Sony Unveils New, High-Speed XQD Memory Cards

[Cristian_25H]

Giving photo enthusiasts and professional photographers a new level of speed and performance, the new Sony XQD memory cards support the recently adopted XQD specification for high-speed, high-performance digital image capture.

Using the XQD memory cards, XQD compatible high-end DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera users can capture up to approximately 100 frames in RAW format in continuous shooting mode. In addition to outstanding high-speed data transfer capability, the new cards are highly reliable to protect users' data and images.





"Advanced shooters want to capture the moment in the highest quality possible, and that often means dealing with massive files like RAW images," said Viviano Cantu, Director of Consumer Media for Sony Electronics. "Memory card technology has done a great job of keeping pace, but these new cards give an entirely new meaning to speed and performance."

The new Sony cards are based on the XQD memory card specification, which the CompactFlash Association recently approved and licensed as an open format. With its ultra high write-speed performance, and when using Nikon's new DSLR "D4," the XQD memory card can record up to approximately 100 frames in RAW format in continuous shooting mode.

The Sony XQD memory card achieves stable continuous shooting of RAW images and blazing fast data transfer rates of up to 1 Gbps / 125 MB/s write and read (based on Sony tests and dependent on host hardware) through the PCIe interface, a computer expansion card standard for serial interfaces.

A unique controller and optimized flash memory enables high-speed data processing, resulting in faster write speed and performance that can't be achieved by conventional compact flash cards.

Sony is also introducing a USB 2.0/3.0 compatible XQD card reader (model MRW-E80) so users can quickly and easily transfer large quantities of very high capacity data to their PC. Also, an XQD ExpressCard Adapter (QDA-EX1) will be available for use with computers with an ExpressCard 34 card slot.

"As users' needs continue to evolve," Cantu added, "Sony will also continue to enhance the XQD memory card line-up to meet the future requirements of the high-end digital imaging market."

The new Sony products are planned to be available in February and are estimated to sell at the following retail prices:

- QD-H16 card, 16 GB, $129.99
- QD-H32 card, 32 GB, $229.99
- Card Reader, MRW-E80, $44.99
- ExpressCard Adapter, QDA-EX1, $44.99

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[n-ster]

nice stuff

 

[Chaitanya]

Right at the time when Nikon has just released D4 with support for XQD format. I would like to see Sandisk XQD cards as they were one of the member who developed this new format. Also for the expected performance the price seems reasonable.

 

[BeepBeep2]

We can already buy CF cards in 16-32GB that do 90MB/s at this price...that's about 7 RAW files a second without the camera buffer.

I suppose 125MB/s is an improvement for those that have money to blow in the future.

For those with entry level and mid-range cameras that have SDHC slots, 20MB/s Class 10 are extremely affordable, fast enough for 1080p video and those camera's continuous RAW (~5FPS) at $20-25 for 16GB. Sandisk has an 8GB 45MB/s card out for $30 for anyone needing more speed.

I'll be honest here, nobody needs 100 continuous shots in burst mode. Higher end CF cards can already give about 80 and I can't imagine any shooting scenario where someone would want to burst 100 shots in 10 seconds.

 

[Delta6326]

I like these speeds, but I agree most people never do that many shots. I do photography at football and most I do is about 10 continuous shots for kick off's.

 

[n-ster]

When you want to capture a specific moment, sometimes such speed is very useful. Besides, don't forget that the extra speed also helps when transferring the pics to a PC etc

And When you are paying 6000$ for a camera, paying 130$ for the memory card is nothing

 

[BeepBeep2]

When you want to capture a specific moment, sometimes such speed is very useful. Besides, don't forget that the extra speed also helps when transferring the pics to a PC etc

And When you are paying 6000$ for a camera, paying 130$ for the memory card is nothing

No, it's not. If your camera does 7-10fps (high end) you have about 100ms-125ms between shots. If you are trying to capture a specific moment, your chances of doing that without the trigger being held down in continuous mode is much lesser than if you'd time it yourself.

The extra speed will help with transfers, but the D4 has USB2 interface that a normal SD card can exceed. I use PNY "Professional" and Sandisk Extreme Series cards with my D5100, I need that speed compared to lower speed cards. However in my camera (I get about 4-5 fps burst) anything else is more than overkill.

Higher end, 2-4K range full frame cameras often have 5-6 FPS burst rates and these cards would still be useless