The new Lexar SL500 SSD is available as a Magnetic Kit which can attach to the back of a MagSafe ... [+]
I love a bit of storage, especially when it’s fast SSD storage that I can carry in my pocket. However, when I buy storage, I tend to go for a reliable brand with a good warranty, something like Lexar, SanDisk or PNY. I have bought a few cheap SSDs in the past, but it can be a false economy as they can be slow or, in some rare cases, unreliable or counterfeit.
The latest SSD to turn up on my desk for review comes from blue-chip brand Lexar. I think I’ve been buying Lexar since the early days of digital photography. Back in then, the failure rate of cheap SD and CompactFlash cards was quite high and one thing you can’t afford when shooting photos for a living is unreliable storage.
The Lexar SL500 is a superbly slender external SSD that has a wonderfully smooth feel about it and yet it’s small enough to hold in the palm of a hand. Available in capacities up to 2TB, this SSD looks sleek and stylish.
The SL500 SSD from Lexar is the ideal companion for photographers and videographers.
This latest SSD range from Lexar includes the portable SL500, as well as the Lexar SL500 with magnetic assembly for attaching to smartphones or cameras with MagSafe. There’s also the Lexar ARMOR700, a rugged SSD designed for professional photographers and videographers.
The ultra-thin SL500 Portable SSD is made from an aluminum unibody and offers read speeds of up to 2,000 MB/s and write speeds of up to 1,800 MB/s. In real-world tests using a Mac or older PC that doesn’t support USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, those speeds tend to top out at around 900MB/s, but it depends on your computer and the cable you’re using.
The SL500 portable SSD is currently available in 1TB and 2TB capacities, but that figure will soon increase to a very handy 4TB, which is ideal for storing videos or large image libraries. That sort of capacity is also useful for backing up a complete computer with multiple versions. The SL500 also works with a wide range of devices including laptops, cameras, Xbox X|S, PS4, PS5 and almost any mobile device with a USB-C port.
As well as the Lexar SL500, the new range of SSDs from Lexar include the ARMOR 700, a rugged SSD for ... [+]
Specifically, the SL500 supports Apple Log video recording in ProRes 4K 60FPS format on the iPhone 15 Pro (and Max). Thanks to Silicon Motion’s single-chip portable SSD controller, the SL500 turns in a fast performance but consumes less power than some other drives, which is important if you are relying on your iPhone’s battery for recording video in the field.
A copy of Lexar’s DataShield AES 256-bit encryption software is pre-installed on the SL500 to secure data. The software is ideal for protecting ultra-sensitive data that needs to remain confidential. With the drive secured using DataShield, the user doesn’t have to worry about unauthorized access should the SSD be stolen or mislaid.
The SL500 Portable SSD with Magnetic Set version of the SSD comes with a variety of accessories including a magnetic ring, lanyard and data cable, making it easier to carry around on location when filming. SL500 Portable SSD slides into the handy Magnet Set, making it easy to secure to an iPhone.
The Lexar SSD range is designed for punishment and, unlike a conventional hard drive, SSDs can ... [+]
When paired with an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max, users can capture ProRes video straight to the drive at 4K resolution and 60FPS. With maximum read speeds of 2000MB/s and maximum write speeds of 1800MB/s, files can be transferred to and from the drive in very little time. The SL500 with the magnetic kit also works with a wide range of other devices, including mobiles, laptops, cameras and gaming consoles.
Finally, the ARMOR 700 portable SSD from Lexar is a version of the SSD designed for life on the road with a pro photographer or video crew. The ARMOR 700 is IP66-rated, against dust and water. The robust construction enables it to withstand drops of up to 3 meters.
With its high-speed interface and durability, the ARMOR 700 portable SSD is built to perform reliably thanks to its low-temperature operation and support for PCs, Macs, tablets, iPads, Android, iPhone 15 pro Series, Xbox X|S, PS4 and PS5. Like all the other variants of the Lexar SSDs, the ARMOR 700 included Lexar DataShield, plus an all-in-one Type-C and USB-A cable.
Verdict: The Lexar SL500 is the cutest and most stylish little SSD. It’s not the fastest on the market but it is sensibly priced and with Lexar you are paying for the reliability. If you want portable and stylish storage up to 4TB, the Lexar SL500 is a neat solution. My only criticism is I’d like to see a slipcase for the SSD to keep it nice and unscratched.
Pricing & Availability: Lexar's new portable SSDs are available from a range of online and physical retailers as well as Amazon. The basic SL500 costs £109.99 for 1TB and $199.99 / £189.99 for 2TB. The Lexar Armor 700 costs £129.99 for 1TB and £209.99 for 2TB. The Magnetic Set version costs £129.99 for 1TB and £209.99 for 2TB. However, shop around for the drives on Amazon and other outlets as there may be deals on.
More info: www.lexar.com
Tech Specs:
- Model: Lexar SL500 Portable SSD
- Performance speeds: 2000 MB/s read and 1800 MB/s write (performance on Mac and other systems not supporting USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 may be lower).
- Features: Supports Apple Pro Res at 4K 60FPS on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
- Includes Type-C data cable for plug-and-play convenience.
- Software: Lexar DataShield™ AES 256-bit encryption software for macOS and Windows.
