Made for 4K, SanDisk introduces two new Extreme Pro CompactFlash cards

By Les Shu September 13, 2013

made for 4k sandisks 256gb extreme pro compactflash has large price tag to match sandisk cf card — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Update: In addition to the new 256GB Extreme Pro CF card, SanDisk today unveiled the Extreme Pro CFast 2.0 (available in 60GB and 120GB capacities), the first card to use the CFast 2.0 spec. SanDisk says it’s the world’s fastest memory card, with read speeds of up to 450MB/second and write speeds of up to 350MB/s – way, way faster than the card mentioned below (SanDisk says a 100GB file takes 4 minutes to transfer at the max theoretical speed). The durable card, which was introduced at the International Broadcasters Convention, is designed for professional broadcast, cinematography, and next-gen pro photography. ARRI, maker of the documentary-style Amira camera, is the first manufacturer to support the card. No pricing was listed, but if SanDisk’s 256GB Extreme Pro costs nearly $2,000, expect this card to cost a lot more.

If you shoot HD videos and lots of photos, you know how important it is to get a large-capacity memory card that’s fast and durable. For professionals like videographers or anyone looking for such a card, and if you have $1,810, SanDisk just announced a CompactFlash card with a whopping 256GB of storage capacity.

Yes, flash memory is coming down in price every day; you can get a fast, decent-sized SD card for less than $20 or a terabyte SSD drive for your computer for around $600. But SanDisk’s new Extreme Pro isn’t for the casual user. It has a write-speed of up to 65MB/second – designed to support cinema-quality 4K and Full HD video capture –transfer speeds of up to 160MB/second, and fast shot speeds of up to 140MB/second.

SanDisk says the card meets the latest Video Performance Guarantee (VPG-65) specification. Inside is RTV silicone coating for shock and vibration protection, and the card will hold up in temperatures from minus 13 degrees Fahrenheit to 185 degrees – great for shooting in varied climates, or Mars. SanDisk also throws in RescuePRO recovery software to help retrieve accidentally deleted images.

If $1,810 is too much money for you to swallow, or if 256GB is overkill, SanDisk also announced that the rest of the Extreme Pro CompactFlash cards will see increased performance. But a 16GB version will still cost you a bit at $220.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

I am formerly a senior editor at Digital Trends. I bring with me more than a decade of tech and lifestyle journalism…

Photography

Best Camera Deals: Save on Canon, Panasonic, Nikon, and GoPro

fujifilm x t4 review set 2 dm 1

Whether you're looking for the best digital cameras or the best travel cameras, there are a ton of options out there, sometimes too many options, especially for those who aren't familiar with the photography world. Luckily, we've done a lot of legwork for you and collected a range of great camera deals across the spectrum, so even if you want something more sports-oriented, like a GoPro, there are a couple of deals for those too. So, let's jump right into it.
Today's Best Camera Deals
One of our favorite deals is the Canon EOS Rebel T7 going for $400, as it's one of the better DSLR cameras on the market, and it has a reasonably budget-friendly price on it, making it a great starter camera. Of course, if you've been in the game for a while and are looking for a powerful upgrade, the Sony Alpha 7R IV is one of the best full-frame cameras on the market, and while it still costs a hefty $3,200, that's still $300 off the usual $3,500 price tag. That said, if you're looking for something more portable and action-oriented, you can't go wrong with the GoPro HERO11 Black Mini, although if you're a professional content creator, the GoPro HERO9 Black 5K is probably the one to go for instead.

Do I Need a DSLR or a Mirrorless Camera?
Like most things, this really depends on what you're trying to do. Mirrorless cameras have fewer internal moving parts, which generally means they can capture images quicker, so if you're taking pictures of action-packed stuff like sports or animals in the wilderness, a mirrorless camera is a great option. On the other hand, DSLR cameras are great for low-light conditions and are great for anything from portraits to landscapes. DSLRs are also cheaper and have much better battery life, as well as having a decade or two worth of lenses to choose from.

Computing

How to blur a background in photos

A person photographed with iPhone 11's portrait mode.

Introducing a background blur to your photos can draw attention to a specific subject, such as an individual in a portrait or an item in a still life, while also adding a professional flair to your image. This beautiful background blur, also known as bokeh, can be achieved even after shooting your photo, thanks to advances in editing software. This guide will walk you through the process on iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS.

Mobile

How to download Instagram photos (5 easy ways)

Instagram app running on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5.

Instagram is amazing, and many of us use it as a record of our lives — uploading the best bits of our trips, adventures, and notable moments. But sometimes you can lose the original files of those moments, leaving the Instagram copy as the only available one . While you may be happy to leave it up there, it's a lot more convenient to have another version of it downloaded onto your phone or computer. While downloading directly from Instagram can be tricky, there are ways around it. Here are a few easy ways to download Instagram photos.