Sony today announced its SF-G series TOUGH specification UHS-II SD cards. The new memory cards are targeted at “photographers who are reliant upon their photographs remaining safe when their SD cards are removed from the camera” and combine ruggedness with fast read/write speeds.
The SF-G cards are bend proof to 180N, drop-proof to 5 meters, waterproof with an IPX8 rating and dustproof with an IP6X rating. To achieve these characteristics the cards feature a one-piece molding structure and a ribless and switchless design. In addition, they are X-ray proof, magnet proof, anti-static and temperature proof.
Top read speeds of up to 300MB/s and write speeds of up to 299MB/s should allow for swift burst shooting, and the cards also support the V90 video speed class, making them a good option for video shooters.
The SF-G cards come with Sony’s SD Scan Utility and File Rescue Software. They will be available in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB capacities and will launch in Europe from October. No information on availability in other regions has been provided yet. More information can be found on the Sony website.
Press Release:
Sony introduces the world’s toughest and fastest SD Card
- World’s toughest[i] SD card is 18x[ii]bend proof[iii] and drop proof[iv]
- World’s first[v] one-piece molding structure for strength and hardness
- Ribless and switchless design ensures there are no fragile components
- World’s fastest[vi] read speed up to 300MB/s and write speed up to 299MB/s[vii]
- Waterproof and dustproof world-class ratings of IPX8and IP6X respectively[viii]
- Keep your work safe with the SD Scan Utility and File Rescue Software
Sony today announced a brand new innovation in storage media with the launch of the “SF-G series TOUGH specification”UHS-II SD card. Addressing the needs of photographers who are reliant upon their photographs remaining safe when their SD cards are removed from the camera, the new SF-G series TOUGH specification range combines the world’s fastest read and write speeds with an ultra-rugged design that is bend proof to 180N, and drop proof to 5 metres. For photographers who are fighting against the elements to get the perfect shot, the SF-G series TOUGH specification range of SD cards are also waterproof with an IPX8 rating and dustproof with an IP6X rating.
The new SF-G series TOUGHspecification range of SD cards are 18 times stronger than the SD standard[ix] with world’s first monolithic structure (one-piece molding, no empty space in the card) and materials of high-grade hardness, unlike conventional SD cards with a thin, 3-part ensemble. They areprotected against typical physical damage that can affect conventional SD cards such as a broken plastic casing, broken data protection lock and broken connector ribs. This has been achieved through a new means that it is the world’s first rib-less SD card with no write protection switch. These developments ensure that the SF-G series TOUGH specificationis more resistant to bending and easy to break parts are removed entirely and has been engineered by Sony to deliver the best balance of hardness and toughness. Completely sealed with one-piece molding structure, no waterdrop, dust or dirt is not allowed to come into the card, meeting highest grade of waterproof (IPX8) and dustproof(IP6X).
Unleash the power of the camera
In an industry trend, driven by Sony, full-frame mirrorless cameras such as the ?9 and ?7 series are packing in more and more performance in both stills and video performance. These high-end cameras rely on fast memory cards to maximise their performance and with professional photographers now using SD cards more frequently, users are demanding the levels of reliability and durability associated with other professional card types. With the world’s fastest write speed of up to 299MB/s, buffer clearing time is minimised. This allows the photographer to shoot many frames per second and capture the action that they want. The SF-G series TOUGH specification range also supports V90, the highest standard of video speed class, making it an ideal companion for shooting high resolution video.
Furthermore, transferring high capacity photo and video files is made simple with the SF-G series TOUGH specification, thanks to a read speed of up to 300MB/s. This is another world’s fastest which dramatically enhances workflow efficiency after the shooting is all wrapped up. In a further acknowledgement of the practical needs of photographers, the SF-G series TOUGH specification range feature bright yellow banding design, making the card easier to spot in dark shooting conditions.
Ultimate Assurance
SF-G series TOUGHspecification SD cards offer a series of further features, designed to give photographers peace of mind. These include an ‘SD Scan Utility’ which allows the user to check that the card is good condition and File Rescue Software[x] which can recover data and photos that might have accidentally been deleted. Furthermore, SF-G series TOUGH specification SD cards are also X-ray proof, magnet proof, anti-static, temperature proof and feature UV Guard.
Pricing and Availability
The SF-G TOUGH series of memory cards will be available in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB capacities. They will launch in Europe from October. Full product details are available at: http://www.sony.net/sfgt/
[i]As a consumer SD card, Sony investigation as of August 2018.
[ii]Performance is 18x stronger compared to SD bending test specification of 10N
[iii]Bend proof to 180N
[iv]Drop proof to 5m
[v]As a SD card of 2.1mm thick. Conformance to ribless card specifications of Standard Size SD Card Mechanical Addendum 6.0. Sony investigation as of August 2018.
[vi]As of August 2018, Sony investigation.
[vii]Based on Sony internal testing. Transfer speeds vary, and are dependent on host devices, the OS version or usage conditions. To effectively utilize the product’s high-speed capabilities, your compatible device must support UHS-II. Sony investigation as of August 2018.
[viii]Conformance to IP68 standard. We cannot guarantee against damage to record data or card in all situations and conditions.
[ix]SD standard withstands 10N force, while this card withstands 180N force.
[x]Downloadable from the Sony Support site
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
