What Kind of SD Card Does Panasonic Lumix Require?

The Panasonic Lumix is compatible with standard SD memory cards, SDHC memory cards and SDXC memory cards. Panasonic recommends using its own brand of SD memory card, but the camera will accept other makes of SD card. Before buying a new SD card for your Lumix camera, consider the benefits of using the Panasonic brand because these memory cards have been designed specifically for use in Panasonic devices. Panasonic's range of SD memory cards include a proprietary intelligent control system that provides longer life and greater reliability.

Each card type offers different memory capacity, so choose an SD card that offers suitable capacity for your purposes. For example, remember that video takes up more memory than still photos so select a card with a larger memory capacity if you plan to use the camera for capturing video clips or home movies. Standard SD cards usually offer capacity between 8MB and 2GB, SDHC cards offer 4GB to 32GB of memory and SDXC cards generally come with either 48GB or 64GB of memory, although 1TB and 2TB cards are also available.

Using the standard SD memory card with lower memory capacity might be satisfactory if you only plan to use the camera for taking still photos, but Panasonic says you should select standard SD card with at least a "Class 6" speed rating if you want to capture video clips. If you decide to use an SDXC card, first ensure that your computer or other playback devices support this type of card or you may not be able to view the photos and videos with the device's card reader. You can usually find this information in the user manual or on the support section of the manufacturer's website.

The Panasonic Lumix has around 70MB of built-in memory so you can use the camera without an SD card, but you may find the standard integrated memory limiting compared with the greater capacity offered by an SD card. To install an SD card, switch the camera off and then slide the release lever on the bottom of the device to the "Open" position. Flip open the lid and firmly push the SD card into the slot until it clicks into place. Replace the lid and move the lever to the "Lock" position. The Lumix automatically displays the content of the SD card when you press the "Play" button in the control panel on the rear of the camera. Use the directional arrow buttons to scroll through photos and video clips stored on the SD card.