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If you shoot video, or if you photograph sports, news or other fast-moving events, XQD is the memory card format for you. Multi-card readers, as you might deduce from the name, are card readers that can accommodate a range of different memory card formats. Typically, these will support SD memory and CFexpress, and sometimes microSD and XQD formats as well. There is some correlation between drive performance and actual performance in terms of throughput when used in a camera. The chart here shows a comparison of the drive performance (orange) versus the number of frames that can be blasted through the card in 30 seconds on an R5. These numbers are presented as indices, not actual performance metrics.
The ProGrade Digital CFexpress Type A & UHS-II SDXC Card Reader offers exceptional performance, reliability, and convenience with its dual slots, compatibility with various cards, and rugged design. The Sony MRW-G2 CFexpress Type ASD Memory Card Reader delivers lightning-fast data transfer speeds and is ideal for professional photographers and videographers. Lastly, the Delkin Devices CFexpress Type A & UHS-II SDXC Memory Card Reader is a compact and portable reader that is designed to handle high-performance industry demands, making it perfect for on-the-go professionals. The compact CFexpress card reader comes with USB C to USB C and USB C to Type A cables. This is one of the cheapest and most efficient options on our list of the best CFexpress card readers.
A trio of card slots are spread neatly across the front, with CF, UHS-II SD, and MicroSD to choose from. A detachable USB Type-A cable is provided, so you will need an adapter if you intend to plug in to a USB-C port. Our CFexpress Type B Card Reader MK2 processes data at uninterrupted transfer speeds using a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2, 20 Gb/s based recessed connection logic.
Of interest here is the fact that Sandisk’s smaller card sizes – which sport very similar performance metrics on the label – perform terribly relative to the 512 GB card. Unfortunately, this seems to be the norm. Sony’s smaller sizes also perform poorly in the other tests relative to the 512 GB, although they are keeping up with their bigger sibling in this test of initial speed capacity. Heat The 90cm USB Type-A lead is hardwired to the reader, so while you won’t lose it, it can be slightly awkward for transportation, and you’ll need an adapter to connect this reader to a laptop like the current MacBook Pro. Finally, we include a “too long; didn’t read” section below to show all of the tests across all of the original 10 cards. This may save you some reading, but it’ll certainly cause some squinting. We’ve titled this cityscape of a chart “Downtown CFexpressville.”It has to be said that the CFexpress format is a leap forward. The cards are all so fast that the difference between the top performer in clearing a full buffer and the card that came in second from last is just 1.5 seconds. The buffer is that on-board, super-fast memory that fills up, and then you’re just left with the raw speed of your memory card, chewing through what the buffer can upload to it.
Some readers use a USB cable that’s hard-wired to the reader body, which can be problematic if the cable ever gets damaged. The Delkin CFexpress card reader also comes with both USB Type C to Type C and Type C to Type A cables. The card that clears the buffer the fastest is the SanDisk Extreme Pro 512GB, clearing it more than half a second faster than the other cards of its capacity. [Note the late entry of the Lexar Professional 512 GB card after this article was written upset this record, but both are fantastic at clearing cache.] Delkin’s CFexpress card reader is one of the best mid-range options and uses USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type C technology for fast data transfers. The reader is also designed with durability in mind, featuring an anodized aluminum housing that helps to protect it from damage during transport. The CFexpress Type A card slot is covered by a rubber cap to help protect it from dust and debris, and multiple heat sinks are included to help keep the reader cool during extended use.
The streamlining of laptop designs and expansion of memory card formats has led to the rise of memory card readers. From memory card readers dedicated to one card type to multi-use, all-in-one devices, there are all sorts of memory card readers out there to suit your needs as a photographers.
As with the SD card format, there are several different types of CFexpress memory cards. CFexpress Type-B which is the most common for mainstream cameras. The reader uses a 10 Gb/s USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C interface to provide fast transfer speeds of up to 1.25 GB/s, making it perfect for offloading large files, including high-res raw images, as well as 8K, 4K, Full HD, and 3D video. The reader is bus-powered, meaning that it doesn’t require an external power supply, making it easy to use on the go.
At the moment, Sony has something of a stranglehold on the CFexpress Type A card marketplace. Although they are currently the only manufacturer of these Type A cards, I know for a fact that a few other card manufacturers are preparing their own entries into this marketplace.
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