CompactFlash Association announced XQD – a new memory card standard



The CompactFlash Association announced a new memory card standard called XQD. The new memory cards will be slightly bigger than standard SD cards and provide write speed of 125MB/sec and higher:

CompactFlash Association Announces the Recently Adopted XQD(TM) Specification as a New Memory Card Format

Cupertino, California – Dec. 7th, 2011 – The CompactFlash Association (CFA) is pleased to announce the release of the XQD specification as a new high performance memory card. This XQD specification is based on the PCI Express® specification, which provides a solid base for future performance scaling.

The CFA has adopted a new card specification with exciting performance and storage capabilities.

The key features of the XQD format include:

Optimized form-factor

Scalable High Performance Interface

Actual Write Speeds

To distinguish the new memory card format, an XQD compatibility mark has been created as shown below.

 

“The XQD format will enable further evolution of hardware and imaging applications, and widen the memory card options available to CompactFlash users such as professional photographers,” said Mr. Shigeto Kanda of Canon, chairman of the board, CFA.

XQD cards will be shown at the CompactFlash Association booth at CP+ 2012, February 9-12 in Yokohama, Japan.

Licensing for CFA members will start in early 2012. Please contact the CompactFlash office for more information.