What number of photos 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 digital camera they simply bought.
On this article,
- I provides you with a fast estimate of what number of photos completely different SD reminiscence card holds.
- Plus, I’ll present with you a extra exact technique you may apply to your particular digital camera and get higher estimates.
- And at last, I’ll share what’s the optimum reminiscence card measurement immediately and the dimensions of reminiscence playing cards I’m utilizing in my pictures.
However the easiest technique to determine what number of photographs a reminiscence card can maintain is to divide the dimensions of the reminiscence card by the typical picture measurement your digital camera 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 Means I Calculated What number of Pictures 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 utilize a DSLR or mirrorless digital camera
At this level, the 2 hottest DSLR strains 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 photographs between 7MB and 11MB.
For my calculations, I used the typical file measurement 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 photographs between 32MB and 38MB.
Situation 2: You utilize the smartphone.
For those who verify the JPEG file measurement produced by numerous smartphones you may see that measurement can differ between 4MB and 6MB
Situation 3: You utilize GoPro or one other motion digital camera
GoPro cameras, relying on the mannequin, when capturing 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 typical measurement of the digital camera 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.
What number of images can a 16GB SD card maintain?
DSLR (JPEG) | DSLR (RAW) | Good Cellphone | 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 mean of 1,638 photographs. When capturing 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 pair of,730 images with a mean of 3,276 JPEG images.
On the GoPro motion digital camera, an 16GB reminiscence card will retailer between 2730 (6MB per photograph) and 1638 images (10MB per photograph) with a mean of 2048.
What number of images can a 32GB SD card maintain?
DSLR (JPEG) | DSLR (RAW) | Good Cellphone | GoPro Hero 8-11 |
3,276 | 936-1,364 | 6,553 | 4,096 |
With the typical JPEG picture measurement on DSLR cameras round 10MB, the 32GB reminiscence card will maintain about 3,276 images. 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 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 mean of 6553 JPEG photographs.
GoPro motion cameras, at full decision, produce JPEG picture sizes round 6MB and 10MB. The 32GB reminiscence card will help you retailer roughly between 5,462 (6MB per photograph) and three,276 images (10MB per photograph).
What number of images can a 64GB SD card maintain?
DSLR (JPEG) | DSLR (RAW) | Good Cellphone | GoPro Hero 8-11 |
6,552 | 1,872-2,728 | 1,3106 | 8,192 |
The typical JPEG picture measurement on most DSLR cameras is round 10 MB. With a 64GB reminiscence card, you’ll be capable of maintain within the neighborhood of 6,552 photographs. When capturing 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 photos.
Pictures on a smartphone usually 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 mean 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 help you retailer between 10,922 (6MB per photograph) and 6,554 images (10MB per photograph).
What number of images can a 128GB SD card maintain?
DSLR (JPEG) | DSLR (RAW) | Good Cellphone | GoPro Hero 8-11 |
1,3107 | 3,744-5,456 | 26,212 | 16,384 |
The typical JPEG picture measurement on most DSLR cameras is round 10 MB. With a 128GB reminiscence card, you’ll be capable of maintain within the neighborhood of 13,107 photographs. When capturing 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 photos.
Pictures on a smartphone usually 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 mean 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 help you retailer between 21,845 (6MB per photograph) and 32,76 images (10MB per photograph).
What number of images can a 256GB SD card maintain?
DSLR (JPEG) | DSLR (RAW) | Good Cellphone | GoPro Hero 8-11 |
26,214 | 8,628-10,560 | 52,428 | 32,768 |
The typical JPEG picture measurement on most DSLR cameras is round 10 MB. With a 256GB reminiscence card, you’ll be capable of maintain within the neighborhood of 26,214 photographs. When capturing 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 photos.
Pictures on a smartphone usually 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 mean 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 help you retailer between 43,690 (6MB per photograph) and 26,214 images (10MB per photograph).
What number of images can a 512GB SD card maintain?
DSLR (JPEG) | DSLR (RAW) | Good Cellphone | GoPro Hero 8-11 |
52,428 | 17,256-21,120 | 104,856 | 65,536 |
The typical JPEG picture measurement on most DSLR cameras is round 10 MB. With a 512GB reminiscence card, you’ll be capable of maintain within the neighborhood of 52,428 photographs. When capturing 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 photos.
Pictures on a smartphone usually 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 photographs, with a mean 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 help you retailer between 87,381 (6MB per photograph) and 51,428 images (10MB per photograph).
What elements decide picture file measurement?
JPEG File Dimension
The primary 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 digital camera sensor as a major issue of their calculations. Though there’s a direct correlation between the megapixel depend and the dimensions of the photograph it produces (the upper the megapixel depend, the bigger the photograph), it’s nearly inconceivable to estimate the precise file measurement.
For those who shoot in JPEG format, you should use a number of high quality choices—like an additional high quality, high quality and customary—that produce completely different file sizes.
Plus, completely different digital camera settings and capturing situations have an effect on the dimensions of the JPEG file. For instance, excessive ISO images typically function a big quantity of digital noise, which ends up in a lot bigger JPEG information. Pictures with wide-open skies may have a a lot smaller file measurement than a picture with a forest that’s crammed with element.
Which means that, relying on JPEG high quality, completely different digital camera settings, and numerous capturing situations, the file measurement can differ wherever from 1MB to 20MB for a similar digital camera mannequin.
RAW File Dimension
When capturing RAW, the state of affairs 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 measurement. It’s attainable to calculate the file measurement when you recognize the megapixel depend and the bit depth, however just for uncompressed RAW information. Nevertheless, 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 prime of all the things, some digital camera producers have their very own smaller variations of RAW information similar to sRAW and mRAW.
As I mentioned, it is rather sophisticated and complicated.
So, What’s the Extra Correct Solution to Estimate How Many Pictures a Reminiscence Card Can Maintain?
Let me present you the simplest manner of discovering the reply!
Let’s say that I shoot with my Sony a6000 and I wish to estimate what number of photos 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 every 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 information on a 32GB SD reminiscence card and 2,200 RAW information on the 64GB model.
If I verify 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 photographs on a 32GB SD card and 6,864 photographs on the 64GB model.
Reminiscence Card Calculator Desk
You should use my technique 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?
Folks typically ask me why we’d like reminiscence playing cards greater than 32GB if we will retailer 1000’s of high-resolution information.
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 modifying on the street. This will increase the file measurement for each shot to 33MB (25MB+8MB).
Subsequent, I nearly all the time bracket my photographs, 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 that I can solely retailer 276 bracketed photographs on a 32GB SD card. That’s merely not sufficient room for my customary capturing type.
For the final two years, I principally used SD reminiscence playing cards with a capability of 128GB however am now steadily upgrading them to the 256GB variations.