Canon has released a product advisory related to the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II and users experiencing corrupted images when using it with SanDisk CFAST Cards.

The summary of the problem is that for still images (not video) the bottom part of images may be corrupted, and the problem is being reported for both RAW and JPEG.  The release only specifies that this is being experienced when using the SanDisk CFAST cards – nothing has been noted about other brands.  However, part of me wonders if more people are using SanDisk CFAST cards, since they were given out (at least in Canada) when you purchased a 1D X Mark II, so I’m curious whether this problem could be experienced with ALL CFAST cards.

The effected images are images that are taken immediately before the camera is turned off (by switching off, auto power off, or removing battery or memory card).

How can you make sure your images don’t get corrupted?

Easy answer is – don’t use SanDisk CFAST cards until the firmware is released in early July.  However they are so much faster than the other option, Compact Flash, so as a workaround Canon also recommends that you take an extra shot (or up to 8 if you are shooting JPEG) before you power off the camera.

I have both SanDisk and Lexar CFAST cards, and have not experienced this problem myself, and even tried to replicate the problem after reading this release.  I did not have image corruption even after turning the camera off, but obviously enough people have for Canon to issue this release.  And in the meantime I will use my Lexar CFAST cards.

To get the full release, visit Canon here.  And stay tuned for the new firmware release.