CompactFlash Association Announces
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CompactFlash Association

La CompactFlash® Association (CFA) définit les normes relatives aux supports amovibles professionnels tels que CFexpress®, CompactFlash®, CFAST® et XQD®. La CFA a été créée en 1995 par un groupe d'entreprises internationales partageant l'objectif commun de créer des normes industrielles pour les cartes mémoire flash afin de répondre aux besoins de haute performance des marchés de l'imagerie professionnelle, de l'automobile et de l'industrie.

La CFA élabore des spécifications pour les cartes mémoire et fournit des processus et des outils de test de conformité pour chaque spécification. Elle mène également des activités de marketing afin de promouvoir les produits, les technologies et les applications de ses membres. Aujourd'hui, plus de 90 entreprises membres bénéficient de leur participation à la conception, au développement, à la fabrication et à la vente de produits utilisant les spécifications de la CFA.

Activité des membres


Learn more about CFA

The CompactFlash Association (CFA) exists to create industry standards for flash-based memory cards to support the high performance needs of professional imaging, automotive and industrial markets.

Are you a

Card User?

Find a trustworthy flash-based memory card that fits your needs.
Are you a

Prospective Member?

Join CFA to access or help develop the newest industry standards.

Are you a

Current Member?

Access specifications or Basecamp for member-only communication.

What's New?

See below for recent news and activities from the CompactFlash Association and its members.

Members are invited to submit their announcements to CFA.

CFA Events

Upcoming Events
Recent Events
May 20–21, 2025
CFA 2025 Spring General Meeting
Location: Shanghai, China

Vision

CFA strives to create an inclusive and dynamic ecosystem through broad industry involvement and accessible standards that will incubate groundbreaking removable media solutions with best-of-breed performance and reliability for a broad range of applications, including imaging, automotive, and industrial applications, while ensuring maximum interoperability and end-user satisfaction.

Mission

The CompactFlash Association will...

  • Create a dynamic ecosystem where members’ businesses can flourish through open communication and competition.
  • Lead in the creation of highest-performance removable media solutions to the professional/prosumer digital photography/videography market.
  • Research and create new solutions that will address the needs of a broad range of applications, including Imaging, Automotive, and Industrial applications.

Market Applications

CFA’s products are deployed in the following markets.

Imaging

  • Renowned professional photo and video camera manufacturers have been loyal to CompactFlash since its inception for the performance, capacity, and reliability of CFA product specifications.

Automotive and Industrial

  • CFA’s groundbreaking data acquisition, analysis, and storage solutions are becoming a critical component of AI-based industrial and autonomous transportation applications.

History of CFA

2025
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CFA Standards are Widely Adopted

Standards have evolved through CFA’s successful 28-year history from PCMCIA to PCIe+NVMe, and are widely adopted by professional/prosumer digital cameras and camcorders.

2016
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CFexpress Announced

CFA introduced the CFexpress standard, built on PCIe Gen 3 and NVMe protocols. Designed to replace both CF and CFast for ultra-high-speed data transfers. Since then, multiple form factors have been introduced, Type A, B, and C, and CFexpress is adopted by major camera brands today.

2012
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XQD Format

In collaboration with Sony and Nikon, CFA acknowledged industry movement toward faster cards. XQD, developed by the CompactFlash Association, Sony, and Nikon, used PCIe interface – designed for high-end video and photography.

2009
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CFast 1.0 Released

First CFast cards launched, offering SATA interface speeds up to 300 MB/s. Aimed at replacing traditional CF in demanding environments.

2007
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CFast Specification Announced

CFA announced CFast, a new high-speed standard using the Serial ATA (SATA) interface instead of the traditional parallel ATA. Designed for industrial and high-performance applications.

2004
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CF 4.0

Further increased performance with UDMA 5 support (up to 100 MB/s). Added enhanced electrical and mechanical features for reliability.

2003
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CF 3.0 and Ultra DMA

CF 3.0 introduced Ultra DMA (UDMA) mode, dramatically increasing data transfer rates. Enhanced support for professional-level photography and video.

1998
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CF+ and CF Specification 2.0

Introduced CF+ Specification, allowing for I/O devices (like modems, GPS, etc.) to use the CF slot, not just storage. CF 2.0 enabled support for higher transfer speeds.

1996
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CF Specification 1.0

CFA released the first CompactFlash Specification (CF 1.0). Supported up to 137 GB, with an initial maximum capacity of 128 MB. Based on PCMCIA/ATA interface – compatible with PC card adapters.

1995
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Formation

CompactFlash Association (CFA) was officially formed. Founded by SanDisk Corporation (then known as SunDisk) along with other key industry players to establish standards for CompactFlash memory cards, a new format at the time for digital storage in portable devices.