Why you may belief TechRadar
We spend hours testing each services or products we evaluate, so that you may be positive you are shopping for the perfect. Discover out extra about how we take a look at.
OWC Atlas Extremely CFexpress 1TB: 30-second evaluate
Specs
Storage Capability: 1TB
Learn Velocity: As much as 3650MB/s
Write Velocity: As much as 3000MB/s
Minimal Sustained Write Velocity: 1500MB/s
Software program Compatibility: OWC Innergize App for well being and upgrades
Construct High quality: UV, shock, drop, and excessive temperature resistant
Guarantee: 2 years
The OWC Atlas Extremely CFexpress 1.0TB card has been round for some time, though this newest model is transport with the up to date 4.0 firmware, which has unlocked the complete potential of the cardboard. What’s extra, when you already personal an OWC Atlas Extremely CFexpress, the chances are high that, as soon as related to the OWC Innergize app, it’s best to be capable of improve the firmware of the cardboard, which is able to once more give the switch charges a lift. The cardboard is, in essence, the identical card—it is simply the firmware that has modified, leading to an enormous leap in efficiency.
As the cardboard is of the usual CFexpress design and construct high quality, it is extraordinarily sturdy and excellent to be used within the newest vary of high-resolution cameras and camcorders that utilise the Sort-B format. The switch charges are important and much exceed what now we have been used to with the likes of the SD card format; even the newer UHS-II playing cards appear decidedly sluggish as compared. You can even really feel the distinction within the dealing with of some digital camera options versus an SD card. Within the Canon EOS R5, the capturing velocity and AF efficiency make a marked enchancment.
In use, the cardboard performs with out situation, recording high-resolution stills and video on the Canon EOS R5 C. The velocity of the cardboard merely implies that there isn’t any noticeable buffering as information are saved; the digital camera simply works, and the cardboard allows it to fulfil its full potential.
The cardboard’s use within the digital camera is the first focus for any reminiscence card, however being from OWC, an organization with an extended historical past of working with the artistic trade, has taken issues a step additional. Alongside the cardboard is an ecosystem of different merchandise, together with the cardboard reader and Innergize software program. Collectively, these not solely allow you to obtain your information to your machine but additionally monitor and handle the well being of your reminiscence playing cards.
It is all very intelligent and joined up, making this among the finest options for professionals on the market.
OWC Atlas Extremely CFexpress 1TB: Value & availability
The OWC Atlas Extremely CFexpress 2.0TB is obtainable instantly from OWC and authorised retailers. Whereas priced at a premium, it is available in at an identical worth to different premium branded merchandise providing this efficiency and capability.
OWC Atlas Extremely CFexpress 1TB: Design & construct
The design of the OWC Atlas Extremely CFexpress 1TB card adheres to the standard CFexpress Sort B requirements, and as such, the burden and dimensions of the cardboard be certain that it suits easily into cameras that settle for this format of card. As we have seen with different CFexpress playing cards, the construct and design are sturdy, constructed from high-quality plastics and metals that assist shield the cardboard from shocks, drops, and excessive temperatures.
OWC has additionally added safety in opposition to UV rays and electrostatic discharge, making it travel-friendly and lowering the danger of harm throughout safety scans. As the cardboard should adhere to requirements, the outer casing’s label is the one design ingredient that really differentiates it from different CFexpress playing cards.
OWC Atlas Extremely CFexpress 1TB: Options
When trying on the Atlas Extremely and its CFexpress 4.0 capabilities, a number of options stand out. The primary is the switch charges this card can facilitate, with learn speeds of as much as 3650MB/s and write speeds of as much as 3000MB/s. These speeds immediately spotlight the cardboard as an ideal resolution for 4K and 8K video, in addition to for capturing in skilled video settings.
Our evaluate pattern is the 1TB model of the cardboard, however additionally it is obtainable in 325GB, 650GB, 1TB, and 2TB variations. The 2 smaller-capacity playing cards have barely decrease switch charges however are nonetheless extremely quick and consistent with the vast majority of playing cards in the marketplace.
Alongside the cardboard, two different parts from OWC are wanted to unlock the cardboard’s potential absolutely. The primary is the cardboard reader. Whereas the corporate provides a number of completely different choices, the one to pair with the Atlas Extremely CFexpress 4.0 is the Atlas CFexpress Card Reader, which utilises a USB4 connection. On paper, this connection provides a switch fee of 5000MB/s.
The OWC reader is required to make use of the OWC Innergize software program, which is a free obtain however can solely be used alongside OWC merchandise. This software program allows you to monitor and handle the situation of your CFexpress card, highlighting any potential points earlier than they happen.
OWC Atlas Extremely CFexpress 1TB: Efficiency
Check outcomes
Learn Velocity: 3324.37MB/s
Write Velocity: 2807.3MB/s
CFexpress playing cards are slowly being adopted by digital camera producers, and for professionals, the upper speeds, capacities, and sturdy design are a major improve over the favored SD card format. To complicate issues, there are two principal type elements for CFexpress: Sort-A, which is barely utilized by Sony, and Sort-B, which has been adopted by nearly everybody else. Each supply excessive speeds and efficiency, with Sort-B playing cards main by way of capability and velocity.
The OWC Atlas Extremely CFexpress 1TB provides a beneficiant quantity of storage, greater than sufficient for many mirrorless cameras capturing RAW and video. Utilizing a regular recording format of MP4 (HEVC, YCC422 10-bit), you may seize roughly 11 hours and 10 minutes of 4K footage, which is spectacular. Stepping as much as RAW ST reduces this to 80 minutes, which continues to be good. At 8K decision, the usual recording setting permits for 4 hours and 28 minutes, with 4K being the utmost for the digital camera when utilizing RAW ST. In all these settings, the cardboard retains up with the calls for of the digital camera with none points.
Do you have to purchase the OWC Atlas Extremely CFexpress 1TB?
Whereas the cardboard’s excessive velocity is especially useful for video recording, switching to nonetheless images reveals some further, surprising benefits. For instance, within the Canon EOS R5, utilizing a UHS-II SD card may end up in lowered autofocus speeds with some zoom lenses. Switching to a CFexpress card immediately boosts focusing efficiency.
All through testing, the cardboard delivered excellent efficiency at each stage. A test of switch speeds utilizing the Blackmagic Velocity Check confirmed simply how briskly this card is. Finally, suppose you are utilizing a CFexpress Sort-B suitable digital camera that shoots high-resolution footage and takes benefit of the newest speeds. In that case, this can be a nice possibility and essential for professionals.
Whereas the construct high quality and efficiency alone make this card interesting, it is when it is partnered with the Innergize software program and OWC card reader that you simply really begin to see the advantages of the system. The flexibility to sanitise, test well being, and improve the firmware of the cardboard may end up in important efficiency boosts.
Row 0 – Cell 0 | Row 0 – Cell 1 | Row 0 – Cell 2 |
Worth |
Gives premium efficiency at a premium worth. |
4.5 |
Design |
Sturdy and dependable – suits the usual for CFExpress |
5 |
Options |
Dependable and quick with backing from the innergize software program. |
5 |
Efficiency |
Distinctive in all checks |
5 |
Whole |
Main CFexpress card efficiency. |
5 |
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
For extra storage options, we have reviewed the greatest moveable SSD and the greatest exterior exhausting drives.