Fast answer: For most Sony FX30 owners, start with a good SDXC UHS‑II V60 card. It covers a lot of the camera’s 4K video modes without costing a fortune. Move up to SDXC V90 if you want to shoot XAVC S‑I (All‑Intra) a lot. Move up again to CFexpress Type A (VPG200+) when you’re pushing the heaviest slow‑motion / highest‑bitrate modes, or when you want the most robust media for paid work.
Part of: Sony FX30 Guide
What cards the FX30 can use (manual-backed)
The FX30 has two card slots. Both can take CFexpress Type A and SD cards, but the mode you record in decides what you need.
Sony says: “This camera supports CFexpress Type A memory cards and SD memory cards (UHS‑I, UHS‑II compatible).”
(Sony ILME‑FX30 Help Guide, “Memory cards that can be used”, p. 20)
Why V60 is the best starting point
This is the part most people actually need. You want a card that just works for normal 4K filming, without forcing you into expensive media on day one.
Sony’s table shows XAVC HS 4K / XAVC S 4K up to 280 Mbps, and indicates SDXC V60 or higher (or CFexpress Type A (VPG200+)) for those modes. (Sony ILME‑FX30 Help Guide, p. 20)
If your FX30 is mostly shooting YouTube videos, interviews, b‑roll, talking‑head content, or general run‑and‑gun footage, a solid V60 card is usually the sensible first buy.
When V90 is the smarter upgrade
V90 is the “I know what I’m doing” SD upgrade. It’s mainly for people who want XAVC S‑I (All‑Intra) on SD cards. All‑Intra makes bigger files, but some people prefer it for editing.
Plain English: if you don’t know why you need XAVC S‑I, you probably don’t need V90 yet. Start with V60 and upgrade later based on your settings.
When CFexpress Type A is worth the money
CFexpress Type A makes sense when you want:
- More headroom (less chance you hit a card limit mid-shoot),
- Less stress on paid shoots, and
- Faster offload when you copy footage to your computer.
It’s not required for everyone, but it’s easier to justify if you shoot a lot of slow motion, a lot of high‑bitrate video, or jobs that can’t fail.
Capacity matters more than most people expect
Higher quality video can fill cards fast. That’s why capacity planning matters almost as much as speed.
- 128GB is fine for short shoots and lighter use.
- 160GB+ starts feeling nicer once you do longer sessions (interviews, events, lots of takes).
One-card vs two-card setup
For casual use, one good card is enough. For paid work, two matching cards can be smarter. It gives you options like overflow recording and a cleaner workflow.
Quick buying rules
- Default pick: SDXC UHS‑II V60.
- Go V90: if you specifically want XAVC S‑I on SD.
- Go CFexpress Type A: if you’re pushing the heaviest modes, want faster offload, or want the most robust option.
Recommended picks
- V60 SD (starter): ProGrade Digital SDXC UHS‑II V60 128GB — Amazon
- V90 SD (upgrade): SanDisk Extreme PRO SDXC UHS‑II V90 128GB — Amazon
- CFexpress Type A (pro): Sony CEA‑G 160GB — Amazon
- CFexpress Type A (value): Lexar Type A GOLD 160GB — Amazon
Those four picks line up with the four real buying situations most FX30 owners run into: start cheap and solid, upgrade SD for All‑Intra, buy pro CFexpress, or buy value CFexpress.
Setup steps before a real shoot
- Put the card in Slot 1 unless you have a reason to change it.
- Format the card in-camera before your first real shoot.
- Record a short test clip in the exact mode you’ll use (codec + frame rate + bit depth).
Mistakes to avoid
- Assuming any SD card works for every mode: heavier video modes quickly need V60/V90.
- Judging a card by “read speed” only: the speed class that matches your recording mode matters more.
- Skipping a test clip: one quick test tells you more than a page of specs.
Bottom line
If you want a simple answer: buy a good V60 SD card first. Upgrade to V90 when you want XAVC S‑I. Upgrade to CFexpress Type A when you’re regularly filming in the most demanding modes and you want the most reliable workflow.
