OWC Unveils Super-Fast USB4 CFexpress 4.0 Type B Card Reader
Other World Computing (OWC) unveiled its new USB4 CFexpress 4.0 Type B card reader at the CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show in Yokohama, Japan.
The OWC Atlas USB4 CFexpress 4.0 Type B card reader promises significantly faster real-world data transfer speeds than conventional USB-C (10 Gb/s) card readers, especially when paired with OWC Atlas CFA 4.0 memory cards.
Although cameras must be equipped to fully utilize the latest CFexpress 4.0 standard, users can still achieve significantly improved data transfer speeds with the latest cards and card readers.
For example, when transferring 15,000 45-megapixel RAW and JPEG images captured by a Canon EOS R5C camera, which is approximately 1.02 terabytes of data, OWC promises that its new Atlas USB4 CFexpress Type B reader can transfer the data in under six and a half minutes. Compared to its slower, older Atlas FXR CFexpress reader, the new USB4 reader is about five and a half minutes faster. Compared to a typical USB 3.2 (10 Gb/s) reader, the Atlas USB4 is nearly 19 minutes swifter.
According to OWC, similar transfer time advantages are evident when working with 6K Blackmagic BRAW video and 8K/60p files from a Nikon Z9 mirrorless camera. No matter what camera or file type a photographer or videographer uses, working with the latest cards and card readers will significantly reduce the time it takes to move files from a card to a computer and vice versa. Eventually, camera makers will get on board with the latest standard, too, which will undoubtedly have a massive impact on buffer depths and clearing rates.
OWC says that the compact design of its new Atlas USB4 card reader makes it an ideal travel companion for content creators, and it will easily fit into any camera bag. The reader incorporates an aluminum enclosure and a new heat sink to prevent thermal throttling.
It also sports an “Innergize” switch, which allows users with USB 3.2 devices to experience a 30% performance boost alongside OWC’s accompanying Innergize software compared to previous generation USB 3.2 products.
“Our Atlas series of professional photography and videographer tools continue to break down barriers and address challenges creative professionals face, namely, critical time savings,” says OWC Founder and CEO Larry O’Connor. “We have implemented a unique switch that will allow this reader to interface with various computers and in all instances still allow the user to benefit from the OWC Innergize software.”
For users without the latest and fastest cards, the Atlas USB4 card reader is backward compatible. It works with USB4, USB 3, Thunderbolt 3, and Thunderbolt 4. It also works with CFexpress 2.0 Type B cards at their maximum speed. It works with macOS, Windows, and Linux computers and is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and Chromebooks.
The OWC Atlas UBS4 CFexpress Type B memory card reader is available to preorder now through Macsales.com for $100 and will begin shipping in early March.
Image credits: OWC
