Lexar will begin supporting the XQD memory card format this year. Lexar has plans to bring XQD cards to market in third quarter 2012.
Currently, the only camera supporting the XQD format is the Nikon D4 and Sony is the only XQD card manufacturer with cards on store shelves, including Sony’s second batch of new S Series 168MB/s cards that are available for pre-order.
No word on pricing, but expect Lexar to be in the same ballpark as Sony during these early months of availability – with Sony starting at $130 for a 16GB card (an H Series at 125MB/s).
Maybe Lexar has word on “future XQD-based camera models” mentioned in its press release that will increase demand for the new format. My money is on the next Sony full frame model (the A99?) to feature at least one XQD card slot. Expect to hear more about XQD format support (SanDisk, Kingston?) and new camera models in the coming weeks as we lead up to Photokina 2012.
Check out Lexar’s full press release on upcoming XQD card support below.
Lexar Announces Support for XQD Memory Card Specification
Lexar XQD Memory Cards to be Compatible with Nikon D4 and Future XQD-based Camera Models
Fremont, CA, 11 July, 2012 – Lexar, a leading global brand of flash memory products, today announced its support of the XQD™ memory card specification for compatibility with Nikon D4 and future XQD-based camera models. Expected to be available in the third quarter of 2012, Lexar XQD memory cards will offer high-speed performance in a range of capacities to effectively capture and store high-quality images, 1080p full high-definition (HD) video, and 3D video content.
“By collaborating with Lexar, we’re reinforcing the fact that the XQD specification represents one of the futures of high-performance memory cards,” said Nobuaki Sasagaki, General Manager of marketing department, Imaging Company, Nikon Corporation. “Our cooperation efforts demonstrate the vision shared by Nikon and Lexar to continue advancing the photography and imaging market with innovative technology and extremely high performance.”
“We are committed to offering innovative and industry-leading photography solutions, which is why we’re working with Nikon to offer and co-market XQD memory cards. We view the XQD standard as one of the most logical ways to increase interface speed beyond that of existing CompactFlash technology with the capability of offering performance up to 5Gb per second, in time,” said Wes Brewer, vice president of products and technology, Lexar. “This collaboration provides assured compatibility with Lexar XQD memory cards and Nikon D4 and makes this technology available to the entire photo industry.”
XQD memory cards are based on the PCI Express® specification, which offers 2.5Gb per second performance today with plans for 5Gb per second performance in the future.
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