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CompactFlash was introduced in 1994 by SanDisk Corp as a smaller alternative to the PCMCIA / PC card. CompactFlash was the second small form factor memory card based on the flash memory technology and has one-forth the volume of the PC Card.
CompactFlash can be found in two physical sizes, type I and II. Both types have the same dimensions except in thickness, type I is 3.3 mm thick and the type II is 5 mm thick. The CompactFlash Type I is the most common used and can also be used in type II slots but not vice versa. Since Type II is bigger in volume than Type I it allows it to have higher storage capacity.
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Since CompactFlash has the second biggest form factor, after PC Card, in the memory card industry, about the size of a matchbox, it is not able to be used in many small portable devices like mobile phones and digital audio players. CompactFlash is mostly employed by professional digital cameras, due to the high storage capacity, high data transfer speed and low price per megabyte. It is expected that CompactFlash will lose in popularity to smaller memory card standards and will evidently have the same fate as the PC Card standard.
The chassis of the CompactFlash, mostly the Type I, is also used to host expansion modules with Wi-Fi, ethernet, digital camera and other capabilities. The chassis of the CompactFlash Type II is used to host the MicroDrive memory card standard which, in contrast to the rest of the memory card standards, is based on hard disk drive technology.
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Association |
CompactFlash Association - CFA |
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Dimensions in mm/inch (H x W x D) |
36.4 x 42.8 x 3.3 - 1.43 x 1.68 x 0.13 |
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Storage capacity
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Storage capacity in |
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Data transfer speed
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Read
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Up to 20 MB/sec – 133 X
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Write |
Up to 20 MB/sec – 133 X |
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Copyright protection |
No |
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Write protection switch |
No |
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Operating voltage |
3.3V and 5V |
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Remarks |
Type I & II |
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Employed by |
Professional digital cameras |
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Adapters |
PC Card |
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Expansion modules – I/O |
Yes |
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Memory card durability |
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Memory card reliability |
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