Sony TOUGH 960GB and 1920GB CFexpress Type A Memory Cards Announced

Storage Media

by Jeff LochJune 2^nd, 2023

Sony announced a new CFexpress Type A memory card range inside its TOUGH lineup: the CEA-M with two 960GB and 1920GB models. The CEA-M series are VPG 200 approved with a maximum read speed of 800MB/s, a maximum write speed of 700MB/s, and can sustain a minimum write speed of 200MB/s. In addition, the cards are IP57 rated and can withstand drops up to 24.6’/7.5m. So let’s take a closer look at these new TOUGH CFexpress Type A memory cards!

While most DSLR, mirrorless, and cinema cameras are moving towards CFexpress Type B memory cards, including RED’s latest KOMODO-X cinema camera, some cameras, such as the Sony a7S III/Sony a1 and Sony FX30/FX3/FX6 cinema cameras, for example, are using CFexpress Type A cards.

Last year, the CEA-G series introduced the Sony TOUGH CFexpress Type A memory cards with a maximum capacity of 640GB. This time, Sony is back with larger 960GB and 1920GB cards inside the new CEA-M series.

Sony TOUGH 960GB and 1920GB CFexpress Type A memory card – features

The Sony TOUGH 960GB (codename: CEA-M960T) and 1920GB (codename: CEA-M1920T) are the company’s latest CFexpress Type A memory cards. These cards are CFexpress 2.0 and VPG200 certified, which means you can record footage with a bitrate of 200MB/s with the peace of mind that you won’t get any drop frames or that your camera won’t stop recording. The maximum read speed of the cards is 800MB/s, and the maximum write speed is 700MB/s.

Like all Sony TOUGH CFexpress Type A memory cards, you’ll benefit from an IP57 rating, which means the cards are dust/moisture/water resistant. Furthermore, the TOUGH series is well-known for its high resistance against bending and drop protection. According to Sony, the new CEA-M series can survive drops up to 24.6’/7.5m and are rigidity-tested up to 150 N.

Sony CEA-M and CEA-G series CFexpress Type A memory cards

So what is the difference between the Sony CEA-G and the new CEA-M series CFexpress Type A memory cards? It comes down to the sustained minimum write speed and durability of the cards.

Compared to the Sony TOUGH CEA-G series, the CEA-M can sustain a minimum write speed of 200 MB/s, which is two times slower than the G series. But, the CEA-M series can survive a drop up to 7.5m/24.6′ and a pressure of 150 N, whereas the G series can “only” withstand a 15’/4.5m drop and 70 N of pressure.

Pricing and availability

The Sony TOUGH 960GB and 1920GB will be available this month for $749 and $1400, respectively. As a direct comparison, the Angelbird 1TB CFexpress Type A memory card launched recently retails for $499 and gives you a 650MB/sustained writing speed.

For more information, please visit Sony’s website here.

What do you think about these high-capacity CFexpress Type A memory cards? Did you already use Sony TOUGH memory cards? Do you prefer having large memory cards but slower and more robust, or vice versa? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments down below!