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OWC Atlas Ultra CFexpress 1TB: 30-second review
Specs
Storage Capacity: 1TBÂ
Read Speed: Up to 3650MB/sÂ
Write Speed: Up to 3000MB/sÂ
Minimum Sustained Write Speed: 1500MB/sÂ
Software Compatibility: OWC Innergize App for health and upgradesÂ
Build Quality: UV, shock, drop, and extreme temperature resistantÂ
Warranty: 2 years Â
The OWC Atlas Ultra CFexpress 1.0TB card has been around for a while, although this latest version is shipping with the updated 4.0 firmware, which has unlocked the full potential of the card. What’s more, if you already own an OWC Atlas Ultra CFexpress, the likelihood is that, once connected to the OWC Innergize app, you should be able to upgrade the firmware of the card, which will again give the transfer rates a boost. The card is, in essence, the same card—it’s just the firmware that has changed, resulting in a huge leap in performance.
As the card is of the standard CFexpress design and build quality, it’s extremely robust and ideal for use in the latest range of high-resolution cameras and camcorders that utilise the Type-B format. The transfer rates are significant and far exceed what we have been used to with the likes of the SD card format; even the newer UHS-II cards seem decidedly sluggish in comparison. You can also feel the difference in the handling of some camera features as opposed to an SD card. In the Canon EOS R5, the shooting speed and AF performance make a marked improvement.
In use, the card performs without issue, recording high-resolution stills and video on the Canon EOS R5 C. The speed of the card simply means that there’s no noticeable buffering as files are saved; the camera just works, and the card enables it to fulfil its full potential.
The card’s use in the camera is the primary focus for any memory card, but being from OWC, a company with a long history of working with the creative industry, has taken things a step further. Alongside the card is an ecosystem of other products, including the card reader and Innergize software. Together, these not only enable you to download your files to your machine but also monitor and manage the health of your memory cards.
It’s all very clever and joined up, making this one of the best solutions for professionals out there.
OWC Atlas Ultra CFexpress 1TB: Price & availability
The OWC Atlas Ultra CFexpress 2.0TB is available directly from OWC and authorised retailers. While priced at a premium, it comes in at a similar price to other premium branded products offering this performance and capacity.
OWC Atlas Ultra CFexpress 1TB: Design & build
The design of the OWC Atlas Ultra CFexpress 1TB card adheres to the usual CFexpress Type B standards, and as such, the weight and dimensions of the card ensure that it fits smoothly into cameras that accept this format of card. As we’ve seen with other CFexpress cards, the build and design are robust, made from high-quality plastics and metals that help protect the card from shocks, drops, and extreme temperatures.
OWC has also added protection against UV rays and electrostatic discharge, making it travel-friendly and reducing the risk of damage during security scans. As the card must adhere to standards, the outer casing’s label is the only design element that truly differentiates it from other CFexpress cards.
OWC Atlas Ultra CFexpress 1TB: Features
When looking at the Atlas Ultra and its CFexpress 4.0 capabilities, several features stand out. The first is the transfer rates this card can facilitate, with read speeds of up to 3650MB/s and write speeds of up to 3000MB/s. These speeds instantly highlight the card as a perfect solution for 4K and 8K video, as well as for shooting in professional video settings.
Our review sample is the 1TB version of the card, but it is also available in 325GB, 650GB, 1TB, and 2TB versions. The two smaller-capacity cards have slightly lower transfer rates but are still incredibly fast and in line with the majority of cards on the market.
Alongside the card, two other components from OWC are needed to unlock the card’s potential fully. The first is the card reader. While the company offers a few different options, the one to pair with the Atlas Ultra CFexpress 4.0 is the Atlas CFexpress Card Reader, which utilises a USB4 connection. On paper, this connection offers a transfer rate of 5000MB/s.
The OWC reader is required to use the OWC Innergize software, which is a free download but can only be used alongside OWC products. This software enables you to monitor and manage the condition of your CFexpress card, highlighting any potential issues before they occur.Â
OWC Atlas Ultra CFexpress 1TB: Performance
Test results
Read Speed: 3324.37MB/s
Write Speed: 2807.3MB/s
CFexpress cards are slowly being adopted by camera manufacturers, and for professionals, the higher speeds, capacities, and robust design are a significant upgrade over the popular SD card format. To complicate matters, there are two main form factors for CFexpress: Type-A, which is only used by Sony, and Type-B, which has been adopted by almost everyone else. Both offer high speeds and performance, with Type-B cards leading in terms of capacity and speed.
The OWC Atlas Ultra CFexpress 1TB offers a generous amount of storage, more than enough for most mirrorless cameras shooting RAW and video. Using a standard recording format of MP4 (HEVC, YCC422 10-bit), you can capture roughly 11 hours and 10 minutes of 4K footage, which is impressive. Stepping up to RAW ST reduces this to 80 minutes, which is still good. At 8K resolution, the standard recording setting allows for 4 hours and 28 minutes, with 4K being the maximum for the camera when using RAW ST. In all these settings, the card keeps up with the demands of the camera without any issues.
Should you buy the OWC Atlas Ultra CFexpress 1TB?
While the card’s high speed is particularly beneficial for video recording, switching to still photography reveals some additional, unexpected advantages. For example, in the Canon EOS R5, using a UHS-II SD card can result in reduced autofocus speeds with some zoom lenses. Switching to a CFexpress card instantly boosts focusing performance.
Throughout testing, the card delivered outstanding performance at every stage. A check of transfer speeds using the Blackmagic Speed Test confirmed just how fast this card is. Ultimately, suppose you’re using a CFexpress Type-B compatible camera that shoots high-resolution footage and takes advantage of the latest speeds. In that case, this is a great option and a must-have for professionals.
While the build quality and performance alone make this card appealing, it’s when it’s partnered with the Innergize software and OWC card reader that you truly start to see the benefits of the system. The ability to sanitise, check health, and upgrade the firmware of the card can result in significant performance boosts.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | Row 0 – Cell 1 | Row 0 – Cell 2 |
|
Value |
Offers premium performance at a premium price. |
4.5 |
|
Design |
Durable and reliable – fits the standard for CFExpress |
5 |
|
Features |
Reliable and fast with backing from the innergize software. |
5 |
|
Performance |
Exceptional in all tests |
5 |
|
Total |
Leading CFexpress card performance. |
5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
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