The intense decision of as we speak’s cameras, coupled with their means to seize excessive FPS pictures and as much as 8K video, locations big calls for on the velocity of reminiscence playing cards. For those who’ve ever needed to wait dozens of painful seconds for the buffer to empty, you’ll know what I’m speaking about. For that reason, I examined reminiscence playing cards from completely different elements of the value spectrum immediately in Nikon cameras – together with CFExpress, XQD, and SD playing cards – to indicate you which of them are the quickest.
Reminiscence card producers understand how necessary velocity is, which is why they proudly proclaim the learn and write speeds glowing in gold lettering on the field. In a perfect world, these numbers would make for the proper shopping for information. However we dwell in the actual world, the place the data written on the field doesn’t at all times imply very a lot.
Are producers making an attempt to misinform us? I wish to suppose not. Nonetheless, their take a look at circumstances are removed from the actual world. That’s why I made a decision to seek out out the sensible learn and write speeds for myself.
For now, I’ve examined the 36 reminiscence playing cards beneath. I’ll develop this real-life velocity rating each time I take advantage of a brand new reminiscence card sooner or later.
How I Examined
I carried out the assessments beneath utilizing a Nikon Z9 or Nikon Z8 coupled with a 50mm f/1.8 lens. Each cameras have the identical most body price, the identical buffer capability, and the identical file sizes. The benefit of the Z8 is that it additionally means that you can take a look at SD playing cards. I set lossless compressed RAW (common file dimension 54.8MB), 1/1000s, f/2.8, and steady taking pictures on the highest price of 20 FPS. I shot the take a look at scene for 60 seconds. This was repeated for 5 completely different take a look at scenes to reduce the measurement error and the impact of the scene on the file dimension.
To measure learn velocity, I used my MSI Creator Z16 laptop computer (Intel Core i9, Geforce RTX 3060, USB3.2 Gen2 ports). For the connection between the cardboard and the laptop computer, I used Exascend USB 3.2 Gen 2 Twin-Slot Readers (CFExpress B and SD playing cards) and Lexar Skilled XQD 2.0 USB 3.0. For testing I used the EaseUS DiskMark utility. Once more, I took 5 measurements after which averaged the outcomes.
I didn’t take a look at the playing cards’ means to withstand overheating, nor did I measure their velocity as a perform of temperature. This measurement would definitely be very fascinating, however would require strictly standardized circumstances, which aren’t simple to attain. The unique Nikon MC-CF660G CFexpress Sort B, the Delkin Gadgets 325GB BLACK CFexpress Sort B or the ProGrade Digital 650GB CFexpress 2.0 Sort B Cobalt playing cards are reported to present superb outcomes on this respect. So, when you plan to make use of the cardboard primarily for 8K uncooked video recording, it is best to take into account this characteristic as effectively, along with velocity.
The Outcomes
Within the first few seconds of high-FPS taking pictures, I didn’t discover any vital variations between the completely different playing cards. That is because of the comparatively deep buffer of the Nikon Z9 and Z8. Nonetheless, as soon as the buffer is full, the variations grow to be obvious, because the slowest playing cards instantly grind to a halt. On the worst card I examined, the body price after the primary few seconds dropped precipitously, and the typical velocity over 60 seconds was a mere 1.9 FPS.
With that, let’s get into the assessments.
#1 Nikon MC-CF660G CFexpress Sort B
Declared write velocity: 1500 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 1700 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 854.9 MB/s
Common measured body price: 15.6 fps
Appropriate for 8K video: Sure
Common worth: $726
The place to purchase: B&H and Amazon.
#2 ProGrade Digital 650GB CFexpress 2.0 Sort B Cobalt
Declared write velocity: 1500 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 1700 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 847.6 MB/s
Common measured body price: 15.5 fps
Appropriate for 8K video: Sure
Common worth: $540
The place to purchase: B&H and Amazon.
#3 Delkin Gadgets 150GB BLACK CFexpress Sort B
Declared write velocity: 1530 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 1725 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 843.9 MB/s
Common measured body price: 15.4 fps
Appropriate for 8K video: Sure
Common worth: $180
The place to purchase: B&H
#4 Delkin Gadgets 325GB BLACK CFexpress Sort B
Declared write velocity: 1530 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 1725 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 839.9 MB/s
Common measured body price: 15.3 fps
Common measured learn velocity: 1067.0 MB/s
Appropriate for 8K video: Sure
Common worth: $425
The place to purchase: B&H
#5 Delkin Gadgets 128GB POWER CFexpress Sort B
Declared write velocity: 1700 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 1780 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 832.4 MB/s
Common measured body price: 15.2 fps
Common measured learn velocity: 1055.6 MB/s
Appropriate for 8K video: Sure
Common worth: $110
The place to purchase: B&H and Amazon.
#6 Delkin Gadgets 256GB BLACK CFexpress Sort B
Declared write velocity: 1400 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 1645 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 831.0 MB/s
Common measured body price: 15.2 fps
Common measured learn velocity: 821.3 MB/s
Appropriate for 8K video: Sure
Common worth: $_ _
The place to purchase: No Longer Accessible
#7 Exascend Important CFexpress B 1TB
Declared write velocity: 1700 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 1800 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 805.6 MB/s
Common measured body price: 14.8 fps
Common measured learn velocity: Not measured (to be added)
Appropriate for 8K video: Sure
Common worth: $469
The place to purchase: B&H and Amazon.
#8 ProGrade Digital 325GB CFexpress 2.0 Sort B
Declared write velocity: 1500 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 1700 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 804.3 MB/s
Common measured body price: 14.7 fps
Common measured learn velocity: 1033.2 MB/s
Appropriate for 8K video: Sure
Common worth: $450
The place to purchase: B&H and Amazon.
#9 Lexar 256GB Skilled CFexpress Sort B Card DIAMOND Collection
Declared write velocity: 1700 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 1900 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 795.2 MB/s
Common measured body price: 14.5 fps
Appropriate for 8K video: Sure
Common worth: $296
The place to purchase: B&H and Amazon.
#10 Delkin Gadgets 325GB BLACK G4 CFexpress Sort B
Declared write velocity: 1700 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 1800 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 804.3 MB/s
Common measured body price: 14.7 fps
Appropriate for 8K video: Sure
Common worth: $280
The place to purchase: B&H
#11 ProGrade Digital 512GB CFexpress 4.0 Sort B Gold
Declared write velocity: 2400 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 3400 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 762.6 MB/s
Common measured body price: 13.9 fps
Appropriate for 8K video: Sure
Common worth: $180
The place to purchase: B&H
#12 Nextorage 165GB NX-B1PRO Collection CFexpress Sort B
Declared write velocity: 1900 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 1950 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 759.3 MB/s
Common measured body price: 13.9 fps
Common measured learn velocity: 1034.7 MB/s
Appropriate for 8K video: Sure
Common worth: $170
The place to purchase: B&H and Amazon.
#13 Clever Superior 1TB CFX-B Collection Mark II CFexpress Sort B
Declared write velocity: 1550 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 1700 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 748.9 MB/s
Common measured body price: 13.7 fps
Common measured learn velocity: 600.8 MB/s
Appropriate for 8K video: Sure
Common worth: $400
The place to purchase: B&H.
#14 Delkin Gadgets 128GB POWER G4 CFexpress Sort B
Declared write velocity: 1700 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 1780 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 719.4 MB/s
Common measured body price: 13.1 fps
Appropriate for 8K video: Sure
Common worth: $110
The place to purchase: B&H and Amazon.
#15 Angelbird 512GB AV PRO
Declared write velocity: 850 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 1785 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 690.7 MB/s
Common measured body price: 12.6 fps
Appropriate for 8K video: Sure
Common worth: $130
The place to purchase: B&H and Amazon.
#16 Exascend 1TB VIGOR
Declared write velocity: 1700 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 1800 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 676.2 MB/s
Common measured body price: 12.3 fps
Appropriate for 8K video: Sure
Common worth: $469
The place to purchase: B&H and Amazon.
#17 Clever Superior 512GB CFX-B Collection Mark II CFexpress Sort B
Declared write velocity: 1550 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 1700 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 619.2 MB/s
Common measured body price: 11.3 fps
Common measured learn velocity: 603.2 MB/s
Appropriate for 8K video: Sure
Common worth: $200
The place to purchase: B&H.
#18 Lexar 128GB Skilled CFexpress Sort B Card GOLD Collection
Declared write velocity: 1500 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 1750 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 618.6 MB/s
Common measured body price: 11.3 fps
Appropriate for 8K video: Sure
Common worth: $90
The place to purchase: B&H and Amazon.
#19 Nextorage 512GB NX-B2SE Collection CFexpress Sort B
Declared write velocity: 1900 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 1950 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 581.5 MB/s
Common measured body price: 10.6 fps
Common measured learn velocity: 1034.2 MB/s
Appropriate for 8K video: Sure
Common worth: $175
The place to purchase: Adorama and Amazon.
#20 Sony 128GB CFexpress Sort B TOUGH
Declared write velocity: 1480 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 1700 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 548.9 MB/s
Common measured body price: 10 fps
Appropriate for 8K video: Sure
Common worth: from $109 (used) or $168 (new)
The place to purchase: B&H and Amazon.
#21 Lexar 256GB Skilled CFexpress Sort B Card SILVER Collection
Declared write velocity: 1300 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 1750 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 511.8 MB/s
Common measured body price: 9.3 fps
Appropriate for 8K video: Sure
Common worth: $140
The place to purchase: B&H and Amazon.
#22 SanDisk 128GB Excessive PRO CFexpress Sort B
Declared write velocity: 1200 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 1700 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 427.6 MB/s
Common measured body price: 7.8 fps
Common measured learn velocity: 1064.2 MB/s
Appropriate for 8K video: No
Common worth: $110
The place to purchase: B&H and Amazon.
#23 Sony 64GB G Collection XQD
Declared write velocity: 400 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 440 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 355.1 MB/s
Common measured body price: 6.5 fps
Common measured learn velocity: 355.5 MB/s
Appropriate for 8K video: No
Common worth: $90
The place to purchase: B&H and Amazon.
#24 Nikon XQD 64GB
Declared write velocity: 400 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 440 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 352.7 MB/s
Common measured body price: 6.4 fps
Common measured learn velocity: 402 MB/s
Appropriate for 8K video: No
Common worth: $160
The place to purchase: Amazon.
#25 Lexar XQD 32GB 2933x Skilled
Declared write velocity: 400 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 440 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 351.1 MB/s
Common measured body price: 6.4 fps
Common measured learn velocity: 361.3 MB/s
Appropriate for 8K video: No
Common worth: $_ _
The place to purchase: No Longer Accessible
#26 Delkin Gadgets 256GB POWER CFexpress Sort B
Declared write velocity: 1700 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 1780 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 351.0 MB/s
Common measured body price: 6.4 fps
Common measured learn velocity: 473.9 MB/s
Appropriate for 8K video: Sure
Common worth: $135
The place to purchase: B&H.
#27 Nextorage 128GB NX-F2PRO Collection UHS-II SDXC
Declared write velocity: 299 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 300 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 252.1 MB/s
Common measured body price: 4.6 fps
Appropriate for 8K video: No
Common worth: $110
The place to purchase: B&H and Amazon.
#28 ProGrade Digital 256GB UHS-II SDXC
Declared write velocity: 250 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 300 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 242.3 MB/s
Common measured body price: 4.4 fps
Appropriate for 8K video: No
Common worth: $202.5
The place to purchase: B&H
#29 ProGrade Digital 128GB UHS-II SDXC
Declared write velocity: 250 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 300 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 239.3 MB/s
Common measured body price: 4.4 fps
Appropriate for 8K video: No
Common worth: $109
The place to purchase: B&H and Amazon.
#30 Sony 64GB SF-G TOUGH Collection UHS-II SDXC
Declared write velocity: 299 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 300 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 236.4 MB/s
Common measured body price: 4.3 fps
Common measured learn velocity: 94.3 MB/s
Appropriate for 8K video: No
Common worth: $100
The place to purchase: B&H and Amazon.
#31 SanDisk 64GB Excessive PRO UHS-II SDXC
Declared write velocity: 260 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 300 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 222.5 MB/s
Common measured body price: 4.1 fps
Common measured learn velocity: 94.5 MB/s
Appropriate for 8K video: No
Common worth: $65
The place to purchase: B&H and Amazon.
#32 ProGrade Digital 128GB CFexpress 2.0 Sort B Gold
Declared write velocity: 1400 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 1700 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 202.5 MB/s
Common measured body price: 3.7 fps
Appropriate for 8K video: No
Common worth: $100
The place to purchase: B&H and Amazon.
#33 OWC 128GB Atlas Professional CFexpress Sort B
Declared write velocity: 1400 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 1700 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 198.5 MB/s
Common measured body price: 3.6 fps
Appropriate for 8K video: No
Common worth: $_ _
The place to purchase: No Longer Accessible
#34 SanDisk 64GB Excessive PRO SDXC UHS-I (95MB/s)
Declared write velocity: 90 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 95 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 108.1 MB/s
Common measured body price: 2.0 fps
Appropriate for 8K video: No
Common worth: $34.5
The place to purchase: Amazon.
#35 SanDisk 64GB Excessive PRO UHS-I SDXC
Declared write velocity: 90 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 200 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 106.5 MB/s
Common measured body price: 1.9 fps
Common measured learn velocity: 95.6 MB/s
Appropriate for 8K video: No
Common worth: $13.49
The place to purchase: B&H and Amazon.
#36 SanDisk 32GB Excessive PRO SDXC UHS-I (95MB/s)
Declared write velocity: 90 MB/s
Declared learn velocity: 95 MB/s
Common measured write velocity: 102.3 MB/s
Common measured body price: 1.9 fps
Appropriate for 8K video: No
Common worth: $16
The place to purchase: Amazon.
Evaluation
What stood out to me was the dramatic distinction between CFExpress Sort B, XQD, and SD playing cards. Certainly, CFExpress Sort B playing cards are the velocity champions in comparison with the opposite card varieties. On the identical time, it seems that even on this class, it pays to decide on fastidiously. Whereas the most effective of the playing cards averaged round 15 FPS at 60 seconds of high-speed taking pictures, there have been a number of outliers whose velocity was shockingly gradual.
Particularly, the OWC 128GB Atlas Professional CFexpress Sort B and ProGrade Digital 128GB CFexpress 2.0 Sort B Gold playing cards had been far behind the XQD playing cards and even all SDXC UHS-II playing cards (clocking in at round 3.7 FPS). For the same worth, you should buy, for instance, the greater than 4 occasions sooner Delkin Gadgets 128GB POWER CFexpress Sort B. And consider me, you may actually really feel the velocity distinction. The SanDisk 128GB Excessive PRO CFexpress Sort B card was additionally far behind expectations – although nonetheless higher than these different two – with a velocity of seven.8 FPS.
I used to be stunned by the inconsistency of card speeds inside a single mannequin sequence. For instance, whereas the Delkin Gadgets 128GB POWER CFexpress Sort B (earlier era) was one of many absolute high performers, its 256GB sibling was a whole flop within the take a look at. This specific card additionally failed me for good once I was taking pictures in Ecuador. So, as in life, I like to recommend not placing all of your eggs in a single basket.
A really fascinating end result was achieved by probably the quickest card within the take a look at, the ProGrade Digital 512GB CFexpress 4.0 Sort B Gold. It’s the just one within the take a look at that already runs on the brand new CFexpress 4.0 normal. Sadly, not one of the cameras available on the market as we speak can reap the benefits of the blazing speeds it guarantees as a result of they lack CFexpress 4.0 help. Its results of 13.9 FPS on the Nikon Z9 is definitely beneath common amongst comparable playing cards (rating tenth place among the many playing cards examined right here). Nonetheless, the value/efficiency ratio is superb, and with a appropriate reader, you get a future-proof card that means that you can take pleasure in quick switch speeds as we speak.
If I needed to decide a winner within the worth/efficiency class, it might be the most recent addition to our take a look at, the Austrian Angelbird 512GB AV PRO reminiscence card. The producer modestly states sustained write velocity of 800 MB/s, however don’t let that discourage you. For $130, you get a card that averaged a stable 12.6 FPS (690.7 MB/s) in my assessments. From me, this additionally earns Angelbird a particular award for truthfulness – virtually all the opposite playing cards I examined fared worse than this relative to their lofty claims.
The XQD playing cards hovered round 6.4 FPS. I’d not suggest shopping for them as we speak because of the unfavorable worth/efficiency ratio. The one purpose to purchase them is if in case you have a digital camera that doesn’t help CFExpress Sort B playing cards, such because the Nikon D4. In the meantime, the UHS-II SD playing cards had been about 4.2 FPS, whereas the UHS-I playing cards I examined achieved a mere 2 FPS or much less. Nonetheless, UHS-I playing cards will be bought very cheaply, so if velocity just isn’t a precedence, this can be the best way to go.
Because the vary of playing cards utilized in Nikon cameras has expanded with the Zf to incorporate microSD, I’ll be increasing our take a look at to incorporate them quickly. Let me know what playing cards you prefer to me to check subsequent!