The Sony A7V has two memory card slots: one for CFexpress Type A (the high-speed slot) and one for SD UHS-II. For 4K/120p recording — the A7V’s headline feature — CFexpress Type A is required unless your SD card meets very specific write speed requirements. Here’s exactly what to buy and why.
What the Sony A7V Requires
| Recording Mode | Minimum Card | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| 4K/120p (10-bit 4:2:2) | CFexpress Type A or SD V90 | CFexpress Type A |
| 4K/60p oversampled | SD V60 or CFexpress Type A | SD V90 or CFexpress Type A |
| 4K/30p (S-Log3) | SD V60 | SD V90 |
| High-speed burst (compressed RAW) | SD V90 or CFexpress Type A | CFexpress Type A |
| Standard shooting (JPEG + RAW) | SD V30 | SD V60+ |
Best CFexpress Type A Cards for Sony A7V
1. Sony CEA-G Series (M2) — Best Overall
Sony’s own CFexpress Type A cards are the most tested and reliable option for Sony cameras. The CEA-G80T (80GB) and CEA-G160T (160GB) offer read speeds up to 800MB/s and write speeds up to 700MB/s — more than sufficient for any A7V recording mode, including 4K/120p sustained for extended periods.
The Type A form factor is small (the same size as an SD card in thickness, slightly shorter), and Sony’s build quality is excellent. The M2 series runs cooler than the previous generation under sustained writes.
80GB: ~$160 | 160GB: ~$280
2. Sony TOUGH CFexpress Type A — Best for Demanding Conditions
The Tough lineup adds drop resistance, water resistance (IPX8), and improved thermal performance for hot-environment shooting. If you shoot outdoors in summer heat or in humid climates, the Tough build is worthwhile. Write performance is similar to the standard CEA-G series.
80GB: ~$180 | 160GB: ~$320
3. Wise Advanced CFexpress Type A — Best Alternative Brand
Wise is a Taiwanese manufacturer whose CFexpress Type A cards have earned a strong reputation in professional Sony shooter communities. Write speeds of up to 730MB/s are competitive with Sony’s own cards. Priced slightly below Sony’s lineup for equivalent capacities, making them good value for shooters who want to fill multiple card slots.
80GB: ~$140 | 160GB: ~$250
Best SD UHS-II Cards for Sony A7V
1. Sony TOUGH G Series (UHS-II V90) — Best SD Option
The SF-G Tough UHS-II delivers 277MB/s reads and 150MB/s writes — hitting the V90 specification reliably. The IP68 dust/water resistance and drop resistance make it the choice for outdoor work. Sony cameras consistently test well with Sony’s own SD cards; this isn’t just brand loyalty, it’s recognition that Sony tests card-camera combinations internally.
64GB: ~$85 | 128GB: ~$140 | 256GB: ~$260
2. ProGrade Digital COBALT (UHS-II V90) — Best Performance
ProGrade’s COBALT series offers some of the fastest sustained write speeds in the SD UHS-II V90 category (170MB/s). Unlike burst-peak-rated cards that throttle under sustained recording, the COBALT maintains its rated speed in continuous video recording scenarios. An excellent second-slot card to pair with a CFexpress in slot 1 for simultaneous backup recording.
64GB: ~$80 | 128GB: ~$130
3. Delkin POWER SD (UHS-II V90) — Best Value V90
Delkin’s POWER line offers V90 specification at a slightly lower price point than Sony Tough or ProGrade. Reads up to 300MB/s, writes up to 250MB/s. Build quality isn’t as rugged as the Tough lineup but is adequate for studio and controlled-environment shooting. Good choice for filling backup card slots without paying premium pricing on every card. For a full breakdown of Sony’s latest all-rounder, see our comprehensive review of the Sony A7V hybrid mirrorless. If your card shows a lock error, our step-by-step guide to unlocking a Sony camera memory card explains both hardware and software fixes.
64GB: ~$60 | 128GB: ~$90
Photographers interested in this area may also want to read our A7R V memory card guide for a deeper perspective.
Cards to Avoid
- V60 SD cards for 4K/120p: V60 minimum write speed (60MB/s) is insufficient for sustained 4K/120p recording. The camera will either reject the card or drop frames. Use V60 only for 4K/60p and below, or photo-only shooting.
- V30 SD cards for video: Adequate for basic photos and 1080p video. Not suitable for 4K recording on the A7V.
- Generic/off-brand CFexpress Type A: The CFexpress Type A form factor is a precision standard. Off-brand cards have caused camera freezes and data corruption in multiple camera lines. For a $3,500 camera, use first-tier cards (Sony, Wise, ProGrade).
- V90 SD cards claiming fast reads with slow writes: Some V90 cards advertise high read speeds (which matter for card readers) but have slower sustained write speeds (which matter in-camera). Check the write spec, not just the headline number.
How Much Storage Do You Actually Need?
| Use Case | Approx. Bitrate | 64GB covers… | 128GB covers… |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4K/120p (10-bit 4:2:2) | ~280 Mbps | ~30 minutes | ~60 minutes |
| 4K/60p oversampled | ~150 Mbps | ~50 minutes | ~100 minutes |
| 4K/30p S-Log3 | ~100 Mbps | ~80 minutes | ~160 minutes |
| Compressed RAW burst (33MP) | ~55MB/frame | ~1,160 frames | ~2,320 frames |
For a typical wedding day (4–8 hours of shooting with mixed modes), two 160GB cards (one CFexpress, one SD V90) provides sufficient capacity with room for safety. For a sports event with sustained 4K/120p, a 160GB CFexpress Type A card filled approximately halfway through the event is realistic.
Recommended Setup for Sony A7V
Professional hybrid setup (video priority):
We also cover this in our post about Top 5 Drones for Sports Enthusiasts.
- Slot 1 (CFexpress Type A): Sony TOUGH CFexpress 80GB or 160GB
- Slot 2 (SD): Sony TOUGH G 128GB V90 for simultaneous backup
Photography-focused setup:
- Slot 1 (CFexpress Type A): Sony CEA-G 80GB or Wise 80GB
- Slot 2 (SD): ProGrade V90 128GB
Travel/budget setup:
- Slot 1: Delkin POWER V90 128GB
- Slot 2: Delkin POWER V90 64GB
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need CFexpress Type A for the Sony A7V?
For 4K/120p and the fastest burst shooting: yes. For 4K/60p and below, and for stills shooting at moderate burst rates, a V90 SD card is sufficient. CFexpress Type A provides headroom for every possible recording mode and is faster for transferring large video files to a computer.
What’s the difference between CFexpress Type A and CFexpress Type B?
Physical size is different — Type A is smaller (same thickness as SD, slightly shorter) and Type B is larger. They’re not cross-compatible. Sony cameras use Type A; many other camera brands (Canon, Nikon) use Type B. Verify your camera’s slot type before purchasing.
Will V60 SD cards work in the Sony A7V?
Yes, with limitations. V60 works for 4K/60p and below, and for standard burst shooting. V60 is not sufficient for 4K/120p — the camera will display a warning or the card will fail to sustain the recording bitrate.
Can you use two CFexpress Type A cards in the Sony A7V?
No. The A7V has one CFexpress Type A slot and one SD UHS-II slot. You cannot use two CFexpress Type A cards. If you need redundancy/backup recording, pair a CFexpress Type A in Slot 1 with an SD V90 in Slot 2 and enable simultaneous recording in the camera menu.
Is Sony’s own CFexpress Type A card better than third-party options?
Performance-wise, top-tier alternatives from Wise and ProGrade are comparable. Sony tests its cards in Sony cameras and the firmware is optimized for their own cards, which provides some confidence in edge-case reliability. The premium is modest; using Sony’s own CFexpress Type A in Slot 1 is a defensible choice for professional work.