The VPG 400 certification is the new standard for professional video, guaranteeing a minimum sustained write speed of 400 MB/s. This is essential for 8K RAW recording on cameras from Canon, Nikon, and Sony. This guide provides the complete list of certified CFexpress Type A and Type B cards, explains camera compatibility, and helps you avoid costly recording failures.
VPG 400: The 2025 Guide
Official Certified Cards & Camera Compatibility.
Updated: October 8, 2025
What is VPG 400?
VPG 400 is a memory card certification from the CompactFlash Association (CFA). The “VPG” stands for Video Performance Guarantee. The “400” represents the most important number for video recording: 400 megabytes per second (MB/s).
This is not a “max speed” or “burst speed” used in marketing. VPG 400 is a tested, verified promise that the card’s write speed will never drop below 400 MB/s. This guarantee prevents dropped frames, corrupted files, and recording failure during demanding video capture, such as 8K RAW.
VPG vs. SD Card V-Class
The VPG standard for CFexpress cards operates in a different class than the “V-Class” standard for SD cards. The fastest V-Class card, V90, only guarantees 90 MB/s.
Chart: Minimum Guaranteed Write Speeds (MB/s)
The Need for Speed: Why VPG 400 Was Created
The VPG 400 standard was created to solve a specific problem: new camera sensors are capturing video at data rates older cards could not handle.
As cameras moved to 8K resolution, 12K recording, and high-frame-rate 4K (like 120p), the amount of data written per second increased dramatically. An 8K RAW video file, for example, can require a constant write speed of 300 MB/s or more. Older cards, even fast ones, could fail during these recordings.
The Data Bottleneck
Old Card (e.g., V90 / VPG 200)
New Card (VPG 400)
VPG 400 provides the necessary high-speed “floor” (400 MB/s) for these new professional video formats. It is the new minimum standard for high-end cinema and mirrorless cameras.
Megabits vs. Megabytes
A common point of confusion is data rate measurement.
- Cameras: List bitrates in Megabits per second (Mbps).
- Cards: Market speeds in Megabytes per second (MB/s).
8 Megabits = 1 Megabyte
To see if a card is fast enough, divide the camera’s Mbps bitrate by 8.
Example: A 2600 Mbps RAW file requires a 325 MB/s sustained write speed.
The “Floor” vs. The “Ceiling”
VPG 400 is only the guaranteed floor (400 MB/s). It is not the card’s actual performance. Many certified cards have actual sustained write speeds far higher than the 400 MB/s guarantee.
This is the most important detail for users of high-end cameras like the Nikon Z9, which can record at data rates higher than 400 MB/s. For those cameras, the VPG 400 logo identifies the class of card, but you must still check that card’s actual sustained speed.
Chart: Actual Sustained Write Speed vs. VPG 400 Guarantee (MB/s)
Warning: The “Faked Flag” Risk
Some camera manufacturers, like Sony, program their cameras to check for a VPG firmware flag. If the flag is absent, high-frame-rate recording modes are disabled.
Uncertified card makers have been caught adding this VPG flag to their cards without passing the certification tests. The camera is “tricked” and unlocks the video modes. The user starts recording, but the card cannot handle the data stream. The recording fails, leading to lost footage.
The only way to avoid this failure is to buy cards that are officially certified by the CFA.
CFexpress Type A vs. Type B: A Quick Guide
The “VPG 400” certification applies to different card types. The primary difference is their physical size, which dictates their potential speed and camera compatibility.
- Type A: A very small card, similar in size to an SD card. It is used almost exclusively by Sony. Its small size (using one PCIe lane) limits its maximum theoretical speed.
- Type B: A larger card that uses the same physical shape as older XQD cards. It is used by Canon, Nikon, and others. The larger size (using two PCIe lanes) allows for much higher maximum speeds.
The two types are not interchangeable. You must buy the card type that fits your camera’s slot.
| Feature | CFexpress Type A | CFexpress Type B |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Size | 20 x 28 x 2.8 mm | 29.6 x 38.5 x 3.8 mm |
| Max Speed (CFx 4.0) | ~2000 MB/s | ~4000 MB/s |
| Primary Users | Sony | Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm |
VPG 400 Certified Cards: CFexpress Type B
| Manufacturer | Product Line | Capacities | Spec | Actual Sustained Speed |
|---|
VPG 400 Certified Cards: CFexpress Type A
Why Buy VPG 400 Type A?
No current Sony Alpha or FX camera requires VPG 400 (they only require VPG 200). These VPG 400 Type A cards are built for future-proofing (for next-generation cameras like the A1 II), workflow speed (faster 4.0 offload), and maximum reliability.
| Manufacturer | Product Line | Capacities | Spec |
|---|
VPG 400 Camera Compatibility
The VPG 400 requirement depends entirely on your camera system. Some mandate it, while others need *more* speed.
Canon System
EOS R1, R3, R5, R5 C
VPG 400 is REQUIRED.
This is a hard requirement, either by firmware (R1) or by the physical data rate of 8K RAW (R5/R5C). The camera’s 325-400 MB/s bitrates demand a VPG 400 card.
Action: Buy any card from the VPG 400 Type B list.
Nikon System
Nikon Z9, Nikon ZR
VPG 400 is the BASELINE.
This is the most complex case. The Z9’s 8K 60p N-RAW format needs ~723 MB/s. The ZR’s REDCODE RAW needs ~476 MB/s. Both are higher than the 400 MB/s guarantee.
Action: Buy a VPG 400 Type B card, but only one with an actual sustained speed over your camera’s bitrate (e.g., Lexar Diamond, Nextorage B1PRO).
Sony Alpha / FX
A1, A7S III, FX3, FX6
VPG 200 is REQUIRED.
These cameras (using Type A cards) only require VPG 200 to unlock S&Q modes. Their actual bitrate is low (~75 MB/s). VPG 200 is a firmware check to prevent uncertified card failures.
Action: Buy VPG 200 for current use. Buy VPG 400 Type A to prepare for future cameras.
RED & Blackmagic
Komodo-X, V-Raptor, URSA Cine
DO NOT USE VPG.
These systems do not use the VPG standard. They use their own certification programs. RED uses “RED APPROVED” media. Blackmagic uses proprietary media modules or its own approved list.
Action: Ignore VPG. Check only your camera manufacturer’s official media list.
The Heat Factor: Understanding Thermal Throttling
Writing data at speeds of 400 MB/s or faster generates a significant amount of heat in a small, enclosed card.
To prevent permanent damage, the card’s internal controller will automatically slow down (or “throttle”) its speed when it reaches a certain temperature. This is known as thermal throttling. If a card overheats, its sustained write speed can drop dramatically, sometimes falling below the 400 MB/s VPG guarantee.
What This Means for You
A card’s true sustained performance depends on both the card’s design and the camera’s ability to dissipate heat.
- Camera bodies with internal fans (like the EOS R5 C) or larger bodies (like the Nikon Z9) are better at managing card heat.
- Cards with metal casings or internal heat sinks are generally more resistant to throttling than all-plastic cards.
- Long, continuous recordings (over 20 minutes) at maximum quality are most likely to trigger throttling.
Final Purchase Checks
Before you buy, follow this simple 3-step process.
-
1
Check the CFA List
Your first check. Is the card on the official CompactFlash Association (CFA) VPG certified list? If not, do not buy it. This is the only way to avoid the “faked flag” risk.
-
2
Check Your Camera’s List
Your second check. Cross-reference the CFA list with your camera manufacturer’s (Nikon, Canon, Sony) own “approved media list.” This ensures maximum compatibility.
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3
Get a Fast Reader
Many VPG 400 cards are also CFexpress 4.0, with read speeds over 3,000 MB/s. You will only see this offload speed if you pair the card with a CFexpress 4.0-compatible reader.
