Memory Cards, Part 1: CompactFlash From 8GB To 64GB

Benchmark Results: Throughput

The fastest CF card comes from Silicon Image, delivering more than 90 MB/s—a new record. Most of the other cards follow closely behind, including Transcend and Lexar. Samsung was clearly slower, and SanDisk struggled in reads.

Lexar and SanDisk dominate by maintaining the highest minimum write transfer rates. These numbers are key if you want to sustain continuous raw photo shooting for more than a few seconds. Lexar, Silicon Power, and Transcend provide better maximum and average results, but the minumum write transfer rates sometimes suffer, especially for Silicon Power.