“How many pictures can 32GB SD card hold?” is a common question that many people ask. If you’re also curious about this, then you’re in the right place.
In this article, we’ll explore the capacity of a 32GB SD card and determine how many pictures (in both RAW and JPEG formats) it can hold. However, it’s important to note that several factors can influence the size of the photo files, which ultimately affects the number of pictures you can store on your memory card.
How Does Picture Size Change
The following are the key factors that impact the size of photos taken with your camera:
- Image compression: Image compression also influences photo size. The JPEG format is compressed, leading to smaller image sizes. In contrast, uncompressed formats like RAW result in larger file sizes.
- Image resolution: This is the most crucial factor affecting photo size. Higher image resolution leads to larger photo sizes. For instance, a 20-megapixel camera captures larger photos than a 12-megapixel camera.
- Video files: When determining the number of photos your SD card can store, consider the number of video files on the card. Videos can quickly consume SD card space, leaving less space for photos.
- Other files: GoPro cameras generate LRV and THM files in addition to photos and videos, which also take up space on your SD card. Keep this in mind when calculating the available space for photos on your SD card.
In summary, calculating the exact number of photos that a 32GB SD card can hold is not straightforward due to these factors. However, taking them into account, an estimate can be made.
If you winder what are the best 32GB micro SD cards check out our article: 5 Best 32 GB Micro SD Card [Camera, Phone, Tech..].
Formats: RAW vs JPEG
JPEG and RAW are two common image formats used in photography. They differ in terms of how the camera processes and compresses the image data, resulting in differences in image quality, file size, and flexibility in post-processing.
JPEG is a compressed image format that uses lossy compression, which means some image data is discarded to reduce the file size. The compression process can reduce the image quality, especially when the image is compressed multiple times. However, JPEG files are smaller in size, making them easier to store and share. Moreover, most devices can read JPEG files, making it easy to access and view them.
On the other hand, RAW is an uncompressed format that captures all the data from the camera sensor, resulting in higher image quality with more details and color depth. RAW files contain more information than JPEG files, allowing for more flexibility in post-processing, such as adjusting the exposure, color balance, and contrast. However, RAW files are significantly larger in size, making them challenging to store and transfer. Additionally, RAW files require specialized software to edit, making them less accessible than JPEG files.
In summary, JPEG is a convenient and accessible format that sacrifices some image quality for smaller file sizes. RAW is a higher-quality format that provides more flexibility in post-processing but requires more storage space and specialized software to edit. The choice between JPEG and RAW depends on the intended use and personal preferences of the photographer.
Pro Tip: To free up space on your SD card, consider transferring RAW files from your SD card to a computer or external hard drive. This way, you can keep your SD card’s storage capacity available for more photos and videos.
How Many Pictures Can 32GB Hold for My GoPro?
When it comes to estimating the number of photos that can be stored on a 32GB SD card for specific GoPro models, the resolution and size of the images captured by each camera play a crucial role. The size of the image files depends on various factors such as image resolution, image compression, and other files stored on the SD card.
For example, the GoPro Hero 10 Black has a 23.6MP lens that captures images of approximately 6.5MB in size. With a 32GB SD card, you can store around 4923 images on it. In contrast, the GoPro Hero 9 Black has a 20MP resolution, and its images are approximately 5.6MB in size, allowing you to store about 5715 images on a 32GB SD card. The GoPro Hero 11 Black has a 27MP lens that captures images of approximately 7MB in size. With a 32GB SD card, you can store around 4000 images on it.
Similarly, the GoPro Max features a 16.6MP lens and captures images of approximately 5MB in size. This means that you can store around 6400 GoPro Max image captures on a 32GB SD card. On the other hand, cameras such as the GoPro Hero 8 Black, Hero 7 Black, and Hero 6 Black have a 12MP resolution, and their image size is around 3.6MB. Thus, a 32GB SD card can hold roughly 8890 images for these models.
However, it’s important to remember that these estimates are not precise and may vary based on various factors. For instance, if you have video files on the SD card, it can reduce the number of photos that can be stored. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to check the actual storage capacity of your SD card for a specific camera model, taking into account various factors that can impact the storage capacity.
Best 32GB Memory Cards for GoPro
Below are some of my highly recommended 32GB microSD cards:
#1. SanDisk Extreme 32GB Memory Card
- Up to 60MB/s write speeds for fast shooting (Based on internal testing; performance...
- Up to 100MB/s read speeds to save time transferring high-res images and 4K UHD videos...
- Capture stunning 4K and 5K UHD video (Compatible device required. Full HD...
Learn more about SanDisk Extreme: Sandisk Extreme SD Memory Card (32GB-1TB) for Photo/Video.
#2. Lexar Professional 633x 32GB Memory Card
Sandisk or Lexar? Which one is better? Read this guide to make your decision: Memory Card Battle: Lexar vs SanDisk [BEST SD Revealed!]
#3. Samsung EVO Select 32GB Memory Card
- Up to 80MB/s transfer speed
- Works with Cell phones, Smartphones, Android Tablets, Tablet PCs, and more.
- High-performance up to 80MB/s for full HD video recording, high resolution pictures,...
#4. PNY Elite 32GB Memory Card
- Class 10, U1 speed rating, with read speeds up to 100MB/s
- Class 10 : UHS I, U1 speed Class performance allows for fast and smooth continuous HD...
- Record and transfer videos, photos, music, files and more from Android smartphones...
For more PNY memory cards check out: Guide to the Best PNY SD Cards for Your Camera.
#5. Delkin Devices 32GB Select Memory Card
- Supports Full HD 1080p Video Recording
- Time-Lapse, Photo-Burst, Protune & HDR Ready
- Read/Write Speeds: 100/30 MB/s
Find all the best 32GB SD cards by clicking the link.
Should You Buy a 32GB Memory Card?
The storage capacity of your SD card plays a crucial role, especially in today’s era of high-resolution photos/videos (24MP/5K), increased frame rates, and video bitrates up to 100Mbps. These factors result in larger video file sizes recorded by the latest GoPro cameras, such as the GoPro Hero 10 Black and the GoPro Hero 11 Black.
Using a 32GB SD card with your GoPro may not be sufficient for your needs. It’s essential to consider the space consumed by videos when calculating how many photos you can realistically store on your SD card. To put this into perspective, a 32GB memory card can only store about 19 videos (averaging 3 minutes in length), leaving little to no space for photos.
To avoid frequent ‘Storage Full’ notifications, upgrading to an SD card with a minimum storage capacity of 128GB is recommended.
If you want to buy yourself bigger SD card and 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 32gb hold. 🙂
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Also Read:
- SanDisk Ultra vs Samsung Evo Select
- The GoPro SD Card Size YOU NEED [Review, Capacity, Price]
- 9 Best SD Cards for GoPro Hero 9 (GoPro Recommended)
- Recommended SD Cards for GoPro Hero 7 Black/White/Silver
- 7 Recommended SD Cards for GoPro Max [Top Picks]
- GoPro HERO 8: SD Card Size and How Long Can It
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