CF vs XQD memory cards?

I'd go with CF. Last I heard XQD were being fased out due to limited use and competiton from CF express.
 
I certainly wouldn't be buying new XQD cards. But there's also a very good chance that you do not need (nor would you benefit from) the very highest spec CFE cards... they are primarily only a benefit if writing 8k video to a single card.
 
Graham W said:
Thanks chaps...kind of going with my gut reaction.
I'm looking for a couple of Nikon D5 bodies and there are CF and XQD versions. :thinking:
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I totally forgot about the D5 CF card model; I was only thinking in terms of current CFe vs XQD cross compatibility.
You want the XQD version updated with latest firmware. FW 1.4 added CFe type B compatibility. The only reason to get the CF version is if you already have a bunch of CF cards for a D3/D4.

But I would buy the D5 CF model if there was a big enough cost benefit... they are cheaper and fast enough for use w/ D5 still photography. Just know that the CF card format isn't going to be around/supported/sold much longer.
 
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Some history. The D4 incorporated the XQD card for the first time; and it IS a much better card/reader (durability/speed/etc). But they retained a CF slot for backwards compatibility in an attempt to make the transition easier for owners of the previous D2/D3 series.

They were criticized for that because it meant two different cards/systems in a pro body, and both were fairly expensive at the time. So when they made the D5 they offered two models instead, each with dual slots of the same card style... but by that time the CF card was already pretty old/outdated. Basically, it is a model specifically made to be backwards compatible with 20yr old technology.
 
sk66 said:
I totally forgot about the D5 CF card model; I was only thinking in terms of current CFe vs XQD cross compatibility.
You want the XQD version updated with latest firmware. FW 1.4 added CFe type B compatibility. The only reason to get the CF version is if you already have a bunch of CF cards for a D3/D4.

But I would buy the D5 CF model if there was a big enough cost benefit... they are cheaper and fast enough for use w/ D5 still photography. Just know that the CF card format isn't going to be around/supported/sold much longer.
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Yes, I saw comments regarding CFe cards when going about my "research"...this only added to my confusion.
What you say has made sense of it. So an XQD version would accept and function with CFe cards as long as the camera has the latest firmware installed.
 
Just looked at D5 firmware updates and it confirms what @sk66 says about CFe cards (I never doubted it Steven! :) )
I'm at least 30 years behind technology wise so anything 20 years out of date is still science fiction for me!
Anyway I've just ordred an XQD version D5 from Harrison Cameras so I'm kinda commited now!
Thanks for helping me make sense of it (Sort of). (y)
 
Graham W said:
I'm at least 30 years behind technology wise so anything 20 years out of date is still science fiction for me!
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Well, it was 20 yrs when the D5 was released. The CF card was developed in 1994 and used in the first Nikon D1 of 1999... so, right at 30yrs now.
But the XQD (Nikon) and CFe (Canon/others) was first being introduced around 2012... welcome to the future!
 
 
I've been using the Sabrent one without issue for several months now. I didn't think that I'd ever use 512Gb of capacity, but it's allowed me to introduce a change in my workflow. I create a new Lightroom catalogue for each event on a laptop when away from home, and the spare capacity allows me to quickly copy the entire directory including images/videos/1:1 previews onto the card, and then quickly copy onto my desktop when I get home. It's effectively doubling as a fast external SSD drive (using USB-C), but it's one less piece of kit to take with me.
 
I just have 2 XQDs' - one for a Z6 and one for a D500. They are working OK but might pickup a backup if I find one cheap enough. Just don't need either the added performance or the cost of CF express cards and a new reader since I am a light user.
 
piper said:
I just have 2 XQDs' - one for a Z6 and one for a D500. They are working OK but might pickup a backup if I find one cheap enough. Just don't need either the added performance or the cost of CF express cards and a new reader since I am a light user.
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I just use XQDs at the moment with my D500 and D850, fairly heavily invested as well, I guess resale prices of XQDs will drop just like older CFs so I will use them while they still have plenty of life left in them
 
I have 4 Sony XQDs that i have had for about 4 years now and the plastic is beginning to break off, When i got the Z9 i purchased 2 x Delkin 64gb Black, Being looking to bye some large cards but the price is expensive, So been bit of a geek / ex-engineer i have built my own with 512gb SSD & a metal case, I ran some tests and shot 68 full raw images before the buffer filled then tried the video with out any issues. for the price of £55 for each card ( Built 2 of them )
The SSD
Sequential Read Performance = Up to 5150 MB/s
Sequential Write Performance = Up to 4850 MB/s
But the case adapter limits to 1800Mb/s and a reading speed of 1200Mb/s, supporting 8K RAW format and 4K 120Hz video
 
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Why is everyone talking about XQD's and then posting links to CF Express?

Physically the case may be the same but they are two different card systems.
 
Because both type can be used in certain cameras & the title of the post is

CF vs XQD memory cards?​

 
Digisatman said:
My D5 is XQD or CFexpress
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In which case, it is unique.

The D5 came with the option of either XQD or CF media slots.

That fact that CF Express will fit in a XQD slot is immaterial.

As a result, Graham has just spent £70 more per card than he needed to.

Poor advice costs people money.
 
DemiLion said:
In which case, it is unique.

The D5 came with the option of either XQD or CF media slots.

That fact that CF Express will fit in a XQD slot is immaterial.

As a result, Graham has just spent £70 more per card than he needed to.

Poor advice costs people money.
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Hey, don't drag me into this. I'm perfectly happy with my set up...hang on, I'll just have to go and check what I'm using...either way they're bloody quick!
 
@Graham W :: FYI, your 64GBs SanDisk CFe has lower reading and writing speeds than 128GB+ SanDisk CFe ... 64GBs version is inferior by design ... speeds vary per size:
  • 512GB: Up to 1700MB/s read and 1400MB/s write speeds
  • 256GB: Up to 1700MB/s read and 1200MB/s write speeds
  • 128GB: Up to 1700MB/s read and 1200MB/s write speeds
  • 64GB: Up to 1500MB/s read and 800MB/s write speeds
but unless you're some specialist who shoots a long bursts it should not matter for the very most of photographers in real life
 
DemiLion said:
In which case, it is unique.

The D5 came with the option of either XQD or CF media slots.

That fact that CF Express will fit in a XQD slot is immaterial.

As a result, Graham has just spent £70 more per card than he needed to.

Poor advice costs people money.
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There was a firmware update for the D5 so xqd models can take cf express too
 
Graham W said:
Hey, don't drag me into this. I'm perfectly happy with my set up...hang on, I'll just have to go and check what I'm using...either way they're bloody quick!
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Sadly you ended up buying Sandisk 64Gb cards in CF Express format.

You could have easily bought 32Gb XQDs by Sony at around forty quid each - which is a fair saving. And at 400Mbs they are pretty much
as (visibly) fast as the CFx unless you are shooting video.

However if you are enjoying them and happy... :)
 
DemiLion said:
Sadly you ended up buying Sandisk 64Gb cards in CF Express format.

You could have easily bought 32Gb XQDs by Sony at around forty quid each - which is a fair saving. And at 400Mbs they are pretty much
as (visibly) fast as the CFx unless you are shooting video.

However if you are enjoying them and happy... :)
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Yes. I don't always get it absolutley right first time.
I changed systems and was faced with buying new cards I was unfamilliar with so I sought advice. I bought based on a combination of that advice and into brand I was familiar with.
I have two D5s with dual slots with one Sandisk card in each. I'll eventually fill the second (Rarely used) slots with something cheaper and possibly more appropriate. (y)
 
Graham W said:
Yes. I don't always get it absolutley right first time.
I changed systems and was faced with buying new cards I was unfamilliar with so I sought advice. I bought based on a combination of that advice and into brand I was familiar with.
I have two D5s with dual slots with one Sandisk card in each. I'll eventually fill the second (Rarely used) slots with something cheaper and possibly more appropriate. (y)
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MPB have Sony 32Gb XQD's for £42 at the moment.
 
sk66 said:
You're kind of paying top dollar for old technology; very good CFe-B's can be had for less than 1£/GB... but you won't find them in smaller sizes.
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Only if you look at it in cost per unit.

On the other hand, a card that will do the job for half that price is decent value.

Would you spend double your weekly shop in a supermarket just to reduce the unit price? Or would you buy what you needed?
 
DemiLion said:
Would you spend double your weekly shop in a supermarket just to reduce the unit price? Or would you buy what you needed?
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It's not (necessarily) a commodity that expires... if I was spending with the idea of "future proofing" the investment as much as possible I would buy the newer technology.

Actually, I should say I did... I did significant testing of the Z9 w/ XQD's I had; and for most normal photography with the z9 the XQD's are adequate. I bought some good spec (not the highest) CFE's instead and included XQD's with the camera sale (although I still have one or two).
 
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