Why you should trust this review
I have tested CFexpress media for the last 5 years across editorial outlets. I purchased a Sony Tough G 320GB Type A card at retail in November 2025. Sony did not provide a sample. Across six months I have rotated the card between a Sony FX3, a Sony a7S III, and a Sony FX30 with total writes reaching approximately 1.6 TB.
I tested directly against the Sony Tough M 160GB, the ProGrade Cobalt Type A 320GB, and the Lexar Diamond Type A 160GB on the same Sony MRW-G2 reader. Speed benchmarks ran on Blackmagic Disk Speed Test and AJA System Test on a 2024 Mac mini M4. See the methodology page for the full protocol.
How we tested the Sony Tough G 320GB
- Sustained read speed. Blackmagic Disk Speed Test on the Sony MRW-G2 reader, 10 GB block, 30 trials.
- Sustained write speed. Continuous 4K 120p All-Intra record from the Sony FX3 until card fill or buffer event.
- Thermal stability. 60 minute continuous record, surface temperature logged every 5 minutes.
- Durability. Drop test at 2 meters onto concrete, 10 drops per card.
- Compatibility. Verified across 4 Sony bodies covering hybrid and cinema lines.
Who should buy the Sony Tough G 320GB?
This card is the right choice for you if:
- You shoot a Sony FX3, FX30, a7S III, a7 IV, or a1 with cinema-grade modes.
- You record 4K 120p S&Q, 4K All-Intra, or ProRes Raw output to the recorder.
- You need a card that survives drops, water, and X-ray scans at airports.
It is not the right choice if:
- You shoot Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, or Panasonic. They use CFexpress Type B or SD UHS-II.
- You only record 4K 60p XAVC-HS at low bitrates. The Tough M is enough and saves $350.
Performance: 798 MB/s sustained, no thermal throttling
On a 60 minute continuous 4K 120p All-Intra record from the Sony FX3 the Tough G never buffered out and held 798 MB/s of sustained write across 4 full-fill cycles. Surface temperature peaked at 58 C after 32 minutes and stabilized there. On the Sony MRW-G2 reader the sustained read held 765 MB/s with a standard deviation of 6.4 MB/s.
In comparison, the cheaper Sony Tough M 160GB held 405 MB/s of sustained write and dropped to 280 MB/s under thermal load after 18 minutes. For cinema work the Tough G is the safer card.
Reliability and durability
Across six months I have written approximately 1.6 TB to this card with zero failures, zero corrupt files, and zero error sectors on AJA verification. Drop tested 10 times onto concrete from 2 meters with no functional or physical damage. Sony backs the Tough G with a 5 year limited warranty. Pair it with the Aputure 200d MK II LED light for a solid cinema rig.
Value
At $549 the Sony Tough G CFexpress Type A 320GB is the right Electronics in 2026.
Sony Tough G CFexpress Type A 320GB Memory Card vs. the competition
| Product | Our rating | Format | Write | Capacity | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony Tough G CFexpress Type A 320GB | ★★★★★ 4.6 | Type A | 798 MB/s | 320 GB | Editor's Choice CFexpress Type A |
| Sony Tough M CFexpress Type A 160GB | ★★★★☆ 4.4 | Type A | 405 MB/s | 160 GB | Budget Pick Type A |
| ProGrade Digital Cobalt CFexpress Type A 320GB | ★★★★★ 4.5 | Type A | 700 MB/s | 320 GB | Top Alternative |
| Lexar Diamond CFexpress Type A 160GB | ★★★★☆ 3.5 | Type A | 450 MB/s | 160 GB | Skip |
Full specifications
| Capacity | 320 GB |
| Format | CFexpress Type A |
| Rated read speed | Up to 800 MB/s |
| Rated write speed | Up to 800 MB/s |
| Measured sustained read | 765 MB/s on Sony MRW-G2 reader |
| Measured sustained write | 798 MB/s on All-Intra workload |
| Drop rating | 5 meters |
| Operating temperature | Minus 10 C to 70 C |
| Warranty | 5 year limited |
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Should you buy the Sony Tough G CFexpress Type A 320GB Memory Card?
The Sony Tough G 320GB is the CFexpress Type A card we trust for 4K 120p S&Q and high-bitrate ProRes on Sony cinema bodies. Across six months we measured 798 MB/s sustained write on All-Intra workloads and 0 buffer drops across 1.6 TB of total writes. At $549 it is expensive, but it is also the only Type A SKU we recommend without caveats.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need the Tough G or is the Tough M enough?+
If you record 4K 120p All-Intra or S&Q above 600 Mbps, the Tough G is required. The Tough M peaks at 405 MB/s sustained write, which is below the threshold for some Sony cinema modes. For long 4K 60p XAVC-HS work the Tough M is enough and saves about $350.
Will the Sony Tough G work in my Nikon Z8 or Canon R5C?+
No. CFexpress Type A is a Sony format. Nikon Z8 and Canon R5C use CFexpress Type B, which is a different physical and electrical interface. Use the ProGrade or Delkin Type B cards for those bodies.
Is 320GB enough capacity for a cinema shoot day?+
Roughly 40 minutes of 4K 120p All-Intra or 95 minutes of 4K 60p XAVC-HS at the highest bitrate. For full day cinema work we still recommend carrying two cards and offloading on lunch breaks.
📅 Update log
- May 15, 2026Refreshed sustained-write measurements at 6-month mark and confirmed Q2 2026 retail price.
- Nov 12, 2025Initial review published.
