RAW files contain all sensor data before in-camera processing — they're significantly larger than JPEGs but retain maximum editing latitude. JPEG files apply lossy compression and in-camera processing, reducing file size by 60–80% at the cost of editing flexibility. Estimating your storage needs helps you budget for memory cards, hard drives, and cloud backup.
Camera & Shooting Settings
Storage Estimates
How to Calculate Photography Storage Requirements
Calculating your storage needs prevents the nightmare scenario of running out of card space mid-shoot. The formula is straightforward: average file size × photos per shoot × shoots per year = annual RAW storage. Add 20% headroom to avoid filling drives to capacity, which slows performance and risks data corruption.
Memory Card vs Long-Term Storage
Memory cards are temporary — they hold images during shooting until you transfer to permanent storage. For most shoots, one 128GB card is sufficient, but event photographers (weddings, sports) should carry multiple cards as a redundancy strategy. Long-term storage needs three tiers: working drive (SSD or fast HDD for editing), backup drive (second HDD), and offsite backup (cloud or physical drive at another location). A good rule: never store photos on fewer than two physical locations.
FAQ
Is this calculator free?
Yes, completely free with no signup required.
How big is a RAW file from a 24MP camera?
A 24MP camera shooting 14-bit uncompressed RAW produces files of approximately 48MB. With lossless compression (as most modern cameras use), files compress to 22–35MB. JPEG at highest quality from the same camera is typically 8–15MB. Exact sizes vary by scene complexity — high-detail scenes produce larger files; plain skies produce smaller files.
Should I shoot RAW or JPEG?
Shoot RAW for maximum editing latitude — especially for exposure corrections, white balance adjustments, and recovering highlight/shadow detail. RAW files contain all sensor data; JPEGs discard data to compress. Shoot JPEG when: card space is limited, you're shooting sports and need buffer depth, images go directly to social media without editing, or you trust your in-camera processing.
How many photos fit on a 128GB memory card?
A 128GB card holds approximately: 3,600–5,800 RAW files from a 24MP camera (22–35MB each), or 13,000–32,000 JPEGs at highest quality (4–10MB each). High-megapixel cameras (45MP+) have proportionally larger files — about 2,000–3,000 compressed RAW per 128GB. Always bring more cards than you think you need for important shoots.
What is the difference between compressed and uncompressed RAW?
Uncompressed RAW stores all sensor data without any size reduction — typically 2× larger than compressed. Lossless compressed RAW (default on most modern cameras) applies mathematical compression with zero image quality loss, reducing files 30–50%. Lossy compressed RAW (optional on some cameras) applies additional compression with minimal visual quality loss. Most photographers use lossless compressed RAW as the default.
How much storage do I need for a year of photography?
Annual storage needs depend on shooting volume. A hobbyist shooting 3,000 photos/year in RAW needs about 100GB. A semi-pro shooting 15,000/year needs 400–600GB. A working wedding photographer shooting 50 weddings/year at 2,000 images each needs 5–8TB. Add redundancy: maintain backups on at least two separate physical locations plus cloud storage.