March
19
Why to Use a Compact Flash Memory Card
Flash memory has become an important part of the data storage world. Where larger, cumbersome drives don’t quite do, flash technology can fill the void. Even better, there are no moving parts, something that can turn even the sturdiest of drives into a useless thing.
Compact Flash memory cards have become commonplace, particularly when it comes to shooting high-quality video and photos. If you are a professional looking for reliable storage, here are a few reasons why to go with Compact Flash.
Fast Read-Write Speeds
The primary reason to use a Compact Flash memory card from a vendor like RS is because of the superior read-write speeds. When out on the job, professionals need to be able to store and transfer data in no time. Thankfully, Compact Flash has superior read-write speeds compared to other forms of data.
Even better, Compact Flash cards are capable of reading and writing 4K video and burst mode photography seamlessly. Being able to shoot in high speed and definition can be a difference-maker for industry professionals. The faster the card, the faster the read-write response when in use. There are cards that go up to 1600x the transfer rate equivalent (150KB/s), which is impressive speed.
Storage Capacity
There is another major consideration to make when choosing a Compact Flash card. Storage is key because the last thing anyone wants is to run out of space right in the middle of a shoot or filming. Storage determines just how much that card is capable of holding, whether it be videos, photos, or another type of file.
The type of videography or photography in question is important. It will determine how much data you will generate during an average shoot. Working with larger file sizes, like RAW images or high-bitrate video, means needing a card with a higher capacity. It is not uncommon to find Compact Flash cards that come with storage up to 256 GB. That should be plenty for more than a few shoots before having to transfer the files off that drive.
Why Not SD Cards?
There is often confusion when comparing CF cards against another type of portable data storage: SD cards. Though they look quite similar to one another, and both options definitely have their perks, they are quite different. More importantly, CF cards tend to be much better in a wide array of applications.
As mentioned, Compact Flash cards are a lot faster than your average storage option. That includes SD cards. For demanding shooting scenarios or high-end cameras, anything other than a Compact Flash memory card just won’t do. If you are an amateur or not looking to make a living off of your work, SD cards are just fine, especially because they are a lot more affordable.
How to Read a CF Card
If you are unfamiliar with Compact Flash cards, digesting all the information on a single sticker can be a lot. After all, there are several numbers and terms being used on the average Compact Flash card.
It starts with the brand name followed by the read speed beneath that (IE: 1066x). The storage capacity is denoted in GB (64 GB is a common size) just above the card class type (UDMA 7 is quite common). Finally, in the bottom corner, is the minimum write speed.
It is important to know that write speed is always going to be substantially slower than read speed. Write speed is perhaps the most important part because that indicates how quickly data can be written onto the drive in the first place.