At the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Lexar demonstrated its commitment to staying ahead of the curve in memory technology, unveiling several innovative products aimed at photographers and videographers who demand speed, durability, and versatility.
Speed Meets Innovation: SD Express and CFexpress Cards
In the world of SD cards, Lexar showcased its new 2000x SD card series, offering read speeds up to 300 MB/s. However, the real game-changer is the SD Express format, capable of blistering speeds up to 1700 MB/s. While camera manufacturers have yet to fully adopt this technology, the promise of faster downloads and improved workflow efficiency is undeniable.
SD Express memory cards are bringing significant improvements to photographers and video creators, offering enhanced speed and performance. With the adoption of PCIe and NVMe interfaces, these cards enable faster data transfer rates, making tasks like 4K and 8K video recording, high-resolution image bursts, and file transfers more efficient. The cards also maintain backward compatibility with existing SD devices, ensuring flexibility for users. Their compact and durable design caters to professionals working in demanding environments, marking a notable advancement in memory card technology.
For professionals using high-resolution cameras, Lexar’s CFexpress Type B cards take center stage, boasting read speeds of 3700 MB/s and write speeds of 3400 MB/s. These cards are robustly designed to handle the demands of 8K video recording, high-frame-rate capture, and large data transfers. Canon, Nikon, and Panasonic mirrorless cameras are already compatible with this format, while Sony continues to lead with CFexpress Type A cards.
Lexar also unveiled its metal SD card, an industry first. This card is 37 times stronger than traditional SD cards and features a rugged, all-metal design. Unlike standard SD cards with fragile plastic write-protection switches, the metal SD card is engineered for durability, ensuring it remains reliable even in challenging conditions. Expected to hit the market in March 2025, this product is ideal for field photographers and videographers who require durable storage solutions.
Modular storage and power bank: A creator’s companion
One of the standout innovations at CES was Lexar’s two-bay modular storage solution, which doubles as a power bank. This device allows content creators to transfer files directly to their smartphones or laptops without the need for a traditional card reader. Modules include options for CFexpress, SD, microSD, and portable SSDs, making it an adaptable solution for a variety of workflows. The modular design also facilitates easy upgrades, and the system starts at $99.99, with modules sold separately.
Why this matters
The shift towards faster and more robust memory solutions reflects the evolving needs of content creators. As 4K and 8K video become standard, and as photographers push the boundaries with larger RAW files, having reliable, high-speed storage is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity.
Keep an eye on Photofocus.com for reviews of these Lexar products as they become available.
