Sony just hit the pause button on memory cards — every pro shooter’s worst nightmare, now with no end date.
As of March 27, Sony Japan will no longer accept orders for almost its entire CFexpress and SD lineup, citing a “global shortage of semiconductors (memory) and other factors.” The suspension covers both consumer purchases at the Sony Store and dealer orders, with no announced end date.
The freeze spans; CFexpress Type A cards in 240GB, 480GB, 960GB, and 1,920GB capacities, plus Type B cards at 240GB and 480GB. Every high-end SDXC/SDHC tier is also locked out: 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB TOUGH models, along with the mainstream SF-M and SF-E series from 64GB to 512GB. Even the humble V30-rated 64GB and 128GB SD cards are included, showing the shortage reaches every NAND tier.
Only two lines escape the halt: the 960GB CFexpress Type B card and the entry-level SF-UZ UHS-I SD series. The latter is already discontinued in the U.S. and exists only as leftover stock.
Sony refused to name its constrained suppliers or forecast when orders might reopen. “We will consider it while monitoring the supply situation and will announce it separately on the product information page,” the company said. By pausing orders instead of quoting longer lead times, Sony signals it cannot secure enough NAND flash — a commodity now under siege from AI data center demand.
Industry watchers see the writing on the wall. TrendForce recently hiked its Q1 2026 DRAM price forecast to a 90-95 percent quarterly jump, with NAND flash up 55-60 percent. Phison’s CEO warned that NAND shortages could shut down consumer-electronics firms this year. Sony, worth hundreds of billions, won’t fold, but the move shows even giants aren’t insulated from memory volatility.
For now, the suspension is limited to Japan, yet Sony becomes the first major brand to halt memory-card orders outright rather than simply raise prices or extend ship dates. The timing lands alongside a global PS5 price bump of up to $100, pushing the standard console to $649.99 in the U.S. starting April 2. Pros and hobbyists alike can scour remaining retail stock — once it’s gone, there’s no telling when fresh cards will appear.
Source: Sony