4K Video File Sizes of Popular Cameras (2022)

by | March 16, 2022

Although 4K video isn’t even close to the max resolution filmmakers can shoot with nowadays, it’s still considered an industry standard.
 
Video shot in 4K provides brilliant clarity and picture quality. It also creates large and unwieldy file sizes. But, keep in mind that 4K video file size has a lot to do with the type of camera used for recording. Then, you have to consider the footage itself and how much data the camera is taking in. And of course, the supported video formats and codecs also determine 4K video file size.
 
When planning a shoot, it’s important to keep 4K video file sizes in mind. Otherwise, you run the risk of maxing out your card storage. Be it a smartphone camera, cinematic camera, or anything in-between,
 
So, we’ve gone ahead and put together this guide on 4K video file size per minute of recording in various codecs. This will help provide you with a base when planning. Or, serve as a reminder to backup old footage in your card and camera roll!

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4K Video File Sizes by Camera

Below are a few tables that provide estimated 4K video file sizes per minute of footage shot with some of the world’s most popular cameras. For example, the iPhone 13, RED Ranger, and a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV.
First, some important notes:
  • We’ve gone with 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) resolution, as opposed to DCI 4K (4096 x 2160). The former is the dominant resolution for television and consumer media production.
  • We’ve also used a 30fps frame rate in most cases, unless specified otherwise.
  • We’ve provided numbers for a few different codecs (and video formats) specific to the camera where appropriate.
  • We’ve converted all file sizes into the decimal form of gigabytes (here’s the difference between gb vs gib if you’re not sure).
Let’s dig in.

Smartphone Cameras

Filming 4K video on a red iPhone

Photo by Kai Cheng on Unsplash

Smartphone cameras seem to be improving by the nanosecond. All the big phone makers are constantly improving their front and rear cameras with features like:
  • super-slow mo;
  • sensor shift stabilization;
  • RGBW sensors;
  • and even AI and machine learning algorithms.
But what about 4K video file sizes? Because the iPhone offers video shots in ProRes, a comparison of one minute of video with other codecs isn’t even close. For context, iPhone 13 users can also shoot using HEVC or H.264 formats, which will save you a lot of space. Here’s a look at how the flagship phones stack up for one minute of video footage:
Camera File Size (Per Min)
iPhone 13 (ProRes) 5.5GB
Google Pixel 6 (H.264) 360MB
Samsung S22 (H.264) 360MB

Read More: The Best Free Mobile Video Editing Apps for Creators

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Cinema Cameras

A blackmagic cinema camera shooting 4K video

Photo by Sindre Aalberg on Unsplash

Cinema cameras are the ultimate piece of recording hardware for filmmakers. But, their price tag — along with their hefty file sizes — put them out of reach for most consumers. Still, for the absolute best in cinema-quality video, you cannot beat a cinema camera.
 
We’ve chosen to illustrate two camera models at random from some of the best camera makers.

Blackmagic

Camera File Size (Per Min)
Pocket Cinema Camera 4k(RAW 3:1) 7.6GB
Pocket Cinema Camera 4k(ProRes422 HQ) 6.6GB
Pocket Cinema Camera 4k(ProRes422) 4.4GB
URSA Mini Pro (24fps)(RAW 5:1)* 9.7GB
URSA Mini Pro (24fps)(RAW 8:1)* 6.4GB
URSA Mini Pro (24fps)(RAW 18:1)*13 (ProRes) 3.2GB
*RAW – Blackmagic RAW

ARRI

Camera File Size (Per Min)
Alexa LF(ProRes 422) 5GB
Alexa LF(ProRes 4444) 11.5GB
Alexa LF(ARRIRAW) 18.2GB
Alexa Mini LF(ProRes 422) 7.4GB
Alexa MinI LF(ProRes 4444)i 11.2GB
Alexa Mini LF(ARRIRAW) 22.4GB

RED

Camera File Size (Per Min)
Red Ranger(2:1 Redcode) 12.2GB
Red Ranger(7:1 Redcode) 3.5GB
Red Ranger(18:1 Redcode) 1.1GB
Red DSMC2 Gemini(2:1 Redcode) 9.1GB
Red DSMC2 Gemini(7:1 Redcode) 2.6GB
Red DSMC2 Gemini(18:1 Redcode) 1.3GB

Sony, Panasonic, Canon

Camera File Size (Per Min)
Sony FX9 DCI HD(XAVC-I H.264) 2.3GB
Sony FX3 (XAVC S MP4) 1.1GB
Sony FX3(XAVC S-I H.264) 2.3GB
Panasonic AU-EVA1(422 Long GOP) 1.1GB
Panasonic AU-EVA1(422Intra) 3GB
Canon EOS R5C(422 Long GOP) 1GB
Canon EOS R5C(420 Long GOP) 750MB

DSLR Video Cameras

a DSLR shooting 4K video

Photo by Ben Griffiths on Unsplash

With their traditional-looking bodies and detachable lenses, a DSLR has the classic camera look we’ve come to know and love.

Traditionally, DSLRs are for still images but are being used more and more to shoot video.

DSLRs are delicate machines that include a bunch of different components, including:

  • A reflex mirror
  • Removable lens
  • Shutter
  • Image sensor
  • Focusing screen
  • Condenser lens
  • Pentaprism
  • Optical viewfinder

Here’s a sampling of the estimated one-minute 4k video file sizes of some of the leading DSLRs on the market:

Canon and Nikon

Camera File Size (Per Min)
Canon EOS 90D(MP4 H.264) 900MB
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV (MJPEG) 3.8GB
Nikon D780(MP4 H.264) 900MB
Nikon D7500(MP4 H.264) 1.1GB

 

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Mirrorless Video Cameras

Two editors review a timeline over three monitors attached to a mac studio

Photo by Brent Ninaber on Unsplash

Mirrorless cameras (also known as compact system cameras, or CSCs) look like DSLRs. They’ve got a similar-looking body. They’ve got detachable lenses. Indeed, most of us probably couldn’t tell the difference between the two at first glance.

But mirrorless cameras are different. The reason being, they don’t have the reflex mirror and some other components we mentioned in the DSLR section. Instead, mirrorless cameras operate with a lens, shutter, image sensor, and digital display (instead of a viewfinder).

Some estimated one-minute video file sizes of popular mirrorless cameras:

Fujifilm, Panasonic, Nikon

Camera File Size (Per Min)
Fujifilm X-S10 (MPEG H.264) 1.5GB
Panasonic Lumix S1H (422 Long GOP) 1.2GB
Panasonic Lumix S5 (H.264 Long GOP) 1.1GB
Nikon Z5 (25fps)(MPEG H.264) 1.1GB
Nikon Z9 (H.265 10-bit) 1.4GB
Nikon Z9(H.265 8-bit) 1.1GB

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