Memory cards allow you to expand the storage capacity of devices like cameras, smartphones, and other electronics. As technology advances, new formats for memory cards are introduced to deliver faster speeds and higher capacities. So which memory card format is the newest and most advanced currently available?
A Brief History of Memory Card Formats
To understand the newest memory card formats, it helps to look at how memory cards have evolved over time:
Early Formats
Some of the earliest memory card formats that paved the way include:
-MMC – MultiMediaCard – Introduced in 1997, MMC cards were some of the first small memory cards used in devices. They offered storage capacities up to 32MB initially.
-CF – CompactFlash – Released in 1994, CF provided higher capacities from the start ranging from 2MB up to 1GB on early versions. They were initially designed for use in digital cameras.
-SD – Secure Digital – Introduced in 1999, the SD format arrived as a smaller alternative to CF cards. The first SD cards provided 4-8MB of storage.
-Memory Stick – Sony introduced its proprietary Memory Stick format in 1998 for use in Sony electronic devices. The first Memory Sticks offered up to 128MB of capacity.
Mid 2000s Formats
In the mid-2000s, faster versions of these early formats emerged:
-xD Picture Card – A card format created by Olympus and Fujifilm in 2002 for use in digital cameras. Offered capacities between 16MB up to 2GB initially.
-Mini SD – A smaller version of the SD card format introduced in 2003, perfect for use in more compact devices.
-MicroSD – The smallest SD card variant, MicroSD launched in 2005. It is about the size of a fingernail and made for use in mobile phones and other small electronics.
-CompactFlash High Capacity (CF2) – Released in 2004, CF2 allowed for larger capacities from 4GB up to as high as 144GB.
Modern High Speed Formats
Within the past 10-15 years, several new memory card formats have aimed at combining compact sizes with tremendously fast data transfer speeds:
-SDHC – Secure Digital High Capacity – Introduced speed classes up to Class 10 and capacities up to 32GB in 2006.
-SDXC – Secure Digital eXtended Capacity – Launched in 2009, SDXC increased maximum storage to 2TB and added faster UHS speed classes.
-CFexpress – Released in 2019, CFexpress brought NVMe flash drive technology to the CompactFlash form factor for blazing fast speeds.
-microSDXC – As an extension of MicroSD, microSDXC increased capacities to 2TB while supporting UHS interface speeds up to 312MB/sec.
This brings us to the most cutting edge memory card formats that have debuted in recent years.
Newest Memory Card Formats
Based on the latest memory card options that have been released onto the market within the past couple years, there are two standout formats that represent the newest and most advanced options currently available:
SD Express
– Released in 2018
– Utilizes the PCIe and NVMe interfaces
– Leverages SD Ultra Capacity (SDUC) technology
– Supports speeds up to 985MB/sec
– Provides capacities up to 128TB
SD Express combines the legacy SD interface with bleeding edge PCIe and NVMe interfaces for tremendous performance. By harnessing the potential of these interfaces and SDUC technology, SD Express cards deliver read speeds reaching nearly 1GB per second along with massive storage capacity over 100TB.
The SD Express format maintains backwards compatibility with existing SD hardware. But a device such as a camera or phone needs SD Express support to take advantage of the fastest speeds. SD Express effectively future-proofs the SD memory card standard with incredible capabilities.
CFexpress Type A
– Introduced in 2019
– Utilizes PCIe and NVMe interfaces
– Supports up to 1GB/sec read speed
– Capacities ranging from 64GB to 1TB
Closely related to the CFexpress format intended for larger devices, CFexpress Type A offers a smaller form factor tailored for smaller consumer electronics. CFexpress Type A utilizes the same blazing fast PCIe Gen 3 and NVMe technology to deliver phenomenal sequential read/write speeds up to 1GB per second.
While capacities max out at 1TB currently, CFexpress Type A offers uncompromising performance in a compact memory card. It is ideal for use in devices like mirrorless or DSLR camera systems. The CFexpress Type A format has quickly been adopted by major camera makers including Canon, Nikon, and Sony.
Comparison of Key Features
To see how the SD Express and CFexpress Type A formats stack up against the previous fastest memory card options available, here is a comparison of the key features:
| Memory Card Format | Interface | Max Speed | Max Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| SDXC UHS-II | UHS-II | 312MB/sec | 2TB |
| microSDXC UHS-II | UHS-II | 312MB/sec | 1TB |
| CFexpress | PCIe 3.0 x2 NVMe | 1.7GB/sec | 8TB |
| SD Express | PCIe 3.0 x1 NVMe | 985MB/sec | 128TB |
| CFexpress Type A | PCIe 3.0 x1 NVMe | 1GB/sec | 1TB |
As you can see, both SD Express and CFexpress Type A represent a huge leap forward from even the previous fastest formats like UHS-II SDXC cards. They provide 3-5x faster maximum read speeds along with exponentially higher storage capacities.
Use Cases
Both SD Express and CFexpress Type A deliver speeds and performance levels that go beyond the needs of most consumers currently. Here are some examples of cutting edge use cases where these formats offer advantages:
Professional Content Capture
For professionals capturing extremely high resolution photos or high bitrate 8K video content in the field, the super fast speeds of SD Express or CFexpress Type A can make a major difference in performance. Seamlessly capturing this type of content requires high sustained write speeds that only these formats can provide.
Gaming
High performance gaming PCs can benefit from the incredibly fast read and write times of these memory cards. Games have become ever larger, while PC users demand faster load times. For supplying storage that can keep up with gaming demands, SD Express and CFexpress are ideal choices.
Boot Drives
Using SD Express or CFexpress Type A cards as the boot drive for an operating system allows for fast start up and app launch speeds. This application takes advantage of the outstanding sequential read/write capabilities these cards offer.
4K/8K Video Editing
For editing extremely high resolution footage without slowed down performance, the newest memory card formats are up to the task. Their combination of high bandwidth and low latency helps editing and scrubbing through 4K or 8K clips feel smooth and responsive.
Pricing
As you might expect, being on the cutting edge comes with a cost premium. Here are approximate price ranges for SD Express and CFexpress Type A cards:
-SD Express – $50 to $500 for capacities between 32GB and 1TB
-CFexpress Type A – $100 to $700+ for capacities between 64GB to 1TB
While not cheap, the excellent performance and forward-looking support for future devices makes these cards a worthwhile investment for professionals or tech enthusiasts pushing the limits of content capture and computing. As production volumes increase over time, prices should lower as well.
Availability
Currently, availability of SD Express and CFexpress Type A cards is limited to online retailers that specialize in high performance memory cards and storage. The formats are so new that mainstream big box electronics stores don’t typically carry these yet.
Brands like Sony, ProGrade Digital, and Lexar are on the leading edge of releasing new SD Express and CFexpress products. As adoption by device manufacturers increases, you can expect wider availability of compatible cards.
FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the newest memory card formats:
Are SD Express cards backwards compatible with SD slots?
Yes, SD Express cards will physically work in older SDXC/SDHC host devices, but will only operate at the maximum speeds supported by that device, not at the full SD Express speeds.
Is CFexpress Type A compatible with standard CFExpress slots?
No, CFexpress Type A is designed exclusively for smaller and thinner slots tailored to Type A dimensions. Type A will not function in standard larger CFexpress slots.
What devices currently support SD Express or CFexpress Type A?
As of late 2022, the Panasonic Lumix S5 Mark II and Fujifilm X-H2S are the first consumer cameras to offer SD Express compatibility. Sony’s Alpha-1 camera supports CFexpress Type A media. Device support is still emerging.
How do I know if my device’s SD or CF slot supports the new formats?
Check your device’s tech specs or manual to see if it lists compatibility with SD Express or CFexpress Type A specifically. The slots for those formats are physically distinct from standard CFexpress or SDXC.
Should I upgrade to SD Express or CFexpress Type A now?
Unless you have a pressing need for bleeding edge speed and capacity for a supported device, it may not be necessary to adopt right away. But these formats represent the future for high performance memory cards over the next 3-5 years.
Conclusion
In summary, the SD Express and CFexpress Type A formats represent the newest generation of memory cards, pushing speed and capacity boundaries while offering compatibility with PCIe and NVMe interfaces. Both deliver sequential read/write speeds up to 1GB/sec along with capacities from 64GB up to 1TB currently. While pricier than legacy formats, these cards enable new uses cases in gaming, content creation, and computing. As SD Express and CFexpress Type A gain market adoption, they will become the new standard for high performance memory cards over the next several years.