About this calculator
Working out your storage needs before a shoot helps you avoid running out of memory cards or drive space partway through. This calculator uses your file format (JPEG, compressed RAW, or uncompressed RAW) and shot count to find the total storage needed and how many memory cards that takes. For multi-day trips or projects, you can enter an average daily shot count and number of days instead, and it'll work out the total shot count for you.
How the calculation works
The math is simple. Original storage in GB is file size per shot (MB) × number of shots ÷ 1,000, and total storage is the original × (1 + extra backup copies). Cards needed is total storage divided by card size, rounded up. Using 1 GB = 1,000 MB matches how card makers label capacity.
The default file sizes assume a typical 24–45 MP full-frame or APS-C camera: about 8 MB for JPEG, 30 MB for compressed RAW and 65 MB for uncompressed RAW. Real sizes depend on your sensor and the scene, so use "Custom" if you know your actual file size.
Worked examples
- Shooting 300 frames a day for 5 days is 1,500 shots. In compressed RAW (30 MB) the original is 45 GB; with one extra backup copy you need 90 GB, which one 128 GB card covers.
- The same 1,500 shots as JPEG (8 MB) come to 12 GB, or 24 GB with a backup. Changing format alone cuts the storage to roughly a quarter.
- In uncompressed RAW (65 MB) the original is 97.5 GB and 195 GB with a backup, which takes two 128 GB cards.
- Uploading 90 GB (backup included) at 100 Mbps takes about 2 hours in theory (7,200 s). For 195 GB it is about 4 hours 20 minutes.
When to use it
Use it before a trip to decide how many cards to pack, to pick an external SSD size, or to estimate space before a shoot that produces hundreds of frames at once, like a timelapse. The daily-shots mode suits trips and projects where you shoot a similar amount every day.
Limits and common mistakes
- If your camera saves RAW and JPEG together, add both file sizes and enter the total under "Custom". Calculating only one format can leave you short.
- Usable space is a little below a card's labeled capacity, and filling a card to the brim is risky. As the page notes, plan for 10–20% more than the calculated figure.
- Backup copies means extra copies beyond the original. Entering 1 calculates for 2 total copies including the original.
- Upload time is a theoretical value that assumes your entered speed holds steady. Real uploads can take longer depending on the network.
- Video is not included. If you also record video, add its storage separately.
Guides that pair well with this calculator
Actual file sizes vary by camera model, resolution, compression, and scene detail (busier scenes produce larger files in both RAW and JPEG). For a safety margin, consider planning for 10–20% more storage than the calculated figure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I calculate based on RAW or JPEG?+
Use RAW if you plan to do significant editing afterward, or JPEG if you need ready-to-use results right away. If your camera saves both formats at once, add the two file sizes together and enter that total with the 'Custom' option.
How many backup copies should I keep?+
A common rule of thumb is at least 2–3 total copies including the original (for example: camera original + external drive + cloud). Entering 1 in the advanced 'Extra Backup Copies' field calculates storage for 2 total copies including the original.
Why might the real upload time differ from the estimate?+
This calculator assumes your entered upload speed holds steady the whole time, which is a theoretical estimate. Real-world uploads often take longer due to network congestion, Wi-Fi conditions, or the cloud service's own processing speed.