ProGrade has released two new CFast 2.0 Cobalt memory cards, 320GB and 640GB, with read and write rates of up to 550MB/s and 520MB/s, respectively. According to ProGrade, sustained write rates are 470MB/s, and the cards are both V130 approved, which means write speeds will never go below 130MB/s.

The CFast 2.0 specification, which was published in 2012, is based on the Serial ATA (SATA) 3.0 interface, which has a maximum bandwidth of 600MB/s. While ProGrade’s new Cobalt cards are the fastest yet, they fall short of the maximum bandwidth available. Spending time getting to that maximum, on the other hand, is probably not worth the extra research and development required. Especially given how few cameras utilize CFast 2.0 cards and how much more common CFexpress has become due to its smaller form factor and significantly higher bandwidth (the CFexpress 2.0 standard max out at 4GB/s,

CFast 2.0 cards are currently almost solely seen in cinema-style cameras, with ARRI and Blackmagic Design employing them in its Alexa and Pocket Cinema Cameras, respectively.

According to ProGrade, the cards have mistake correction for probable writing errors and use wear-leveling technology for prolonged use. The cards are X-ray and shockproof, and can operate at temperatures ranging from 0oC (32oF) to 70oC (158oF).