Don't Overpay for a Sony A100 Compact Flash Card (32GB Max)

The Sony A100 uses Compact Flash memory cards. The maximum size that will work is 32GB

It was released in 2006, and is still capable of capturing great photos.

Using a larger capacity card will cause an error. The A100 will not be able to format the card.

A SD or microSD to Compact Flash adapter can also be used. This can be cheaper if you already have a 32GB or smaller SD card.

If you need a lens, I have a guide going over fun affordable Sony A100 lenses.

Recommended Compact Flash Cards

32GB CF cards haven’t been cutting edge for more than a decade.

Any card that can write 10MB/s is good enough. All new cards are faster than that. Don’t pay more for speed the A100 can’t use.

I recommend 32GB because they are the best value per GB.

Do not pay more for a cool name and fancy sticker.

Do not buy a used CF card, they’re more likely to go bad.

A more detailed explanation of specs is further down.

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SanDisk Extreme 32GB

• Read speeds up to 120MB/s.
• Write speeds up to 85MB/s.
• 20MB/s sustained write speed.
• Water, x-ray, & shockproof.

Transcend 32GB

• Fast enough write speeds for burst photography and video.
• Upto 60MB/s write and 120MB/s red speeds.
• Supports UDMA7 transfer mode.

Lexer Professional 32GB

• Transfer speeds up to 160MB/s.
• Video Performance Guarantee sepc VPG 65.
• Limited lifetime warranty.

SanDisk Extreme Pro 32GB

• Probably too expensive.
• Transfer speeds up to 160MB/s.
• Can record 4k Ultra HD and Full HD video.
• Video Performance Guarantee sepc VPG 65.

Compact Flash Adapter

There are adapters that allow SD cards to be used.

Use cards that are 32GB or smaller.

I tested the continuous write speed of the adapters I have. The fastest speeds were 20MB/s. That’s good enough for the Sony A100.

Card Reader

The UGREEN 4-in-1 card reader is what I use with my CF cards.

The UGREEN card reader is compatible with USB 3.0. Transfer speeds over USB 3.0 will be quicker than the Sony A100.

The card reader can read these memory card types:

• CompactFlash Cards
• SD, SDHC, & SDXC Cards
• Memory Stick (MS), MS Pro, MS PRO-HG, & MS XC DUO
• MicroSD, Micro SDHC, & Micro SDXC Cards

The Sony A100 can use a Compact Flash memory card with a maximum capacity of 32GB.

Using a larger card will cause an error.

The size limit is due to the use of the FAT32 file system. The A100 doesn’t know what to do with more space.

Avoiding Card Read Errors

A common problem is bent card reader pins. There will be an error or the camera won’t show a card is being used.

To avoid damaging pins, do not force a Compact Flash memory card into the Sony A100. The extra space for a Type II card makes it possible for a Compact Flash card to be aligned incorrectly.

If the compact flash card will not easily slide into the camera slot, take it out and check the alignment of the card. Also, check to see if there is any damage to the card or slot.

If it looks fine, carefully align the compact flash card and make another attempt.

Compact Flash Card Types

Compact Flash cards come in two different sizes. The CF cards are known as Type I or Type II.

The only difference between the types is how thick the cards are. The length and width of the cards are the same.

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

The Type II spec were thicker so Microdrives could be used in the Sony A100. A Microdrive was a tiny mechanical harddrive.

When CF memory cards were first introduced they had high prices and very limited capacities. Microdrives were the only option to get large amounts of storage.

Microdrives are no longer being produced. Because they were mechanical , failure was a matter of time. So they are nearly impossible to find used.

SD to Compact Flash adapters also take advantage of Type II sized slots. The adapters allow you to use Micro SD or SD cards in a CF slot.