Howdy friends! Wondering which memory card to get for your Nikon D3000? In this post I’ll answer all your questions about the different types of memory cards for the D3000 and their capacities.
If you’d like to skip straight to my memory card recommendation for the Nikon D3000, click here.
Nikon D3000 Memory Card Types
The D3000 takes 2 types of memory cards…
Now if the above list sounds confusing, don’t worry! The major difference between the two types of cards is the capacity or the amount of images or video they can hold.
SD cards can hold up to 4GB worth of images and video.
SDHC cards can hold up to 32GB worth of images and video.
On page 167 of the Nikon D3000 Manual it states that SanDisk, Toshiba, Panasonic and Lexar branded SD memory cards have been tested and “approved” to work with the D3000. Don’t worry too much about buying a memory card from the above list. I’ve been using a 16GB SDHC Transcend memory card with the D3000 and it has performed brilliantly.
Image Capacity on the Nikon D3000
Now that you know the different types of memory cards that work with the D3000, I wanted to give you an idea of the image capacity depending on which card you choose.
- A 4GB SD card will give you approximately 541 photos using the Fine image quality setting. If you’re shooting RAW, then you can expect around 235 images.
- A 16GB SDHC card will give you approximately 2,164 photos using the Fine image quality setting. If you’re shooting RAW, then you can expect around 940 images.
- A 32GB SDHC card will give you approximately 4,328 photos using the Fine image quality setting. If you’re shooting RAW, then you can expect around 1880 images.
 The best memory card for the Nikon D3000 based on both price and performance is the Transcend 16GB class 6 memory card.
This memory card will allow you to capture 2,164 images at the highest quality setting. It comes equipped with a Class 6 rating which ensures that you get the best possible performance when shooting continuous (burst) mode. It’s currently on sale at Amazon, click here to check the lowest price.
If you’re at your computer, take a quick look at the memory card reader and see if it says SDHC anywhere. If it doesn’t, then your computer won’t be able to read SDHC memory cards using the SD slot. For those of you in this category, I recommend getting the Transcend 16 GB with USB Card Reader package. For additional $5 you get the 16GB memory card and a USB memory card reader which will allow your computer to read SDHC memory cards.
Written by Moose on Wednesday, June 30, 2010
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Do you have to have the memory card inside the camera before it will operate. I have purchased a Nikon D3000. I charged the battery as instructed and it is in the camera properly.
I was going to set the time, etc, but I am not getting any power. The only other thing I don’t have is the memory card inside.(of which I have not purchased yet). Is this the reason I am not getting any power.
I have pushed the reset button as instructed in the troubleshooting part of the owners guide.
Any other ideas?
I would to know which is the best memory card i can get for a Nikon D3000 for less than $100 if there is any.
Thanks,
Esther
Esther,
As of October 11, 2010…the Transcend 16GB SD card runs for $31 bucks.
- Moose
What are the differences between an “import or non USA” version of a D3000 and a “USA” version? I have been told that there is a language difference, that the camera body is plastic on the import and that the import takes a different battery and charger.
Ive,
I’m not sure…I think the only difference is the language format, but I may be wrong.
- Moose
I just bought a D3000 from a police auction. I know very little about cameras so thank for this site!
Janine,
Congrats on the purchase! I’ll be adding more tutorials and tips for the D3000, so stay tuned!
- Moose
Hi I just got the D3000 yesterday for my b-day so I threw my old SDHC 4GB card in it from my old camera and the settings are telling me I can only take 60 pics, then when I take 1 pic it’s telling me I can only take 30 more instead of 59 more. do you know what I’m doing wrong?
Alison,
It’s possible you have the RAW+JPEG image quality option enabled. Try accessing your setup menu and enabling the FINE option. Let me know if that fixes it.
- Moose
err. one last question.. why lens that attach to d3k must be multiplied by 1.5?
so in other words.. its better for me to get 35mm for my d3k?
:D
Dull Knie,
You got it! :)
- Moose
howday mate..
i have a d3000 and i wanna ask sumtin..
between 50mm 1.8g and 35mm 1.8g, which one is better..
coz im confuse now how to upgrade my d3000..
thank you :D
Dull Knie,
The biggest difference between the two lenses is focal length. Any lens that you attach to the D3000 will need to be multiplied by 1.5, which is the focal length multiplier for the Nikon D3000.
The Nikon 50mm, becomes a 75mm lens on the D3000.
The Nikon 35mm, becomes a 52mm lens on the D3000.
50mm is said to be the closest equivalent to what the human eye can see. Many famous street photographers have used this focal length to take some extraordinary shots. While the 50mm lens is 50mm on a film camera, it’s 75mm on the D3000 which may be too long for most people. The 35mm lens allows you to shoot at roughly 50mm on your D3000, but it also comes with a higher price tag.
- Moose
i have just bought a d 3000 and a sandisck 16 gb and it keeps comming up no memory card can you help sort this out thank you very much
K Alder,
Make sure the lock switch on the memory card is in the “Off” position. Let me know if that fixes it.
- Moose