Wise CFexpress MK-IV is a new Type B memory-card series announced at IBC 2026 on September 11. The four capacities combine VPG400 with either VPG800 or VPG1600 certification, an unusual dual-rating approach intended to cover current and higher-throughput cinema cameras. Wise says global retail availability begins in early October.
Wise CFexpress MK-IV launch facts
| Capacity | VPG ratings | Maximum write | Stated sustained write |
|---|---|---|---|
| 512GB | VPG400 + VPG800 | 3,000 MB/s | 900 MB/s |
| 1TB | VPG400 + VPG1600 | 3,200 MB/s | 1,800 MB/s |
| 2TB | VPG400 + VPG1600 | 3,400 MB/s | 3,300 MB/s |
| 4TB | VPG400 + VPG1600 | 3,400 MB/s | 3,300 MB/s |
Everyone else is reporting bigger speed numbers; we are explaining why the two certification labels matter more than the peak figure. A cinema camera needs dependable sustained writing, and it may also enforce a particular certified profile before enabling a recording mode. The fastest card on paper is not automatically the most compatible card in every body.
Why Wise CFexpress MK-IV uses two ratings
The CompactFlash Association’s member release says higher VPG certification does not by itself guarantee compatibility with equipment designed around an earlier profile. Wise’s response is to certify the same card at two levels. The 512GB model pairs VPG400 and VPG800; 1TB, 2TB and 4TB pair VPG400 and VPG1600.
The association’s public certified-card list independently records those model and profile combinations. That matters because the launch announcement comes from a member company, while the certification directory is the standards body’s operational record. Buyers should match the exact part number, capacity and certification mark rather than assuming every MK-IV card has identical performance.
PetaPixel and Newsshooter both reported the range from IBC. Their coverage confirms the four capacities, dual-certification design and early-October target. Newsshooter also notes a five-year limited warranty and operating-temperature claims, while PetaPixel emphasises the inventory benefit for production teams using mixed camera generations.
Peak speed and sustained speed are different
Wise quotes a maximum read speed of 3,700 MB/s across the line. Maximum write rises from 3,000 MB/s on 512GB to 3,400 MB/s on 2TB and 4TB. The company’s stated sustained-write figures are lower on the smaller capacities, especially the 512GB model. That distinction should remain visible in any buying comparison.
Wise also claims its low-power architecture reduces heat and power consumption by about 45% against conventional PCIe Gen4 media. That is a vendor comparison, not an independent thermal test, so it should be treated as a claim until lab measurements reproduce it. Thermal behaviour depends on the camera slot, ambient temperature, recording duration and firmware as well as the card.
The company positions the cards for 8K and 12K RAW recording and burst photography, but a card cannot add a format that a camera does not support. Camera-qualified media lists remain the final authority. The launch is best understood as headroom for demanding workflows, not a promise that every camera will reach the advertised ceiling.
Lapaas Voice’s report on the Atomos Shogun AV-19M covers another IBC tool built around high-bandwidth production. Our EA Sports NHL 27 launch coverage illustrates the same rule from software: published capability and day-to-day experience are separate tests.
Who should consider the new cards
Rental houses and production teams managing several camera generations have the clearest use case because dual certification may reduce the number of separate card pools they maintain. Owner-operators should be more selective: choose the capacity and certified profile their camera requires, then compare real sustained tests, warranty handling and price.
The Wise CFexpress MK-IV launch is notable for compatibility signalling rather than just headline throughput. If the certification directory, camera qualification and independent benchmarks align, one card family could cover a broader set of productions. Until retail samples are tested, the safe conclusion is narrower: the certifications are recorded, while thermal and peak-speed claims remain to be independently measured.
Frequently asked questions
What is Wise CFexpress MK-IV?
It is a four-card CFexpress 4.0 Type B series with capacities from 512GB to 4TB.
What does dual VPG certification mean?
Each card is certified for VPG400 plus a higher profile, intended to support equipment that expects different certified tiers.
When will the cards ship?
Wise says authorised global retailers should receive them in early October 2026.
Has the 45% thermal claim been independently tested?
The current reports attribute that figure to Wise; independent retail testing is still needed.
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