cards’ faces. They range from one to three. It refers to how the data collected is transferred between the cards pin and the host device connector. UHS I which both the U1 and U3 models have uses a single row of pins on the back of the card to transfer approximately one hundred and four megabytes per second.
UHS I is common among many cards since it is compatible with an assortment of cameras. This is one of the elements that these SD cards share; hence making a choice based on this feature will not be hard.
Before buying those with two or three indicated on the face with roman numerals, confirm that it will work with the existing hardware. Also, during an upgrade, ensure that the camera you acquire has a provision to accommodate different UHS formats.
Video speed class
This is another crucial feature that we cannot overlook in our comparison of these SanDisk memory cards. It is specific for video recording and is indicated using a V icon on the face of the card.
The U1 cards do not have this feature explicitly listed on the top of the card, making it hard to know this component. On the other hand, the U3 cards have the v icon with the number 30 alongside it.
This, therefore, means that HD video can be recorded at 30mbps without dropping any frames. This feature is only available on SDXC cards. Buying the U3 variation avails more options regarding recording video to the user when compared with the 10 u1 model.
UHS speed class
Although closely related to the UHS bus speed, these features play different functions. The ultra-high-speed rating is also on the face of the card.
It is a number inside a u-shaped logo that tells you how fast the card’s write speed is. The U1 sd card has one as the number inside the u-shape while U3 cards have three, meaning that they have a faster speed than the former.
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Conclusion
Many factors ought to guide you in choosing the right sd card for the project at hand. The features above are critical, and so are other elements such as pricing, availability, compatibility with your hardware, and physical size, among many other things. Ensure that you buy a memory card that will cater to your needs for an extended period.
UHS is the minimum sustained writing performance for recording video, and that for the u3 sd card is three.
Yes, UHS 1 is an equivalent of class 10 since they have the same minimum data transfer speed of 10mbps. The technical specifications are also identical.
Yes, U3 is better than U1 since it has some features which the other model does not have. It can, therefore, perform more functions making it the better choice.
