Best microSD card for DJI Avata 360 - 42 GB built in and DJI's list

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Best microSD card for DJI Avata 360? Short answer

For longer flights, buy a microSDXC A2 V30 card from the list recommended by DJI. It includes the Lexar SILVER PLUS (64, 128, 256, 512 GB and 1 TB) and the Kingston CANVAS GO! Plus in several capacities starting from 64 GB.

The drone itself has 42 GB of internal storage and records without a card. That is enough for a short flight, but 360 footage fills this storage quickly. If you fly more often than once in a blue moon, a card will come in handy from your first trip.

The DJI list in plain terms: what A2 V30 means and why 180 Mb/s is not a problem

DJI recommends only A2 V30 cards in the microSDXC standard. The list includes two brands: Lexar and Kingston. For the Avata 360, Adorama lists the Lexar SILVER PLUS.

The maximum video bitrate of the Avata 360 is 180 Mb/s. The V30 class guarantees a minimum sustained write speed of 30 MB/s, which is 240 Mb/s. The card therefore has headroom over what the drone can produce.

This leads to a simple rule: you do not need to look for more expensive V60 or V90 cards. What matters more is that the card is on the DJI list and comes from a reliable source. With counterfeits, the declared speed often does not match reality, and then the recording can cut off in the middle of a flight.

Fun fact: a V30 card writes at least 240 Mb/s, while the drone records at most 180 Mb/s, so there is headroom. This comes from DJI and SD Association data.

Below we have gathered cards that meet the requirements from the DJI list: A2, V30, and the capacities available in the Lexar and Kingston range. Not every model is available in every market.

Recommended microSD cards for DJI Avata 360

Which capacity for whom

Choose capacity based on your flying style, not your budget. The more trips you take without the option of copying footage to a computer, the more sense a larger card makes.

• 128 GB: for weekend outings and shorter trips, when you copy your footage off as soon as you get back. The Kingston Canvas Go! Plus in this size is a sensible starting point.
• 256 GB: the most versatile choice. A good option for trips lasting a few days, and both the Lexar SILVER PLUS and the Kingston are available in this size.
• 512 GB: for longer trips, when you shoot a lot and don't want to keep clearing the card. The Kingston in this size is sold without an SD adapter.
• 1 TB: for those who record every day or go away for many days without access to a computer. The Lexar SILVER PLUS 1 TB is on the DJI list.

Keep in mind that 360 footage takes up a lot of space, and the 42 GB of built-in storage is only a starting point. It's better to have more than you need than to regret at the top of a mountain that the card is full.

Fun fact: the DJI list includes the Lexar 1 TB card, which is over 20 times more space than the 42 GB in the drone.

exFAT, formatting and a spare card for your trip

The Avata 360 uses the exFAT file system. microSDXC cards come formatted as exFAT from the factory, so you usually don't need to change anything after taking one out of the packaging.

Even so, it's best to format a new card in the drone itself. The drone will prepare it for recording on its own, and you avoid problems with settings imposed by a computer. Formatting erases everything, so copy your footage off first if there is any on the card.

Take a second card on your trip, ideally the same one or one from the same DJI list. It makes life easier when the first one fills up and you have no way to copy your footage. It's worth keeping the spare separately, e.g. in a different pocket of your backpack, so that one loss doesn't leave you without space for recordings.

Before buying, take a look at the full list of cards on the DJI website. The manufacturer may update it, and shops don't always stock every capacity.

Frequently asked questions about cards for the Avata 360

How much storage does the DJI Avata 360 have?

The drone has 42 GB of internal storage. It's enough for short flights, but 360 footage fills it up quickly, so for longer flying it's better to add a microSD card.

Which cards does DJI recommend for the Avata 360?

DJI recommends A2 V30 microSDXC cards. The list includes the Lexar SILVER PLUS in 64, 128, 256, 512 GB and 1 TB capacities, and the Kingston CANVAS GO! Plus in several capacities starting from 64 GB.

What is the maximum microSD card size for the DJI Avata 360?

The DJI list includes the Lexar SILVER PLUS 1 TB, so that capacity is officially recommended. We aren't sure what the largest Kingston on the list is, so check the full list on the DJI website before buying.

Does the DJI Avata 360 need a V60 card?

No. The V30 class means a minimum sustained write speed of 240 Mb/s, and the drone records at a maximum of 180 Mb/s. A V30 card from the DJI list is perfectly sufficient.

Does the DJI Avata 360 record without a card?

Yes, the drone records to its 42 GB of internal storage. According to Aerovision, 360 footage fills it up quickly, so for a longer trip it's better to have a card.

Sources

• DJI: Avata 360 specs - manufacturer page (dji.com)
• DroneXL: DJI Avata 360 teaser - industry article (dronexl.co)
• Aerovision Drones: best memory cards for DJI Avata 360 - industry article (aerovisiondrones.com)
• Clifton Cameras: DJI Avata 360 Fly More Combo - industry article (cliftoncameras.co.uk)
• Adorama: DJI Avata 360 Motion Fly More Combo - industry article (adorama.com)