What number of footage can my SD card maintain? That is the query I’m requested usually when readers of my weblog attempt to determine the dimensions of the SD reminiscence card they should complement the digicam they only bought.
On this article,
- I offers you a fast estimate of what number of footage totally different SD reminiscence card holds.
- Plus, I’ll present with you a extra exact methodology you’ll be able to apply to your particular digicam and get higher estimates.
- And eventually, I’ll share what’s the optimum reminiscence card dimension right now and the dimensions of reminiscence playing cards I’m utilizing in my images.
However the easiest methodology to determine what number of photos a reminiscence card can maintain is to divide the dimensions of the reminiscence card by the typical picture dimension your digicam produces.
To simplify the method of calculating what number of can SD card maintain, I precalculated the commonest situations and provide you with a transparent reply.
The Method I Calculated What number of Pictures Every SD Card Can Maintain
I used 3 situations for calculating what number of pictures you’ll be able to retailer on a SD card.
Situation #1: You Use a DSLR or Mirrorless Digital camera
At this level, the 2 hottest DSLR traces of cameras are the Nikon D3xxx and the Canon Insurgent sequence.
Nikon D3xxx cameras, when capturing in JPEG format, produce file sizes between 10MB and 13MB.
Canon Insurgent cameras produce JPEG photos between 7MB and 11MB.
For my calculations, I used the typical file dimension of 10MB for DSLR and mirrorless cameras when capturing JPEG.
When capturing RAW, relying on ISO settings, Nikon cameras create file sizes between 22MB and 26MB.
Canon Insurgent fashions generate RAW photos between 32MB and 38MB.
Situation 2: You Use the Smartphone.
When you test the JPEG file dimension produced by varied smartphones you’ll be able to see that dimension can differ between 4MB and 6MB
Situation 3: You Use GoPro or One other Motion Digital camera
GoPro cameras, relying on the mannequin, when capturing at full decision produce JPEG photos between 6MB and 10Mb.
To estimate the variety of pictures you’ll be able to retailer on a SD reminiscence card, I divided the dimensions of the cardboard by the typical dimension of the digicam photos
That straightforward.
However please keep in mind, it’s only an estimation as a result of we deal we averages and the ultimate results of the variety of photos every card can maintain is an approximation solely.
How Many Pictures Can a 16GB SD Card Maintain?
| DSLR (JPEG) | DSLR (RAW) | Sensible Telephone | GoPro Hero 8-11 |
| 1,638 | 468-682 | 3,276 | 2,048 |
On DSLR and mirrorless cameras the JPEG file dimension varies from 7MB to 13MB. It implies that a 16GB reminiscence card will maintain between 2,340 and 1,260 pictures, with a mean of 1,638 photos. When capturing RAW the picture dimension is greater (between 22MB and 38MB), and the 16GB can retailer between 468 and 682 pictures.
With an approximate picture dimension between 4MB and 6MB on a smartphone, the 16GB SD reminiscence card can maintain between 4,096 and a couple of,730 pictures with a mean of 3,276 JPEG pictures.
On the GoPro motion digicam, an 16GB reminiscence card will retailer between 2730 (6MB per picture) and 1638 pictures (10MB per picture) with a mean of 2048.
Greatest 16GB SD Reminiscence Playing cards
How Many Pictures Can a 32GB SD Card Maintain?
| DSLR (JPEG) | DSLR (RAW) | Sensible Telephone | GoPro Hero 8-11 |
| 3,276 | 936-1,364 | 6,553 | 4,096 |
With the typical JPEG picture dimension on DSLR cameras round 10MB, the 32GB reminiscence card will maintain about 3,276 pictures. When capturing in a RAW format, the file sizes differ from 22MB to 38MB, and a 32GB reminiscence card can retailer between 936 and 1,364 photos.
On a smartphone, the approximate picture dimension is between 4MB and 6MB, and the 32GB SD reminiscence card can maintain between 8,192 and 5,460 pictures with a mean of 6553 JPEG photos.
GoPro motion cameras, at full decision, produce JPEG picture sizes round 6MB and 10MB. The 32GB reminiscence card will let you retailer roughly between 5,462 (6MB per picture) and three,276 pictures (10MB per picture).
Greatest 32 GB SD Reminiscence Playing cards
How Many Pictures Can a 64GB SD Card Maintain?
| DSLR (JPEG) | DSLR (RAW) | Sensible Telephone | GoPro Hero 8-11 |
| 6,552 | 1,872-2,728 | 1,3106 | 8,192 |
The common JPEG picture dimension on most DSLR cameras is round 10 MB. With a 64GB reminiscence card, you’ll have the ability to maintain within the neighborhood of 6,552 photos. When capturing in RAW format, the file dimension can vary from 22MB to 38MB. With a 64GB reminiscence card, you can retailer about 1,872 to 2,728 footage.
Photographs on a smartphone sometimes have a dimension between 4MB and 6MB, and SD playing cards with 64GB capability can maintain as much as between 16384 and 10922 pictures, with a mean of 13106 JPEG photos.
GoPro motion cameras, at full decision, produce JPEG photos with file sizes starting from 6MB to 10MB. The 64GB reminiscence card will let you retailer between 10,922 (6MB per picture) and 6,554 pictures (10MB per picture).
Greatest 64 GB SD Reminiscence Playing cards
How Many Pictures Can a 128GB SD Card Maintain?
| DSLR (JPEG) | DSLR (RAW) | Sensible Telephone | GoPro Hero 8-11 |
| 1,3107 | 3,744-5,456 | 26,212 | 16,384 |
The common JPEG picture dimension on most DSLR cameras is round 10 MB. With a 128GB reminiscence card, you’ll have the ability to maintain within the neighborhood of 13,107 photos. When capturing in RAW format, the file dimension can vary from 22MB to 38MB. With a 128GB reminiscence card, you’ll be able to retailer about 3,744 to five,456 footage.
Photographs on a smartphone sometimes have a dimension between 4MB and 6MB, and SD playing cards with 128GB capability can maintain as much as between 32,768 and 21,840 pictures, with a mean of 26,212 JPEG photos.
GoPro motion cameras, at full decision, produce JPEG photos with picture sizes starting from 6MB to 10MB. The 128GB reminiscence card will let you retailer between 21,845 (6MB per picture) and 32,76 pictures (10MB per picture).
Greatest 128GB SD Reminiscence Playing cards
How Many Pictures Can a 256GB SD Card Maintain?
| DSLR (JPEG) | DSLR (RAW) | Sensible Telephone | GoPro Hero 8-11 |
| 26,214 | 8,628-10,560 | 52,428 | 32,768 |
The common JPEG picture dimension on most DSLR cameras is round 10 MB. With a 256GB reminiscence card, you’ll have the ability to maintain within the neighborhood of 26,214 photos. When capturing in RAW format, the file dimension can vary from 22MB to 38MB. With a 256GB reminiscence card, you can retailer about 8,628 to 10,560 footage.
Photographs on a smartphone sometimes have a dimension between 4MB and 6MB, and SD playing cards with 256GB capability can maintain as much as between 65,536 and 43,690 pictures, with a mean of 52,428 JPEG photos.
GoPro motion cameras, at full decision, produce JPEG photos with file sizes starting from 6MB to 10MB. The 32GB reminiscence card will let you retailer between 43,690 (6MB per picture) and 26,214 pictures (10MB per picture).
Greatest 256GB SD Reminiscence Playing cards
How Many Pictures Can a 512GB SD Card Maintain?
| DSLR (JPEG) | DSLR (RAW) | Sensible Telephone | GoPro Hero 8-11 |
| 52,428 | 17,256-21,120 | 104,856 | 65,536 |
The common JPEG picture dimension on most DSLR cameras is round 10 MB. With a 512GB reminiscence card, you’ll have the ability to maintain within the neighborhood of 52,428 photos. When capturing in RAW format, the file dimension can vary from 22MB to 38MB. With a 512GB reminiscence card, you’ll be able to retailer about 17,256 to 21,120 footage.
Photographs on a smartphone sometimes have a dimension between 4MB and 6MB, and SD playing cards with 512GB capability can maintain as much as between 131,072 and 87,381 pictures, with a mean of 104,856 JPEG photos.
GoPro motion cameras, at full decision, produce JPEG photos with picture sizes starting from 6MB to 10MB. The 512GB reminiscence card will let you retailer between 87,381 (6MB per picture) and 51,428 pictures (10MB per picture).
Greatest 512GB SD Reminiscence Playing cards
What Elements Decide Picture File Dimension?
JPEG File Dimension
The primary mistake that photographers make after they attempt to estimate what number of pictures can match on a reminiscence card is after they use the variety of megapixels on the digicam sensor as a main issue of their calculations. Though there’s a direct correlation between the megapixel depend and the dimensions of the picture it produces (the upper the megapixel depend, the bigger the picture), it’s virtually unimaginable to estimate the precise file dimension.
When you shoot in JPEG format, you should utilize a number of high quality choices—like an additional high-quality, high-quality and normal—that produce totally different file sizes.
Plus, totally different digicam settings and capturing situations have an effect on the dimensions of the JPEG file. For instance, excessive ISO pictures usually function a big quantity of digital noise, which ends up in a lot bigger JPEG information. Pictures with wide-open skies could have a a lot smaller file dimension than a picture with a forest that’s full of element.
Which means, relying on JPEG high quality, totally different digicam settings, and varied capturing situations, the file dimension can differ wherever from 1MB to 20MB for a similar digicam mannequin.
RAW File Dimension
When capturing RAW, the scenario turns into much more complicated. RAW information differ in bit depth from 12-bit to 14-bit. The upper the bit depth, the larger the file dimension. It’s doable to calculate the file dimension when you recognize the megapixel depend and the bit depth, however just for uncompressed RAW information. Nonetheless, many producers use RAW compression which varies from lossless to lossy.
Instance. A Sony a6000 24-megapixel sensor produces 25MB RAW information. A Fujifilm X-T2 24-megapixel sensor produces 48MB RAW information. Sony’s RAW information are compressed however Fuji’s are uncompressed.
On high of the whole lot, some digicam producers have their very own smaller variations of RAW information resembling sRAW and mRAW.
As I stated, it is vitally sophisticated and complicated.
So, What’s the Extra Correct Approach to Estimate How Many Pictures a Reminiscence Card Can Maintain?
Let me present you the best method of discovering the reply!
Let’s say that I shoot with my Sony a6000 and I need to estimate what number of footage I can retailer on a 32GB and a 64GB SD card earlier than I resolve which to purchase.
I dive into my grasp library listing the place I hold all of my unprocessed pictures.
Within the file browser (Explorer or Finder), I see that every one my RAW pictures are sized between 24MB and 25MB.
Subsequent, I exploit the desk beneath to find out that I can retailer 1,100 RAW information on a 32GB SD reminiscence card and 2,200 RAW information on the 64GB model.
If I test the JPEG model of the pictures produced by the Sony a6000, I see that the dimensions varies between 5MB and 13MB. I exploit a mean worth of 8MB for my calculation. This tells me that I can retailer 3,432 JPEG photos on a 32GB SD card and 6,864 photos on the 64GB model.
Reminiscence Card Desk Calculator
You should use my methodology with the reminiscence dimension calculator desk beneath to estimate what number of pictures a 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB SD reminiscence card can maintain.
| Picture Dimension (MB) |
SD Card 16GB |
SD Card 32GB |
SD Card 64GB |
SD Card 128GB |
SD Card 256GB |
SD Card 512GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 MB | 16,384 | 32,768 | 65,536 | 131,072 | 262,144 | 524,288 |
| 2.0 MB | 8,192 | 16,384 | 32,768 | 65,536 | 131,072 | 262,144 |
| 3.0 MB | 5,461 | 10,922 | 21,845 | 43,690 | 87,381 | 174,762 |
| 4.0 MB | 4,096 | 8,192 | 16,384 | 32,768 | 65,536 | 131,072 |
| 5.0 MB | 3,276 | 6,553 | 13,107 | 26,214 | 52,428 | 104,857 |
| 6.0 MB | 2,730 | 5,461 | 10,922 | 21,845 | 43,690 | 87,381 |
| 7.0 MB | 2,340 | 4,681 | 9,362 | 18,724 | 37,449 | 74,898 |
| 8.0 MB | 2,048 | 4,096 | 8,192 | 16,384 | 32,768 | 65,536 |
| 9.0 MB | 1,820 | 3,640 | 7,281 | 14,563 | 29,127 | 58,254 |
| 10.0 MB | 1,638 | 3,276 | 6,553 | 13,107 | 26,214 | 52,428 |
| 11.0 MB | 1,489 | 2,978 | 5,957 | 11,915 | 23,831 | 47,662 |
| 12.0 MB | 1,365 | 2,730 | 5,461 | 10,922 | 21,845 | 43,690 |
| 13.0 MB | 1,260 | 2,520 | 5,041 | 10,082 | 20,164 | 40,329 |
| 15.0 MB | 1,092 | 2,184 | 4,369 | 8,738 | 17,476 | 34,952 |
| 16.0 MB | 1,024 | 2,048 | 4,096 | 8,192 | 16,384 | 32,768 |
| 17.0 MB | 963 | 1,927 | 3,855 | 7,710 | 15,420 | 30,840 |
| 18.0 MB | 910 | 1,820 | 3,640 | 7,281 | 14,563 | 29,127 |
| 19.0 MB | 862 | 1,724 | 3,449 | 6,898 | 13,797 | 27,594 |
| 20.0 MB | 819 | 1,638 | 3,276 | 6,553 | 13,107 | 26,214 |
| 21.0 MB | 780 | 1,560 | 3,120 | 6,241 | 12,483 | 24,966 |
| 22.0 MB | 744 | 1,489 | 2,978 | 5,957 | 11,915 | 23,831 |
| 23.0 MB | 712 | 1,424 | 2,849 | 5,698 | 11,397 | 22,795 |
| 24.0 MB | 682 | 1,365 | 2,730 | 5,461 | 10,922 | 21,845 |
| 25.0 MB | 655 | 1,310 | 2,621 | 5,242 | 10,485 | 20,971 |
| 26.0 MB | 630 | 1,260 | 2,520 | 5,041 | 10,082 | 20,164 |
| 27.0 MB | 606 | 1,213 | 2,427 | 4,854 | 9,709 | 19,418 |
| 28.0 MB | 585 | 1,170 | 2,340 | 4,681 | 9,362 | 18,724 |
| 29.0 MB | 564 | 1,129 | 2,259 | 4,519 | 9,039 | 18,078 |
| 30.0 MB | 546 | 1,092 | 2,184 | 4,369 | 8,738 | 17,476 |
| 35.0 MB | 468 | 936 | 1,872 | 3,744 | 7,489 | 14,979 |
| 40.0 MB | 409 | 819 | 1,638 | 3,276 | 6,553 | 13,107 |
| 45.0 MB | 364 | 728 | 1,456 | 2,912 | 5,825 | 11,650 |
| 50.0 MB | 327 | 655 | 1,310 | 2,621 | 5,242 | 10,485 |
| 55.0 MB | 297 | 595 | 1,191 | 2,383 | 4,766 | 9,532 |
| 60.0 MB | 273 | 546 | 1,092 | 2,184 | 4,369 | 8,738 |
| 65.0 MB | 252 | 504 | 1,008 | 2,016 | 4,032 | 8,065 |
| 70.0 MB | 234 | 468 | 936 | 1,872 | 3,744 | 7,489 |
| 75.0 MB | 218 | 436 | 873 | 1,747 | 3,495 | 6,990 |
| 80.0 MB | 204 | 409 | 819 | 1,638 | 3,276 | 6,553 |
| 85.0 MB | 192 | 385 | 771 | 1,542 | 3,084 | 6,168 |
| 90.0 MB | 182 | 364 | 728 | 1,456 | 2,912 | 5,825 |
| 95.0 MB | 172 | 344 | 689 | 1,379 | 2,759 | 5,518 |
| 100.0 MB | 163 | 327 | 655 | 1,310 | 2,621 | 5,242 |
What’s Optimum SD Reminiscence Card Dimension?
Individuals usually ask me why we’d like reminiscence playing cards larger than 32GB if we are able to retailer 1000’s of high-resolution information.
Let me clarify.
I usually shoot in RAW+JPEG in order that I can seize the JPEG model with my telephone or pill for quick enhancing on the street. This will increase the file dimension for each shot to 33MB (25MB+8MB).
Subsequent, I virtually at all times bracket my photographs, taking at the very least three consecutive variations of every shot at totally different publicity values. This will increase the file dimension for every shot to almost 100MB.
Which means I can solely retailer 276 bracketed photographs on a 32GB SD card. That’s merely not sufficient room for my normal capturing fashion.
For the final two years, I principally used SD reminiscence playing cards with a capability of 128GB however am now progressively upgrading them to the 256GB variations.
Essential Reminiscence Card Specs Past Storage Capability
When contemplating a reminiscence card, don’t simply deal with storage dimension. There are key points associated to reliability and velocity that deserve consideration.
Reliability: Keep away from unknown Chinese language manufacturers as they might lack the reliability wanted to guard your knowledge. This might result in knowledge corruption and the lack of your pictures. Go for trusted manufacturers like SanDisk.
On the identical time, train warning even inside well-known manufacturers to keep away from counterfeit playing cards. When buying from Amazon, choose respected resellers resembling Amazon itself, B&H, or Adorama.
Card Pace: Card velocity is a vital issue affecting how shortly your digicam can write knowledge, together with pictures and movies, to the cardboard.
Sluggish playing cards could be irritating when capturing within the discipline. Keep away from the SanDisk Extremely for optimum efficiency, as it might restrict your digicam’s capabilities. Think about investing a bit extra in fashions like SanDisk Excessive or SanDisk Excessive Professional for sooner knowledge switch. This reduces the time your digicam spends clearing its buffer, essential for avoiding missed picture alternatives and sustaining a easy images workflow.
Conclusion: How Many Footage Can My SD Card Maintain?
Selecting the best reminiscence card includes extra than simply dimension. Think about your images wants, prioritize reliability and velocity, and purchase from respected sellers. Whether or not you’re a frequent or occasional photographer, understanding these particulars ensures a easy and safe expertise.
When choosing a reminiscence card, deal with what actually issues on your images, permitting you to seize moments with out worries about reminiscence card limitations.