How much can I fit on a SD card, CFExpress card, SxS or XQD card is a question that comes up regularly. So I have prepared a table of the typical record times for most of the different XAVC-I and XAVC-L codecs and frame rates . Originally drawn up for the FX6 this table applies equally to any other Sony camcorder that uses the same codecs, including the PXW-FX9, PMW-F5 and F55 as well as the FS7 and many others.
Do note that the times given are approximate and do not include proxies. Not every frame rate and codec is included but you should be able to figure out the approximate record time for most cards, codecs and frame rates using this table.
| CODEC/FRAME RATE | 32GB | 64GB | 80GB | 128GB | 256GB |
| UHD/4K XAVC-I 24/25p | 16 | 32 | 40 | 64 | 128 |
| UHD/4K XAVC-I 30p | 13 | 26 | 33 | 53 | 106 |
| UHD/4K XAVC-I 50p | 8 | 15 | 19 | 31 | 62 |
|
UHD/4K XAVC-I 60p |
6 | 13 | 15 | 26 | 52 |
| UHD XAVC-I 100fps | 4 | 7 | 10 | 15 | 30 |
| UHD XAVC-I 120fps | 3 | 6 | 8 | 12 | 24 |
| UHD XAVC-L 24/25/30p | 39 | 79 | 96 | 158 | 315 |
| UHD XAVC-L 50/60p 8bit | 26 | 51 | 63 | 103 | 206 |
| UHD XAVC-L 24/25/30p 100fps S&Q 8 bit | 10 | 19 | 24 | 39 | 78 |
| UHD XAVC-L 50/60p 120fps S&Q 8 bit | 8 | 16 | 20 | 32 | 64 |
| UHD XAVC-L 50/60p 100fps S&Q 8 bit | 15 | 30 | 37 | 61 | 122 |
| UHD XAVC-L 50/60p S&Q 120fps 8 bit | 13 | 25 | 31 | 51 | 102 |
| HD CODEC/FRAME RATE | 32GB | 64GB | 80GB | 128GB | 256GB |
| HD XAVC-I 24/25/30p | 34 | 67 | 83 | 135 | 270 |
| HD XAVC-I 50/60p | 17 | 35 | 43 | 70 | 140 |
| HD XAVC-I 100fps | 10 | 21 | 26 | 42 | 84 |
| HD XAVC-I 120fps | 8 | 17 | 21 | 35 | 70 |
| HD XAVC-I 240fps (lower quality) | 4 | 8 | 10 | 17 | 35 |
| HD XAVC-L50 24/25/30p | 75 | 150 | 180 | 300 | 600 |
| HD XAVC-L50 50/60p | 72 | 144 | 175 | 288 | 576 |
| HD XAVC-L50 24/25/30p S&Q 120fps | 36 | 72 | 88 | 144 | 288 |
| HD XAVC-L50 50/60p S&Q 240fps | 18 | 36 | 44 | 72 | 124 |
| HD XAVC-L30 24/25/30p | 101 | 201 | 250 | 405 | 810 |
| HD XAVC-L30 50/60p | 96 | 193 | 237 | 387 | 774 |
| HD XAVC-L30 120fps | 48 | 96 | 118 | 193 | 387 |
| HD XAVC-L30 240fps | 24 | 48 | 59 | 96 | 193 |
Thank you for this table.
Is it possible to record HD XAVC-I with the FX6?
If yes, could you please write what are the recording times for it?
Thank you.
Yaron
Added.
Thank you 🙂
I have another question please.
What are the minimum card demands for recording HD XAVC-I 25P on the FX6?
Thanks
In newsletter email you can not see the HD XAVC-I, It was surpise me too, if you check here you can see https://www.xdcam-user.com/2021/01/fx6-card-recording-times/
Great chart Alister, very useful and something you could carry in your phone for easy access.
It would be great see to similar ones for the A7siii/A7iii as well. FX9/FS7?
Hi Alister,
Thanks for the info!
I’m just suddenly wondering: at UHD/4K XAVC-I 24/25p, a 128GB card will record 64min. That’s the same as with an FS7.. Is the data rate of the fx6 not much higher..? At 600mbs, I reckon a 128GB card would record 28 min. What am i doing wrong in my calculation..?
Best,
It’s the same codecs as the FS7 so the record times are the same.
Thanks for your answer Alister!
SO.. that means there’s no improvement in terms of codec and database between FS7 and FX6..? I thought there was as the FS7 doesn’t record at 600Mbs..
Please tell me what I seem to misunderstand.
Thx again,
database = datarate
The codecs are the same, there is no difference in the data rates. The FS7 does record 600Mb/s – when you shoot at 4K 60p.
So how is it that the FX9 records a resolution higher than that of the Fs7 yet has same data rate ( and uses no more card-space )?
I recall your speaking on how much more resolution there is with the FX9 ( and how that higher rez results in CA being more evident ).
More info but no more data? How?
Both record 4K files, but both use a bayer sensor. A bayer sensor only delivers resolution that is approx 70% of the pixel count. So the FS7’s sensor resolves around 2.8-3K, this is then placed in a 4K file and that is what is recorded. The FX9 has a 6K sensor, so it can resolve 4K, this is then placed in that same size 4K file and is recorded. As a result, although the files are the same the FX9’s files contain more picture information.