How Photo Storage Is Calculated
Photo file size depends primarily on image resolution (megapixels), file format, and compression level. This calculator uses empirical averages for each format: approximately 0.3 MB per megapixel for high-quality JPEG, 1.2 MB per megapixel for 14-bit RAW, 3.0 MB per megapixel for 16-bit TIFF, and 0.2 MB per megapixel for HEIF. Actual sizes vary by scene complexity — images with fine detail and texture compress less than smooth scenes.
Select your file format, enter your camera resolution in megapixels and the number of photos, and the calculator estimates total storage in MB, GB, and TB along with the number of memory cards needed at common capacities.
File Format Comparison
JPEG is the universal standard with good quality at small file sizes. RAW captures all sensor data for maximum editing flexibility but uses significantly more storage. TIFF is an uncompressed format used primarily for archival and print production. HEIF (used by iPhones and some cameras) offers JPEG-quality images at 30-40% smaller file sizes. RAW+JPEG shoots both formats simultaneously, using the most storage but giving you the best of both worlds.
Storage Planning for Events
For a typical event shoot of 500-1000 photos at 24MP shooting RAW, budget 15-30 GB. A wedding with 3000-5000 photos needs 90-150 GB in RAW. A year of casual shooting (5000 JPEGs) needs about 36 GB. Professional photographers maintaining RAW archives typically need 1-4 TB per year depending on volume. Always carry more storage than you think you need — running out of cards during a shoot is far worse than having spare capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much storage does a RAW photo take?
A 24MP camera produces RAW files of approximately 25-30 MB. A 45MP camera produces RAW files of about 45-60 MB.
How many photos can fit on a 64GB card?
At 24MP: approximately 2,600 JPEG files, 2,100 RAW files, or 1,400 RAW+JPEG pairs.
Should I shoot RAW or JPEG?
RAW offers maximum editing flexibility; JPEG is smaller and ready to share. Many pros shoot RAW+JPEG for the best of both.
How much storage do I need for a wedding shoot?
Budget 100-150 GB at 24MP or 200-300 GB at 45MP when shooting RAW+JPEG for 3,000-5,000 photos.
How do HEIF files compare to JPEG?
HEIF files are 30-40% smaller than equivalent quality JPEG while maintaining similar image quality.