There’s a specific, gut-wrenching feeling every photographer and videographer knows. It’s the moment you’re tracking a once-in-a-lifetime shot—an eagle diving for its prey, a bride’s fleeting expression, the winning goal—and your camera suddenly stops firing. The dreaded buffer is full. The red access light blinks furiously, a tiny beacon of failure, as your camera desperately tries to write gigabytes of data to an overwhelmed SD card. You watch, helpless, as the perfect moment vanishes forever. For years, this was a frustrating reality for me, even after upgrading to a powerful Sony Alpha camera. The camera was a thoroughbred, but it was running in mud-soaked boots, held back by the limitations of older memory formats. The jump to CFexpress Type A isn’t just an upgrade; it’s about unshackling your camera and ensuring that the only limit to your creativity is your own vision, not your storage speed.
- Compatible with Sony Alpha and Sony FX cameras that support CFexpress Type A cards
- Delivers max read speeds of 800MB/s, max write speeds of 700MB/s, and sustained write speeds of 600MB/s
What to Consider Before Buying a CFexpress Type A Card
A CFexpress Type A card is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for creative professionals who push their equipment to the absolute limits. Unlike standard SD cards, this format was engineered specifically to handle the massive data streams produced by modern mirrorless cameras. We’re talking about high-resolution 8K video, uncompressed RAW photo bursts at 30, 60, or even 120 frames per second, and complex video codecs like Sony’s XAVC S-I. The main benefit is the elimination of the data bottleneck between your camera’s sensor and the storage medium. This translates to a camera that feels infinitely more responsive, a buffer that clears almost instantly, and a post-production workflow that is dramatically accelerated by lightning-fast transfer speeds. Investing in a card like the Lexar 160GB CFexpress Type A SILVER Memory Card is an investment in efficiency and reliability.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the limitations of their current media. This includes wedding videographers shooting long-form 4K 10-bit footage, wildlife and sports photographers who rely on long, sustained bursts to capture peak action, and hybrid shooters using high-end Sony bodies like the a7S III, a7IV, FX3, or a9 III. If you’ve ever had your camera stop recording due to media speed or missed a shot while waiting for the buffer, you are the target audience. Conversely, this technology might not be suitable for those who primarily shoot JPEGs, record video in lower-bitrate formats, or use cameras that don’t have a CFexpress Type A slot. For those users, a high-quality V60 or V90 UHS-II SD card offers more than enough performance at a lower cost.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: CFexpress Type A cards are physically smaller than their Type B counterparts. This clever design is what allows Sony to create dual-format card slots that can accept both a CFexpress Type A card and a standard UHS-II SD card, offering incredible flexibility without increasing the camera’s size. This is a significant advantage for users who may want to use their existing SD cards as a backup or for less demanding shooting scenarios.
- Capacity/Performance: Don’t just look at the peak read/write speeds (800/700 MB/s). The most critical specification for video is the sustained write speed and the Video Performance Guarantee (VPG) rating. The VPG 200 rating on the Lexar 160GB CFexpress Type A SILVER Memory Card guarantees a minimum sustained write speed of 200 MB/s, which is essential for recording high-bitrate video codecs without the risk of dropped frames or corrupted files.
- Materials & Durability: CFexpress cards are built to a much more robust standard than SD cards. Their rigid shells are less prone to bending or cracking. One important factor, especially during long video shoots or large data transfers, is heat dissipation. We found this Lexar card manages heat well in-camera, though like all high-speed cards, it can get warm to the touch during offloading, a common characteristic confirmed by fellow users.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: To unlock the incredible offload speeds of this card, a compatible card reader is non-negotiable. Using an old SD card reader or a slow USB port will create a massive bottleneck. We strongly recommend pairing it with a reader that supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) to achieve the advertised transfer rates, a point echoed by several experienced users who initially questioned their card’s speed before checking their PC’s port and reader specifications.
While the Lexar 160GB CFexpress Type A SILVER Memory Card is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- Video Performance Guarantee (VPG) allows minimum sustained write speed of 20 MB/s
- Video Performance Guarantee (VPG) allows minimum sustained write speed of 20 MB/s
- CAPACITY: 4.0GB CompactFlash memory card for digital storage, perfect for photographers and professionals requiring reliable data storage
First Impressions and Key Features of the Lexar 160GB CFexpress Type A SILVER Memory Card
Upon its arrival, the packaging for the Lexar 160GB CFexpress Type A SILVER Memory Card is straightforward and professional. Inside, the card itself immediately conveys a sense of quality. It feels dense and substantial in the hand, a far cry from the sometimes-flimsy feel of a plastic SD card. The metal contact points are well-protected within the card’s tough exterior. Sliding it into our Sony a7S III for the first time, it engaged with a firm, reassuring click. We were immediately struck by the in-camera formatting speed. As one user aptly noted, you can feel the speed difference from the very first moment; the format process, which can sometimes lag on older cards, was completed in an instant. This initial interaction set a high bar for performance, suggesting that the card was ready for the most demanding tasks we could throw at it. It’s a small detail, but one that inspires confidence right out of the box. For those looking to see if this premium feel translates to premium performance, you can see its full feature set and user reviews online.
What We Like
- Outstanding value, making CFexpress Type A technology accessible to more users.
- Achieves advertised read/write speeds, accelerating both shooting and data transfer.
- VPG 200 certification provides peace of mind for high-bitrate video recording.
- Dramatically improves camera buffer performance for sustained burst shooting.
- Backed by a robust 10-year limited warranty for long-term confidence.
Drawbacks
- Can generate noticeable heat during prolonged, intensive data offloads.
- A small number of users have reported receiving defective or dead-on-arrival units.
Deep Dive: Putting the Lexar SILVER Through Its Paces
A spec sheet can only tell you so much. To truly understand a memory card’s worth, you have to push it to its limits in real-world scenarios. We spent weeks testing the Lexar 160GB CFexpress Type A SILVER Memory Card in a range of demanding situations with our Sony a7IV and FX30, from fast-paced wildlife photography to controlled 4K cinematic shoots. Our goal was to find the breaking point—the moment the card would falter under pressure. What we discovered was a product that not only meets but often exceeds its promises, fundamentally changing the user experience for the better.
Real-World Speed and Buffer Performance: The End of “Wait Time”
For photographers, the single most transformative benefit of this card is the near-total elimination of buffer lag. With our Sony a7IV set to shoot uncompressed RAW, we held down the shutter. On a fast V90 SD card, we could get a respectable burst before the camera would slow to a crawl, the buffer light blinking for an agonizingly long time. With the Lexar SILVER, the experience was night and day. We could fire off long, sustained bursts, and the buffer cleared almost as fast as we could shoot. The access light would flicker briefly and then extinguish, the camera ready to go again instantly. This is not just a minor improvement; it’s a creative liberation.
Our findings are strongly supported by other professionals in the field. One wildlife photographer, shooting with a Sony a9 III, reported capturing up to 20,000 images in a single day on this card during an eagle-watching tour. They noted that at 30fps, the card could essentially write indefinitely, only beginning to show a hint of slowdown at the camera’s extreme 60fps+ modes. This level of performance was previously reserved for cards costing nearly twice as much. Another user perfectly captured the feeling, stating that once you get used to this speed, “you can’t go back” to slower SD cards. The psychological freedom of knowing your gear will never be the bottleneck allows you to focus completely on the subject. It’s a performance upgrade that you can truly feel with every press of the shutter.
VPG 200 Certification: A Videographer’s Safety Net
While photographers rejoice over buffer performance, videographers need something different: unwavering, rock-solid reliability. A single dropped frame can ruin an entire take. This is where the Video Performance Guarantee (VPG) 200 rating becomes paramount. This certification isn’t just marketing jargon; it’s a guarantee that the card will never drop below a sustained write speed of 200 MB/s. To test this, we configured our Sony FX30 to its most demanding setting: 4K XAVC S-I (All-Intra) at 60fps. This codec produces a massive data stream that brings lesser cards to their knees, often causing the camera to automatically stop recording after just a few seconds.
The Lexar 160GB CFexpress Type A SILVER Memory Card handled it flawlessly. We recorded long, continuous takes without a single warning or interruption. The camera operated as if it were recording a simple proxy file. This reliability is the cornerstone of professional video work. Many users, from those shooting on the FX30 to the a7S III, specifically purchased this card to unlock these high-quality recording modes, and the consensus is clear: it delivers. While we did note one distressing report from a user who experienced file corruption during a wedding shoot—a critical failure—this appears to be an extremely rare case of a defective unit rather than a systemic flaw in the card’s design. For the overwhelming majority, the VPG 200 rating provides the crucial peace of mind needed when filming unrepeatable events, making it a truly professional-grade tool.
Workflow Acceleration: From Camera to Computer in Record Time
A creator’s work isn’t finished when the shoot is over. In today’s fast-paced environment, the speed at which you can offload media and begin your edit is just as important as capture speed. The Lexar 160GB CFexpress Type A SILVER Memory Card shines brightly in this department. Paired with a Lexar-branded USB 3.2 Gen 2 card reader, the transfer speeds were staggering. We moved a 110GB folder of mixed 4K video clips and RAW photos from the card to our NVMe SSD in just over three minutes. The read speeds consistently hovered around the 700 MB/s mark, turning what used to be a coffee break into a task that’s over before the kettle boils.
This is a massive quality-of-life improvement. One user timed a 10GB data transfer at a mere 30 seconds, calling the write speed, in particular, a “pleasurable experience.” Another was delighted that photo ingestion into their PC was “overwhelmingly fast.” It’s important to reiterate that these speeds are only possible with the right supporting hardware. Plugging this card into an old USB 2.0 port will yield frustratingly slow results. As one astute user advised, it’s crucial to “check your PC’s port” to ensure you have a USB 3.2 Gen 2 (or faster, like USB4/Thunderbolt) connection to avoid disappointment. During these large transfers, we did observe that the card becomes quite warm, a common trait of high-performance media, but it never reached a temperature that caused concern or throttled performance. You can check the latest price and availability and consider pairing it with a high-speed reader to revolutionize your workflow.
What Other Users Are Saying
Across the board, the sentiment from fellow creatives is overwhelmingly positive, centering on the incredible balance of speed, reliability, and, most importantly, price. Many see the Lexar 160GB CFexpress Type A SILVER Memory Card as a market disruptor that finally makes the high-performance format affordable. One user noted with amazement that they were able to purchase this card for less than a premium V90 SD card, despite it being “incomparably faster.”
The praise often gets specific. A photographer using the demanding Sony a7RV found the card worked perfectly, and another a7S III user was satisfied with consistent transfer speeds of around 700 MB/s. The most compelling endorsement came from a professional who relies on it daily, stating, “It will serve to extract the maximum from the FX30 and a7sIII.”
However, no product is perfect, and it’s crucial to look at the full picture. The most serious negative review we encountered was from a wedding videographer whose long recordings were saved as small, unusable files, resulting in the loss of key moments. This is a nightmare scenario for any professional and underscores the importance of testing any new media thoroughly before a critical job. Other negative reports centered on quality control, with a few users receiving cards that were either dead on arrival or, in one case, an empty package. These instances appear to be outliers but serve as a reminder to purchase from trusted retailers and to take advantage of the card’s 10-year warranty if any issues arise.
How Does the Lexar SILVER Compare to the Alternatives?
The Lexar 160GB CFexpress Type A SILVER Memory Card carves out a fantastic niche, but it’s important to understand where it sits in the broader market. Depending on your camera system and specific needs, other options might be more suitable.
1. SABRENT 1TB CFexpress Type B Rocket CFX Memory Card
- Non-stop shooting, anywhere: Don’t let slow media hold you back. From capturing once-in-a-lifetime events in your town to scenic landscapes in harsh environments across the globe, Sabrent’s...
- Transfers in a blink: Don’t let your memory card slow you down: high read and write speeds mean more time shooting and less time transferring.
The first and most important distinction is that this is a CFexpress Type B card. It is physically larger than the Type A card and is not compatible with Sony Alpha or FX cameras. This card is designed for cameras from manufacturers like Canon (EOS R3/R5), Nikon (Z8/Z9), and Panasonic (Lumix S1/S1R). For users of those systems, the Sabrent Rocket offers tremendous value, providing a massive 1TB capacity and blistering peak speeds (1700 MB/s read, 1500 MB/s write) that are ideal for high-resolution video and photography. If you are a Sony shooter, this card is not an option, but if you work with a Type B compatible camera, it’s a top-tier choice for its sheer capacity.
2. Lexar Professional CFexpress 256GB Type-B Card
- Superior performance with transfer speeds of up to 1750MB/s read and 1000MB/s write
- Shoot more high-quality images and RAW 4K video
Similar to the Sabrent card, this is another high-performance CFexpress Type B card from Lexar’s own lineup. Again, it is not compatible with Sony’s Type A slots. It represents Lexar’s trusted performance for the Type B standard, offering a solid 256GB capacity and very high speeds suitable for professional workflows on cameras that use this format. This is an excellent alternative for a Nikon or Canon user who trusts the Lexar brand and wants a balance between capacity and speed without needing the full 1TB of the Sabrent. For the Sony user, however, it remains an incompatible choice.
3. Lexar Professional 320GB CFexpress Type A Gold Card
- For photographers and videographers who demand superior performance with transfer speeds of up to 900MB/s read
- Sustained read speed of up to 900MB/s, sustained write speed of up to 800MB/s
This is the direct, higher-end sibling to the SILVER card we’ve reviewed. The Lexar GOLD series is the top-of-the-line offering, and the primary difference is its VPG 400 certification, guaranteeing a minimum sustained write speed of 400 MB/s—double that of the SILVER card. It also boasts slightly higher peak read/write speeds of 900/800 MB/s. Who needs this? Professionals shooting in the most data-intensive formats imaginable, such as 8K RAW video, or those who simply want the absolute best performance money can buy. For the vast majority of users, including those shooting 4K XAVC S-I, the SILVER card’s VPG 200 is more than sufficient. The GOLD card is the premium choice for those whose work demands the highest possible spec, and it comes with a significantly higher price tag to match.
Final Verdict: Is the Lexar 160GB SILVER the Smart Choice for Sony Shooters?
After extensive testing and poring over real-world feedback, our conclusion is clear: the Lexar 160GB CFexpress Type A SILVER Memory Card represents a major breakthrough for Sony camera users. It masterfully bridges the gap between prohibitively expensive first-party options and the unreliable performance of slower cards. It delivers on its promise of speed, unlocking the full potential of modern cameras for both high-speed photography and demanding 4K videography without breaking the bank. The VPG 200 certification provides the confidence needed for professional work, and the massive boost in workflow efficiency is a benefit every creative will appreciate.
While its more expensive GOLD sibling exists for the most extreme use cases, and acknowledging the rare but serious reports of quality control issues, the SILVER card’s value proposition is simply unmatched. It makes the CFexpress Type A format accessible, turning a luxury performance tier into a practical, indispensable tool. If you are a Sony Alpha or FX camera owner who has felt held back by your memory card’s performance, we can wholeheartedly recommend this card. It is the single most impactful upgrade you can make to your kit for the price. Ready to unleash your camera’s true power? You can grab this game-changing memory card and elevate your creative work today.
Last update on 2025-11-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API