Are you ready for yet another memory card format? Dubbed XQD, the medium was first announced by Sandisk, Sony and Nikon in November 2010. And after the the CompactFlash Association finalized the specifications last month, Sony took the wraps off the world’s first XQD cards today.
Two versions of the card will be available, in addition to an XQD-compatible card reader (USB 3.0) and an ExpressCard Adapter. Here are some details from Sony America:
- QD-H16 card, 16 GB, $129.99
- QD-H32 card, 32 GB, $229.99
- Card Reader, MRW-E80, $44.99
- ExpressCard Adapter, QDA-EX1, $44.99
Sony says that the cards boast data transfer rates of up to 1Gbps/125MB/s write and read. From the press release:
Using the XQD memory cards, XQD compatible high-end DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera users can capture up to approximately 100 frames in RAW format in continuous shooting mode. In addition to outstanding high-speed data transfer capability, the new cards are highly reliable to protect users’ data and images.
Sony is planning to roll out the XQD memory cards, the reader, and the adapter next month.