Sony stopped accepting orders for nearly all its CFexpress and SD memory cards on March 27, 2026, citing a global memory shortage. The freeze affects CFexpress Type A, Type B, and SDXC/SDHC cards, cutting off both private buyers and authorized dealers.
The halt impacts photographers, videographers, and gamers who rely on high-capacity cards for 4K and 8K recording. Projects may stall, and production costs could climb as the market searches for alternatives.
CFexpress is a high-speed flash storage standard used in professional cameras. It comes in Type A and Type B variants. Type A cards fit smaller cameras and drones, while Type B cards deliver faster read and write speeds for cinema-grade equipment.
Sony's statement links the disruption to the ongoing memory crisis. The company also cites "other factors" it does not disclose. Industry observers point to a helium shortage connected to the military conflict in Iran and resulting shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Helium is essential for semiconductor fabrication, and without it, chip production slows.
PetaPixel reports that some Type B models and a handful of budget SD cards in the SF-US series remain in production, but the majority of Sony's memory card catalog is now on hold.
Consumers should check Sony's product page for updates. The company says it will review the supply situation before announcing a resumption, though no timeline has been given.
The shortage may push buyers toward alternative formats like XQD or smaller-capacity cards from other manufacturers. Remaining stock may see sharp price increases; retailers have already reported surging demand for competing brands.
Earlier this week, Sony also announced a noticeable price increase for all versions of the PlayStation 5.
The question facing the industry: Will the pause accelerate adoption of newer storage standards, or will Sony's dominance in the professional camera market create a bottleneck that slows production timelines? The answer depends on how quickly the memory supply stabilizes and whether competitors can scale fast enough to fill the gap.
