Sony Temporarily Suspends Memory Card Orders Amid Global Semiconductor Shortage

Sony has announced a temporary suspension of orders for its digital imaging memory products, affecting both CFexpress and SD memory cards. 

The move, effective March 27, 2026, comes as global supply of semiconductors continues to fall short of demand.

This means that you may find yourself waiting longer than expected if you were planning to buy CFexpress Type A cards like the CEA-G1920T or SDXC cards such as the SF-G256T. Sony has stated that it will resume orders only after closely monitoring supply availability.

The Scope of the Suspension

The suspension affects almost all of Sony’s high-performance memory cards. 

CFexpress Type A models, including 1920GB, 960GB, 480GB, and 240GB capacities, have been halted. CFexpress Type B cards, specifically the 480GB and 240GB models, are also impacted. SDXC and SDHC cards covering a wide range of capacities from 64GB to 512GB are similarly unavailable, according to the official announcement. 

Sony has apologized to customers for the inconvenience but did not provide a firm timeline for when orders might resume.

This decision is significant for photographers and videographers who rely on high-speed memory cards for recording 4K or 8K video. 

CFexpress cards, for example, are widely used in professional mirrorless cameras, offering high write speeds necessary for continuous shooting or raw video capture. 

Global Context of Semiconductor Shortages

The supply issue stems from a broader global shortage of semiconductors, particularly memory chips. These shortages have affected multiple sectors, from gaming consoles to smartphones, and now high-performance storage for cameras. 

IGN reported that AI technologies are among the key drivers of increased demand for semiconductors. Artificial intelligence requires high-speed memory and processing capacity to handle large datasets and complex calculations, which has strained manufacturing supply chains. This surge in demand has a ripple effect, making it harder for consumer electronics companies like Sony to keep up with orders.

CFexpress and SD memory cards rely on flash memory chips, a type of semiconductor, to store data. Without sufficient chip production, the end products cannot be manufactured at scale. 

Implications for Photographers

For photographers, the shortage means you may need to manage storage more carefully, using existing memory cards more efficiently and offloading files regularly. It may also push you to consider alternative brands or slower memory solutions temporarily, although professional cameras often require high-speed media to function correctly.

Sony’s move highlights the fragility of supply chains for advanced technology. High-end digital imaging depends on cutting-edge semiconductors, and disruptions can affect creative workflows globally. As AI and machine learning continue to drive demand for these chips, similar supply issues may persist in other technology sectors.

Sony has stated that it will announce the resumption of orders on its product pages once supply stabilizes. For now, photographers and videographers must plan ahead, keeping in mind that both CFexpress and SD cards from Sony could remain unavailable for the foreseeable future. 

The temporary suspension serves as a reminder that even small components like memory cards are critical links in the chain of modern digital photography, and shortages can have a tangible impact on creative output.

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