Nikon Z9 | Best CF Express Cards For Fast Write Speeds | Dec 2025 Update

Your guide to selecting the fastest CF Express Cards for the Nikon Z9 and any other camera that requires fast write speeds.  This will be important for photographers who shoot action such as sports or wildlife.

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What Are The Best CFexpress Cards For The Nikon Z9?

These are the recommended CFexpress Type B cards that meet the minimum sustained write speed of 1300 MB/s for today’s fast frame rate, high megapixel cameras.

1. Delkin Black 150 GB Type B  – Min Sustained Write Speed 1530MB/s – B&H $179.99 Camera Canada $224.99
2. Delkin 512GB BLACK CFexpress Type B 4.0 – Min Sustained Write Speed 2040 MB/s –B&H $229.99
3. Delkin 1.3TB BLACK 4.0 CFexpress Type B – Min Sustained Write Speed 2150 MB/s – B&H $499.99
4. Wise 1TB CFexpress 4.0 Type B – Min Sustained Write Speed 1500 MB/s – B&H $399.99
5. Angelbird 660GB MK2 Type B – Min Sustained Write Speed 1480 MB/s – B&H $959.99
6. Angelbird 1TB AV PRO SE CFexpress v4 Type B – Min Sustained Write Speed 2100 MB/s – B&H $299.99

The CF Express cards listed above have been field tested on a Nikon Z9 production camera.  The only other decision you have to make is how big a card you need and that will be based on the type of shooting you do.   Personally, I feel that 256GB and above is the minimum, but I included one 150 GB card for those not requiring the space or having the budget.

In-depth testing of the Nikon Z9 has demonstrated very clearly that not all CF Express cards are capable of keeping up with the speed the Nikon Z9 requires when writing data to the memory card.  Choosing the wrong CF Express card will mean that your buffer will fill more quickly and as a result, you could be missing key moments during crucial action bursts.

What to Look For When Choosing a CF Express Card for the Nikon Z9

(Note: All Information Below Applies to Any Camera Requiring Fast Write Speeds like the Canon R5 and Sony A1)

Look for TYPE B CF Express cards that guarantee a MINIMUM WRITE SPEED OF 1300 Mb/s.  Many CF Express cards advertise high read speeds but don’t be fooled.  Fast MINIMUM WRITE SPEED is the only thing that matters to the Nikon Z9 when writing data to the card.

Having said that, even CF Express cards that advertise write speeds of 1300 Mb/s and higher may not deliver.  Note, the keyword MINIMUM is missing from that advertising label and that’s the most important variable when shopping for a CF Express card.

So how do you know which CF Express card to buy?  I’m going to make it easy on you and list the CF Express cards that have been field-tested and proven to perform with the Nikon Z9 so you can purchase with confidence.

CF Express Card Reader

You will need a CF Express Card Reader to offload your images to your computer.

Available at B&H: Angelbird CFexpress Type B MK2 Memory Card Reader $249.99

Note: When buying the Angelbird CFexpress cards BUY the Angelbird card reader.  It will be required for future firmware upgrades of the CFexpress cards.

Available at B&H: Prograde CF Express & UHS-II SDXC Dual-Slot USB 3.2 Reader $79.99