In addition to the announcement of the full-frame mirrorless Z-series cameras, Nikon has also introduced its own brand of XQD memory cards, which are designed for use in the new cameras.
Full review and test shots of the Nikon Z7 mirrorless camera
The cards were officially announced on Nikon’s Japanese website. They are currently available in 64GB and 120GB capacities. Both cards have a maximum read speed of 440MB/s and a maximum write speed of 400MB/s.
The cards are scheduled to be released in late September 2018. The 64GB card is priced at 17820 yen ~$160 at current exchange rate . The 120GB version will be priced at 29160 yen ~$260
This is interesting news! I wonder if Nikon’s XQD cards will offer any unique advantages compared to other brands in the market? Will they price them competitively or will they be more expensive since they are produced directly by Nikon? Also, will they be backward compatible with older Nikon cameras that currently use different memory card formats?
What advantages does Nikon see in producing its own XQD cards instead of relying on third-party manufacturers? Are they aiming to enhance compatibility and improve performance specific to their cameras, or is there another strategic reason behind this decision?