CFexpress

CFexpress is a memory card standard for flash storage designed to meet the high data-rate demands of modern cameras and other devices. Developed and maintained by the CompactFlash Association, CFexpress uses a PCI Express (PCIe) interface and the NVMe protocol to deliver high throughput and low latency, enabling fast capture of high‑bitrate video and rapid continuous shooting. It is intended as a successor to CFast and CF cards.

CFexpress defines three form factors: Type A, Type B, and Type C. Type B is the largest and most widely used in professional cameras and recorders, Type A provides a smaller footprint for compact devices, and Type C targets specialized applications requiring a compact but higher-capacity option. All three share a common card interface and command set, but not all devices support every form factor.

In performance terms, CFexpress offers significantly higher sustained data transfer rates than earlier memory card standards because it runs over PCIe and NVMe. Real‑world speeds depend on the card and host controller but typically range from several hundred megabytes per second up to and beyond 1 GB/s on higher‑end Type B cards. These speeds support high‑bitrate 4K and 8K video and fast bursts of still photography.

Compatibility and adoption: CFexpress slots are being added to many new cameras, camcorders, and external recorders, with adapters available for some devices. Operating system support on modern computers is provided by generic NVMe drivers and standard file systems. The standard continues to evolve, with newer card generations adding capacity, reliability features, and performance.