Plan the shoot.
Size every copy.
Turn a camera preset, bitrate, recording time, photo count, shoot length, and backup plan into practical card and drive capacities.
Presets are planning examples. Always verify the exact bitrate and card requirement in your camera manual.
What each size holds
Figures show capture time or photo count after keeping the same 10% working reserve.
| Capacity | Approximate fit | Covers capture plan? |
|---|---|---|
| 64GB | 38 min | No |
| 128GBRECOMMENDED | 1 hr 16 min | Yes |
| 256GB | 2 hr 33 min | Yes |
| 512GB | 5 hr 7 min | Yes |
| 1TB | 10 hr | Yes |
| 2TB | 20 hr | Yes |
Capacity is only half the decision.
The calculator estimates capture, working room, and independent copies. Your camera still determines the physical format and minimum sustained-write class.
Check your camera's card requirements →- 01Find the exact bitrate
Use a camera preset as a starting point, then confirm the exact recording menu or manual.
- 02Plan every shoot day
Multiply the daily capture plan across the production, then preserve 10% working room.
- 03Count independent copies
Budget recording media and backups separately; RAID alone is not another copy.
Storage calculator FAQ
How is video storage calculated?
Bitrate × recording seconds ÷ 8 converts megabits to megabytes. Dividing by 1,000 estimates decimal gigabytes, then the calculator adds a 10% working reserve.
Why might the real file be a different size?
Variable bitrate, audio streams, metadata, camera implementation, and the scene itself can change the result. Treat this as a planning estimate and test the exact mode.
Does a larger card record faster?
Not automatically. Capacity, bus type, and sustained-write class are different specifications. A large card can still be too slow for a high-bitrate mode.