Reliability: Lexar vs. Sandisk for Nikon?

[Joe Tam]

Hi,

I've used Nikon digital since D1 and remember even back in the early days how Lexar was a PITA with startup delay issue requiring a firmware update:

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www.robgalbraith.com

2014 Lexar issue with d810:

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aboutphotography-tomgrill.blogspot.com

2016 D500's issue with XQD Lexar cards:

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www.dpreview.com

I bought a 2933x 64gb Lexar card last week and after putting it in D5 and D4s it displayed the "ERR" message.

I switched to Sandisk back around 2003 or so and have not had any issues like this. The only reason I took a chance on Lexar is Sandisk doesn't make XQD cards and Sony is pricier.

Do you trust Lexar or Sandisk?

 

[BirdieMaker]

I've been using the Lexar 2933x 128GB cards since June with a D500 and now with a D5, and haven't had any issues. I only use the Lexar 2.0 USB 3.0 reader with them.

 

[overniteman]

Both, as long as they are authentic.

 

[Todd Jones]

I've had 2 Lexar CF cards fail (replaced under warranty). Never even had a hiccup with any SanDisk CF or SD card ever.

 

[chary zp]

Hi,

I've used Nikon digital since D1 and remember even back in the early days how Lexar was a PITA with startup delay issue requiring a firmware update:

http://www.robgalbraith.com/content_page0c1a.html?cid=7-3731-3763

2014 Lexar issue with d810:

http://aboutphotography-tomgrill.blogspot.com/2014/09/problem-with-lexar-cf-cards-and-nikon.html

2016 D500's issue with XQD Lexar cards:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3995521

The thread seems to be about the SD issue, namely with UHS-II SD. Low speed SD didnt show the problem.

The XQD problems appear to be very scarce.

I bought a 2933x 64gb Lexar card last week and after putting it in D5 and D4s it displayed the "ERR" message.

I switched to Sandisk back around 2003 or so and have not had any issues like this. The only reason I took a chance on Lexar is Sandisk doesn't make XQD cards and Sony is pricier.

Do you trust Lexar or Sandisk?

 

[TOF guy]

I've used Sandisk for a long time and more recently Lexar. No issues with any of them.

So from my very small sampling - I only have a few cards - there are both equally reliable.

FWIW

--
Thierry - posted as regular forum member

 

[Janoch]

I've used Sandisk for a long time and more recently Lexar. No issues with any of them.

So from my very small sampling - I only have a few cards - there are both equally reliable.

^ what I was about to type! :-D

 

[afoton]

I do not trust any of them, that is the reason why I'm glad todays camera can take two cards.

I have bad experience with Sandisk ultra 8MB (several cards) in D300 and D700, they gives me about 1% files with errors. Long time I was thinking it was D300 that was broken, before I got the D700 and the same happen with that one, and I could blame the cards and take D300 back from the drawer. The same cards work as expected with D200 and D800E.

 

[barrym1966]

Hi,

I've used Nikon digital since D1 and remember even back in the early days how Lexar was a PITA with startup delay issue requiring a firmware update:

http://www.robgalbraith.com/content_page0c1a.html?cid=7-3731-3763

2014 Lexar issue with d810:

http://aboutphotography-tomgrill.blogspot.com/2014/09/problem-with-lexar-cf-cards-and-nikon.html

2016 D500's issue with XQD Lexar cards:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3995521

I bought a 2933x 64gb Lexar card last week and after putting it in D5 and D4s it displayed the "ERR" message.

I switched to Sandisk back around 2003 or so and have not had any issues like this. The only reason I took a chance on Lexar is Sandisk doesn't make XQD cards and Sony is pricier.

Do you trust Lexar or Sandisk?

given my recent experience with sandisk, lexar integral etc (caused by 2 faulty kingston hs4 readers i have to add!) , I no longer trust any manufacturer exclusively.

I think with lexar you are paying for the name rather than the quality of the card imo. for example. my lexar 1000x pro 64gb sd cards only write at 72mb/s (80mb/s claimed write speed?) where as my Integral cards which cost half the price write at around 78mb/s (claimed write speed of 70)

so far my integral cards have outperformed my lexar cards

I have also purchased a couple of the Sandisk extreme pros and will get to try them out at the weekend along with some Delkin 633x cards

not really on the subject of XQD, but I dont think you cam trust one manufacturer completely. They all have the chance to produce faulty cards as well as good ones.

I always use 2 different brands in my card ie a Sandisk in Slot 1 and an Integral in slot 2

 

[scokill]

I've never had a problem with any memory, any brand, SD, CF, or XQD.

 

[diggerpete]

i have a 32gb Lexar XQD 2933x in my D500 and never had a issue and i have Sandisk's in all my other cameras and never had a issue

 

[too old for this]

I appreciate that others have a personal favorite based on different experiences, but I have no issues with either.

This is based on experience with bodies from an Olympus E-10 and Nikons D40 through D800e and never any video use and very little burst shooting.. YMMV.

 

[Joe Tam]

hi,

i got the Lexar Professional XQD 2.0 USB 3.0 Reader (included with 32gb xqd car) and noticed it is pretty slow when downloading to macbook 12" computer via usb 3. in fact, the download bar moves at almost the same speed as my sandisk 160mb/s CF card when downloading. ARe you using the reader above or the Lexar Professional Workflow XR2 Card Reader for 2nd Generation XQD Cards?

I've been using the Lexar 2933x 128GB cards since June with a D500 and now with a D5, and haven't had any issues. I only use the Lexar 2.0 USB 3.0 reader with them.

 

[MRM4350]

I have been using both brands since 2009 without any issues.

 

[Julia Schott]

The only CF card I've had that has failed was a Lexar. Expensive, too. Go figure.

Probably luck of draw.

Likewise, the only SSD I've had that has failed was an Intel.

 

[Joe Tam]

I am not surprised. Glad they are gone.

The only CF card I've had that has failed was a Lexar. Expensive, too. Go figure.

Probably luck of draw.

Likewise, the only SSD I've had that has failed was an Intel.

 

[PerfectPoms]

I've had my Sony XQD card (120 gb) give me error messages about 5 times. I haven't lost any images - but I no longer trust the thing.

 

[Joe Tam]

I've also had some weird issues with Sony SFG 64gb UHS2 cards on which were very expensive. Image database error on a9 required me to buy recovery software to access the images. The A9 card write would not turn off after shooting a burst of images. This has happened several times on different bodies. Also have distorted frame on some bursts.

 

[ImageAmateur]

Old thread but anyway... Sandisk Extreme Pro, whether CF,SD, never let me down.

I have one Sony XQD and one Sandisk CF (weekend photos for sports) in my D4. A year and a half and no issues.

They are both reasonably priced too.

I would not bother with another brand if Sandisk is available in the format.

The Sony XQD works excellently too.

--
Wishing You Good Light.

 

[pekored]

I have been using Sandisk since going digital in 2005. Never any problems. Have been using Sony for XQD and Sandisk in my D500 since May 2018. (64 and 128 GB pairs) No problems at all with either Sony or Sandisk.