CFexpress Type B Cards: Which Speed Do You Need?
By Fujifilm House of Photography | Published: 2026-10-16
Category: Buying Guides
A practical CFexpress Type B buying guide for Fujifilm shooters, comparing SanDisk Extreme PRO write speeds and capacities so you can match the card to your camera and workflow.
Quick answer
For most Fujifilm shooters, the right CFexpress Type B card comes down to write speed and capacity, not read speed. If you shoot high-bitrate video or long bursts, choose the SanDisk Extreme PRO 512GB or 256GB with 1200MB/s write; if you mainly shoot stills and transfer files often, the 64GB card with 800MB/s write is enough. Buy the fastest write speed you can afford, then size the capacity to a single shoot day.
Write speed matters more than read speed
Every CFexpress Type B card here reads at 1700MB/s, so offloading to your computer feels similar across the range. The difference shows up while recording: write speed determines whether the buffer clears fast enough for sustained bursts or high-bitrate video. The 512GB and 256GB SanDisk Extreme PRO cards write at 1200MB/s, while the 64GB card writes at 800MB/s. That gap is the single most important spec when choosing a card for a demanding camera.
Capacity: match the card to a shoot day, not a whole year
It is tempting to buy one huge card and never think about storage again, but professionals usually prefer two or three mid-size cards over a single large one. Splitting a shoot across cards limits how much work you lose if a card fails and makes offloading faster. The 512GB card suits multi-day trips or long interview days where you cannot stop to swap. The 256GB card is the practical middle ground for a full day of stills and short clips. The 64GB card works well as a backup or for photographers who offload every evening.
Check compatibility before you buy
CFexpress Type B is a physical form factor, not a guarantee that every camera supports every card. Confirm your camera's slot type in the manual, and check whether a firmware update is required for full speed. The GFX100S II uses CFexpress Type B, so these SanDisk cards are a sensible match, but older Fujifilm bodies may use SD instead. If your camera only takes SD cards, a CFexpress card will not fit at all.
How to choose between the three capacities
Start with your largest single recording. If you shoot 4K or 6K video for more than a few minutes at a time, the 64GB card will fill quickly and its 800MB/s write speed may limit longer takes. Move up to the 256GB or 512GB cards for 1200MB/s write and more headroom. For stills-only shooters, the 64GB card is often plenty, especially if you cull and back up daily. If you are unsure, the 256GB card is the safest single-card purchase because it balances speed and capacity without the premium of the 512GB.
Decision rules for buying a CFexpress Type B card
- Rule 1: Pick write speed first: If you record 4K or 6K video or shoot long bursts, choose a card with at least 1200MB/s write, such as the 256GB or 512GB SanDisk Extreme PRO. The 64GB card's 800MB/s write is the limiting factor for sustained capture. Video-first shooters should skip the 64GB card.
- Rule 2: Size to one shoot day: Estimate how much you record before you can offload. A 64GB card covers a light stills day; 256GB covers a full day of mixed stills and short clips; 512GB covers multi-day or all-day video. Buy two smaller cards instead of one huge card if your work is critical.
- Rule 3: Verify your camera slot: CFexpress Type B only fits cameras with a Type B slot. Check your manual before ordering, and update firmware if the manufacturer requires it for full speed. No Type B slot means these cards are not an option.
- Rule 4: Budget for a reader: These cards need a CFexpress Type B reader to reach their rated transfer speeds. A slow USB reader will bottleneck your offload even with a fast card. Factor a compatible reader into the total cost.
Cards in this guide
- SanDisk Extreme PRO 512GB CFexpress Card Type B 1400MB/s W 1700MB/s R: 512GB capacity with read speeds up to 1700MB/s and write speeds up to 1400MB/s. The highest write speed here clears the buffer fastest and holds the most footage, making it the best choice for long video shoots and heavy burst work.
- SanDisk Extreme PRO 64GB CFexpress Card Type B 1500MB/s W 800MB/s R: 64GB capacity with read speeds up to 1500MB/s and write speeds up to 800MB/s. The lowest write speed and smallest capacity in this group, so it suits stills shooters and backup use rather than sustained high-bitrate video.
- SanDisk Extreme PRO 256GB CFexpress Card Type B 1200MB/s W 1700MB/s R: 256GB capacity with read speeds up to 1700MB/s and write speeds up to 1200MB/s. A balanced middle option: fast enough for demanding video and large enough for a full day, without the cost of the 512GB card.
- Fujifilm GFX100S II: The Fujifilm GFX100S II uses the CFexpress Type B form factor and is available as a kit. Confirms that these SanDisk CFexpress Type B cards are a compatible match for this large-format camera.
Who should buy which card
Best for
- Fujifilm GFX100S II owners who need a compatible high-speed card
- Photographers and videographers shooting 4K or 6K who need 1200MB/s or faster write speeds
- Shooters who want a reliable primary card for a full day of mixed stills and video
Not for
- Cameras with SD-only slots, which cannot accept CFexpress Type B cards
- Buyers who never offload and want a single long-term archive card
- Casual shooters who rarely exceed a few hundred images per session and would be better served by a smaller, cheaper SD card
