An innovation by SanDisk, the compact flash card is a memory card that stores data on a small but portable device and have gained popularity today for storing footage and photos on higher-end digital cameras. In comparison to SD cards, the CF cards are generally faster and can be found in different categories of compact flash cards, and they include the CFast 2.0 and the UDMA which stands for Ultra Direct Access Mode. The most recent CF cards fall in the 7th gen of the UDMA classification and have one of the highest transfer capabilities at 176MB/Sec.
Photographers prefer the compact flash cards for their performance and ability to store many images as most photographers tend to shoot various images every other minute. If it is your first time purchasing a CF card, some of the things that are essential and require your attention include the card’s capacity as well as the read and write speeds. You should also remember that because of the Compact Flash Association, the XQD and the CF2.0 cards have taken precedence to the CF cards after the association announced that it would no longer be putting in work into the research of CF cards.
1. Lexar 32GB Professional 3500x
Intro:
As the name suggests, this CF card has a 32 GB capacity and given its cost it is one of the higher-end CF cards. With the Lexar 32GB Professional 3500x card you can store up to a thousand RAW format images using the more extravagant DSLR cameras. At 525MB and 455MB, the respective read and write speeds of this CF card are exceptional which means that the card is capable of keeping up even in the most demanding moments. It also means that should you need to transfer your images from your camera to your computer you can do so without worry as the card can effortlessly facilitate the moving of huge files. Our favorite thing about the CFast 2.0 Lexar 32GB professional is that you can shoot peacefully for a single session or even two.
Pros:
- The Lexar 32GB Professional 3500x is capable of satisfying the demand capacity of cameras that can capture 4K quality videos.
- You can retrieve lost or corrupted files since it includes a copy of the image rescue software.
Cons:
- Some users have reported that the card occasionally fails to read when inserted in some cameras even when you use a card reader by the same brand.
2. SanDisk Ultra CompactFlash Card
Intro:
We can appreciate SanDisk mindfulness when developing affordable storage options. The SanDisk Ultra CF comes in different models with varying prices depending on the disk’s storage capacity. If value rather than speed is your priority, then this UDMA 5 mode is one of the best compact flash cards available for you in the market.
The 16GB card, for example, can store up to 640 RAW files each of about 25 MB and you can capture even more when shooting in JPEG format. Because then the read and write speeds go up to 50MBs per second which means two images are captured every second before buffering begins.
Pros:
- It is available in different sizes, i.e., 4, 8, 16 and 32GB cards.
- If you are using a camcorder to capture video, the Sandisk Ultra Compact 16GB flashcard perfectly supports capturing quality 1080p full high definition videos.
- There is a 10-year warranty associated with the cards.
Cons:
- It functions better with entry or mid-range cameras.
- The data write speeds are lower than 50MBs, and this can take some time to transfer mainly if you are dealing with large files.
3. SanDisk Extreme Pro 128 GB
Intro:
Of all the products in the SanDisk range, the SanDisk Extreme Pro 128 GB is in our opinion one of the highest performing CF cards and falls under the UDMA 7 category. SanDisk has been able to attain improved read and write speeds of 160 MBs and 150MBs with the Extreme Pro, and to it up, it comes with a lifetime warranty.
This card has often been compared to the Lexar 3500x with conclusions being drawn that it is the better of the two options even though the Lexar has faster read and write speeds and is more expensive.
This card is quite impressive as it can capture up to 4000 images shot over multiple sessions which translates to about six RAW shots per second before the card begins to buffer. It is also VPG-65 (video performance guarantee) certified which means that if you are shooting videos, the data flow is smooth and effortless since the data writing speeds for video formats is 65MBs a second. The video performance guarantee also facilitates the capture of 4 K and full HD video whose quality is akin to that of the cinema.
Pros:
- The design of the card includes a coating of RTV silicone which offers additional protection to the card in case of damage caused by vibration or shock.
- You can organize/archive your cards appropriately as they come with a jewel case designed to protect your cards when they are not in use.
- The video performance guarantee is a plus any photographer would appreciate.
- The Extreme Pro 128 GB functions with both JPEG and RAW file formats.
- You can find this card in many different sizes apart from the 128 GB talked about in this post.
Cons:
- The price of the card can put some users off as it is relatively expensive.
4. Lexar 256 GB Professional 1066x Compact Flash Memory Card
Intro:
A UDMA 7 category card, this card has a storage volume of 256GB which by most standards is big and ideal for most professionals. The card has some impressive read and write speeds to quicken your workflow. The read and write speeds of the card are 160MB and 155MB respectively. It also features a video performance guarantee (VPG-65) which translates to a smoother performance in comparison to other offerings in the market. This is because the video write speed is guaranteed to not be lower than 65MBs at any given time.
Finally, as with most of the Lexar products, the Lexar 256GB Pro comes with the image rescue software which is ideally meant to offer you support in case you accidentally lose your files.
Pros:
- Whether you are using an HD camcorder, 3D Camera or a DSLR Camera, the Lexar 256GB Pro can meet the demand of capturing high-quality images and videos in either 3D, 4K or even 1080p full HD.
- You are assured of reliability thanks to the video performance guarantee.
- It features backward compatibility with class 10 and UHS- I devices.
- You don’t have to vex about frequently changing cards when shooting.
Cons:
- Because the 256GB Pro utilizes UHS-II/ V60 bus to support some of the DSLR functionalities, the speed class may be affected if the card is used on devices that do not support UHS-II/ V60 such as the UHS-II/ V30.
5. Delkin 256 GB CF 1050x UDMA 7 Cinema Memory Card
Intro:
Standardized for the UDMA 7 category, the Delkin 256GB is slightly slower when compared to other cards in its class. However, it can still deliver some good work and can withstand a good amount of exploitation. It has read and write speeds of 160Mb and 120 MBs respectively, and it is capable of 4K ultra HD videos.
Unlike most card variations, the Delkin offers a video guarantee performance of 20 which in our opinion is not the best for shooting continuous Ultra HD videos. It, however, does an excellent job if you are shooting full high definition videos.
Pros:
- It is capable of sustaining high frame rates.
Cons:
- It has a lower video performance guarantee.
- While it is approved for shooting 4K videos, it does not have the best performance when taken in that format.
Final thoughts
Buying a CF card can be quite puzzling especially if you are not a photographer. Since you will want to be sure that you are getting the most and best out of your DSLR camera it is important that you take your time and do some research in order to understand and compare the different product offerings in the market and which one gives you the best specs or the best value for your money. As previously mentioned, a few of the things that you should consider are:
• Speeds of the cards: you would not want to pick a card whose read and write speeds are subpar and cannot match your DSLR camera.
• Capacity: the size/capacity of the card matters a lot since it determines how many images you can capture before the card reaches its full capacity.
• Durability: do your research into the materials the card you are thinking of buying is made of so that you can be sure that it will serve you for some good time before you must replace it.
• Functionality: this is crucial because your card of choice should be able to withstand extreme conditions such as low/high temperatures, it can withstand elements such as shock, stress, and vibration which may occur while in use.
• Ease of use: finally, be sure that you can effortlessly use the card without any hinderances. Ideally, you would want a card that you can easily install, and should the need arise you can just as easily delete and recover your videos and images.
