Kingston Canvas React Plus SDXC UHS-II Memory Card Review

Kingston Technology offers a fairly limited collection of memory cards with only three SD card series and three microSD series. The Canvas React Plus series is the flagship range of SD cards with capacities of 32GB, 64GB, 128GB and 256GB. The 32GB card is an SDHC card while the 64GB and above cards are SDXC units .

Canvas React Plus SD cards are UHS-II compliant and have a Video Speed ​​Class of V90, which means the minimum data transfer rate is 90MB/s. They also have maximum read speeds of 300MB/s and write speeds of up to 260MB/s. As a result, they are capable of recording high-resolution images at fast continuous shooting speeds or videos at a resolution of 4K or even 8K.

Features

(Image credit: Angela Nicholson/Digital Camera World)

Maximum reading speed: 300 MB/s

Maximum write speed: 260 MB/s

Abilities available: 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB

Build and manipulate

SD cards have been the dominant memory card format for several years now, and as a result, their shape is very familiar to most photographers. Slightly larger and thicker than a standard UK postage stamp, SD cards aren’t as easy to lose as microSD cards, but they aren’t as rugged as CFexpress cards (opens in a new tab).

(Image credit: Angela Nicholson/Digital Camera World)

The telltale sign that the Kingston Canvas React Plus SD card is UHS-II compliant is that it has two rows of connection points on the back rather than the single row seen on UHS-I cards. .

As usual, there is a small slider switch on the left of the card which allows you to lock or unlock the card. This moves smoothly with appropriate resistance so that it is not moved too easily.

I’ve used the 128GB Canvas React Plus card in a wide range of cameras and it still slips in easily. It is released by pressing on the upper edge so that it pops out of the camera’s card slot a little and can be removed.

Performance

(Image credit: Angela Nicholson/Digital Camera World)

After using the Kingston Canvas React Plus 128GB SD card extensively, I can say without reservation that it is reliable. It worked perfectly when I took pictures with high resolution cameras like the 45.7MP Nikon Z7 II. (opens in a new tab) at its fastest speed (10 fps) and when recording 4K video. It’s also proven capable of recording 8K video, however, it doesn’t support the most demanding formats like raw 8K.

When the Z 7II was set to record uncompressed 14-bit raw files at 10 fps, I was able to capture 39 frames in a single sequence lasting just under 4 seconds. That’s only 9 frames less than Nikon claims to be possible with a good CFexpress card. Switching to Fine* quality JPEG capture extended the footage to 96 frames, taking around 9 seconds. Meanwhile, shooting Fine quality Jpegs sees 127 frames captured in a single burst – above the 113 claimed with a CFexpress card.

In another real-world test, I was able to transfer approximately 9.7 GB of images (100 Jpeg Fine* files and 100 uncompressed 14-bit raw files) from the Nikon Z 7II in 1 minute 44 seconds.

Blackmagic Design’s disk speed test indicates that the Canvas React Plus SD card has a write speed of around 204MB/s and a read speed of 249MB/s. As usual, these speeds are a slightly lower than the maximums indicated, but they are very good. The software also says the card can be used to record 8K raw video at up to 24p, but this may be limited by the camera.

Verdict

(Image credit: Angela Nicholson/Digital Camera World)

Kingston is not one of the first names that comes to mind when considering buying a memory card and the price of the SDXC UHS-II card reflects this. Nonetheless, the V90 UHS-II SDXC proves to be a reliable card, enabling 4K and 8K video recording as well as impressive depths of stills with the highest quality raw files that are only a little behind. those claimed with faster and generally more expensive files. CFexpress cards.

While the 256GB card might be a tad overpriced, for $107.89 / £127.19 at the time of writing the 128GB card is very attractive with enough capacity for shooting a average day for all but the most prolific photographers.

Read more
The best memory cards (opens in a new tab)
The best memory card readers (opens in a new tab)
Why do some SD cards have two rows of pins?
Explanation of memory card symbols
Best CFexpress Card (opens in a new tab)s
What is CFexpress Type A? (opens in a new tab)
Best CFast Cards (opens in a new tab)

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