Best Nikon D700 CompactFlash Memory Cards (64GB Max)

The Nikon D700 uses Compact Flash memory cards.

64GB is the largest capacity cards that will work.

A card larger than 64GB will cause an error.

Recommended CF Cards

The D700 was released in 2008. Any new card will have fast enough continuous write speeds.

Paying extra for fancy names and a cool label won’t improve performance.

If you have SD or MicroSD cards that are 64GB or smaller, using an adapter might be cheaper.

Nikon product support, Approved Memory Cards - D700

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SanDisk Extreme Pro CF 64GB

• Records and captures cinema quality 4K and Full HD video.
• Transfer speed of up to 160MB/s (1067X) read speeds.
• Industry leading shot speed performance of up to 150MB/s (1000X) write speeds.
• Designed for professional photographers and videographers

SanDisk Extreme 64GB CompactFlash Card

• Write speeds of up to 85 MB/s for faster shot-to-shot performance.
• Transfer speeds of up to 120 MB/s for increased efficiency.
• Video Performance (VPG-20) for Full HD video recording.
• RTV silicone coating protects card from shock and vibration.

Lexar Professional CF Card 64GB

• High speed performance—leverages UDMA 7 technology to deliver a read speed up to 1066x (160MB/s).
• Supports the VPG-65 specification for professional-quality video.
• Captures high-quality images and extended lengths of stunning 1080p Full-HD, 3D, and 4K video.
• High-speed file transfer to dramatically accelerate workflow.

Compact Flash Adapter

There are adapters that allow SD cards to be used.

Use cards that are 32GB or smaller.

The maximum write speeds the adapter I tested was capable of achieving was 20MB/s. I do not know if a faster card will allow the D700 to clear the image buffer faster.

Card Reader

Get a card reader that is USB 3.0 or 3.1.

The All-in-1 card readers are slow. They use USB 2.0. You’ll end up waiting forever for your photos to transfer.

I prefer cards with cables. They won’t block other ports.

I like USB-C so I can use them with my phone.

Type I vs Type II

Compact Flash cards are 43mm wide and 36mm long. The 43mm side is the one with the holes for the pins.

The D700 has a Type I slot. A Microdrive can’t be used.

The difference is thickness.

• Type I - 3.3mm thick
• Type II - 5mm thick

Type II “cards” are no longer made. The slots were thick so Microdrives could be used.

A Microdrive was a small mechanical hard drive, the size of a CF card. In the 2000s, they had higher capacity storage than Compact Flash cards.

Microdrives have been discontinued for a long time. Finding a working one is difficult. They’re mechanical, all of them will fail with time.