grahamfourth

I have a Sony XQD camera card for my Nikon D500 for BIF imaging but the camera still slows down during rapid acquisition- will a CFExpress B card improve image acquisition speed for my D500 or is the limitation elsewhere?

Thanks in advance!

fredpnm Loc: Corrales, NM

Depends...do you know how fast your 500 can write to the card? If the card is 1000Mbs/sec and the camera can only write to the card at 650Mbs/sec, then the camera is the limiting factor. I don't have a D500, so I can say that the manual does or does not have information on how fast the camera can write data to the card.

ricardo00

Assuming your Sony XQD is one of the faster ones (ie. G series), I don't believe the CFexpress B cards will help, even if they have faster write speeds. How long does it take (ie. after how many shots) before your D500 slows down? Do you have another slower SD card in the second slot? If so, try shooting without the other card in the camera. I used a Sony XQD in my D500 without any problems.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

You are asking a question for which I haven't tested for the answer. I've had a D500 for several years, but never shoot more images than the buffer depth, which my camera tells me is 22 exposures with my image size and quality setup choices.

The problem is that there is more to your question than just the stated card speed. XQD cards have a single input/output channel, while CFExpress cards are two-channel devices. We don't know exactly how Nikon implemented CFE compatibility when they issued the firmware update for the D500 (and D850) that enabled their use. We don't know if they fully implemented the second channel or just emulated it somehow. I have never read any articles addressing your question. CFExpress cards are not mentioned in my paper manual at all, and I don't remember seeing any mention in the online PDF version, either.

Bottom line...I suggest that you purchase a small (64GB) CFExpress card and do your own experiment. I find that Sony and Delkin Black cards are quite equivalent in quality and performance. Now that XQD cards have become a niche product for a few Sony cameras and other models that didn't update, the CFExpress cards tend to be less expensive, except for the fastest ones.

therwol Loc: USA

I would assume you know that it was a firmware upgrade that enabled the D500 to use CFExpress cards. I agree with the previous poster. Try one. The worst outcome would be having another card to use in your camera.

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

Graham. The cfexpress cards add a second line to the pipe for data to move in. And the firmware update allows the older d500 and d850 to use them. However, because these cameras are not equipped to utilize the greater bandwidth offered...they are no faster. The one advantage to buying the newer card is if you plan on upgrading bodies you dont buy new cards.

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

I can't speak to the D500 but I can offer that on my D850 when I added the grip and larger battery, swapped the XQD for a CF card the camera seemed to utilize the buffer much more efficiently, meaning faster speeds and what I really noticed from the battery upgrade was an increase in speed for focus acquisition. Sounds crazy but that was singularly the most noticeable thing with the upgrades to my D850. However, I can't be sure that wasn't related to a firmware update too.

KLambar Loc: New Jersey

Here's a link that will explain card speeds: https://www.nikon-rumors.com/best-xqd-uhs-ii-sd-memory-cards-for-nikon-d500/#:~:text=Recommended%20CFexpress%20Memory%20Card%20for%20Nikon%20D500%3A%20,%201%2C000%20MB%2Fs%20%201%20more%20row

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

I use the XQD G in my D500 ahd tried a friend CF. No change in burst mode.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

If speed is important, get the fastest card that is certified for your camera. Using a fast card in a camera designed for a slower one, probably won't help, although...

jpwa Loc: Inland NorthWest

How many pictures are you taking with each burst. I use and XQD card in short (maybe 5 or 6 pics) per burst and it works fine for me. If you are holding down the shutter for longer that 10 or so seconds you need to have a fast card and fresh battery.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

I’m not a Nikon guy but I would think there should be a table or something in your camera’s manual that speaks to compatible cards and writing speed?

therwol Loc: USA

When the D850 and D500 were released, they could not use CFExpress cards. The manuals that came with the cameras did not mention these cards. Both received a firmware update that allowed CFExpress cards to be used in the QXD slot. I doubt if either camera can fully take advantage of the additional speed of the newer cards, however they are a bit cheaper than QXD cards and becoming more universal.

btbg

You will see some improvement in speed. I don't know if that improvement is enough to fork over the cost of new CFExpress cards or not. You will have to make that decision on your own. I have a D500 and it takes a little longer before it buffers with a CFExpress card than it does with an XQD card.

ricardo00

Haven't seen any subsequent posts by the OP, but isn't clear to me what the problem is that they are having. I shot RAW with the D500 at 10fps with my Sony XQD cards and had no problems.