About CEA-G Series and CEA-M Series CFexpress Type A Memory Card Write Speed Performance

CFexpress Type A memory cards are available in two types: the CEA-G Series optimized for high-speed write performance and the CEA-M Series with large storage capacity.
Both have the same maximum read speed and maximum write speed, but their other performance characteristics differ as indicated below.

  CEA-G Series CFexpress Type A Memory Card CEA-M Series CFexpress Type A Memory Card
TRANSFER SPEED (READ) Up to 800 MB/s Up to 800 MB/s
TRANSFER SPEED (WRITE) Up to 700 MB/s Up to 700 MB/s
Min. sustained write 400 MB/s 200 MB/s
VPG（Video Performance Guarantee） VPG400 VPG200
CAPACITY (as of June 1, 2023) 640GB, 320GB, 160GB, 80GB 1920GB, 960GB

These performance differences result in different capabilities, such as the number of still images that can be recorded in continuous shooting and the amount of time it takes to write images to the memory card after continuous shooting. Also, in addition to the type of memory card, the camera you are using can affect the mentioned aspects of performance.
Refer to the table below for the number of still images that can be recorded in continuous shooting, and choose the type of memory card that best matches the circumstances under which you will be shooting. (Examples are provided for cameras with a small/large difference in performance.)

Number of still images recordable with continuous shooting

The following table shows estimated numbers of recordable still images with [Drive Mode] set to [Continuous Shooting: Hi+].
The numbers may vary depending on the shooting conditions and the memory card.

Image Size:[L]
File Format ILCE-1 ILCE-7M4
CEA-G Series CFexpress Type A Memory Card CEA-M Series CFexpress Type A Memory Card SF-G series SD Memory Card CEA-G Series CFexpress Type A Memory Card CEA-M Series CFexpress Type A Memory Card SF-G series SD Memory Card
JPEG Approx. 165 images Approx. 165 images Approx. 165 images Approx. 1 000 images or more Approx. 1 000 images or more Approx. 1 000 images or more
Compressed RAW Approx. 155 images Approx. 148 images Approx. 141 images Approx. 1 000 images or more Approx. 63 images Approx. 43 images
Compressed RAW & JPEG Approx. 152 images Approx. 141 images Approx. 135 images Approx. 1 000 images or more Approx. 42 images Approx. 34 images
Lossless compression RAW Approx. 96 images Approx. 74 images Approx. 70 images Approx. 1 000 images or more Approx. 85 images Approx. 25 images
Lossless compression RAW & JPEG Approx. 83 images Approx. 72 images Approx. 68 images Approx. 1 000 images or more Approx. 29 images Approx. 19 images
Uncompressed RAW Approx. 82 images Approx. 70 images Approx. 68 images Approx. 1 000 images or more Approx. 26 images Approx. 18 images
Uncompressed RAW & JPEG Approx. 78 images Approx. 68 images Approx. 66 images Approx. 828 images Approx. 21 images Approx. 16 images

We recommend that you perform full formatting (physical formatting) on the camera before shooting important events.

Residual data accumulates over time as data is repeatedly written to and erased from the memory card. The erasure of this residual data takes place on the card internally when new data is written, and this can slow down the write speed. If continuous shooting become slower or errors occur when recording video, the cause could be the effects of residual data.

Performing full formatting (physical formatting) completely erases all the residual data, so it allows you to eliminate the problem.

Sony cameras allow you to switch from ordinary quick formatting to full formatting on the menu screen used for formatting. Particularly before shooting important events, we recommend that you perform full formatting on the camera.