Compact Flash

compact-flashCompact Flash or CF as it is also known is a popular type of flash based memory. It was developed and released by SanDisk in 1994. This small form factor device revolutionized the industry as at the time 3.5″ diskettes were the standard for the storage. This small device changed the landscape for which data could be stored. It was smaller and could hold more data, compared to the 3.5″ diskettes. 

 

Types of Compact Flash Memory

 

There are two different categories of Compact Flash memory cards. These are the Type 1 card and Type II card. The differences between CF Type I and CF Type II cards are their thickness. The Type I card is 3.3 mm thick, while the CF Type II cards are 5mm thick.  Type I cards will fit in both cards slot, while the Type II can only fit in its own slot.

Since 2008, CompactFlash cards are available in capacities from 512 MB upwards of 100 GB. Currently on the market, the biggest sized card available is 32 GB. Smaller capacity cards are still available below 512 MB, but these are considered to be obsolete.

 

Compact Flash Speeds

 

CompactFlash memory cards have different speed ratings. These are often designated by the “x” symbol.

Below is a table that will list the typical speed ratings for CompactFlash cards.

Rating

Speed (MB/s)

  6x

 0.9

 32x

 4.8

 40x

 6.0

 66x

10.0

100x

15.0

133x

20.0

150x

22.5

200x

30.0

266x

40.0

300x

45.0

 

Compact Flash specifications

Known Names

 

Compact Flash is also known as a CF memory card.

Storage Size

 

CompactFlash sizes vary from 512 MB – 32 GB

 

Physical Dimensions

CF Type I

  •          43mm (1.7″) x 36mm (1.4″) x 3.3mm (0.13″)

CF Type II

  • 43mm (1.7″) x 36mm (1.4″) x 5mm (0.19″)

Weight

  •          3.3 grams

Voltage

 

  •          3.3 and 5 V

Write Protect Switch

 

No

 

Copyright Protection

 

No

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