Read/Write Speed difference - Sony XQD cards
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#1. "RE: Read/Write Speed difference - Sony XQD cards" | In response to Reply # 0
Mon 01-Mar-21 12:22 AMHi Mark,
Over the years I have purchased new Memory Cards together with each new camera body to maintain the maximum possible write speed and buffer capacity. Without the memory, you can't take full advantage of the new cameras performance.Best Regards,
Marty
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#2. "RE: Read/Write Speed difference - Sony XQD cards" | In response to Reply # 0
Tue 02-Mar-21 06:48 AMHi Mark - Thanks for the report.
You're right, there are significant differences in card speed - both write speed in the camera, and read speed when you are downloading later. At times I feel like I'm hunting for gremlins - one component can cause a significant difference in speed.
I had an exchange with Tig over at Camnostic. He had tested over 20 cards and was just scratching the surface.Eric Bowles
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#3. "RE: Read/Write Speed difference - Sony XQD cards" | In response to Reply # 2
Tue 02-Mar-21 09:49 AMEric,
I'm considering upgrading to CFexpress Type B cards for both the Z 7II and Z 6II. I'm rather taken aback by the cost of these things but I guess it is time to move on. My thought was to get a couple of the Sony Tough 256GB cards. I'm inclined to trust Sony's cards more than others but for no specific reason. I used to get only SanDisk but with the advent of XQD I've been using Sony cards.
I noticed in some review that the larger the capacity the faster the cards tended to be. However $650 per card for 512GB capacity kinda goes over my line in the sand. I'm wondering if there is a significant difference between the Sony Tough 256GB card vs the 512GB card.
I think I'll spend some time today researching CFexpress cards.Mark
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#4. "RE: Read/Write Speed difference - Sony XQD cards" | In response to Reply # 3
Tue 02-Mar-21 01:48 PMHi Mark
I do believe all future purchases should be CFExpress over XQD. I'd also go with the upper grade card - Sony Tough, Delkin Power, ProGrade Cobalt, or Angelbird. I've only tested 128 GB cards. The bigger cards don't align with what I photograph right now. I suspect for the upper level cards, there is little or no difference between the 256GB and 512GB Sony Tough CFExpress - and I don't think the 128GB is materially slower. But if you really need fastest speed, I'd buy just one card and test it.
Have you seen these test results? The CFExpress and XQD cards are unexpectedly slow in my Z7II and Z6 after the first 5-6 seconds. My test showed 45 images in the first 5 seconds (9 fps), and just 80 images in the next 25 seconds (3.4 fps) with the Delkin Power 128GB CFExpress - and other cards were slower with a similar dropoff.
https://www.nikonians.org/forum/topic/477-11678-11678/memory-card-comparison-cfexpress-and-xqdEric Bowles
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#5. "RE: Read/Write Speed difference - Sony XQD cards" | In response to Reply # 4
Tue 02-Mar-21 08:34 PM | edited Tue 02-Mar-21 08:38 PM by mealsopEric,
I spent the day researching CFexpress cards. Yes, I had previously studied the charts you referenced. Today I wasted a lot of time searching for reviews that were real reviews and not just a regurgitation of manufacturer promo stats.
I did find one excellent comparison here: http://petapixel.com/2020/09/22/cfexpress-a-real-world-performance-comparison/ I highly recommend anyone preparing to spend mega bucks on a CFexpress card to carefully read through this comparison. At the moment there isn't a "best" CFexpress card. Instead each card has its own set of metrics. Photographers need to match the card's unique features to their photographic needs, including their wallet.
According to the PetaPixel comparisons the in-camera write speeds showed the actual data transfer speeds to be about 1/4 of the "Max" write speed claimed by the manufacturer.
Again, according to the PetaPixel comparisons the read speeds, when connected to a computer via a CFexpress card reader, were about half the transfer speeds claimed by the manufacturer.
One of my criteria was the selection of a Nikon approved card. In the past I've gotten the old "Can't help, you are not using approved whatever." There are only 3 manufacturers on the Nikon list and the SanDisk options had an "Important notice" that that made me think maybe the SanDisk cards are not quite mainstream yet. I've never used any Lexar cards but my experience with the Sony XQD cards has been good so I'll get a couple of the Sony cards.
Now to choose which of the 3 Sony cards to purchase. The 512 GB card has an edge in terms of read and write speeds as well as MB/$. The other two are less expensive up front but have lower in camera write speeds.
A new card reader will be required. I think that will be a Sony as well.Mark
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#6. "RE: Read/Write Speed difference - Sony XQD cards" | In response to Reply # 5
Wed 03-Mar-21 09:14 AM>I did find one excellent comparison here:
>http://petapixel.com/2020/09/22/cfexpress-a-real-world-performance-comparison/
This is a good article, but all testing is specific to the Canon R5 - a flagship camera similar to the D6. The speeds, buffer and performance can't be applied to another camera. The 512 GB card may be faster than a 128 GB card - but I've never seen it tested. The Nikon Z6 and Z7II I tested show write speeds of closer to 200-250 MB/s.
>I highly recommend anyone preparing to spend mega bucks on a
>CFexpress card to carefully read through this comparison. At
>the moment there isn't a "best" CFexpress card.
>Instead each card has its own set of metrics. Photographers
>need to match the card's unique features to their photographic
>needs, including their wallet.
>
Agreed - and Nikon mirrorless cameras seem to throttle card speed much more than the R5.
>According to the PetaPixel comparisons the in-camera write
>speeds showed the actual data transfer speeds to be about 1/4
>of the "Max" write speed claimed by the
>manufacturer.
>
That is specific to the R5 - and can't be applied to Nikon mirrorless. My estimate is speeds are much slower.
>Again, according to the PetaPixel comparisons the read speeds,
>when connected to a computer via a CFexpress card reader, were
>about half the transfer speeds claimed by the manufacturer.
I've heard that too, but my computer is not fast enough to test those speeds. It requires very specific hardware.
>
>One of my criteria was the selection of a Nikon approved card.
>In the past I've gotten the old "Can't help, you are not
>using approved whatever." There are only 3 manufacturers
>on the Nikon list and the SanDisk options had an
>"Important notice" that that made me think maybe the
>SanDisk cards are not quite mainstream yet. I've never used
>any Lexar cards but my experience with the Sony XQD cards has
>been good so I'll get a couple of the Sony cards.
Nikon never updates the manual with new or updated cards. They never attempt to test alternate cards. They did not publish approval for different sized cards even though specs are different. The Nikon list can't be assumed to be complete or accurate - but cards listed are fine. Sandisk was the partner with Canon for the original Sandisk CFExpress cards and Canon cameras. The 64GB size cards had a major performance issue in Nikon cameras, so Sandisk replaced the cards with a new version. They may have made other changes. The original 64 GB Sandisk cards should not be used, but the larger sized cards and the current cards are fine.
>
>Now to choose which of the 3 Sony cards to purchase. The 512
>GB card has an edge in terms of read and write speeds as well
>as MB/$. The other two are less expensive up front but have
>lower in camera write speeds.
There is no problem with the Sony Tough cards, but the regular Sony card is slower. I would not expect the card speeds to be as fast as tested in the R5 or any faster than other cards in the Z6II/Z7II.
My testing showed the cards all worked at the maximum frame rate until the buffer was filled, and then dropped to the write speed with some variation. The current cameras maintain a write speed of around 3.7 fps or 200 MB/s with the Delkin Power 128 GB card I tested, around that speed with the Lexar XQD card, and about 30-50% slower with more variability using the ProGrade Gold 128 GB card - but those are the only cards I've tested.
>
>A new card reader will be required. I think that will be a
>Sony as well.
That's a good choice. I don't see anything wrong with choosing the Sony Tough card. The Sony Tough line has tested well in every test. I suspect they have intentionally designed higher end components to ensure better performance with all cards.Eric Bowles
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#7. "RE: Read/Write Speed difference - Sony XQD cards" | In response to Reply # 6
Wed 03-Mar-21 11:17 AMEric,
Good points. I do realize, as the comparison also mentioned, that the tests were specific to the Canon R5 and other camera bodies will result in different speed data.
I did limited my decision to go with one the Sony CFexpress cards to the Tough versions, I suppose I should have mentioned that.
I do realize that there are likely other CFexpress cards that may even be more compatible with the Z bodies than those in Nikon's list. My point was just that where I can avoid a "potential" problem with tech support I will do so. Living on the bleeding edge of technology becomes less attractive as one ages. Sometimes I long for the simplicity of my old Mamiya C3.Mark
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#8. "RE: Read/Write Speed difference - Sony XQD cards" | In response to Reply # 7
Wed 03-Mar-21 11:57 AMThat makes sense. I'd put the Sony Tough cards in the top group so that's a good call. They are a bit more expensive for someone on a tight budget.
I have not seen speed as a differentiator because Nikon seems to have throttled the speed. Longer term firmware updates or hardware in future cameras might change that. I don't know why. There are some economy cards - ProGrade Gold, Delkin Prime, and probably some others. These cards are slower in my testing, and I'd avoid them - especially in smaller sizes - unless someone needs a high capacity slow card.
Thanks for sharing your thought process. I think it will be helpful to many members.Eric Bowles
Director - Nikonians Academy
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#9. "RE: Read/Write Speed difference - Sony XQD cards" | In response to Reply # 8
Wed 03-Mar-21 04:33 PMI started to add one more thing but noticed it had turned into a couple of pages. So I'll just leave you with one of my guiding principles…
Purchase a cheap tool and it will constantly remind you of its inadequacies until it is replaced with a good tool, thus costing more in the long run than biting the bullet in the first place.
Purchase the best available and the cost is quickly forgotten.Mark
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#10. "RE: Read/Write Speed difference - Sony XQD cards" | In response to Reply # 9
Wed 03-Mar-21 04:45 PMWell said - you may spend more money, but you won't have second thoughts by buying the best available.Eric Bowles
Director - Nikonians Academy
Nikonians Team Moderator
My Gallery
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Nikonians membership — my most important photographic investment, after the camera
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#11. "RE: Read/Write Speed difference - Sony XQD cards" | In response to Reply # 4
Wed 03-Mar-21 07:02 PM
Hi Eric:
To change the subject briefly, in reading your post I see no mention of SanDisk memory cards. Was there a specific reason for this?
I ordered a D500 with a Sandisk 64GB Extreme PRO CFexpress Card Type B card and a Sandisk 32GB Extreme PRO SDHC UHS-II Card based on 12-years of trouble free performance. I respect your opinion: if there are better cards available based on quality and/or reliability, I can still change my order or return the cards.
Marion
To change the subject briefly, in reading your post I see no mention of SanDisk memory cards. Was there a specific reason for this?
I ordered a D500 with a Sandisk 64GB Extreme PRO CFexpress Card Type B card and a Sandisk 32GB Extreme PRO SDHC UHS-II Card based on 12-years of trouble free performance. I respect your opinion: if there are better cards available based on quality and/or reliability, I can still change my order or return the cards.
Marion
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#12. "RE: Read/Write Speed difference - Sony XQD cards" | In response to Reply # 11
Thu 04-Mar-21 05:59 AMHi Marion
The reason is I have not tested them and don't have enough feedback on performance from others.
Initially the Sandisk cards were not approved by Nikon - and it took about 6 months. It turns out there was an issue with the 64GB cards but not the 128GB cards. Sandisk subsequently discontinued that card and released a new model. This led to a lack of confidence in Sandisk cards because there were version issues in the supply chain. I think all that is resolved now, but it still leaves questions about performance of different sized cards in the Nikon cameras. Sandisk was the original partner of Canon - much like Sony partnered with Nikon. So through all this, the Sandisk cards have performed well with Canon cameras.
https://nikonrumors.com/2020/05/11/sandisk-cfexpress-memory-cards-now-compatible-with-with-nikon-z6-and-z6-cameras.aspx/
The other issue with Sandisk CFExpress cards is that there is a big difference in performance of the 512GB card vs. smaller sizes. The smaller cards - 128GB and 256 GB appear to perform more like economy cards in the Canon R5. I have not seen Nikon Z specific tests of the Sandisk CFExpress.
https://camnostic.com/cfexpress-cards-comparison/
Given all this - and the higher cost of Sandisk vs. alternatives - I've chosen alternatives over Sandisk at this point.Eric Bowles
Director - Nikonians Academy
Nikonians Team Moderator
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#13. "RE: Read/Write Speed difference - Sony XQD cards" | In response to Reply # 12
Fri 05-Mar-21 10:10 AMEric:
Thank you for the reply and the information. I can exchange the unopened Sandisk cards to B&H for the Sony cards.
MarionVisit my Nikonians gallery
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I've had to rethink that position.
I have 3 of the more recent 120GB Sony XQD cards which I had been using exclusively with a Z 7II. Another 3 of the older 128GB Sony XQD cards have been used in a Z 6II and a Z 6.
While saving camera setting to a BIN file I kept noticing the Z 7II was saving the settings noticeably faster than the Z 6II, which didn't seem right since both have dual processors. On a hunch I tried the 120GB Sony cards in the Z 6II, which resulted in the Z 6II saving the settings BIN just as fast as the Z 7II.
So, the cards used can make a noticeable difference in how fast the camera saves files to the media card. If the difference is clearly detectable (without using calibrated measuring instruments) when saving a small settings BIN file then larger files can be expected to accentuate the read/write speed difference between the two media cards.
My strategy going forward will be to use the fastest cards I have on hand as the primary media in all my camera bodies and carry the slower, previous generation cards as backup.
I'm beginning to think one could go broke trying to keep up with the latest media cards.