Lexar introduced the High-Performance SD 8.0 memory card, which has record read and write speeds of up to 1700 and 1000 MB/s, respectively. However, this card was “ahead of its time”, since today there is not a single device that supports this standard. Therefore, in most devices, the card speed will be reduced to 50 MB/s in accordance with the existing UHS-I standard, and its potential will be leveled.
Image source: Lexar
SD 8.0 offers multiple PCIe versions and configurations: PCIe 4.0 x1, PCIe 3.0 x2, and PCIe 4.0 x2. Lexar was apparently aiming to create an SD card comparable in speed to CFexpress 4.0, while using the SD form factor and a single PCIe lane. “Lexar could have demonstrated the SD 8.0 card as a concept, but its announcement as a finished product is puzzling,” experts note. Other memory card manufacturers have not yet presented their versions of SD 8.0.
With the increasing need for high-speed memory for modern cameras, especially for recording 8K RAW video, the importance of new products becomes obvious. Despite this, the choice between CFexpress cards, which offer higher speed and reliability, and SD cards still remains relevant, since the latter do not always meet the requirements of professionals. The question remains how quickly camera manufacturers will realize the need to implement SD 8.0 technology in their devices.
At the moment, the SD 8.0 card is not available on Lexar’s official website, although it does feature new UHS-II SDXC cards in stainless steel. It is possible that SD 8.0 cards will not appear on sale soon if camera and card reader manufacturers do not show interest in the new standard.