The memory card shortage just entered a critical new phase. Sony Japan announced on March 27, 2026, that it is suspending order acceptance for nearly all CFexpress Type A and Type B cards, along with SD memory cards, effective immediately. This is not a temporary blip—it signals a deepening crisis in the storage market that will ripple far beyond Japan.
Key Takeaways
- Sony suspends all CFexpress and SD card orders in Japan from March 27, 2026, citing global semiconductor shortages
- Affected orders come from authorized dealers and the Sony Store; no timeline provided for resumption
- Suspension is Japan-only for now, but U.S. stock at retailers like B&H Photo will not be restocked until manufacturing resumes
- Sony is the first major photography company to halt memory card production due to the memory card shortage
- Lower-end CFexpress Type B and some SD cards may still be produced until existing stock depletes
Why Sony Stopped Taking Memory Card Orders
Sony’s decision stems directly from a global shortage of semiconductors affecting memory chip production. The company stated: “Due to the global shortage of semiconductors (memory) and other factors, it is anticipated that supply will not be able to meet demand for CFexpress memory cards and SD memory cards for the foreseeable future”. This is not speculation—Sony is openly admitting it cannot manufacture enough cards to fulfill orders, so it has chosen to stop accepting them rather than face mounting backlog and customer frustration.
The memory card shortage represents a fundamental constraint in the semiconductor supply chain. Unlike temporary price fluctuations or inventory hiccups, this shortage directly impacts Sony’s manufacturing capacity. Competitors like SanDisk have already responded by raising prices dramatically on popular models, but Sony took the more drastic step of suspending orders entirely. The distinction matters: SanDisk is selling at premium prices; Sony is not selling at all.
What This Means for Photographers Worldwide
The suspension applies only to Japan for now, but the implications are global. Photographers in the United States and other markets can still purchase existing stock from retailers like B&H Photo, but once that inventory depletes, restocking will not occur until Sony resumes manufacturing. This creates a window of scarcity that will likely widen over the coming weeks.
Sony has not provided a timeline for when it will resume accepting orders. The company stated it will “monitor the supply situation and announce separately on the product information page,” which is corporate language for “we do not know when this will end”. For professionals who rely on CFexpress cards for high-speed recording or photographers who shoot exclusively on Sony bodies, this is a significant problem. You cannot wait for supply to stabilize if you need cards now.
The memory card shortage also raises a harder question: if Sony cannot secure enough memory chips, what does that say about the broader semiconductor market? This is not a Sony-specific problem—it is a symptom of a systemic constraint in chip production that affects storage manufacturers across the industry.
Is Sony the Canary in the Coal Mine?
Sony is the first major photography segment company to halt memory card production due to the memory card shortage. That distinction is important. Other manufacturers—Lexar, Kingston, Patriot—may follow if semiconductor supplies tighten further. The fact that Sony, a company with significant manufacturing scale and supply chain leverage, felt compelled to suspend orders suggests the shortage is severe enough to override the business incentive to keep selling.
Some lower-end CFexpress Type B and SD cards may still be produced and available through remaining stock, but premium models are effectively off the market in Japan. This tiered approach suggests Sony is prioritizing whatever chip supply it has for products with higher margins or strategic importance, while cutting off the broader market entirely.
When Will Memory Card Orders Resume?
Sony has not announced a resumption date. The company will monitor supply and communicate updates through its product information page, but no timeline exists. Photographers should assume that cards will remain unavailable for at least the next quarter and plan accordingly. Buying extra cards now, while stock exists at retailers outside Japan, is a reasonable precaution.
The memory card shortage may ease as semiconductor production recovers, but recovery is not guaranteed on any specific timeline. Global chip supply has been volatile for years, and new constraints—like geopolitical tensions affecting raw material supply—can emerge unexpectedly.
How Does This Compare to Previous Storage Crises?
The memory card shortage is more severe than typical supply chain disruptions because it targets a fundamental input: the memory chips themselves. Previous card shortages were usually driven by logistics bottlenecks or demand spikes that resolved within weeks. This shortage is structural—manufacturers literally cannot source the chips needed to build cards. That is a different problem that takes longer to solve.
Should You Stockpile Memory Cards?
If you rely on CFexpress or SD cards regularly, buying extra now is prudent. Prices may rise as inventory depletes, and availability will shrink. You do not need years of supply, but having 2-3 months of buffer stock is reasonable given the uncertainty around when manufacturing will resume. Waiting until cards are completely unavailable is riskier than buying slightly more than you need today.
What About CFexpress Type A Cards Specifically?
Sony has suspended orders for both CFexpress Type A and Type B cards. Type A cards are less common than Type B, which may mean Type A stock depletes faster. If you use Type A cards, prioritize purchasing immediately—they may become scarce sooner than Type B alternatives.
Will This Affect Sony Camera Prices?
Not directly. Camera bodies use different components than memory cards. However, if the memory card shortage persists, photographers may delay camera upgrades because they cannot reliably source compatible storage. That indirect effect could eventually influence camera demand, but it is not an immediate pricing pressure.
Sony’s decision to suspend memory card orders in Japan marks a turning point in the ongoing semiconductor shortage. It signals that the memory card shortage is severe enough to override normal business incentives. Photographers should take this as a clear signal to secure cards now while stock remains available. The memory card shortage is real, it is worsening, and it is no longer a regional problem—it is a global constraint that will affect anyone who relies on high-speed storage.
This article was written with AI assistance and editorially reviewed.
Source: Tom's Hardware
