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The XQD card is a memory card format primarily developed for flash memory cards. It uses PCI Express as a data transfer interface.
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| Media type | Memory card |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Over 2 TiB |
| Developed by | CompactFlash Association |
| Dimensions | 38.5 mm × 29.8 mm × 3.8 mm |
| Usage | Digital cameras |
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The format is targeted at high-definition camcorders and high-resolution digital cameras. It offers target read and write speeds from 1 Gbit/s to about 5 Gbit/s[1] and storage capabilities beyond 2 TiB.[2][3][failed verification]
The cards are not backward compatible with CompactFlash or CFast cards, and despite the name similarity, has no connection with the xD-Picture Card. XQD and CFast were both designed as a replacement of the 1994 CompactFlash standard.
The format was first announced in November 2010 by SanDisk, Sony and Nikon, and was immediately picked up by the CompactFlash Association for development.[4] The final specification was announced in December 2011.[1][5]
XQD version 2.0 was announced in June 2012, featuring support for PCI Express 3.0 with transfer rates up to 8 Gbit/s (1 GB/s).[6]
On 7 September 2016 the CFA announced the successor of XQD, CFexpress.[7] This new standard uses the same form-factor and interface but uses the NVMe protocol for higher speeds, lower latencies and lower power consumption.
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In January 2012, the first XQD card was announced by Sony, declaring a 1 Gbit/s read and write speed.[8][9] In July 2012, Lexar (owned at the time by Micron) announced plans to support the XQD format.[10]
As of 2012, SanDisk and Kingston had not announced plans to produce XQD cards.[11][12]
In addition to Sony, as of August 2018, Nikon and Delkin are also manufacturing XQD cards.[citation needed]
In late 2018, Lexar – by then under new ownership – [13][14] announced that it would discontinue support for the XQD format in favour of CFexpress, citing problems with control, licensing and product availability.[15]
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Sony has said their broadcast camcorders (XDCAM and XDCAM EX) will support the XQD cards. For their broadcast products the XQD card will be classified as a secondary media as XQD is based around consumer technology. Nonetheless, the cards will support acquisition in the broadcast quality MPEG HD422 50 Mbit/s format. On 4 September 2013, Sony released the PXW-Z100, a 4K prosumer camera that records onto XQD cards.[16] Additionally, Sony’s PXW-FS7 and PXW-FX9 cameras also support XQD cards.
Nikon supports XQD cards in its newer high-end DSLR and mirrorless cameras: Nikon D4, Nikon D4s, Nikon D5, Nikon D6, Nikon D850, Nikon D500 and Nikon Z6 & Nikon Z7.[17][18][19][20][3]
Phase One XF IQ4 camera system (three bodies) supports XQD cards.[21]
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