Lexar will begin supporting the XQD memory card format this year. Lexar has plans to bring XQD cards to market in third quarter 2012.
Currently, the only camera supporting the XQD format is the Nikon D4 and Sony is the only XQD card manufacturer with cards on store shelves, including Sony’s second batch of new S Series 168MB/s cards that are available for pre-order.
No word on pricing, but expect Lexar to be in the same ballpark as Sony during these early months of availability – with Sony starting at $130 for a 16GB card (an H Series at 125MB/s).
Maybe Lexar has word on “future XQD-based camera models” mentioned in its press release that will increase demand for the new format. My money is on the next Sony full frame model (the A99?) to feature at least one XQD card slot. Expect to hear more about XQD format support (SanDisk, Kingston?) and new camera models in the coming weeks as we lead up to Photokina 2012.
Check out Lexar’s full press release on upcoming XQD card support below. [Read more…]