OWC Atlas Pro CFExpress Type-A 480GB memory card review

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OWC Atlas Pro CFExpress Type-A 480GB: 30-second review

The OWC CFexpress 4.0 Type-A Atlas Pro representation paper is designed for nan latest Sony Alpha and Cinema Line cameras that support nan CFexpress Type-A paper format. At present, Sony is nan only shaper to adopt Type-A cards, pinch astir different manufacturers opting for nan larger CFexpress Type-B cards.

The format is person successful size to nan communal SD paper format, but pinch nan build quality, velocity and capacity that we've seen from each models of CFexpress. This caller Atlas Pro paper offers immoderate of nan fastest transportation rates that we've seen for nan format, pinch publication speeds of up to 1700MB/s and 1500MB/s constitute speeds, which makes it a coagulated prime for shooting high-resolution images and video connected nan latest cameras. While its smaller size limits compatibility pinch CFexpress Type-A slots, OWC includes a CFexpress Type-B adapter that enables nan paper to beryllium utilized successful modular Type-B readers. However, this doesn't alteration nan paper to beryllium utilized successful cameras that judge nan Type-B format of CFexpress moreover though nan paper will fresh nan slot

Aside from nan velocity and capacity that nan CFexpress cards connection complete SD cards erstwhile it comes to durability, there's conscionable nary comparison. To header pinch nan accrued demands of nan latest cameras, nan representation cards' build value is connected different level, pinch nan metallic casing boosting protection against beingness harm and besides aiding pinch power dissipation. The 480GB type of nan paper that we've looked astatine successful this reappraisal offers a decent magnitude of storage, which is perfect for capturing images connected nan Sony A7 IV and plentifulness of 4K video. If you are looking for a paper chiefly for video, past nan larger-capacity paper would astir apt beryllium a bully idea.

When it comes to cost, nan value is higher compared to similar-sized SD cards, which balances retired erstwhile you return into information nan boost successful capacity and value that nan paper offers. While it is only Sony that utilises nan Type-A format astatine present, pinch Sony's statement of still and video cameras starring nan section successful galore sectors, location is simply a immense marketplace for decent Type-A cards, and astatine present, location is simply a mini magnitude of prime retired there. However, backed by OWC quality, a robust capacity passim nan trial and nan OWC package suite that helps to support nan wellness and integrity of nan card, if you're a master photographer aliases videographer utilizing 1 of Sony's latest cameras, past this should beryllium your number 1 go-to.

OWC Atlas Pro CFExpress Type-A 480GB: Price & availability

The OWC CFexpress 4.0 Type-A Atlas Pro is disposable done OWC's charismatic website and prime online retailers.

• Score: 4/5

OWC Atlas Pro CFExpress Type-A 480GB: Design & build

The OWC CFexpress 4.0 Type-A Atlas Pro is designed for nan latest Sony Alpha and Cinema Line cameras. It is tailored towards professionals alternatively than enthusiasts, enabling that camera to process high-resolution video and still astatine nan camera's afloat potential. At nan aforesaid time, enthusiasts will still use from nan enhanced capacity compared pinch nan SD balanced that astir cameras will besides accept, specified arsenic nan Sony A7 IV that was utilized done this test, nan rugged metallic casing and robust build of nan OWC type-A paper thief to guarantee nan further durability that will reassure professionals and helps to protect nan paper against beingness damage.

As master photographers and videographers will testify, this further durability offered by CFexpress cards is important erstwhile moving successful demanding environments wherever instrumentality tin beryllium subjected to each sorts of conditions and not ever delicately handled.

The card's compact size adheres to nan modular creation floor plan of Type-A cards, and arsenic such, it fits perfectly into nan Sony A7 IV's CFexpress Type-A slot without issue. A bully touch from OWC is nan inclusion of nan Type-A to B adapter, which intends that you tin utilise nan OWC Type-B paper readers without needing to acquisition a dedicated scholar for this azygous paper type.

• Design & build: 5/5

OWC Atlas Pro CFExpress Type-A 480GB: Features

The OWC CFexpress 4.0 Type-A Atlas Pro offers publication speeds up to 1850MB/s, constitute speeds up to 1700MB/s, and a minimum sustained constitute velocity of 400MB/s, making it perfect for storing high-resolution image and video files.

The paper is besides VPG200 certified, which intends that it will alteration compatible Sony Alpha, FX, and FR7 to activity astatine their maximum settings for video seizure utilizing an soul retention solution alternatively than an outer one. This intends that it tin withstand nan seizure of 4 and 8K video, pinch nan durable metallic casing protecting it from harm while besides helping to support decent power dissipation erstwhile put nether load.

The paper besides meets each CFexpress Type-A 4.0 specifications, which is an upgrade from nan much communal Type-A 2.0 specifications, but remains afloat backwards compatible. One of nan large features of nan paper is nan business pinch OWC's Innergize package that enables you to support nan wellness and integrity of nan cards; it besides intends that if compatible updates are released for nan paper and technology, it's imaginable to upgrade nan cards firmware often boosting nan cards performance.

Along pinch nan Type-A cards, nan container includes a Type-B adapter. This helps to boost nan cards' compatibility pinch modular readers and intends that you tin usage immoderate OWC Type-B scholar aliases 1 from different shaper pinch nan card. It's besides worthy highlighting that while nan paper will fresh into cameras specified arsenic nan Canon EOS R5 C, nan exertion doesn't alteration it to beryllium used.

• Features 5/5

OWC Atlas Pro CFExpress Type-A 480GB: Performance

When it comes to nan capacity of nan OWC CFexpress 4.0 Type-A, we tested it successful nan Sony A7 IV and trialled it pinch nan Sony FX6. In some cameras, nan paper was instantly recognised and fresh to go. Compared to utilizing a modular SD card, nan velocity of nan paper was instantly evident arsenic higher resolutions and colour profiles were selected successful nan cameras.

On nan Sony FX6, pinch nan camera value settings were group to sprout 4K 60fps astatine 600 Mbps successful XAVC-I, S-Cinetone, nan paper and camera worked without issue. I switched to nan Sony A7 IV, and again, nan results were impressive. We were capable to sprout video astatine each value settings without restriction, thing that isn't imaginable pinch modular SD cards.

Not only was nan velocity capable to support up pinch nan cameras' demands, but nan capacity, moreover astatine 480GB, gave plentifulness of abstraction for footage. However, for these high-quality settings, nan 960GB paper mightiness beryllium a amended action for longer signaling period.

Once nan real-world tests were complete, it was clip to cheque nan capacity of our benchmarking package connected an Intel Ghost Canyon Nuc 9 i9. Again, nan results were awesome pinch nan paper installed successful nan A to B adapter successful nan OWC Atlas 4.0 CFexpress Type-B paper reader.

While nan quoted speeds are impressive, we didn't rather meet those successful our benchmarking tests. However, nan transportation rates were still awesome and acold exceeded nan speeds that we recorded, which is moreover imaginable pinch nan highest-quality SD cards.

Using CrystalDiskMark, nan transportation rates deed 1669.89MB/s publication and 1457.29MB/s write. The results successful nan different applications were arsenic awesome but varied depending connected nan technologies. Most importantly, nan sustained publication and constitute speeds successful nan AJA System Test recorded constitute speeds of 1228MB/s and publication Speeds of 1495MB/s complete 30 minutes.

The real-world test, on pinch nan benchmarks, beryllium that nan OWC Atlas Pro is simply a awesome paper for your Sony camera. However, what gives nan paper nan separator complete different Type-A cards is nan Innergize package that helps you to support an oculus connected nan wellness of nan card. This package download fundamentally only useful pinch nan OWC cards and readers. Once nan paper is inserted, you'll beryllium capable to get a complete wellness study connected that card, erase it, reset it to mill conditions, and upgrade nan software. The app is elemental to usage but tin make a immense quality to your workflow, and if you're moving professionally, it conscionable gives you that further portion of mind knowing what your representation card's information is like.

• Performance: 5/5

Should you bargain nan OWC Atlas Pro CFExpress Type-A 480GB?

OWC useful intimately pinch nan imaginative industry, and done their hardware and package solutions, they are capable to connection a mini separator connected usability that astir different manufacturers conscionable can't meet. The value of nan CFexpress 4.0 Type-A Atlas Pro stands retired for its precocious capacity complete a sustained period, which fewer different CFexpress type-A cards are capable to match.

While nan paper is expensive, that is conscionable portion of nan people pinch this format of card. Realistically, if you request to usage nan imaginable velocity and abilities of this card, past you're much than apt going to beryllium utilizing it successful a master capacity, truthful that value really does make sense. The paper much than coped pinch nan expertise to grounds 4K RAW and each nan Log3 and different formats that we chose to prime pinch nan Sony cameras that we had to hand.

Ultimately, nan paper is exceptional, but what pushes this paper beyond nan abilities of astir is nan truth that it comes pinch nan Innergize package and each that entails for nan wellness and integrity of nan card. At coming there's nary different shaper that offers thing for illustration this package that fundamentally helps you to guarantee that your paper is ever fresh and fresh for action arsenic good arsenic being capable to upgrade nan firmware, if and when, updates are released.

If you're successful nan marketplace for a CFexpress Type-A card, while location are different options, nan OWC Atlas Pro presently offers nan champion equilibrium of price, speed, and support.

Buy it if...

Don't bargain it if...

For much retention solutions, we reviewed nan best microSD cards.