diff --git a/crates/catalog/src/safe_file.rs b/crates/catalog/src/safe_file.rs
index 1e482b81..df239a17 100644
--- a/crates/catalog/src/safe_file.rs
+++ b/crates/catalog/src/safe_file.rs
@@ -1,11 +1,23 @@
 //! Crash-safe writes of user-visible files: exports, renders, DNG conversions, smart previews and
 //! XMP sidecars all go through here (the catalog's own files use [`crate::store::FsStore`]).
 //!
+//! **Write policy** (issue #134): what can't be recreated — originals, XMP sidecars, the catalog,
+//! settings, DNGs that replace raws, smart previews (the only stand-in while an original is
+//! offline), an edit copy that becomes a library photo — is written **durably**: synced to disk
+//! before it counts as written. What can always be made again from the originals — exports,
+//! renders, screenshots, merge previews — is written **atomically** only: a half-written file
+//! never replaces a good one, but there is no per-file sync (on a USB drive or a NAS that sync
+//! dominates a large export).
+//!
 //! - [`write_atomic`] replaces a file so that after a crash, a full disk or an unplugged drive
 //!   either the old or the complete new content is there — never a truncated mix. The content
 //!   goes to a new temp file in the same folder (unique name, `create_new`), is synced to disk and
 //!   renamed over the target; then the folder is synced (POSIX). Any failure removes the temp
 //!   file and leaves the target as it was.
+//! - [`write_atomic_nosync`] is the same temp file + rename without the two syncs, for
+//!   recreatable outputs only: a failed write still removes the temp file and leaves the target as
+//!   it was, but after a power cut the new file may be lost (on some file systems left empty) —
+//!   it is then simply exported again.
 //! - [`write_new`] / [`write_new_unique`] write a file that must not exist yet: the same temp file
 //!   and sync, plus a read-back check, and the file then appears under its final name **without
 //!   replacing anything** (a hard link, which fails on a taken name; a check-then-rename where the
@@ -21,6 +33,19 @@ use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicU64, Ordering};
 
 thread_local! {
     static FAIL_AFTER: Cell<Option<u64>> = const { Cell::new(None) };
+    static SYNCS: Cell<u64> = const { Cell::new(0) };
+}
+
+/// How many file and folder syncs this module made **on the calling thread** (for tests: a
+/// durable write path syncs, a recreatable output doesn't).
+#[doc(hidden)]
+pub fn syncs_on_this_thread() -> u64 {
+    SYNCS.with(Cell::get)
+}
+
+fn sync_file(f: &File) -> io::Result<()> {
+    SYNCS.with(|c| c.set(c.get() + 1));
+    f.sync_all()
 }
 
 /// Fault injection for tests (in any crate): while the returned guard lives, every write made by
@@ -78,7 +103,7 @@ fn parent_of(path: &Path) -> &Path {
 /// where NTFS journals the rename itself, so errors are ignored.
 pub fn sync_dir(dir: &Path) {
     if let Ok(d) = File::open(dir) {
-        let _ = d.sync_all();
+        let _ = sync_file(&d);
     }
 }
 
@@ -100,9 +125,9 @@ fn create_temp(path: &Path) -> io::Result<(PathBuf, File)> {
     Err(io::Error::new(io::ErrorKind::AlreadyExists, format!("no free temp file name in {}", dir.display())))
 }
 
-/// Write a temp file next to `path` with what `fill` writes, synced to disk. On failure the temp
-/// file is removed. Returns its path and length.
-fn write_temp(path: &Path, fill: &mut dyn FnMut(&mut dyn Write) -> io::Result<()>) -> io::Result<(PathBuf, u64)> {
+/// Write a temp file next to `path` with what `fill` writes, synced to disk when `sync`. On
+/// failure the temp file is removed. Returns its path and length.
+fn write_temp(path: &Path, sync: bool, fill: &mut dyn FnMut(&mut dyn Write) -> io::Result<()>) -> io::Result<(PathBuf, u64)> {
     let (tmp, file) = create_temp(path)?;
     let r = (|| {
         let limit = FAIL_AFTER.with(Cell::get);
@@ -111,7 +136,9 @@ fn write_temp(path: &Path, fill: &mut dyn FnMut(&mut dyn Write) -> io::Result<()
         w.flush()?;
         let n = w.n;
         let f = w.inner.into_inner().map_err(|e| e.into_error())?;
-        f.sync_all()?;
+        if sync {
+            sync_file(&f)?;
+        }
         Ok(n)
     })();
     match r {
@@ -132,12 +159,26 @@ pub fn write_atomic(path: &Path, data: &[u8]) -> io::Result<()> {
 /// [`write_atomic`] with streamed content: `fill` writes it (an error aborts and leaves the old
 /// file). Returns the length written.
 pub fn write_atomic_with(path: &Path, fill: &mut dyn FnMut(&mut dyn Write) -> io::Result<()>) -> io::Result<u64> {
-    let (tmp, n) = write_temp(path, fill)?;
+    replace_with(path, true, fill)
+}
+
+/// Replace (or create) `path` with `data` atomically but **without syncing** it to disk — only for
+/// outputs that can always be recreated (exports, renders, screenshots); see the module docs.
+/// Anything that can't be made again goes through [`write_atomic`].
+pub fn write_atomic_nosync(path: &Path, data: &[u8]) -> io::Result<()> {
+    replace_with(path, false, &mut |w| w.write_all(data)).map(|_| ())
+}
+
+/// Temp file (synced when `sync`) renamed over `path`, then the folder synced when `sync`.
+fn replace_with(path: &Path, sync: bool, fill: &mut dyn FnMut(&mut dyn Write) -> io::Result<()>) -> io::Result<u64> {
+    let (tmp, n) = write_temp(path, sync, fill)?;
     if let Err(e) = fs::rename(&tmp, path) {
         let _ = fs::remove_file(&tmp);
         return Err(e);
     }
-    sync_dir(parent_of(path));
+    if sync {
+        sync_dir(parent_of(path));
+    }
     Ok(n)
 }
 
@@ -155,8 +196,11 @@ pub fn write_new_unique(candidates: &mut dyn Iterator<Item = PathBuf>, data: &[u
     let Some(first) = candidates.peek().cloned() else {
         return Err(io::Error::new(io::ErrorKind::InvalidInput, "no file name to write"));
     };
-    let (tmp, _) = write_temp(&first, &mut |w| w.write_all(data))?;
+    let (tmp, _) = write_temp(&first, true, &mut |w| w.write_all(data))?;
     let r = (|| {
+        // Kept (issue #134 point 4): these files replace raws (Convert / Copy as DNG) or become
+        // library photos (merges). On a local disk the read usually comes from the cache, but on a
+        // network volume it can go back to the server, and next to encoding a DNG it costs little.
         if !same_content(&tmp, data)? {
             return Err(io::Error::other("the written file reads back different (failing drive or connection?)"));
         }
@@ -287,6 +331,33 @@ mod tests {
         let _ = fs::remove_dir_all(&d);
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn recreatable_outputs_are_atomic_without_a_sync() {
+        let d = temp("nosync");
+        let p = d.join("export.jpg");
+        let before = syncs_on_this_thread();
+        write_atomic_nosync(&p, b"one").unwrap();
+        write_atomic_nosync(&p, b"two two").unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(syncs_on_this_thread(), before, "no file or folder sync");
+        assert_eq!(fs::read(&p).unwrap(), b"two two");
+        assert_eq!(names(&d), vec!["export.jpg"], "no temp file left");
+        // still atomic: a failure part-way leaves the previous file and no temp file
+        {
+            let _f = fail_writes_after(3);
+            assert!(write_atomic_nosync(&p, &[9u8; 10_000]).is_err());
+        }
+        assert_eq!(fs::read(&p).unwrap(), b"two two");
+        assert_eq!(names(&d), vec!["export.jpg"]);
+        // the durable writers do sync (the file; the folder too where it can be opened)
+        let before = syncs_on_this_thread();
+        write_atomic(&p, b"three").unwrap();
+        let mid = syncs_on_this_thread();
+        assert!(mid > before);
+        write_new(&d.join("new.dng"), b"dng").unwrap();
+        assert!(syncs_on_this_thread() > mid);
+        let _ = fs::remove_dir_all(&d);
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn new_files_never_replace_anything() {
         let d = temp("new");
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/cmd/convert.rs b/crates/engine/src/cmd/convert.rs
index c81267bf..1641d63f 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/cmd/convert.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/cmd/convert.rs
@@ -149,7 +149,8 @@ fn edit_external(s: &mut Session, p: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
     };
     let mut written = Vec::new();
     let mut write = |path: &str, bytes: &[u8]| -> std::result::Result<(), String> {
-        crate::export::write_file(path, bytes)?;
+        // durable: the TIFF becomes a library photo the external editor then changes
+        crate::export::write_file_durable(path, bytes)?;
         written.push(path.to_string());
         Ok(())
     };
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/cmd/previews.rs b/crates/engine/src/cmd/previews.rs
index d3b63389..3dacc31f 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/cmd/previews.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/cmd/previews.rs
@@ -160,7 +160,9 @@ fn smart_run(
             if damaged && crate::smart::is_valid(&path) {
                 n.built += 1;
             } else {
-                // atomic: a failed write leaves no partial proxy that would pass for a built one
+                // atomic: a failed write leaves no partial proxy that would pass for a built one;
+                // and synced (issue #134): built so the photo can be edited while its original
+                // is offline, when it is the only copy — the sync is small next to the decode
                 let r = source
                     .ok_or_else(|| "nothing to build from".to_string())
                     .and_then(|s| s.load_source())
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/export.rs b/crates/engine/src/export.rs
index 6c30b1a0..d40ab577 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/export.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/export.rs
@@ -1131,15 +1131,27 @@ pub fn export_batch(
 }
 
 /// Write an exported or rendered file on disk: its folder is created if needed, and the file is
-/// replaced atomically ([`lightcraft_catalog::safe_file::write_atomic`]: a temp file, synced, then
-/// renamed), so a failure part-way leaves any previous file intact and no truncated one. The
-/// native writer behind exports, renders and screenshots (app, CLI, MCP).
+/// replaced atomically ([`lightcraft_catalog::safe_file::write_atomic_nosync`]: a temp file
+/// renamed into place), so a failure part-way leaves any previous file intact and no truncated
+/// one. Not synced to disk (issue #134): an export can always be made again from the original.
+/// The native writer behind exports, renders and screenshots (app, CLI, MCP).
 pub fn write_file(path: &str, bytes: &[u8]) -> Result<(), String> {
+    write_with(path, bytes, false)
+}
+
+/// [`write_file`], synced to disk: for a written file that becomes a library photo (Edit a Copy)
+/// and so can't simply be exported again once the catalog points at it.
+pub fn write_file_durable(path: &str, bytes: &[u8]) -> Result<(), String> {
+    write_with(path, bytes, true)
+}
+
+fn write_with(path: &str, bytes: &[u8], durable: bool) -> Result<(), String> {
+    use lightcraft_catalog::safe_file::{write_atomic, write_atomic_nosync};
     let p = std::path::Path::new(path);
     if let Some(dir) = p.parent().filter(|d| !d.as_os_str().is_empty()) {
         std::fs::create_dir_all(dir).map_err(|e| format!("{}: {e}", dir.display()))?;
     }
-    lightcraft_catalog::safe_file::write_atomic(p, bytes).map_err(|e| format!("{path}: {e}"))
+    if durable { write_atomic(p, bytes) } else { write_atomic_nosync(p, bytes) }.map_err(|e| format!("{path}: {e}"))
 }
 
 /// The path of the sidecar with extension `ext` of the exported file `main`.
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/import.rs b/crates/engine/src/import.rs
index a85d6287..6f35b670 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/import.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/import.rs
@@ -375,13 +375,16 @@ fn probe_all(probe: Option<&crate::media::FileProbe>, paths: &[String], progress
 
 /// Copy `src` into `root`/`folders` as `name` (default: its own name), made unique with -1, -2…;
 /// returns the new path. The copy is verified ([`crate::import_move::copy_new`]: a new file,
-/// synced and compared byte for byte); a bad one is removed and the photo reported as failed.
-fn copy_into(root: &Path, src: &str, folders: &[String], name: Option<&str>) -> Result<String, String> {
+/// synced and checked against `probe_hash`, the content hash the probe computed — or compared
+/// byte for byte with the source when there is none); a bad one is removed and the photo
+/// reported as failed.
+fn copy_into(root: &Path, src: &str, folders: &[String], name: Option<&str>, probe_hash: Option<&str>) -> Result<String, String> {
     let dir = folders.iter().fold(root.to_path_buf(), |d, f| d.join(f));
     let name = name
         .map(str::to_string)
         .unwrap_or_else(|| Path::new(src).file_name().map(|n| n.to_string_lossy().to_string()).unwrap_or_else(|| "photo".into()));
-    crate::import_move::copy_new(Path::new(src), &dir, &name).map(|p| p.to_string_lossy().to_string())
+    let expect = probe_hash.and_then(lightcraft_preview::Hash128::parse);
+    crate::import_move::copy_new(Path::new(src), &dir, &name, expect).map(|p| p.to_string_lossy().to_string())
 }
 
 /// What a [`scan`] needs from the session, so it can run on another thread (a folder on a network
@@ -784,7 +787,7 @@ impl ImportJob {
                             let reason = "a symbolic link: the file it points to was copied, the link and its target stay";
                             out.items.push(PreparedItem::Kept(Kept { path: path.clone(), reason: reason.into() }));
                         }
-                        match copy_into(root, &path, &folders, name.as_deref()) {
+                        match copy_into(root, &path, &folders, name.as_deref(), info.content_hash.as_deref()) {
                             Ok(p) => p,
                             Err(e) => {
                                 out.items.push(PreparedItem::Failed(path, e));
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/import_move.rs b/crates/engine/src/import_move.rs
index 7221c595..3465eaa7 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/import_move.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/import_move.rs
@@ -171,9 +171,15 @@ pub(crate) fn place(src: &Path, dir: &Path, name: &str) -> Result<Placed, String
 
 /// Import → **Copy**: copy `src` into `dir` as `name` (-1, -2… when taken) with the same checks as
 /// a move's copy — a new file (never overwriting one, even one that appears meanwhile), synced to
-/// disk and compared byte for byte with the source; a bad copy is removed and reported, so a card
-/// is never wiped on the strength of it. Returns the new path.
-pub(crate) fn copy_new(src: &Path, dir: &Path, name: &str) -> Result<PathBuf, String> {
+/// disk and verified; a bad copy is removed and reported, so a card is never wiped on the strength
+/// of it. Returns the new path.
+///
+/// `expect` is the content hash the import's probe computed from its full read of the source
+/// ([`lightcraft_preview::hash_bytes`]): the copy is read back and checked against it, which spares
+/// a third read of the card (issue #134). It also catches a source that changed since the probe
+/// (whose recorded metadata and hash would be stale). Without one the copy is compared byte for
+/// byte with the source.
+pub(crate) fn copy_new(src: &Path, dir: &Path, name: &str, expect: Option<lightcraft_preview::Hash128>) -> Result<PathBuf, String> {
     fs::create_dir_all(dir).map_err(|e| format!("{}: {e}", dir.display()))?;
     let (stem, ext) = match name.rsplit_once('.') {
         Some((s, e)) if !s.is_empty() => (s.to_string(), format!(".{e}")),
@@ -181,7 +187,7 @@ pub(crate) fn copy_new(src: &Path, dir: &Path, name: &str) -> Result<PathBuf, St
     };
     for i in 0..100_000u32 {
         let d = if i == 0 { dir.join(name) } else { dir.join(format!("{stem}-{i}{ext}")) };
-        match copy_verified(src, &d) {
+        match copy_verified(src, &d, expect) {
             Ok(()) => return Ok(d),
             Err(e) if e.kind() == io::ErrorKind::AlreadyExists => continue,
             Err(e) => return Err(format!("copy {}: {e} (nothing was imported from it; the original is untouched)", src.display())),
@@ -262,12 +268,14 @@ fn link_or_copy(src: &Path, dst: &Path) -> io::Result<()> {
             Err(_) => {}
         }
     }
-    copy_verified(src, dst)
+    // Move keeps the byte-for-byte comparison: the source is deleted on the strength of it
+    copy_verified(src, dst, None)
 }
 
-/// Copy into a new file, sync it to disk and compare it with the original; on any failure the
-/// partial copy is removed.
-fn copy_verified(src: &Path, dst: &Path) -> io::Result<()> {
+/// Copy into a new file, sync it to disk and verify it: against `expect` (the probe's hash of the
+/// source) when given, else byte for byte against the source. On any failure the partial copy is
+/// removed.
+pub(crate) fn copy_verified(src: &Path, dst: &Path, expect: Option<lightcraft_preview::Hash128>) -> io::Result<()> {
     let mut out = OpenOptions::new().write(true).create_new(true).open(dst)?;
     let r = (|| {
         let mut inp = File::open(src)?;
@@ -283,10 +291,14 @@ fn copy_verified(src: &Path, dst: &Path) -> io::Result<()> {
         if let Ok(m) = fs::metadata(src).and_then(|m| m.modified()) {
             let _ = out.set_modified(m);
         }
-        if !same_bytes(src, dst)? {
-            return Err(io::Error::other("the copy differs from the original"));
+        match expect {
+            Some(h) if hash_file(dst)? != h => {
+                Err(io::Error::other("the copy differs from the original as it was read for the import (a bad copy, or the file changed meanwhile)"))
+            }
+            Some(_) => Ok(()),
+            None if !same_bytes(src, dst)? => Err(io::Error::other("the copy differs from the original")),
+            None => Ok(()),
         }
-        Ok(())
     })();
     drop(out);
     if r.is_err() {
@@ -295,6 +307,20 @@ fn copy_verified(src: &Path, dst: &Path) -> io::Result<()> {
     r
 }
 
+/// [`lightcraft_preview::hash_bytes`] of a file's content, read in chunks.
+fn hash_file(path: &Path) -> io::Result<lightcraft_preview::Hash128> {
+    let mut f = File::open(path)?;
+    let mut h = lightcraft_preview::Hasher128::new();
+    let mut buf = vec![0u8; 1 << 20];
+    loop {
+        let n = fill(&mut f, &mut buf)?;
+        if n == 0 {
+            return Ok(h.finish());
+        }
+        h.update(buf.get(..n).unwrap_or(&[]));
+    }
+}
+
 /// Do two files hold the same bytes?
 pub(crate) fn same_bytes(a: &Path, b: &Path) -> io::Result<bool> {
     if fs::metadata(a)?.len() != fs::metadata(b)?.len() {
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/media.rs b/crates/engine/src/media.rs
index 7fd8a596..91f72e02 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/media.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/media.rs
@@ -830,7 +830,9 @@ pub struct ProbeInfo {
     pub captured: Option<String>,
     pub meta: lightcraft_catalog::Meta,
     pub as_shot_wb: Option<(f64, f64)>,
-    /// Hash of the file's bytes (hex), for duplicate detection.
+    /// Hash of the file's bytes (hex), for duplicate detection. When it is a 32-digit
+    /// [`lightcraft_preview::hash_bytes`] of the whole file (as the native probe computes it),
+    /// Import → Copy verifies each copy against it instead of reading the source again.
     pub content_hash: Option<String>,
     /// Lens corrections embedded in the file (DNG opcodes).
     pub embedded_lens: Option<lightcraft_develop::EmbeddedLens>,
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/originals.rs b/crates/engine/src/originals.rs
index 59a5f6a2..86128108 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/originals.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/originals.rs
@@ -68,9 +68,14 @@ impl crate::Session {
         OriginalGuard::new(&self.catalog)
     }
 
-    /// `Err` when writing `path` would replace a catalogued photo's original or sidecar.
+    /// `Err` when writing `path` would replace a catalogued photo's original or sidecar. A free
+    /// path (the usual case) is answered without building the guard over the whole library.
     pub fn check_write_target(&self, path: &str) -> Result<(), String> {
-        self.original_guard().check(Path::new(path))
+        let path = Path::new(path);
+        if std::fs::symlink_metadata(path).is_err() {
+            return Ok(()); // nothing there to replace
+        }
+        self.original_guard().check(path)
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/tests_export.rs b/crates/engine/src/tests_export.rs
index dcd74cb4..1515d7bf 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/tests_export.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/tests_export.rs
@@ -323,3 +323,24 @@ fn a_failed_export_write_keeps_the_previous_file() {
     assert_ne!(std::fs::read(&prev).unwrap(), b"last week's export");
     let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&dir);
 }
+
+/// Issue #134: exports can always be made again, so they are written atomically but not synced to
+/// disk file by file; an edit copy that becomes a library photo still is.
+#[test]
+fn exports_are_atomic_without_a_sync() {
+    use crate::export::{Conflict, Destination};
+    use lightcraft_catalog::safe_file::syncs_on_this_thread;
+    let (mut s, id, dir, _src, _) = library_with_jpeg("export-nosync");
+    let out = dir.join("out");
+    let to = Destination { dir: out.to_string_lossy().to_string(), exact: None };
+    let o = ExportOptions { conflict: Conflict::Unique, ..Default::default() };
+    let before = syncs_on_this_thread();
+    for _ in 0..3 {
+        disk_batch(&mut s, id, &o, &to).unwrap();
+    }
+    assert_eq!(syncs_on_this_thread(), before, "no per-file sync for exports");
+    assert_eq!(std::fs::read_dir(&out).unwrap().count(), 3, "three exports, no temp files");
+    crate::export::write_file_durable(&out.join("edit.tif").to_string_lossy(), b"tiff").unwrap();
+    assert!(syncs_on_this_thread() > before, "the durable writer syncs");
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&dir);
+}
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/tests_import_move.rs b/crates/engine/src/tests_import_move.rs
index 5eb278fe..76ea0a3d 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/tests_import_move.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/tests_import_move.rs
@@ -207,6 +207,67 @@ fn copy_import_verifies_each_copy() {
     let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&base);
 }
 
+/// Copy verifies against the probe's content hash (issue #134): the hash, not a re-read of the
+/// source, is the reference — a copy that matches the source but not the hash is refused, a
+/// corrupted copy is caught, and the file hash agrees with `hash_bytes` across read chunks.
+#[test]
+fn copy_is_verified_against_the_probe_hash() {
+    use crate::import_move::copy_verified;
+    let base = temp_dir("copyhash");
+    let src = base.join("src.bin");
+    // larger than one 1 MB read, not a multiple of it
+    let bytes: Vec<u8> = (0..(3 << 20) + 12_345u32).map(|i| (i.wrapping_mul(2_654_435_761) >> 13) as u8).collect();
+    std::fs::write(&src, &bytes).unwrap();
+    let good = lightcraft_preview::hash_bytes(&bytes);
+    copy_verified(&src, &base.join("ok.bin"), Some(good)).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(std::fs::read(base.join("ok.bin")).unwrap(), bytes);
+    // a hash that doesn't match: refused (a byte compare with the source would have passed)
+    let stale = lightcraft_preview::hash_bytes(b"what the probe read earlier");
+    let e = copy_verified(&src, &base.join("stale.bin"), Some(stale)).unwrap_err();
+    assert!(e.to_string().contains("differs"), "{e}");
+    assert!(!base.join("stale.bin").exists(), "the refused copy is removed");
+    // a copy that comes out different: caught by the hash
+    inject(Fault::Corrupt);
+    let r = copy_verified(&src, &base.join("bad.bin"), Some(good));
+    inject(Fault::None);
+    assert!(r.is_err());
+    assert!(!base.join("bad.bin").exists());
+    assert_eq!(std::fs::read(&src).unwrap(), bytes, "the source is untouched");
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&base);
+}
+
+/// A file replaced after Review Import probed it is not imported on the strength of the old probe:
+/// its copy no longer matches the probe's hash, so it's reported as failed and nothing is left.
+#[test]
+fn copy_import_refuses_a_file_changed_since_the_review() {
+    let base = temp_dir("copychanged");
+    let (card, dest) = (base.join("card"), base.join("out"));
+    write_png(&card.join("a.png"), 3);
+    let mut s = session();
+    let r = s.execute("library.importPreview", &json!({"paths": [card.to_string_lossy()]})).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(r["scanned"], 1, "{r}");
+    write_png(&card.join("a.png"), 9); // other pixels
+    let r = s
+        .execute(
+            "library.import",
+            &json!({"paths": [card.to_string_lossy()], "mode": "copy", "destination": dest.to_string_lossy(), "organize": "flat"}),
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(len(&r, "imported"), 0, "{r}");
+    assert_eq!(len(&r, "failed"), 1, "{r}");
+    assert!(r.to_string().contains("changed meanwhile"), "{r}");
+    assert_eq!(files_under(&dest), Vec::<String>::new());
+    // importing again probes afresh and succeeds
+    let r = s
+        .execute(
+            "library.import",
+            &json!({"paths": [card.to_string_lossy()], "mode": "copy", "destination": dest.to_string_lossy(), "organize": "flat"}),
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(len(&r, "imported"), 1, "{r}");
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&base);
+}
+
 /// A source that can't be removed (a read-only card) stays and is reported; the photo is
 /// imported from its copy.
 #[test]
@@ -320,3 +381,55 @@ fn move_into_the_library_is_saved_before_sources_go() {
     assert_eq!(photo_paths(&again), [want.to_string_lossy()]);
     let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&base);
 }
+
+/// Timing for issue #134 (not a pass/fail test): `cargo test -p lightcraft-engine --release
+/// write_policy_timing -- --ignored --nocapture`. Writes N export-sized files durably (temp +
+/// sync + rename) and atomically only, and copies N files verified byte for byte and against the
+/// probe hash, alternating so a loaded machine affects both alike. `LIGHTCRAFT_BENCH_DIR` puts
+/// the files on another volume (a USB drive or a NAS is where the difference shows).
+#[test]
+#[ignore]
+fn write_policy_timing() {
+    use crate::import_move::copy_verified;
+    use lightcraft_catalog::safe_file::{write_atomic, write_atomic_nosync};
+    use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
+    let root = std::env::var_os("LIGHTCRAFT_BENCH_DIR").map(PathBuf::from).unwrap_or_else(std::env::temp_dir);
+    let base = root.join(format!("lc-write-policy-{}", std::process::id()));
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&base);
+    std::fs::create_dir_all(&base).unwrap();
+    let data = |n: usize, seed: u32| -> Vec<u8> { (0..n as u32).map(|i| (i.wrapping_add(seed).wrapping_mul(2_654_435_761) >> 11) as u8).collect() };
+    let (n, size) = (200usize, 300 << 10);
+    let (mut synced, mut unsynced) = (Duration::ZERO, Duration::ZERO);
+    for i in 0..n {
+        let b = data(size, i as u32);
+        let t = Instant::now();
+        write_atomic(&base.join(format!("sync-{i}.jpg")), &b).unwrap();
+        synced += t.elapsed();
+        let t = Instant::now();
+        write_atomic_nosync(&base.join(format!("nosync-{i}.jpg")), &b).unwrap();
+        unsynced += t.elapsed();
+    }
+    println!("export {n} × {} KB: write_atomic (synced) {synced:?}, write_atomic_nosync {unsynced:?}", size >> 10);
+    let (n, size) = (40usize, 8 << 20);
+    let card = base.join("card");
+    std::fs::create_dir_all(&card).unwrap();
+    let hashes: Vec<_> = (0..n)
+        .map(|i| {
+            let b = data(size, 7 * i as u32);
+            std::fs::write(card.join(format!("{i}.raw")), &b).unwrap();
+            lightcraft_preview::hash_bytes(&b)
+        })
+        .collect();
+    let (mut bytewise, mut hashed) = (Duration::ZERO, Duration::ZERO);
+    for (i, h) in hashes.iter().enumerate() {
+        let src = card.join(format!("{i}.raw"));
+        let t = Instant::now();
+        copy_verified(&src, &base.join(format!("bytes-{i}.raw")), None).unwrap();
+        bytewise += t.elapsed();
+        let t = Instant::now();
+        copy_verified(&src, &base.join(format!("hash-{i}.raw")), Some(*h)).unwrap();
+        hashed += t.elapsed();
+    }
+    println!("copy {n} × {} MB: byte compare with the source {bytewise:?}, probe hash {hashed:?}", size >> 20);
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&base);
+}
diff --git a/docs/parity.md b/docs/parity.md
index cfc61c96..4eb48c4e 100644
--- a/docs/parity.md
+++ b/docs/parity.md
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ under the UI command that wraps it (a no-op error); the UI command now wins.
 | LR-IMP-ADD-DIALOG | Add photos/folders | P0 | ✅ | `cmd:file.addPhotos`, `cmd:library.importPreview`, `cmd:library.import` (`mode`, `album`, `albumName`, `preset`, `keywords`), `crates/ui-egui/src/import.rs` | review dialog (Import Photos): the scanned source (a scanned folder is not added to Local), candidate grid with thumbnails and checkboxes (duplicates by path/content marked and unchecked), transfer mode (add in place / copy / move, each explained), album (existing/new), preset, keywords; the folder scan runs on a background thread with a progress window and Cancel (a NAS folder no longer freezes the window); the import itself (probing, sidecars, copying / moving files) runs on a worker thread and its batches join the library between frames, with a progress window and Cancel; one undo step. Drag-and-drop goes through the same background import |
 | LR-IMP-DRAGDROP | Drop files/folders to import | P0 | ✅ | `crates/ui-egui/src/lib.rs` (dropped files → `cmd:library.import`) | dropping onto a specific album not supported |
 | LR-IMP-DUPES | Skip duplicates by content | P1 | ✅ | `crates/engine/src/import.rs`, `crates/engine/src/tests_import.rs` | |
-| LR-IMP-DEVICE | Import from camera/card | P1 | ✅ | `cmd:library.devices`, `cmd:file.addFromDevice`, `crates/engine/src/devices.rs` | mounted volumes with a DCIM folder (macOS /Volumes, Linux /media and /run/media, Windows drive letters); File → Import from Device → the import review, copying into the library by default; menus serve the last scan and rescan in the background (never blocking a frame; hot-plugs repaint); copies are verified like Move's (a new file, synced, compared byte for byte; a bad copy is removed and reported as failed, never counted as imported; taken names get -1, -2…, never replaced — issue #96, `crates/engine/src/import_move.rs`); no PTP/MTP (cameras that don't mount as a disk) |
+| LR-IMP-DEVICE | Import from camera/card | P1 | ✅ | `cmd:library.devices`, `cmd:file.addFromDevice`, `crates/engine/src/devices.rs` | mounted volumes with a DCIM folder (macOS /Volumes, Linux /media and /run/media, Windows drive letters); File → Import from Device → the import review, copying into the library by default; menus serve the last scan and rescan in the background (never blocking a frame; hot-plugs repaint); copies are verified (a new file, synced, checked against the content hash the scan computed — byte compare with the source when there is none, issue #134; a bad copy is removed and reported as failed, never counted as imported; taken names get -1, -2…, never replaced — issue #96, `crates/engine/src/import_move.rs`); no PTP/MTP (cameras that don't mount as a disk) |
 | LR-IMP-AUTO | Watched-folder auto import | P2 | ✅ | `cmd:library.autoImport`, `cmd:library.autoImportScan`, `crates/ui-egui/src/panels/settings.rs` | Settings ▸ Import ▸ Auto Import: a watched folder whose new photos are added (in place or copied) once complete, into an optional album; scanned every 3 s |
 | LR-IMP-PRESET | Preset on import | P2 | ✅ | `cmd:library.import` (`preset`) | chosen in the import review; one History entry |
 | LR-IMP-RAWDEFAULT | Raw defaults | P1 | ✅ | `cmd:library.preferences`, `crates/engine/src/import.rs`, `crates/ui-egui/src/panels/settings.rs` | LightCraft default / a preset / per camera (make + model); non-raw default too; the preset look counts as unedited and Reset returns to it |
@@ -434,7 +434,7 @@ under the UI command that wraps it (a no-op error); the UI command now wins.
 | LR-EXP-METADATA | Metadata policy | P1 | ✅ | `cmd:app.export` (`metadata`, `removeLocation`) | |
 | LR-EXP-WATERMARK | Watermark | P1 | ✅ | `cmd:app.export` (`watermark`: text or `image` + `imageWidth`), `crates/engine/src/export.rs` (`Watermark`) | text (size, colour, shadow) or a graphic with transparency (width as % of the photo, converted to the output colour space); position, inset, opacity |
 | LR-EXP-NAMING | File naming | P1 | ✅ | `cmd:app.export` (`naming`, `startNumber`), `crates/engine/src/rename.rs` (`expand_tokens`) | one template language for export, Rename Photos and import renaming: `{name}`, `{num}` (number at the end of the name), `{seq}` / `{seq:N}`, `{date}` / `{date:%Y-%m-%d}`, `{folder}`, `{camera}`, `{lens}`, `{iso}`, `{rating}`, `{title}`, `{creator}`, `{ext}`; free-form template rather than a list of named schemes |
-| LR-EXP-LOCATION | Destination folder | P0 | ✅ | `cmd:app.export` (`dir`, `subfolder`, `conflict`: unique / overwrite / skip), `cmd:export.checkTarget`, `crates/ui-egui/src/panels/dialogs.rs` (Choose… folder picker), `crates/engine/src/originals.rs`, `crates/catalog/src/safe_file.rs` | folder picker on the desktop; existing files get `-2`, `-3`… by default; the policy covers a file and its sidecars together; a catalogued original (or its sidecar) is never written over, whatever the policy or an exact `path` (export, `ui.render`, MCP `render_photo`, merge `previewPath`, `lightcraft-cli render`); files are written to a temp file, synced and renamed into place (issue #93) |
+| LR-EXP-LOCATION | Destination folder | P0 | ✅ | `cmd:app.export` (`dir`, `subfolder`, `conflict`: unique / overwrite / skip), `cmd:export.checkTarget`, `crates/ui-egui/src/panels/dialogs.rs` (Choose… folder picker), `crates/engine/src/originals.rs`, `crates/catalog/src/safe_file.rs` | folder picker on the desktop; existing files get `-2`, `-3`… by default; the policy covers a file and its sidecars together; a catalogued original (or its sidecar) is never written over, whatever the policy or an exact `path` (export, `ui.render`, MCP `render_photo`, merge `previewPath`, `lightcraft-cli render`); files are written to a temp file and renamed into place (issue #93; not synced file by file — exports can be made again, issue #134) |
 | LR-EXP-PREVIOUS | Export with previous settings | P0 | ✅ | `cmd:app.exportPrevious`, `cmd:dialog.export` | last options persist in prefs.json; dialog prefilled; no named export presets yet |
 | LR-EXP-DNGOPT | DNG options | P2 | 🟡 | `cmd:app.export` (`dngCompression`), `crates/engine/src/export.rs` | compression: lossless JPEG (default), ZIP or none; no embedded JPEG preview size, no lossy DNG output |
 | LR-EXP-ORIGINAL | Original + XMP | P1 | ✅ | `cmd:app.export` (`format: original`), `crates/engine/src/tests_export.rs` | file copied byte for byte, sidecar named after the output and subject to the conflict policy |
diff --git a/docs/whats-new.md b/docs/whats-new.md
index 701600ef..5ae3fd53 100644
--- a/docs/whats-new.md
+++ b/docs/whats-new.md
@@ -14,18 +14,25 @@
   the same name and "Overwrite" (or Export with Previous repeating it), an exact output path from the control
   channel or MCP, a merge preview path or `lightcraft-cli render IMG.jpg -o IMG.jpg` is refused with a clear
   message, and the original is left byte for byte. Ordinary earlier exports are still overwritten when asked.
-  Exported files are written to a temp file, synced and then renamed into place, so a full disk or an unplugged
-  drive never leaves a truncated file; the XMP sidecar of an "Original" export follows the "If file exists"
-  choice too.
+  Exported files are written to a temp file and then renamed into place, so a full disk or an unplugged drive
+  never leaves a truncated file; the XMP sidecar of an "Original" export follows the "If file exists" choice too.
 - Convert to DNG, Copy as DNG, Photo Merge and smart previews no longer write straight to the final file (issue
   #106): a DNG is checked against the raw data, written to a temp file, synced and read back before it gets its
   name (never replacing a file), and only then is the photo relinked or the raw copy removed — a failed write
   leaves no DNG and keeps the raw. Smart previews are written the same way; a damaged one (cut short by a crash or
   a full drive) no longer counts as built and Build Smart Previews replaces it.
 - Import ▸ Copy verifies every copy, like Move (issue #96): each file is written as a new file, synced to disk and
-  compared byte for byte with the card. A copy that fails or differs is removed and reported as a failed import —
-  so "import complete" means the copies are good before you format the card — and a name that is taken gets -1,
-  -2… instead of being replaced.
+  checked against the content read from the card. A copy that fails or differs is removed and reported as a failed
+  import — so "import complete" means the copies are good before you format the card — and a name that is taken
+  gets -1, -2… instead of being replaced.
+- Faster exports and card imports, with the same protection for what can't be recreated (issue #134): exports,
+  renders and screenshots are still written to a temp file and renamed into place, but no longer forced to disk
+  one by one — they can always be exported again, and on a USB drive or a NAS that per-file sync dominated a large
+  export. The catalog, XMP sidecars, settings, DNGs, merges, smart previews and the copies an import makes are still
+  synced. Import ▸ Copy now checks each copy against the content hash taken while scanning the card instead of
+  reading the card a third time (Move still compares byte for byte before it deletes a source); a file that changed
+  on the card after Review Import is reported instead of being imported with stale details. Checking an export path
+  against the library's originals no longer scans the whole library when nothing is at that path.
 - Saving metadata to an XMP sidecar another application wrote no longer replaces it (issue #92): LightCraft merges its
   fields in and keeps the rest — e.g. that application's develop settings and edit history — byte for byte. A
   sidecar that isn't valid XMP is copied to `<name>.xmp.bak-<time>` first. With the default stem naming, a raw and a