Memory Card Capacity Calculator
Estimate how many photos fit on any memory card based on your camera's megapixel count and file format. Supports RAW, JPEG, and HEIF.
Calculator results are estimates based on simplified optical formulas. Actual results vary by lens, camera, and shooting conditions. Use these as starting points, not precise measurements.
Planning Card Capacity for a Shoot
Running out of storage during an important shoot is an avoidable problem. Use this calculator before any event, portrait session, or travel day to confirm you have enough cards for your shooting volume. As a rule of thumb: bring twice what you think you'll need.
RAW vs. JPEG Storage Requirements
RAW files are substantially larger than JPEGs — typically 3 to 8 times larger, depending on the camera and compression format. A RAW file preserves all the data captured by the sensor, while JPEG applies in-camera processing and lossy compression. For the same number of photos, you'll need significantly more storage when shooting RAW.
Memory Card Speed Classes Explained
| Speed Class | Min Write Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Class 10 / UHS-I | 10 MB/s | General shooting, video up to 1080p |
| UHS Speed Class 1 (U1) | 10 MB/s | Full HD video, general photography |
| UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) | 30 MB/s | 4K video, high-resolution burst shooting |
| Video Speed Class V60 | 60 MB/s | High-bitrate video, fast burst RAW |
| Video Speed Class V90 | 90 MB/s | 8K video, professional cameras |
CFexpress vs. SD vs. CFast
Modern high-end cameras use CFexpress cards, which offer significantly faster write speeds than SD cards — essential for burst shooting RAW files on 45MP+ cameras or high-bitrate video. Mid-range cameras typically use UHS-II SD cards. Budget cameras and older models use UHS-I SD. Always check your camera's card slot type before purchasing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many RAW photos fit on a 128GB card?
A 128GB card holds roughly 4,500–4,800 RAW files from a 24MP camera at approximately 28MB per file. Higher megapixel cameras produce larger files: a 45MP camera at ~55MB per RAW would fit about 2,200 files on the same card.
Why does my card show less space than advertised?
Card manufacturers measure gigabytes in base-10 (1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes). Operating systems and cameras measure in base-2 (1 GiB = 1,073,741,824 bytes). A 128 GB card actually holds about 119 GiB, which is what your camera reports. Additionally, formatting reserves a small amount for the file system.
Should I use one large card or multiple smaller ones?
This is a risk management decision. One large card simplifies workflow but creates a single point of failure. Two smaller cards spread your risk — if one fails mid-shoot, you haven't lost everything. Professional photographers at important events often use dual card slots for redundant recording.
Does card speed affect how many photos I can take?
Card speed affects how quickly your camera clears its buffer during burst shooting — not the total number of photos you can store. A fast card lets you shoot longer bursts before the camera pauses. For casual shooting, slower and cheaper cards work fine. For sports or wildlife bursts, card write speed matters significantly.