What number of footage can my SD card maintain? That is the query I’m requested typically when readers of my weblog strive 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 completely different SD reminiscence card holds.
- Plus, I’ll present with you a extra exact methodology you may apply to your particular digicam and get higher estimates.
- And eventually, I’ll share what’s the optimum reminiscence card measurement at present and the dimensions of reminiscence playing cards I’m utilizing in my images.
However the easiest methodology to determine what number of photographs a reminiscence card can maintain is to divide the dimensions of the reminiscence card by the common picture measurement your digicam produces.
To simplify the method of calculating what number of can SD card maintain, I precalculated the most typical situations and provide you with a transparent reply.Â
The Method I Calculated What number of Photographs Every SD Card Can Maintain
I used 3 situations for calculating what number of images you may retailer on a SD card.
Situation #1: You Use a DSLR or Mirrorless Digital camera
At this level, the 2 hottest DSLR strains of cameras are the Nikon D3xxx and the Canon Insurgent collection.
Nikon D3xxx cameras, when taking pictures in JPEG format, produce file sizes between 10MB and 13MB.Â
Canon Insurgent cameras produce JPEG photographs between 7MB and 11MB.
For my calculations, I used the common file measurement of 10MB for DSLR and mirrorless cameras when taking pictures JPEG.
When taking pictures RAW, relying on ISO settings, Nikon cameras create file sizes between 22MB and 26MB.
Canon Insurgent fashions generate RAW photographs between 32MB and 38MB.
Situation 2: You Use the Smartphone.
In case you test the JPEG file measurement produced by varied smartphones you may see that measurement can range between 4MB and 6MB
Situation 3: You Use GoPro or One other Motion Digital camera
GoPro cameras, relying on the mannequin, when taking pictures at full decision produce JPEG photographs between 6MB and 10Mb.
To estimate the variety of images you may retailer on a SD reminiscence card, I divided the dimensions of the cardboard by the common measurement of the digicam photographs
That straightforward.
However please bear in mind, it’s only an estimation as a result of we deal we averages and the ultimate results of the variety of photographs every card can maintain is an approximation solely.
How Many Photographs 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 measurement varies from 7MB to 13MB. It implies that a 16GB reminiscence card will maintain between 2,340 and 1,260 images, with a median of 1,638 photographs. When taking pictures RAW the picture measurement is greater (between 22MB and 38MB), and the 16GB can retailer between 468 and 682 images.
With an approximate picture measurement between 4MB and 6MB on a smartphone, the 16GB SD reminiscence card can maintain between 4,096 and a couple of,730 images with a median of 3,276 JPEG images.
On the GoPro motion digicam, an 16GB reminiscence card will retailer between 2730 (6MB per picture) and 1638 images (10MB per picture) with a median of 2048.
Finest 16GB SD Reminiscence Playing cards
How Many Photographs 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 common JPEG picture measurement on DSLR cameras round 10MB, the 32GB reminiscence card will maintain about 3,276 images. When taking pictures in a RAW format, the file sizes range from 22MB to 38MB, and a 32GB reminiscence card can retailer between 936 and 1,364 photographs.
On a smartphone, the approximate picture measurement is between 4MB and 6MB, and the 32GB SD reminiscence card can maintain between 8,192 and 5,460 images with a median of 6553 JPEG photographs.
GoPro motion cameras, at full decision, produce JPEG picture sizes round 6MB and 10MB. The 32GB reminiscence card will assist you to retailer roughly between 5,462 (6MB per picture) and three,276 images (10MB per picture).
Finest 32 GB SD Reminiscence Playing cards
How Many Photographs 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 measurement on most DSLR cameras is round 10 MB. With a 64GB reminiscence card, you’ll be capable to maintain within the neighborhood of 6,552 photographs. When taking pictures in RAW format, the file measurement can vary from 22MB to 38MB. With a 64GB reminiscence card, you can retailer about 1,872 to 2,728 footage.
Photos on a smartphone sometimes have a measurement between 4MB and 6MB, and SD playing cards with 64GB capability can maintain as much as between 16384 and 10922 images, with a median of 13106 JPEG photographs.
GoPro motion cameras, at full decision, produce JPEG photographs with file sizes starting from 6MB to 10MB. The 64GB reminiscence card will assist you to retailer between 10,922 (6MB per picture) and 6,554 images (10MB per picture).
Finest 64 GB SD Reminiscence Playing cards
How Many Photographs 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 measurement on most DSLR cameras is round 10 MB. With a 128GB reminiscence card, you’ll be capable to maintain within the neighborhood of 13,107 photographs. When taking pictures in RAW format, the file measurement can vary from 22MB to 38MB. With a 128GB reminiscence card, you may retailer about 3,744 to five,456 footage.
Photos on a smartphone sometimes have a measurement between 4MB and 6MB, and SD playing cards with 128GB capability can maintain as much as between 32,768 and 21,840 images, with a median of 26,212 JPEG photographs.
GoPro motion cameras, at full decision, produce JPEG photographs with picture sizes starting from 6MB to 10MB. The 128GB reminiscence card will assist you to retailer between 21,845 (6MB per picture) and 32,76 images (10MB per picture).
Finest 128GB SD Reminiscence Playing cards
How Many Photographs 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 measurement on most DSLR cameras is round 10 MB. With a 256GB reminiscence card, you’ll be capable to maintain within the neighborhood of 26,214 photographs. When taking pictures in RAW format, the file measurement can vary from 22MB to 38MB. With a 256GB reminiscence card, you can retailer about 8,628 to 10,560 footage.
Photos on a smartphone sometimes have a measurement between 4MB and 6MB, and SD playing cards with 256GB capability can maintain as much as between 65,536 and 43,690 images, with a median of 52,428 JPEG photographs.
GoPro motion cameras, at full decision, produce JPEG photographs with file sizes starting from 6MB to 10MB. The 32GB reminiscence card will assist you to retailer between 43,690 (6MB per picture) and 26,214 images (10MB per picture).
Finest 256GB SD Reminiscence Playing cards
How Many Photographs 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 measurement on most DSLR cameras is round 10 MB. With a 512GB reminiscence card, you’ll be capable to maintain within the neighborhood of 52,428 photographs. When taking pictures in RAW format, the file measurement can vary from 22MB to 38MB. With a 512GB reminiscence card, you may retailer about 17,256 to 21,120 footage.
Photos on a smartphone sometimes have a measurement 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 median of 104,856 JPEG photographs.
GoPro motion cameras, at full decision, produce JPEG photographs with picture sizes starting from 6MB to 10MB. The 512GB reminiscence card will assist you to retailer between 87,381 (6MB per picture) and 51,428 images (10MB per picture).
Finest 512GB SD Reminiscence Playing cards
What Components Decide Picture File Dimension?
JPEG File Dimension
The principle mistake that photographers make once they attempt to estimate what number of images can match on a reminiscence card is once 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 not possible to estimate the precise file measurement.
In case you shoot in JPEG format, you need to use a number of high quality choices—like an additional positive, positive and commonplace—that produce completely different file sizes.
Plus, completely different digicam settings and taking pictures circumstances have an effect on the dimensions of the JPEG file. For instance, excessive ISO images typically characteristic a big quantity of digital noise, which leads to a lot bigger JPEG recordsdata. Photographs with wide-open skies could have a a lot smaller file measurement than a picture with a forest that’s crammed with element.
Which means, relying on JPEG high quality, completely different digicam settings, and varied taking pictures circumstances, the file measurement can range wherever from 1MB to 20MB for a similar digicam mannequin.
RAW File Dimension
When taking pictures RAW, the scenario turns into much more complicated. RAW recordsdata range in bit depth from 12-bit to 14-bit. The upper the bit depth, the larger the file measurement. It’s potential to calculate the file measurement when you already know the megapixel depend and the bit depth, however just for uncompressed RAW recordsdata. Nonetheless, many producers use RAW compression which varies from lossless to lossy.
Instance. A Sony a6000 24-megapixel sensor produces 25MB RAW recordsdata. A Fujifilm X-T2 24-megapixel sensor produces 48MB RAW recordsdata. Sony’s RAW recordsdata are compressed however Fuji’s are uncompressed.
On high of every part, some digicam producers have their very own smaller variations of RAW recordsdata equivalent to sRAW and mRAW.
As I stated, it is rather sophisticated and complicated.
So, What’s the Extra Correct Strategy to Estimate How Many Photographs a Reminiscence Card Can Maintain?
Let me present you the simplest approach 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 determine which to purchase.
I dive into my grasp library listing the place I hold all of my unprocessed images.
Within the file browser (Explorer or Finder), I see that each one my RAW images are sized between 24MB and 25MB.
Subsequent, I exploit the desk beneath to find out that I can retailer 1,100 RAW recordsdata on a 32GB SD reminiscence card and 2,200 RAW recordsdata on the 64GB model.
If I test the JPEG model of the photographs produced by the Sony a6000, I see that the dimensions varies between 5MB and 13MB. I exploit a median worth of 8MB for my calculation. This tells me that I can retailer 3,432 JPEG photographs on a 32GB SD card and 6,864 photographs on the 64GB model.
Reminiscence Card Desk Calculator
You need to use my methodology with the reminiscence measurement calculator desk beneath to estimate what number of images 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 typically ask me why we want reminiscence playing cards greater than 32GB if we are able to retailer 1000’s of high-resolution recordsdata.
Let me clarify.
I typically shoot in RAW+JPEG in order that I can seize the JPEG model with my cellphone or pill for quick enhancing on the highway. This will increase the file measurement for each shot to 33MB (25MB+8MB).
Subsequent, I virtually at all times bracket my pictures, taking at the least three consecutive variations of every shot at completely different publicity values. This will increase the file measurement for every shot to almost 100MB.
Which means I can solely retailer 276 bracketed pictures on a 32GB SD card. That’s merely not sufficient room for my commonplace taking pictures type.
For the final two years, I largely used SD reminiscence playing cards with a capability of 128GB however am now steadily upgrading them to the 256GB variations.
Essential Reminiscence Card Specs Past Storage Capability
When contemplating a reminiscence card, don’t simply give attention to storage measurement. There are key points associated to reliability and velocity that deserve consideration.
Reliability: Keep away from unknown Chinese language manufacturers as they could lack the reliability wanted to guard your knowledge. This might result in knowledge corruption and the lack of your images. Go for trusted manufacturers like SanDisk.
On the similar time, train warning even inside well-known manufacturers to keep away from counterfeit playing cards. When buying from Amazon, choose respected resellers equivalent to Amazon itself, B&H, or Adorama.
Card Velocity: Card velocity is a vital issue affecting how rapidly your digicam can write knowledge, together with images and movies, to the cardboard.
Sluggish playing cards may be irritating when taking pictures within the subject. Keep away from the SanDisk Extremely for optimum efficiency, as it could restrict your digicam’s capabilities. Contemplate 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 Photos Can My SD Card Maintain?
Choosing the proper reminiscence card includes extra than simply measurement. Contemplate 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 selecting a reminiscence card, give attention to what actually issues to your images, permitting you to seize moments with out worries about reminiscence card limitations.
