CFexpress is an ultra-fast memory card reaching up to 1,700 MB/s, ideal for 8K acquisition. Uses a PCIe interface and comes in three form factors.
CFexpress Type B cards measure 38.5 × 29.8 × 3.8 mm and utilize two PCIe lanes for maximum data transfer. Minimum Video Performance Guarantee (VPG) values are VPG-200 (200 MB/s sustained write) for 4K recording and VPG-400 for 8K material. Type A cards (20 × 28 × 2.8 mm) use one PCIe lane and achieve up to 800 MB/s, while Type C cards with four lanes can reach up to 4,000 MB/s. The cards operate at 3.3V and support temperature ranges from -25°C to +85°C.
The CompactFlash Association developed CFexpress in 2016 as a direct successor to XQD technology. Sony introduced the first Type A cards for the α7R IV in 2019, while Nikon and Canon implemented Type B support in the Z9 and EOS R5 respectively in 2020. Sandisk, Lexar, and ProGrade Digital established themselves as the main manufacturers. In 2021, the CFexpress 2.0 standard increased maximum speeds by 25% and improved energy efficiency.
CFexpress enables 8K RAW recording in cameras like the Canon EOS R5, which requires a 2,600 Mbps data rate for Cinema RAW Light. For "Top Gun: Maverick" (2022), the camera crews used CFexpress Type B cards for uncompressed 6K recordings from the Sony FX9 in the cockpit sequences. Netflix productions utilize CFexpress for ProRes RAW workflows, as sustained write performance prevents dropped frames. The cards reduce offloading times: 512 GB of footage transfers in under 8 minutes via a USB 3.2 reader.
CFexpress Type B surpasses XQD cards by three times the speed with identical dimensions and backward compatibility in many cameras. SD UHS-II reaches a maximum of 300 MB/s, while CFexpress Type A starts at 800 MB/s. SSD recording via external recorders remains more cost-effective for the longest recording times, but CFexpress offers better mobility and camera stabilization. RED Mini-Mags remain proprietary, optimized for RED cameras, while CFexpress is standardized across manufacturers.
Atomos has completely redesigned its Ninja series after seven years. The devices support CFexpress Type B cards for the first time, offering significantly higher data rates for professional video recording. Additionally, camera control via USB-C has been integrated, simplifying the workflow for external recorders.
Ich setze CFexpress Type B für 4K ProRes 422 HQ ein, weil die sustained write-Performance auch bei 45-minütigen Interviews konstant bleibt – keine Dropped Frames mehr wie bei langsameren SD-Karten. Die Karten werden auch bei intensiver Nutzung kaum warm, was bei langen Drehtagen in heißen Umgebungen entscheidend ist.
CFexpress erlaubt mir längere Takes ohne Unterbrechungen durch volle Puffer – perfekt für improvisierten Dialog oder Dokumentaraufnahmen, wo der authentische Moment nicht wiederholt werden kann. Die hohe Datenrate ermöglicht maximale Bildqualität für aufwändige Farbkorrektur in der Post.
CFexpress-Karten kosten 400-800€ pro 512GB, aber die Zeitersparnis beim Datenmanagement rechtfertigt die Investition – unser Team kann 50% schneller offloaden und backup erstellen. Die Standardisierung reduziert das Equipment-Chaos, da dieselben Karten in Canon, Nikon und Panasonic-Kameras funktionieren.
1. Was beschreibt „CFexpress" am besten?
2. Zu welchem Department gehört „CFexpress"?
3. Wie viele verschiedene Fachperspektiven bietet dieser Eintrag?
The Lexikon is part of the Filmfarm ecosystem — alongside budgeting (FilmBalance), an industry magazine (FilmCircus) and crew networking (FilmCall, CrewMesh). One shared vocabulary for the whole production.