Two UHS-II Cards, Two Speed Tiers
If you're shopping for a 128GB SD card for a DSLR or mirrorless camera, you've likely seen Lexar's UHS-II options: the Professional 1800x GOLD Series and the Professional 1667x Silver Series. Both support high-speed capture and 4K video, but they differ in sustained write performance and price. Here's how to decide which one fits your shooting style.
Speed and Video Ratings at a Glance
- Lexar 128GB Professional 1800x SDXC UHS-II Card Gold Series Class 10 U3 V60: Lexar Professional 1800x SDXC UHS-II Card GOLD Series: up to 280MB/s read, up to 210MB/s write, V60 and UHS Speed Class 3 (U3). The higher write speed helps when you shoot long bursts or transfer large files quickly, which is useful for action and event photography.
Lexar 128GB Professional 1800x SDXC UHS-II Card Gold Series Class 10 U3 V60 - Lexar 128GB Professional 1667x SDXC UHS-II Card Silver Series Class 10 U3 V60: Lexar Professional 1667x SDXC UHS-II Card Silver Series: up to 250MB/s read, up to 120MB/s write, V60 rating for 4K video. The 1667x still handles 4K video and general photography, but its lower write speed may be a bottleneck for heavy burst shooting.
Lexar 128GB Professional 1667x SDXC UHS-II Card Silver Series Class 10 U3 V60
What the V60 Rating Means for Your Camera
Both cards carry a Video Speed Class 60 (V60) rating, which guarantees a minimum sustained write speed of 60MB/s. That's enough for smooth Full-HD and 4K video recording on most cameras. If you shoot mostly video, either card will work; the difference shows up more in still photography, especially when you fire off continuous bursts.
Compatibility: UHS-II and Backward Compatibility
Both cards use the UHS-II interface, which is faster than UHS-I. If your camera only supports UHS-I, the 1800x is stated to be backward compatible and will run at UHS-I speeds. The 1667x is also a UHS-II card, so it will work in UHS-I slots, but the supplied information doesn't specify its backward-compatible performance. Check your camera's manual to confirm which bus speed it supports—if it's UHS-I only, you won't get the full speed benefit of either card.
1800x vs 1667x: Which Should You Choose?
- Choose the 1800x if...: You shoot fast action, sports, or wildlife and need the higher write speed (up to 210MB/s) to clear the buffer quickly. You also want faster transfers to your computer, thanks to the 280MB/s read speed.
- Choose the 1667x if...: You're a hybrid shooter who records 4K video and takes occasional bursts. The 1667x offers V60 performance at a lower price, making it a budget-friendly option for vloggers and enthusiasts.
Durability and Testing
Lexar states that the 1800x card is water-proof, temperature-proof, shockproof, vibration-proof, and X-ray-proof, and that all Lexar products undergo testing in Lexar Quality Labs. The 1667x is also described as rigorously tested. If you shoot in harsh conditions, the 1800x's explicit durability claims may give you extra peace of mind.
What the Supplied Information Doesn't Cover
The catalog doesn't specify the 1667x's backward-compatible speed or provide detailed durability ratings for it. It also doesn't list recommended cameras or card readers. For those details, check your camera's manual and the card's packaging.
