Fast, Light and Full-Featured

A CompactFlash (CF) card is a popular memory card developed by SanDisk in 1994 that uses flash memory to store data on a very small card. A CompactFlash card makes data easy to add to a wide variety of computing devices, including digital cameras and music players, desktop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), digital audio recorders, and photo printers.

Based on the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) PC Card specifications, CompactFlash measures 43 X 36 mm (about the size of a matchbook) and is available with storage capacities ranging up to 1 gigabyte (GB), with higher capacities corresponding to higher prices.

Where is CompactFlash used?
Many leading consumer electronics companies, including the CFA's roster of members, have designed CF technology into next-generation products developed for consumer markets.

CF technology is widely used in such products as portable and desktop computers, digital cameras, handheld data collection scanners, PDAs, Pocket PCs, handy terminals, personal communicators, advanced two-way pagers, audio recorders, monitoring devices and set-top boxes. CF technology offers all of these applications new and expanded functionality while enabling smaller and lighter designs.

Temperature
CompactFlash cards are able to withstand extremely rapid increases or decreases in temperature. Industrial version CompactFlash cards are offered with an extended operating temperature range of -40 C to +85 C.

Shock
CompactFlash cards have an operating shock rating of 2,000 Gs, which is equivalent to a 10-foot drop. With typical usage, a CompactFlash card can be used for more than 100 years with no loss or deterioration of data.

Power
Typically consuming less than five percent of the power than that required to operate 1.8" and 2.5" disk drives, CF cards run at 3.3V or 5V with a single power supply. This makes them ideal for a range of current and next-generation, small-form factor consumer applications.

Operating System Support
Numerous platforms and operation systems support CompactFlash and the PCMCIA-ATA standard, including DOS, Windows 3.x, Windows 95, , Windows 98, Windows CE, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows XP, OS/2, Apple System 7, 8, 9 & OS X, Linux and most types of UNIX.

Kingston's Elite Pro/Ultimate Flash Cards "X" Speed Ratings
Kingston defines X-speed as the write speed, because users generally care more about how long it takes to write data to a Flash card when using it in a digital camera or cell phone. Typically, read speeds are higher than write speeds for Flash cards, so the write speed is more meaningful when measuring performance.

Data Reliability
CompactFlash data is protected by built-in dynamic defect management and error correction technologies.

Type I , Type II & Type III

What is the difference between Type I, Type II, and Type III PC Cards?
Type I - First standard defined by PC Card Association. Dimensions:

85.6 mm x 54.0 mm x 3.3 mm.

Type II - Second standard form factor defined by PC Card Association. Dimensions: 85.6 mm x 54.0 mm x 5.0 mm. The KODAK Picture Card with Adapter fit into a Type II slot.

Type III - Third standard form factor defined by PC Card Association. Dimensions: 85.6 mm x 54.0 mm x 10.5 mm.

One of the differences is physical size. A Type I card fits into a Type II slot. A Type I and Type II cards fit into a Type III slot. Due to the larger physical size, the Type III card does not fit into a Type II or Type I slot. Similarly, a Type II card does not fit into a Type I slot.

Kingston Ultimate
Need a super-fast memory card to keep up with your game? Kingston’s CF Ultimate has arrived. With its amazing 100x speed CF

Ultimate is designed to take full advantage of the power of your
digital camera. Nothing’s faster — and its write - protect switch makes it ultra-secure, too.

Definition of X Speed Performance
Flash cards with a higher X-speed rating are designed to perform faster. The X-speed rating can also be translated into another common measurement of performance - MegaBytes (MB) per second of write speed. To determine the actual MB per second, you must know the value of "X" and do the math using the multiplier number and the value of X as claimed by the product. For example:

1 KB = 1,000 Bytes; 1 MB = 1 million Bytes.

Professional photographers demand it.
Lexar Media's Professional Secure Digital Memory Card is ideal for any photographer who demands optimal performance from both the memory card and Digital SLR camera they use.

SanDisk Ultra II
When the shooting turns fast and furious, serious photographers turn to SanDisk Ultra II CompactFlash. So fast, you’re always ready for the next shot. So rugged, environmental conditions are never a problem. So well built that it’s backed by SanDisk’s lifetime limited warranty. When every shot counts, choose SanDisk Ultra II CompactFlash
10MB/second read speed
9MB/second write speed

SanDisk Extreme III
SanDisk Extreme III CompactFlash is designed for serious professional photographers who demand one of the fastest, most rugged,and most durable memory cards on the market.Professional photographers who work under less than ideal conditions expect more from a flash memory card. More speed. More performance. More reliability. SanDisk’s new Extreme III card delivers everything you want plus a whole lot more!

20MB/second** read and write speed

That's because only SanDisk Extreme III memory cards feature innovative ESP Technology for the fastest speeds and highest performance. ESP stands for “Enhanced Super-Parallel Processing”. Simply put, it means you are getting the fastest read/write speeds available.