Camera Memory SpeedMemory Card Comparison & Performance Tests for Digital Cameras
Sony G-Series XQD 2.0 Card 64GB Review
Introduction
Sony G-Series XQD cards feature a new XQD Format Version 2 interface for improved performance. The controller supports PCI Express Generation 2 as well as USB 3.0. Sony G-Series cards offer up to 400 MB/s read and 350 MB/s write speeds. The card includes a USB 3.0 adapter. G-Series cards are supported by Nikon D4, D4S and D5 DSLR cameras in addition to Sony video cameras including FDR-AX1 Consumer Handycam 4K, PXW-Z100 Professional 4K Camcorder and PXW-FS7 XDCAM Super 35 4K / 2K / FS RAW Camcorder. Sony G-Series XQD cards are available in 32, 64 and 128GB capacities. The 64GB card (QDG64A/J) is tested in this review.
Performance
Read and write speeds were evaluated in various XQD card readers. In the included USB Adapter the Sony G Series measured 347.2 MB/s read and 254.5 MB/s write using ATTO disk benchmark. In the Lexar XR2 Reader it measured 344.2 MB/s read and 246.1 MB/s write. These speeds were limited by the card readers.
Card: Sony G-Series 400MB/s XQD 64GB
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
| Sony G-Series 400MB/s XQD 64GB 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony MRW-E90 XQD 2.0 / SD UHS-II Card Reader | 315.598 | 130.177 | 311.682 | 3.573 | 12.001 | 2929.9 | 0.028 | 6.9 | 13.527 | 3302.5 | 0.041 | 10.0 |
| Lexar Professional XQD 2.0 USB 3.0 Reader | 274.856 | 152.898 | 270.927 | 3.192 | 14.275 | 3485.2 | 0.029 | 7.2 | 17.083 | 4170.7 | 0.037 | 9.1 |
| Lexar XR2 XQD 2.0 Card Reader | 262.735 | 146.388 | 261.839 | 3.395 | 14.684 | 3585.1 | 0.027 | 6.6 | 16.941 | 4135.9 | 0.036 | 8.8 |
| Sony XQD USB Adapter | 261.784 | 147.979 | 263.936 | 3.302 | 14.602 | 3565.0 | 0.027 | 6.7 | 17.139 | 4184.4 | 0.038 | 9.3 |
| Sony MRW-E80 XQD 1.0 Card Reader | 191.573 | 105.236 | 190.111 | 3.244 | 9.918 | 2421.4 | 0.028 | 6.9 | 11.062 | 2700.6 | 0.039 | 9.4 |
The G-Series XQD cards will be included in upcoming camera memory card speed tests. Results of this card in the Nikon D5 are shown below. Results for additional cameras will be added when available.
| Sony G-Series 400MB/s XQD 64GB Tested in Camera | Write Speed (MB/s) |
|---|---|
| Nikon D500 | 280.2 |
| Nikon D5 | 273.9 |
| Nikon Z7 | 241.4 |
| Nikon Z6 | 237.5 |
Cameras tested with this card: Nikon Z7, Nikon Z6, Nikon D5, Nikon D500
Sony G-Series XQD cards purchased in the USA have a 5-year limited warranty. The card is made in Japan.
Available sizes and prices
Compare prices on the Sony G-Series XQD card. The lowest prices are highlighted in the table below. Prices are updated daily.
| Card | Size GB | Lowest $ / GB | Prices | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | B&H Photo | Adorama | |||
| Sony G-Series XQD 400/350 MB/s | 32 | N/A | Check price | Check price | Check price |
| Sony G-Series XQD 400/350 MB/s | 64 | N/A | Check price | Check price | Check price |
| Sony G-Series XQD 400/350 MB/s | 128 | $3.91 | $500.00 | Check price | Check price |