The Nikon D500 features 2 memory card slots:
- 1 x SD slot (supports UHS-II)
- 1 x XQD slot
The D500 can shoot at 10 frames per second and is capable of 4K video recording. As impressive as it is, all this means is you need a memory card that is capable of quickly writing all of those files.
You do not want a memory card that is too slow! With a faster card you can take more pictures and wait less time for the buffer the clears. Even a single second means a lot out on the field, especially if you shoot sports and wildlife where every moment matters.
This is why we wrote this guide, to share the best XQD and SD cards.
Best XQD Memory Cards for the Nikon D500
Lexar Professional 2933x XQD
Looking for the best there is? The Lexar Professional 2933x XQD card is the fastest and best deal for the money. It’s got a writing speed up to 400MB/s and reading speed up to 440MB/s, and a 64GB version will cost you less than $90.
The card can easily store 200 RAW files in a single burst, and it stops only because the D500 can’t go any longer! If you wait for a second after taking those 200 shots, you can instantly continue again. The buffer waiting time is also the shortest among all cards.
It’s available in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB versions, and you can get each with a reader (extra $20).
You can buy it at Amazon or see more reviews here.
Sony G-Series XQD
The Sony XQD 64GB G-Series is more or less the only other option besides the Lexar above. It also comes with a dedicated XQD memory card reader.
Why did we include it here? Mostly so you can see why the Lexar above is such a great deal. The Sony costs more and has both reading (400MB/s) and writing speeds slower (350MB/s). It’s also available in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB versions.
You can buy it at Amazon or see more reviews here.
Best SD Memory Cards for the Nikon D500
Lexar Professional 2000x UHS-II
The fastest and best SD card is the Lexar Professional 2000x. The D500 supports UHS-II and we recommend you to get a UHS-II card if you often shoot action and take plenty of images. For both 4K and Full HD video, this is way over the minimum required so you’re perfectly set.
It comes with a USB 3.0 reader and downloadable Image Rescue software. Both of these additional items are excellent, and the card comes in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB sizes.
You can buy it at Amazon or see more reviews here.
SanDisk Extreme Pro 280MB/s UHS-II
Besides Lexar, SanDisk is our top recommended brand. The Sandisk Extreme Pro 280MB/s SD memory card is UHS-II U3 and has a reading speed of 280MB/s and reading around 250MB/s. On the D500, it’s at about 140MB/s.
Unless you absolutely need an SD memory card, the XQD above is similarly priced and much faster. It comes in 32GB and 64GB sizes.
You can buy it at Amazon or see more reviews here.
Here’s a comparison between Lexar’s two best selling XQD memory cards in the D500.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTbHFbe0gHU
Last Updated on September 14, 2021 by Nick Voorhees
First and foremost, I’m a husband and father. Then professionally I’m photographer, designer, blogger, and Esty store owner. My homebase is near the stunning Wasatch mountains in Utah but I love traveling with my family as part of our homeschooling journey. I also love teaching and helping out others. My faith is one of the biggest aspects of my life and brings be a consistent joy that I haven’t found in anything else. My main blog is BestPhotographyGear.com and I strive to make photography simple for anyone looking to learn or find gear for their individual needs. By nature, I like to study, research, and analyze things and I use that help provide the best advice and reviews I can.