Which CFexpress Type A cards are fastest for the Sony a1?

Question

Which CFexpress Type A cards are actually going to give me the best speeds for my a1? Im honestly so frustrated because my V90 cards keep locking up my camera during bursts and I missed a huge shot yesterday. Im looking at the Sony Tough 160GB ones but they are so pricey for the capacity. Ive also seen the Exascend 240GB and the ProGrade Cobalt 160GB but the reviews are all over the place. I need to buy something by Friday for a big wedding gig here in Chicago and my budget is strictly under 400 bucks. Is the Sony speed actually noticeable or should I just get the bigger Exascend card so I dont have to swap mid-ceremony?

marattPef · Accepted Answer

> Which CFexpress Type A cards are actually going to give me the best speeds for my a1? Grab the ProGrade Digital CFexpress Type A Cobalt 160GB! It's absolutely amazing and handles a1 bursts like a total pro. Forget V90, this card is a beast!

NicoleCit · Answer

To add to the point above: the previous poster is totally right about the VPG-400 rating being the standard you gotta look for. The a1 is a beast and if the sustained write speed drops, that buffer is gonna choke every time. Since you are on a strict budget, you might want to consider the Exascend Essential 240GB CFexpress Type A because it hits a nice sweet spot for capacity vs price. Just be careful when pushing it in high-temp environments tho. For a wedding, I would suggest:

test the cards heat performance before the ceremony

check if the Delkin Devices POWER 160GB CFexpress Type A is still on sale since it is super stable

format in the a1 only, dont do it on the PC Basically, the Sony cards are the safest bet for stability, but the Exascend 240GB gives you that extra breathing room for long clips. I'm here if you need more specific data on those write cycles!

febeAlish · Answer

Re: Which CFexpress Type A cards are actually... Unfortunately, Cobalt sustained write-speeds are disappointing. TL;DR: Sony TOUGH 160GB CFexpress Type A has better VPG-400 consistency than Lexar Professional Gold 160GB CFexpress Type A.