SD cards are important storage devices because they help us save important pictures, documents, videos, music, etc. As a videographer or photographer, SD cards become handy in extending the storage capacity of your digital camera.
Do you know that there are various ways to back up SD card data and save you from anxiety in the event of damage or corruption? This article will outline the different types of SD cards, ways to choose the right device, the top five backup devices in 2022, and a software alternative (Qiling Backup Free) to back up your SD card data.
The first reason you may want to use an SD card backup device is for the security of your data in the event of data loss. Keeping backups assures you that you'll still access your documents, music, videos, pictures, etc., when your SD card becomes corrupted or damaged. You may also delete files stored on your SD card by accident.
A backup device, therefore, becomes handy in such situations since you won't have to worry much about lost data. An SD card backup device is also important since it helps free up space on your SD card if it's almost full. Moving data to a backup device creates space to store additional files on your SD card.
Different types of SD cards exist based on size, compatibility, and speed. They include the following.
This is the oldest type of memory card type. It's large compared to the latest generations and measures 32mm by 24mm by 2.1 mm. The card provides maximum storage of 4GB and a transfer speed of 10mbps.
This is a refined form of the SD card that supports high-resolution video recording and image editing. It has similar physical attributes to the SD card but with a faster transfer speed. It also provides more storage space (32Gb) than a basic SD card.
Compared to an SDHC, SDXC provides a larger storage capacity, making it more efficient. It's primarily beneficial for photographers or gamers. Most of these devices come with a storage range of 64GB to 2TB.
As the name suggests, a Micro SD is a lighter version of the SD card with almost similar features. Their main selling point is their size (small) and portability. It can store up to 16GB of data with a transfer speed of 8mbps.
This memory card is a modified version of Micro SD. It sought to address the insufficient space offered by the latter. It can hold up to 32GB of data which is suitable for primary smartphone users. It also allows a data transfer speed of 10mbps.
This is the latest version of the Micro SDs and comes with advanced features. It provides a large storage space ranging from 32GB to 2TB. You won't need to delete some files or empty your SD card to create space for extra files.
A compact flash card is physically larger than any other SD card and has a high storage capacity. They have an ultra-high transfer speed for files and data.
The first thing to consider when looking out for an SD card backup device is its performance speed. Data transfer speed is essential since it helps to save time spent copying a given file to an SD card. Compact flash cards have the fastest transfer speed, while SD cards have the slowest.
Second, when considering the right SD card, you should check its storage capacity. A good SD card should allow you to store your files without running out of space. Another factor to consider is the card size. Micro SDs have the smallest size, while SD cards have an average size. Compact flash cards are the largest.
Although many SD card backup devices exist in the market, not all give you the best experience. This section will outline the top five SD card backup devices available on Amazon. The chart below compares them based on price, functions, and performance.
Device Name | Price | Functions | Performance | Amazon Link |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD | $90.93 |
|
20 Mbps | Link |
WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive HDD | $48.95-$119.09 depending on the storage size |
|
Fast data transfer | Link |
Toshiba Canvio Basics 2TB Portable External Hard Drive | $46.99-$96.69 depending on the storage size |
|
Not mentioned | Link |
Crucial MX500 1TB NAND SATA 2.5 Inch Internal SSD | $46.99-$343.99 depending on storage size |
|
Read speed of 560 Mbps and write speed of 510 Mbps | Link |
Seagate (STGD2000100) Game Drive for PS4 Systems 2TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD | $79.39 |
|
Not mentioned | Link |
The devices mentioned in the chart above are all physical SD card backup techniques. They can sometimes be problematic to carry due to the risk of damage or theft. If you want free software to back up your SD card data and files, the best solution is Qiling Backup.
The software allows you to save backups to NAS, Cloud, and local drives. The cloud backup service provided by Qiling is flexible, secure, and cost-effective. Each user receives a free cloud storage space of 250GB. Other features of Qiling Backup Free include:
See also:
Make an effort to download the free version of Qiling Backup Free today for convenient SD card data backup.
Step 1. Click "Disk backup" to start backup the disk or partition contents.
Step 2. It is available to back up a whole disk or a certain partition. Choose the one you need.
Step 3.Select the destination where you want to save the backup.
Step 4. For disk/partition backup, you can choose to save the backup to local drive or to NAS.
Step 5. After the backup process is completed, your task will be displayed at the left. Click any one of the task, you can further manage your backup such as recover it, create incremental backup, etc.
An SD card isn't a long-term data storage device. Ensure you back up your data consistently. However, under normal conditions, an SD card can store data for up to 10 years.
An SD card may lose data because of a user or card error. A user error may occur when you mishandle the card when writing data on it, i.e., ejecting it before the process is complete.
You can use Windows built-in Check Disk Utility. Navigate to Windows File Explorer and right-click on your SD card drive to check its properties. Select "Check Now" to trace any errors on your SD card.
SD cards store data using NAND chips (electronic components). The NAND chips allow you to read and write data on the SD card.
Your SD card may stop functioning if there's a loose port connection. To solve this issue, reinsert the card into your device. You can also turn off your phone, eject the SD card and return it after some time.