Trying to determine how many pictures your 256GB SD card can hold can be a challenging task. That’s why I’ve created this post to help you calculate the approximate number of photos you can store, whether you’re working with JPEG or RAW image formats on your GoPro camera.

While there are several factors that can affect photo size and storage capacity, we’ll cover everything you need to know, starting with an overview of the two most common picture formats used on GoPro cameras.

sd card 256gb

Formats: JPEG vs RAW


If you’re trying to determine how many photos your 256GB SD card can hold, it’s important to understand how the format of your images affects their size. Most GoPro cameras shoot pictures in two formats – JPEG and RAW – each of which has unique properties that can affect your storage capacity.

RAW

RAW image files, on the other hand, are brand-specific and can only be viewed on your camera, not on a different device. Typically, RAW images are much larger than JPEG ones, which means you won’t be able to store as many pictures on a 256GB SD card. On average, a RAW file captured on a GoPro camera is about 30MB in size. This means that a 256GB SD card can store about 8,600 RAW pictures.

JPEG

JPEG images are hugely popular and can be easily opened on any device. The approximate size of a JPEG image captured with a 12-MP camera is 3.6MB. This means that a 256GB SD card can hold about 71,000 JPEG pictures. However, this number can vary depending on the picture quality. For example, if your camera has more megapixels (such as 24-MP), each picture will take up more space (6.4MB). In such a case, you’ll only be able to fit about 35,500 photos on your 256GB SD card.

It’s important to keep in mind that other factors, such as the complexity of the image and the compression settings used, can also affect the size of your photos and the number you can store on your SD card. However, by understanding the basic differences between JPEG and RAW formats, you can start to get a better sense of how many photos your 256GB SD card can hold.

 

Factors To Consider


Calculating how many photos your 256GB SD card can hold is a complex task that depends on several factors. Here are three key factors that can affect the number of images you can store:

  • Video and other files: GoPro cameras are often used to shoot videos, which take up more space than photos. In addition, GoPro cameras also create additional files like LRV and THM files, which also occupy space on your SD card. When calculating how many photos your SD card can hold, it’s important to factor in the space used by videos and other files.
  • Resolution: The resolution of your camera is the most significant factor that affects photo size. Higher resolutions result in larger photo sizes, which means you can store fewer images on your SD card. For example, a 20-MP camera will produce larger photos than a 12-MP camera, which means you’ll be able to store fewer photos on your SD card.
  • Format: As discussed earlier, image format also affects photo size. JPEG is a compressed format that results in smaller photo sizes than uncompressed formats like RAW. So, if you use JPEG format, you’ll be able to store more pictures on your SD card.

Taking all these factors into account, coming up with an exact number of photos your SD card can hold can be difficult. However, understanding how resolution, format, and other files affect photo size can help you make informed decisions about how to best manage your storage space.

 

 Number of Pictures Depending on GoPro Model


If you’re wondering how many photos you can store on your 256GB microSD card, this section will provide some useful estimates. It’s important to note that the number of pictures mentioned below is based on approximate measures and may vary slightly depending on the resolution used.

Additionally, assuming that the SD card has been formatted beforehand and does not contain any other files before capturing pictures is essential for accurate calculations.

GoPro Hero 11 Black: This camera has a 27MP resolution, resulting in an image size of around 7MB. Therefore, you can store approximately 30,000 images on a 256GB SD card with this camera.

GoPro Hero 10 Black: This camera has a 23.6MP resolution, resulting in an image size of around 6.5MB. Therefore, you can store approximately 39,384 images on a 256GB SD card with this camera.

GoPro Hero 9 Black: With a 20MP lens, the GoPro Hero 9 Black captures images that are approximately 5.6MB in size. This means that you can store around 45,714 images on your 256GB SD card with this camera.

GoPro Max: This camera has a 16.6MP resolution, resulting in an image size of around 5MB. Therefore, you can store approximately 51,200 GoPro Max image captures on your 256GB SD card.

GoPro Hero 8 Black, Hero 7 Black, and Hero 6 Black: These cameras use the most common image resolution for GoPros, which is 12MP. The image size for these cameras is around 3.6MB, which means you can store roughly 71,112 images on a 256GB SD card.

It’s worth noting that other factors, such as compression settings, can also affect photo size and storage capacity.

However, these estimates should give you a general idea of how many photos you can expect to store on your 256GB SD card with different GoPro cameras.

 

TOP 5 Best 256GB Memory Cards


Now that you know how to calculate the number of pictures you can store on your 256GB SD card, let’s take a look at some of the best options available now.

If you’re in the market for a 256GB microSD card, here are some of my top recommendations:

#1. Samsung EVO Select 256GB UHS-I microSD Card

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  • Ideal for recording 4K UHD video: Samsung MicroSD Evo is perfect for high res photos,...
  • Enhanced read write speeds: Sequential read and write performance levels of up to...
  • Built to last reliability: Shock proof memory card is also water proof, temperature...

#2. SanDisk Extreme UHS-I 256GB microSD Card

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  • Up to 160MB/s read speeds to save time transferring high res images and 4K UHD...
  • Up to 90MB/s write speeds for fast shooting; Requires compatible devices capable of...
  • 4K UHD and Full HD Ready with UHS speed class 3 (U3) and video speed class 30 (V30)

Discover the features and specifications of the SanDisk Extreme SD memory card, available in storage sizes ranging from 32GB to 1TB, designed specifically for photo and video purposes.

#3. Delkin Select V30 256GB UHS-I microSD Card

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  • Supports Full HD 1080p Video Recording
  • Time-Lapse, Photo-Burst, Protune & HDR Ready
  • Read/Write Speeds: 100/80 MB/s

#4. PNY Elite-X V30 256GB UHS-I microSD Card

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  • Up to 100MB/s read speed
  • Class 10, U3, V30 performance for recording of 4k ultra HD videos at 4096x3072 pix as...
  • A1 (app 1) performance allows for apps to run faster from MicroSD card, saving...

Explore our comprehensive guide to the top PNY SD cards for your camera.

#5. Lexar Professional 633x 256GB UHS-I microSD Card

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  • High-speed, Class 10 performance leverages UHS-I (U1 or U3 depends on capacity)...
  • Capture high quality images of stunning 1080p full-HD, 3D, and 4K video
  • Enjoy shooting longer without changing cards, large capacity options up to 1TB

Trying to decide between Sandisk and Lexar for your memory card needs? Look no further than our Memory Card Battle: Lexar vs SanDisk guide, where we reveal the best SD card between the two. Make an informed decision and choose the right card for your needs.

Tips On Choosing an SD Card

It is important to invest in a high-quality SD card for reliable and speedy performance. Here are some additional tips to help you choose the best 256GB microSD card for your needs:

  1. Consider the read and write speeds: Look for an SD card with fast read and write speeds, particularly if you’re shooting high-resolution photos or videos.
  2. Check for compatibility: Ensure that the SD card is compatible with your camera model to avoid any potential issues.
  3. Brand reputation: Opt for well-known brands with a reputation for producing reliable and high-performance SD cards.

 

How Many Pictures a 256GB SD Card Can Hold for my GoPro?


Owning a 256GB SD card provides ample space for storing photos, regardless of which camera you use. However, accurately determining the number of pictures your 256GB card can hold requires taking into account several other factors.

The resolution of your camera is a significant factor that affects photo size, as higher resolutions result in larger photo sizes. The file type, whether JPEG or RAW, also impacts photo size, as RAW files are larger than JPEG files. Additionally, videos and other files, such as LRV and THM files, created by your camera also use space on your SD card. Therefore, it’s essential to factor in these elements while calculating the number of pictures your 256GB SD card can hold.

By keeping these factors in mind, you can maximize the storage capacity of your 256GB SD card and ensure that you’re using a high-quality, reliable card for all of your photography needs.

If you have a smaller SD card and what to know its capacity read:

How Many Pictures a 32gb SD Card CAN Hold (RAW + JPEG)

How Many Pictures a 64gb SD Card CAN Hold (RAW + JPEG)

How Many Pictures a 128gb SD Card CAN Hold (RAW + JPEG)

 

 

Thank you for reading this guide!

I hope that it was helpful in teaching you everything you need to know about how many pictures can 256gb hold. 🙂

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