SD and CFexpress memory card information for still image and video recording

It is important to understand the memory card types available for your camera and how to select the right card to maximize still image and video capabilities. Additionally, certain ILCE and ILME cameras have advanced still image and video recording features that require attention when selecting memory cards. Use the following information to help you select the proper memory card type and capacity for your camera.

Speed class rating information for SD, SDHC™, and SDXC™ memory cards

Note: Refer to the SD Association website for additional type, capacity, and speed class information for the SD™ card formats.

• Class 2: Recommended for Standard Definition video recording
• Class 4: Recommended for High Definition video recording
• Class 6: Recommended for High Definition video recording
• UHS Class 1 (U1): For recording large-sized High Definition video
• UHS Class 3 (U3): Capable of recording 4K video

Choosing the proper memory card

General SD and CFexpress card video recording information

• SDHC/SDXC cards with a UHS speed rating of U3 or video speed rating of V30 work with the XAVC S HD, XAVC S 4K, and XAVC HS 4K formats in the Movie recording mode.
  • XAVC S HD only in the Slow & Quick (S&Q) recording mode.
• SDXC cards rated V60 work with all formats except:
  • XAVC S-I 4K and XAVC S-I HD.
  • XAVC S HD (240 capture fps) in (S&Q) mode.
• SDXC cards rated V90 work with all formats except:
  • XAVC S-I HD (240 capture fps) in S&Q mode.
  • XAVC S-I 4K (60 capture fps/24 & 30 record fps, 120 capture fps) in S&Q mode.
• CFexpress Type A Video Performance Guarantee (VPG 200 or higher) cards work with all video formats. The advantage of this card is the increase in transfer speed over SD cards.
  • For more advanced cameras with CFexpress card capability, the VPG and the ability to record consecutive still images or long periods of high-quality video are important.
  • Refer to this information about the CEA-G and CEA-M CFexpress cards optimized for High-speed write performance or large storage capacity, respectively.

Troubleshooting Tips

• CFexpress card information

  CFexpress Card	Size (WxLxD) (mm)	PCIe® Data Transfer Lanes	Theoretical Transfer Speed	Compatible with Alpha Cameras?
  Type A	20 x 28 x 2.8	One	1,000 MB/s	Yes
  Type B	38.5 x 29.8 x 3.8	Two	2,000 MB/s	No
  Type C	54 x 74 x 4.8	Four	4,000 Mbps	No

• When recording still images at high frame rates, the camera may buffer if the transfer rate of the memory card can't keep up with the transfer from the camera buffer. In this case, review the memory card transfer speed and try a card rated at a higher transfer rate.
• If you own an SDXC card that has high read/write speeds marked but doesn't have a V60/V90 logo (required), you will need to purchase the proper memory card as the camera doesn't recognize the read/write speeds and an error message will appear: