In the old days I used this format but I am curious does anyone still use this format or has SD/Microsd replaced it? I prefer SD over Microsd so sought out cameras that support this format instead however my digital voice recorder and GPS use Microsd.
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Compact Flash
- Thread starter jwolf6589
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There are still a number of higher-end but older cameras supporting CF but it's being phased out. CFExpress (both A and B) are strong contenders for a replacement in cameras that need the speed and storage sizes offered. Type A is roughly the same size as an SD (slightly smaller, slightly thicker). Some of the newer Sony cameras offer a slot design that supports both CFExpress A and SD. Type B is compatible with XQD cards. XQD is also being phased out, I think. Type B has a higher theoretical maximum throughput than Type A (two PCIe lanes rather than one).
SD itself will likely be around for a while as it still supports a lot of use cases and is relatively cheap.
SD itself will likely be around for a while as it still supports a lot of use cases and is relatively cheap.
Some photographers clung on to Compact Flash because it is bigger and tougher than an SD card. Certainly less easy to loose when put in a pocket etc but CF cards slot onto pins in a camera or card reader and these can bend or break causing expensive damage. Also card capacities have now got so large that it is rare that anyone needs to change a card 'in the field'. As said above, CFExpress is the new gold standard but SD is like the USB of memory cards.
Here's a good link about camera memory cards: https://photographylife.com/understanding-memory-cards
edit: did notice that this article is a year old and memory card info is continuously changing (ex. all the upper end Nikon cameras that use the XQD memory cards have been updated to also use CFexpress.)
edit: did notice that this article is a year old and memory card info is continuously changing (ex. all the upper end Nikon cameras that use the XQD memory cards have been updated to also use CFexpress.)
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The GoPro Hero series (9 being the latest, released last fall) still use MicroSD. Many use it for video, but I use mine around the pool for swimming and underwater pics of my kiddo.
The actual physical format of (consumer grade) recording media is now irrelevant since the chips themselves are far tinier than enclosure.
This is why there are no 5.25" nor 3.5" SSDs. Even the consumer grade 2.5" SSDs mostly top out at 2TB and it's easier to find 4TB m.2 NVMe sticks than 2.5" SATA SSDs. If you need to stick a 2.5" SSD into a larger drive bay, you just buy a cheap drive bracket and move on with your life.
This is why there are no 5.25" nor 3.5" SSDs. Even the consumer grade 2.5" SSDs mostly top out at 2TB and it's easier to find 4TB m.2 NVMe sticks than 2.5" SATA SSDs. If you need to stick a 2.5" SSD into a larger drive bay, you just buy a cheap drive bracket and move on with your life.