Whether you’re a photographer or a casual snapper, chances are you have a backlog of photos accumulating on your phone or computer. Freeing up space and getting organized is a huge plus, but how exactly do you go about it? Using a USB flash drive or SD card for your photo storage needs can allow you to say goodbye to deleting old photos.
The first thing you need to ask yourself is what your goal is. If you need something to store photos long term, neither USB cards nor SD cards are a reliable option. This is because both media rely on flash cells, which are susceptible to breakdown and are not expected to last more than 10 years. Instead, a hard drive is always worth buying if you have the long term in your sights.
Naturally, USB drives and SD cards can work if you’re looking for fast, cheap, portable storage. Which one you ride with will ultimately depend on your needs. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, and most importantly, their writing speeds, which make them attractive to different users.
What are USB sticks used for?
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You probably used the classic USB stick. Although it is a USB flash drive, it has a built-in USB connector, making it the most convenient way to copy and store files. Don’t let the small size factor fool you. Even mini USB drives give hard drives a run for their money, offering capacities ranging from a few gigabytes to over 1TB.
The biggest advantage of USB drives is their ability to work with almost anything that has a USB port. This universal nature is something you will surely appreciate if you want to move photos between computers or other devices. Depending on the type of USB, transfer speed can range from 5 Gbps with the standard 3.0 drive to 40 Gbps with the fancier USB 4, which is more than capable of moving photos.
But is a USB stick still practical for smartphone photographers? After all, you will need to transfer the files from your phone to the PC. Or would you like it? If this is too much to bear, you can opt for a USB-C dongle and connect it directly to your phone.
When is an SD card a better choice?
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If you are a smartphone user and want to free yourself from the clutter, choosing between USB and SD card for photo storage is much simpler. Insert the card, move the photos and that’s it. Similar to USB drives, SD cards can last up to 10 years. However, there are many varieties of this storage medium.
In addition to size (standard, mini and micro), there are also types corresponding to capacity. For example, SDSC can provide only 2 GB of storage, while SDXC and SDUC provide up to 2 TB and 128 TB respectively. You should also note the write and read speed varieties. Depending on the speed class, you can find models offering speeds ranging from 30 Mbps (U3), 90 Mbps (V90) to 600 Mbps (E600). While these numbers refer to write speeds, which are crucial when recording video to avoid dropped frames, read speeds are much more dependent on the manufacturer.
Keep in mind that SD cards require a dedicated card reader to transfer files. This might not be a big deal, because a card reader is one of the cheapest USB gadgets you can get for your laptop. Some laptops even have built-in SD card slots. But if you’re looking for something more plug-and-play, the extra bit of friction may be a tall order for you.
Ultimately, USB drives and SD cards have different roles. If you plan to view your photos on a smart TV, for example, or move the files to other computers, the USB drive will do the job quite well. An SD card, on the other hand, will allow you to keep photos on your device while helping you free up much-needed space.
