LOS GATOS, Calif.—The CompactFlash Association (CFA), which defines standards for professional removable media such as CFexpress®, CompactFlash®, CFAST®, and XQD®, has released its Video Performance Guarantee Profile 5 (VPG-5).
The VPG standard guarantees high sustained write performance for video capture.
Finalized in November 2024, VPG-5 defines two new classes for CFexpress cards that capture streaming video: VPG800 for 800MB/sec sustained write speed and VPG1600 for 1600MB/sec sustained write speed. Cards that support these new classes are certified by CFA and labeled with the following certification logos:
The new specification extends the VPG standard supporting VPG800 and VPG1600 by utilizing the latest TLC NAND Flash technologies. Tight coupling between the media card and camera guarantees minimum sustained performance for recording high-quality video, ensuring that the camera’s internal buffer memory doesn’t overflow and result in lost frames.
To support higher sustained write performance while using economical TLC NAND Flash, VPG-5 breaks away from VPG-4 backward compatibility, requiring “preconditioning” of the VPG-5 CFexpress card prior to video recording. CFA concluded that this solution provides users with the best cost performance for years to come. Due to the backward incompatibility, users need to be aware that VPG800 and VPG1600 CFexpress cards will not guarantee VPG200 and VPG400 performance. Cards that support VPG200 or VPG400 in addition to VPG800 or VPG1600 will have their respective certification logos on the card label as well.
“The Video Performance Guarantee Profile 5 standard provides professional videographers and photographers with greater performance supporting even higher resolution, higher-dynamic-range video recording while squeezing performance out of the most economical Flash technology today,” says Hiro Ino, CFA president. “CFA is looking out for solutions in the best interests of users.”
“I’m pleased to introduce Video Performance Guarantee Profile 5,” adds Canon’s Hiroshi Noda, CFA co-chairman of the board. “This new specification will enhance the reliability of capturing video footage with CFexpress hosts and cards.”
“The innovative Video Performance Guarantee Profile 5 standard delivers a consistent and premium user experience for both camera manufacturers and consumers, establishing a new benchmark for next-generation high-quality video recording capabilities.” said Hiroshi Machida of Sony Corporation, CFA board member.
For more information, see CFA’s white paper on VPG-5.
About the CompactFlash Association
Founded in 1995, CFA is a standards body and trade association dedicated to ensuring that flash-based memory cards support the performance needs of imaging professionals and videographers, as well as those using memory cards in automotive and industrial applications. CFA develops specifications and compliance-testing processes and tools, as well as promotes its members’ products and applications. The organization has more than 91 member companies.
Companies that incorporate CFA standards are invited to join and be part of CFA’s ongoing efforts to refine specifications, as well as advance marketing initiatives that benefit members. You can find information on the latest specifications and a list of VPG-certified media cards on the CompactFlash Association website.
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Contact information
Hiro Ino
CFA president
United States: (408) 230-9515
Japan: +81-80-5193-1573
[email protected]
Copyright © 2025 CompactFlash Association. All rights reserved.
Trademarks CompactFlash®, CFast®, XQD®, and CFexpress® are licensed royalty free to CFA members.
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