H Lexar ανακοίνωσε ότι θα ξεκινήσει την παραγωγή καρτών μνήμης XQD, τύπος που αυτή την στιγμή χρησιμοποιείται μόνο στην Nikon D4!  Η νέα κάρτα που προορίζεται ως ο αντικαταστάτης της επαγγελματικής Compact Flash είναι αποτέλεσμα συνεργασίας της Sony, Sandisk και Nikon ενώ έως τώρα μόνο η Sony τις κατασκευάζει.  Η Lexar αναμένεται να αρχίσει την διάθεση μέσα στο 2013.  Ακολουθεί η επίσημη ανακοίνωση:

Lexar XQD Memory Cards to be Compatible with Nikon D4 and Future XQD-based Camera Models
Fremont, CA, 11 July, 2012 – Lexar, a leading global brand of flash memory products, today announced its support of the XQD™ memory card specification for compatibility with Nikon D4 and future XQD-based camera models. Expected to be available in the third quarter of 2012, Lexar XQD memory cards will offer high-speed performance in a range of capacities to effectively capture and store high-quality images, 1080p full high-definition (HD) video, and 3D video content.
“By collaborating with Lexar, we’re reinforcing the fact that the XQD specification represents one of the futures of high-performance memory cards,” said Nobuaki Sasagaki, General Manager of marketing department, Imaging Company, Nikon Corporation. “Our cooperation efforts demonstrate the vision shared by Nikon and Lexar to continue advancing the photography and imaging market with innovative technology and extremely high performance.”
“We are committed to offering innovative and industry-leading photography solutions, which is why we’re working with Nikon to offer and co-market XQD memory cards. We view the XQD standard as one of the most logical ways to increase interface speed beyond that of existing CompactFlash technology with the capability of offering performance up to 5Gb per second, in time,” said Wes Brewer, vice president of products and technology, Lexar. “This collaboration provides assured compatibility with Lexar XQD memory cards and Nikon D4 and makes this technology available to the entire photo industry.”
XQD memory cards are based on the PCI Express® specification, which offers 2.5Gb per second performance today with plans for 5Gb per second performance in the future.

πηγή: www.nikonrumors.com