Depending on the profession, being able to access data on the go can be the most important thing there is. Depending on the type of data, however, not just any storage device will do.
For that reason, Compact Flash cards are a great idea. They are small memory devices that typically get used in many multimedia systems. They are portable, fast, and durable, plus they have very good read and write capabilities.
How Do Compact Flash Cards Work?
Before you go looking for Compact Flash cards, you need to know how they work. They are relatively simple pieces of tech, but they work through the 50 pin holes at the bottom of the card. Those connect to the inside of a digital camera or a specific Compact Flash card reader. The pins are maybe the only real downside to using these drives as a form of storage.
The pins can bend or become misplaced and won’t seat properly. Sometimes you will need to perform maintenance on your camera or card reader or replace it entirely if there is too much damage. Even still, the pins connect and transfer data to and from the card. We see pin connectors in PCs and other devices, so it’s a very common piece of tech.
CFast
It is important to note that Compact Flash cards are different from Cfast cards. There is a lot of confusion between the two given that the name is similar. That’s because Cfast cards are considered to be the next step in the evolution of CF cards. Cfast cards are, as the name implies, a lot faster than the regular CF cards that they are following.
As is the case with anything that is faster or performs better, they are a lot more expensive. For instance, a 60GB Cfast card can run around $400 or so. You can get 4x the storage on a Compact Flash card for that price. Another thing to keep in mind as it relates to Cfast cards is that they are still relatively new. You might find that your device doesn’t support them, so do your homework before purchasing one.
CF vs. SD
There is another form of storage that looks quite similar to the Compact Flash cards and that is SD cards. There is actually an ongoing debate among professionals as to which one is better. They both have their perks and downsides, as is the case with any other piece of storage technology. Compact Flash cards are a lot faster and actually more durable when compared to SD cards.
Compact Flash cards also tend to be more difficult to misplace unless you have a dedicated storage spot for your SD cards. For the most part, they are quite similar. For cinematographers and photographers, the choice seems to be Compact Flash cards though SD cards tend to just fine in a pinch.
Reading a Compact Flash Card
When you pick up a Compact Flash card, there is a lot of information being thrown at you. You will find several numbers and words, but what if you don’t know what any of them are? Starting at the top is the brand name (like “Lexar”). Then, you will see a number and an X. That’s the read speed.
Going down further, you will see the storage capacity denoted in GB. Underneath that is card class (UDMA 7 is quite common). Finally, on the lower right portion of the card, is the minimum write speed. Using these numbers, you can get a quick idea of what kind of card you need to do the job.
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