Is the CompactFlash Memory Card on the Verge of Obsolescence?

by Sean Setters

Every DSLR camera I have ever owned either solely utilized CF (CompactFlash) memory cards or, at the very least, supported the format in a dual memory card setup. But the writing on the wall is pretty clear.

Canon switched to SD (Secure Digital) memory cards in their consumer-grade, Rebel-series cameras with the introduction of the Rebel XSi/450D in 2008. With the release of the 60D in 2010, Canon switched to the SD format for its enthusiast series cameras. For more than a decade, though, Canon has continued to support CF cards in their EOS-1, 5, and 7-series DSLRs.

However, at some point, backwards compatibility must be sacrificed to get the most out of the cameras Canon designs for its professional market. We've already seen Canon migrate toward a faster memory card format with the release of the EOS-1D X Mark II (although a CF slot is provided alongside the new CFast slot). Which begs the question – have we seen the last Canon DSLR to feature a CF memory card slot?

With that in mind, let's take a look at some currently available memory card specifications:

Memory Type:	Fastest Write Speed (currently available)	Highest Capacity (currently available)
CompactFlash (UDMA 7)	155 MB/s	256GB
SecureDigital (SDXC UHS-III)	299 MB/s	512GB
XQD	400 MB/s	128GB
CFast (2.0)	495 MB/s	256GB

Note that most of the memory cards listed above (all but the CF format) have not reached their theoretical max speed and/or capacity limits, meaning you may expect even higher performance cards in the future. Another memory card format, CFexpress 1.0, has been announced but has yet to see widespread use.

With higher resolutions sensors on the market, 4K recording in demand and camera manufacturers looking to maximize continuous shooting specs in their sports-oriented cameras, phasing out the CompactFlash standard makes a lot of sense. And the more I use the ubiquitous SDXC memory card, the less adamant I am that my next camera support the CF card format. The only question that remains is, "What kind of memory card will I need for my next camera?"

Weigh in with your thoughts on the future of memory card compatibility in regards to DSLR/mirrorless cameras in the comments.