CompactFlash cards

CompactFlash memory cards

If you regularly take digital photos or film, you cannot get around a memory card for your camera or camcorder. Do you need a fast and powerful product? Memory cards come in a wide variety of formats and speeds. The range is huge, so we want to give you a little orientation.

The high-performance CF cards are particularly recommended. The abbreviation CF stands for CompactFlash. They combine high storage capacity, compactness and compatibility with most digital cameras and camcorders. You will find a rich selection in our online shop.

The inside and the outside

CompactFlash memory cards are solid-state memories. They do not require power or moving parts, such as a hard drive, to preserve data. CF cards are very robust and durable with their metal or plastic housing and contacts. The cards can even withstand very high and very low temperatures - but just because you can, doesn't mean you have to.

Thanks to these properties, they can therefore also be used under extreme conditions. The memory is managed by a controller that is integrated in addition to the memory. This eliminates unnecessary processes during use and increases the speed many times over. The partially high storage capacities make them a space-saving, yet equal competitor to hard disks.

About the speed

The manufacturers give the speeds as 6x to 2000x, related to the read speed of CD-ROM drives, or to the maximum data transfer rate at SanDisk. Speeds of 6x = 0.9 MB/s and 2000x = 300 MB/s are achieved. The higher the multiple, the faster the read speed.

The storage capacities vary greatly and range from 16 to 256 GB. Depending on the format in which you shoot photos (RAW or JPEG), you will need the appropriate storage space and must choose the right card for you here.

Model overview

The memory cards from SanDisk are available in two designs. The dimensions are similar: 36.4 mm by 42.8 mm make up the surface. Only the thickness differs. Type 1 is 3.3 mm thick and type 2 is 5 mm thick. However, this difference is hardly noticeable during use: Type 1 cards can also be used in a Type 2 slot and of course the other way round.

Dealers often give a 30-year guarantee when buying a CF memory card. For reading, the lifespan is unlimited. Strictly speaking, the same applies to the writing process: between 10,000 and 2 million write cycles are possible.

Which memory card is right for me?

The instruction manual of your camera or camcorder provides information on the suitable models. There you will find a list of which memory cards are suitable for your device. Not only the storage capacity and speed are decisive, but also the data transfer mode between memory card and camera.

If you have a high-end SLR camera, it is advisable to buy a card with a speed of 400x or more. They are suitable for high-speed photography and for smooth video recordings in HD quality. For a mid-range model, such a high speed rate is not absolutely necessary. An orientation value should be 300x. This will allow you to shoot fast frame rates and it will meet all the requirements of your camera. If you are just starting out in photography or filming and are the owner of an entry-level model, you can get by very well with a rate of about 133x. In principle, you should bear in mind: The higher the memory capacity and the read and write rate, the higher the price. Beginners will naturally tend towards the lower price range, while professionals and professional photographers will reach for expensive, more powerful models.

If you still have questions about which memory card is right for you, we will of course be happy to advise you. Just give us a call or send us an enquiry using the contact form!