Best Memory Cards for Canon EOS-1D X Mark II
The Canon EOS-1D X Mark II remains a legendary workhorse, but its unique dual-slot configuration—one CFast 2.0 and one CompactFlash (UDMA 7)—can be a bit of a headache for modern shooters. To unlock its full potential, specifically the 4K 60p video and the 14fps burst rate, you need specific media that won’t bottleneck the processor. Having used this body for years on sports sidelines, I’ve found that the SanDisk Extreme PRO CFast 2.0 is the most reliable choice for professional consistency.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
Best Memory Cards for Canon EOS-1D X Mark II: Detailed Reviews
SanDisk Extreme PRO CFast 2.0 View on Amazon View on B&H
When you are shooting high-stakes action, the last thing you want is a “Card Error” message flashing in your viewfinder. The SanDisk Extreme PRO CFast 2.0 is the gold standard for the 1D X Mark II. With write speeds up to 450MB/s, it easily handles the massive 800Mbps bitrate required for 4K 60p Motion JPEG recording. I’ve personally used these cards in freezing rain during football games, and they never skipped a beat. They are rigorously tested for durability, making them the safest bet for pros who can’t afford to lose data. The only real downside is the price—CFast technology remains expensive compared to modern CFexpress—but for this specific camera, it is an essential investment. It allows for an almost unlimited RAW burst, which is vital when you’re tracking a sprinter toward the finish line.
Check Price on Amazon → Check Price on B&H
✓ Free Shipping · ✓ Easy Returns · ✓ Secure Checkout
Lexar Professional 3500x CFast 2.0 View on Amazon View on B&H
Lexar has long been the primary alternative to SanDisk, and the 3500x series offers a compelling value proposition for 1D X Mark II users. It matches the top-tier read speeds of 525MB/s, which is fantastic for offloading hours of footage to your workstation quickly. While some users have reported slightly more variability in long-term write consistency compared to SanDisk, I find this card more than capable for most wedding and event work. It’s significantly more affordable than the Extreme PRO line, allowing you to perhaps buy a 256GB card instead of a 128GB on the same budget. If you aren’t shooting in extreme environmental conditions every day, this card provides the high-speed performance needed for 4K video without the “professional premium” price tag. Just ensure you use a high-quality Lexar reader to avoid any data transfer hiccups.
Check Price on Amazon → Check Price on B&H
✓ Free Shipping · ✓ Easy Returns · ✓ Secure Checkout
SanDisk Extreme Pro CompactFlash View on Amazon View on B&H
If you are primarily a still photographer and don’t plan on shooting 4K 60p video, you can save a lot of money by utilizing the second slot with a high-end CompactFlash card. The SanDisk Extreme Pro CF card is the best in its class, offering speeds up to 160MB/s (UDMA 7). It is perfectly capable of handling the 1D X Mark II’s 20.2MP RAW files, though you will notice the buffer clearing much slower than with a CFast card. It supports VPG-65, meaning it can handle 1080p video and slower 4K bitrates without dropping frames. For many, this is the “safety” card—writing JPEGs to this slot while RAWs go to the CFast slot. It’s an older technology, but it’s incredibly durable and far more affordable for those who don’t need the cutting-edge speed of CFast 2.0.
Check Price on Amazon → Check Price on B&H
✓ Free Shipping · ✓ Easy Returns · ✓ Secure Checkout
ProGrade Digital CFast 2.0 View on Amazon View on B&H
ProGrade Digital was founded by former Lexar executives, and their CFast 2.0 cards are arguably the most technologically advanced on the market. What sets this card apart is its compatibility with “Refresh Pro” software, which allows you to monitor the health of the card and “sanitize” it to restore factory-fresh speeds. For a 1D X Mark II user who shoots thousands of frames a week, this is a game-changer. The performance is rock solid, with guaranteed sustained write speeds that never dip during long 4K takes. I’ve found ProGrade’s customer service to be exceptional, which adds peace of mind for professionals. It’s a premium product that feels slightly more “pro-focused” than the consumer-facing brands. If you are building a long-term kit and want the best maintenance tools for your media, go with ProGrade.
Check Price on Amazon → Check Price on B&H
✓ Free Shipping · ✓ Easy Returns · ✓ Secure Checkout
Delkin Devices Cinema CFast 2.0 View on Amazon View on B&H
Delkin Devices is often the unsung hero of the storage world. Their Cinema CFast 2.0 card is a fantastic alternative that is built like a tank. It’s specifically designed to handle the high-speed requirements of cinema cameras, which makes the 1D X Mark II’s video bitrates look like a walk in the park. One feature I love is that each card is serialized, making it easy to track in a large production environment. They also offer a “48-hour replacement guarantee” on some of their high-end lines, which is the kind of support you want if a card fails right before a major shoot. Performance-wise, it hits the necessary marks for 4K 60p and high-speed bursts. It’s a reliable, no-nonsense card that often flies under the radar but delivers results every bit as good as the more famous brands.
Check Price on Amazon → Check Price on B&H
✓ Free Shipping · ✓ Easy Returns · ✓ Secure Checkout
Buying Guide: How to Choose Memory Cards for Canon 1D X Mark II
Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| SanDisk Extreme PRO CFast | Pro 4K Video | ★★★★★ | Check |
| Lexar Professional 3500x | Value CFast | ★★★★☆ | Check |
| SanDisk Extreme Pro CF | Still Photography | ★★★★☆ | Check |
| ProGrade Digital CFast | Daily Pro Work | ★★★★★ | Check |
| Delkin Devices Cinema | Rugged Use | ★★★★☆ | Check |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use CFexpress cards in the 1D X Mark II?
No, you cannot. While CFexpress and CFast 2.0 look somewhat similar, they are completely different technologies with different pin configurations. The 1D X Mark II was released just before CFexpress became the industry standard. You must use CFast 2.0 for the high-speed slot. The later 1D X Mark III, however, does use CFexpress Type B cards.
Do I need two cards for the camera to work?
No, the camera functions perfectly with just one card in either slot. However, most professionals use both for redundancy. You can set the camera to “Record Separately” (RAW to CFast, JPEG to CF) or “Rec. to Multiple” (writing the same data to both cards for backup). Note that writing to both will limit your speed to the slower CF card’s capacity.
Why is CFast 2.0 so much more expensive than SD cards?
CFast 2.0 uses a SATA-based interface, similar to what you’d find in a computer’s SSD, allowing for much higher sustained write speeds than standard SD cards. Because it was a “bridge” technology that was quickly superseded by CFexpress, production volumes are lower, which keeps the price per gigabyte higher than more common consumer formats. It’s a niche professional format.
What happens if I try to shoot 4K on a regular CompactFlash card?
The camera will usually warn you that the card is not fast enough, or it will start recording and then abruptly stop after a few seconds once the internal buffer fills up. The CompactFlash slot is limited to UDMA 7 speeds (roughly 160MB/s), which is not nearly enough to handle the 800Mbps (100MB/s sustained) 4K 60p Motion JPEG stream.
Is there a storage limit for cards in the 1D X Mark II?
The camera supports the exFAT file system, meaning it can technically handle cards of very large capacities (512GB and higher). I have personally used 256GB CFast cards without any issues. Just ensure the card is a reputable brand, as larger capacity cards from “no-name” manufacturers are more prone to controller failure during the high-heat operations of 4K recording.
Final Verdict
If you are a professional videographer or a sports shooter pushing the 1D X Mark II to its limits, do not compromise—get the SanDisk Extreme PRO CFast 2.0. It is the card the camera was practically designed for. For those on a budget who primarily shoot stills, a high-quality SanDisk CompactFlash card in the second slot is a great way to save money while maintaining a reliable backup.