I was shooting some video using the Atomos Ninja Star yesterday, which uses CFast cards. When it came time to download my footage, I had 27GB of footage. It took 2 minutes to transfer to my Mac Pro using a USB 3.0 card reader.
I hate plugging in a CF or SD card to a card reader and look at 10+ minutes of transfer time remaining. CFast cards are still pretty pricey but there’s just not much demand because the more popular cameras don’t support them yet. Right now, they seem to be mostly limited to pro video cameras.
The pins on devices that use CF cards are the worst design possible and expensive to repair when bent ($275 in a Canon 7D if you’re wondering). CF cards are reaching their limits in terms of transfer speeds. SD cards are even passing them up with the new UHS-II bus and we’re seeing more and more cameras add UHS-II compatibility. I’d like to see CFast cards implemented in cameras that are on the level of the Canon 5D series and higher.
CF cards have served their purpose well but it’s time to move on.
Completely agree! I hope the Canon 5D Mk4 uses CFast cards.
XQD > Cfast ;)