Camera Memory Speed
Memory Card Comparison & Performance Tests for Digital Cameras

SanDisk Extreme Pro 160MB/s 256GB CompactFlash Card Review and Speed Test

SanDisk Extreme Pro 160MB/s 256GB CompactFlash Card Front

Introduction

The SanDisk Extreme Pro 160MB/s 256GB is the top-level CompactFlash offered by SanDisk. It is both their fastest and largest capacity CompactFlash card currently offered. The Extreme Pro supports UDMA-7 and is rated 160MB/s read speed and 150MB/s write speed according to SanDisk. In addition to the 256GB card reviewed here, this card is also available in 16, 32, 64, 128 GB capacities.

Capacity

The 256GB capacity can provide hours video recording. The card is rated VPG-65, guaranteeing sustained video recording of at least 65MB/s to allow 4K and Full HD video. It can also be used to hold thousands of images. It would hold over 3,000 50-megapixel RAW images (up to about 85MB each), or over 30,000 20-24 megapixel high-quality JPEG images (at 8.5MB each).

Durability

Professional use can subject equipment to harsh environments. The Extreme Pro can operate in temperatures from -13°F to 185°F. The card is internally coated with RTV silicone for vibration and shock resistance. It is backed by a lifetime warranty.

SanDisk Extreme Pro 160MB/s 256GB CompactFlash Card Back

Performance

Benchmark tests were performed using several USB 3.0 card readers. The highest read and write speeds were found with the Kingston FCR-HS4 Multi-card Reader: 159.9 MB/s sequential read and 141.6 MB/s sequential write. The write speed was slightly below that of the 32GB version tested previously.

Card: SanDisk Extreme Pro 160MB/s 256GB
Benchmark: CrystalDiskMark 3.0.3 x64
Program settings: 1000 MB, 5 passes, random test data
Operating system: Windows 10 Pro
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H
Processor: Intel Core i7-3770K @ 4.40GHz
RAM: 32GB DDR3 1600

SanDisk Extreme Pro 160MB/s 256GB
Card Reader Benchmarks
Seq.
Read
1000MB
MB/s
Seq.
Write
1000MB
MB/s
Rand.
Read
512KB
MB/s
Rand.
Write
512KB
MB/s
Rand.
Read
4KB
MB/s
QD1
Rand.
Read
4KB
IOPS
QD1
Rand.
Write
4KB
MB/s
QD1
Rand.
Write
4KB
IOPS
QD1
Rand.
Read
4KB
MB/s
QD32
Rand.
Read
4KB
IOPS
QD32
Rand.
Write
4KB
MB/s
QD32
Rand.
Write
4KB
IOPS
QD32
Kingston FCR-HS4 Card Reader159.893141.566143.94941.8528.7082125.91.131276.211.0122688.51.300317.3
Lexar Professional Dual Slot UHS-II Card Reader159.213130.876143.13842.7788.6172103.91.141278.511.0632700.91.283313.2
Lexar Professional Workflow CFR1158.779141.013106.25141.7147.6051856.81.134276.99.3722288.01.291315.3
Transcend Multi-Card Reader RDF9158.707130.387141.74641.9778.5952098.31.111271.211.0222690.81.308319.4
SanDisk ImageMate All-In-One USB 3.0157.279124.18068.82742.2624.6631138.51.044255.05.1731262.81.178287.6
Lexar Professional Dual Slot Reader152.720135.896142.49842.2068.0351961.61.180288.09.9302424.31.337326.3
Transcend Multi-Card Reader RDF8 Black152.409135.844141.46641.7967.9921951.21.172286.19.8912414.71.332325.2
Delkin Universal Memory Card Reader152.056130.290141.46342.8627.9381937.91.193291.49.9272423.61.327324.1
SanDisk ImageMate Pro Multi-Card Reader/Writer149.647118.483138.76940.6116.6351619.91.056257.88.3752044.71.236301.7

The Extreme Pro 160MB/s 256GB card will be tested in additional cameras. Its in-camera write speed will be added to the table below.

SanDisk Extreme Pro 160MB/s 256GB
Tested in Camera
Write Speed
(MB/s)
Canon 5D Mark IV109.8
Canon 1D X94.5

Cameras tested with this card: Canon 1D X, Canon 5D Mark IV

The following table contains information about the tested card. Card information including a unique serial number, name (often a model number) and firmware version is encoded in the card. Cards are often engraved or printed with an identifier on the outside, but it is often a batch or lot number and not an individual serial number.

Internal Card Information: SanDisk Extreme Pro 160MB/s 256GB CF
Serial numberPAZ110114134245
NameSDCFXPS-256G
FirmwareHDX10.03
Highest DMA supportedUDMA7
Total capacity256,087,425,024 bytes
External Card Identifiers
Printed on end of cardBQ141128022B MADE IN CHINA

Available sizes and prices

Compare prices on the SanDisk Extreme Pro CF card. The lowest prices are highlighted in the table below. Prices are updated daily.

CardSize
GB
Lowest
$ / GB
Prices
AmazonB&H PhotoAdorama
SanDisk Extreme Pro CF16N/ACheck price Check priceCheck price
SanDisk Extreme Pro CF32$1.03$32.99Check price$33.99
SanDisk Extreme Pro CF64$0.70$44.99Check price$59.99
SanDisk Extreme Pro CF128$0.74$94.99Check price$99.99
SanDisk Extreme Pro CF256$0.59$149.99Check price$169.99