Last year, Angelbird launched a 1TB CFexpress Type A card at a bargain price. However, the company withdrew the product without explanation at the start of 2024. Now, the company is back with its new AV PRO CFexpress A SE cards, available in either 160 GB or 330 GB capacities.
CFexpress Type A
CFexpress Type A cards aren’t used in cameras by many manufacturers. However, Sony adopted the format for its Alpha mirrorless cameras and FX Cinema Line cameras. Unfortunately for Sony shooters, the company’s own brand CFexpress Type A cards are expensive. Although you can use cheaper SD cards, you need CFexpress Type A to access some high-frame-rate and slow-motion recording at the highest image quality settings.
VPG200
Angelbird’s new AV PRO CFexpress Type A SE cards deliver super-fast maximum write and read speeds of 730 MB/s and 820 MB/s, respectively. You also get fast sustained write speeds of 650 MB/s and read speeds of 750 MB/s. Interestingly, the cards are only certified as VPG200. VPG stands for Video Performance Guarantee and indicates the minimum number of megabytes per second (MB/s) that the card can write continuously. In addition, the new AV PRO CFexpress A SE cards feature Angelbird’s Stable Stream technology, which helps deliver uninterrupted reading and writing throughout your entire recording, not just at the beginning.
Durability
Angelbird cards are built to survive in challenging environments, with protection against moisture, dust, shock, X-rays, and magnets. The cards are also engineered to handle accidental power loss, saving buffer files when power stops unexpectedly. Both AV PRO CFexpress A SE cards incorporate Advanced Thermal Management to prevent overheating. In addition, Angelbird says that you will get longer camera battery life thanks to the cards’ optimized minimal power draw. You get a 3-year limited warranty, including Angelbird’s data recovery service on both the hardware and software levels.
What we think
Sony shooters were understandably disappointed when Angelbird withdrew its 1TB CFexpress Type A card in February. It’s therefore great to see these two new cards, even if the capacities are somewhat smaller. Importantly, the new cards have official VPG certification, which wasn’t present on the previous card. Best of all, even with that certification, Angelbird’s CFexpress Type A cards still retail for less than half the price of Sony’s cards. If you use a camera that records to CFexpress Type A, Angelbird’s new AV PRO SE cards should be on your shopping list.
Pricing and availability
Angelbird states that their new AV PRO CFexpress Type A SE cards are compatible with Sony Alpha and FX cameras including the Sony α1, α9 III, α7 IV, α7R V, α7 S III, or a Sony FX3, FX30 or FX6. The 160 GB card will retail at $179, and the 330 GB card will cost $249. Both should be available soon.
