microSD Card Quick Start Guide for SJCAM action cameras

1. Recommended SD Card Types

To handle high-bitrate video recording (like 4K), your SD card must meet the following specifications. Using lower-rated cards may cause the camera to stop recording unexpectedly or result in corrupted files.

Speed Class: Must be V30 (Video Speed Class 30) or higher.

Bus Interface: UHS-I or UHS-II (U3).

Recommended Brands: * SanDisk: Extreme, Extreme Plus, Extreme Pro.

Samsung: EVO Plus, PRO Plus, PRO Ultimate.  

Lexar: Professional 1066x Silver Series.

Kingston: Canvas Go! Plus.

Amazon Basics: Micro SDXC Memory Card 

[!IMPORTANT] Always use a reputable brand. Counterfeit or low-speed cards are the #1 cause of recording failures.


2. Insertion & Power On

Follow these steps to avoid hardware or file system errors:

2.1 .Power Off: Ensure the camera is completely powered off before inserting the card.

2.2. Insert card: Push the card into slot until you hear a “click” and it stays in place.

2.3. Power On: Press the Power button to turn on the camera.


3. Essential Formatting (Initialization)

A new SD card must be formatted before the first use. Even if the card is pre-formatted, initializing it within the camera ensures the file system is optimized for action recording.

Option A: Format via Camera (Recommended)

  1. Go to the camera’s Settings menu.
  2. Find the Format option.

Note: Confirm the action. The camera will clear all data and build the necessary folder structure.

Option B: Format via Computer

If you prefer using a PC/Mac, please use the following settings:

File System: Select exFAT (for cards 64GB and larger).

Allocation Unit Size: Default.

Warning: Formatting will erase all existing data on the card. Back up your files first!

[!WARNING] Failure to format the card may result in “SD Card Error” or prevent the camera from saving your videos.