What is 128GB?
128GB refers to a storage capacity of 128 gigabytes. A gigabyte (GB) is a unit of digital information storage equal to 1,024 megabytes (MB). So 128GB equates to 128 x 1,024MB = 131,072MB of storage space.
This amount of storage can hold a large number of files and media. Some examples of what 128GB can store include:
- Over 36,000 digital photos (at around 3.5MB per JPEG image) [1]
- Around 40 hours of 1080p high definition video [1]
- Over 16,000 MP3 audio files
- Hundreds of apps, games, and software programs
128GB is commonly used as the storage capacity in consumer devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops, and USB flash drives. It provides a generous amount of space for the average user’s files, photos, videos, music, and more.
Factors that affect photo file size
There are several key factors that determine the file size of a digital photo, including:
Resolution – This refers to the number of pixels in an image, typically measured in megapixels (MP). Higher resolution images contain more pixels and thus create larger file sizes. Most modern smartphone cameras capture photos at 12-16MP, while professional DSLR cameras can go up to 45MP or higher.[1]
Image dimensions – The pixel dimensions (length x width) of an image also affect its file size. Larger images require more total pixels, increasing file size. A typical high resolution photo may be 4000 x 3000 pixels.
File format – Images can be saved in formats like JPEG, PNG, TIFF, etc. Formats that use compression like JPEG result in much smaller files than uncompressed formats like TIFF.[2]
Typical photo file sizes
The file size of a photo depends on several factors including the image resolution, file format, and compression level. Here are some typical size ranges for common photo resolutions and formats:
A JPEG image with a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels usually ranges from 50KB to 200KB in size. Higher resolution JPEG images can be 500KB to 2MB.
RAW photo files are much larger than JPEGs. A 12 megapixel RAW image is typically 10-20MB in size. Higher resolution RAW files from modern cameras can be over 40MB.
PNG files are lossless images that retain more quality than JPEGs. A 1024 x 768 PNG image is around 300KB to 500KB. Larger PNGs reach 1-2MB in size.[1]
The maximum size for a JPEG or PNG web image is about 1-2MB before it becomes impractical to load on web pages. Print resolution images are usually much larger in the 5-30MB range.[2]
Estimating photos per GB
The number of photos that can be stored per GB varies significantly depending on the megapixel size, compression, and file format of the photos. Here are some general estimates for average photo sizes:
- Smaller photos around 2-5MP: 100-200 photos per GB
- Average point-and-shoot photos around 8-12MP: 60-100 photos per GB
- DSLR photos 12-24MP: 35-60 photos per GB
- High resolution DSLR photos 30MP+: 15-30 photos per GB
As a rule of thumb, smaller resolution files like those from smartphone cameras can store hundreds of photos per GB, while larger high resolution DSLR files are limited to dozens of photos per GB. The exact number will depend on compression methods as well – JPEG files tend to be smaller than RAW files for example. But for most typical vacation or family photos from point-and-shoot or DSLR cameras, you can expect 60-100 photos to fit per GB of storage space.
According to Veedyou, 128 GB of storage should be able to hold approximately 4,300 12MP JPEG photos on average.
128GB Photo Storage in Practice
In real-world usage, a 128GB card can hold anywhere from 10,000 to 40,000 photos depending on the camera settings and type of photos being taken. Here are some examples from actual 128GB cards:
- A 128GB SD card in a DSLR camera shooting RAW photos held around 3,200 photos (source: https://expertphotography.com/how-many-photos-memory-card-holds/). RAW files are very large, often 25-35MB each.
- A vacation’s worth of JPEGs from a point-and-shoot camera stored around 11,000 photos on a 128GB card (source: https://colesclassroom.com/how-many-pictures-can-128gb-memory-card-hold/). JPEGs are smaller, usually 4-8MB.
- One user reported fitting 36,000 photos from an iPhone on a 128GB card (source: https://shotkit.com/how-many-pictures-can-128gb-hold/). iPhone photos average 2-3MB each.
As you can see, the number of photos stored varies dramatically based on camera settings. Using lower resolution and compression levels can maximize storage capacity.
Storing other types of files
In addition to storing photos, 128GB of storage can hold other types of files like music, videos, and documents. According to one Reddit user, 128GB may not be enough if you want to store a lot of music and videos: “No. If you want to store music and video get 256GB. In my honest no one should by 128GB MacBook’s these days.”
To estimate how much music can fit, a rule of thumb is that 1 minute of a high-quality MP3 audio file takes up about 1MB of space. So 128GB could hold around 122,800 minutes or 2,046 hours worth of music. For lower quality formats like AAC, even more music can be stored.
As for video, the amount that can be stored depends heavily on the video resolution and compression. Typical compressed 1080p video requires roughly 1GB of space for every hour of footage. So the 128GB could store approximately 128 hours or 5.3 days worth of high definition video.
Documents and other files like spreadsheets, PDFs and presentations don’t take up much space individually. 128GB should be able to accommodate tens or hundreds of thousands of typical office document files.
Optimizing storage for maximum photos
There are several techniques you can use to optimize your 128GB of storage for holding the maximum number of photos possible:
Reduce photo file sizes – Use your camera or photo editing software to lower resolution, compress, or reduce the size of photo files before transferring them to storage. According to a Reddit discussion, optimizing iPhone camera settings for smaller file sizes can significantly increase the number of photos that fit.
Cull unused photos – Delete blurry, duplicate, or unnecessary photos to clear up storage space. As noted in an Apple forum thread, optimizing storage won’t automatically delete unused photos.
Use cloud storage – Store full resolution photos in the cloud rather than locally to maximize local storage for more photos. An article on MacRumors discusses saving lower resolution photos locally and full resolution ones in iCloud.
Prioritize photos – Keep only your most important photos stored locally and archive the rest externally or in the cloud.
Photo storage needs
How much photo storage an individual needs depends on their typical use case. Here are some common photography use cases and estimates for how much storage they require:
Casual photographer: For someone who takes photos occasionally on their smartphone and doesn’t store a large library, 5-15GB may be sufficient. This could store anywhere from 500 to 5000 photos depending on resolution.
Enthusiast/semi-pro photographer: An enthusiast who takes high-resolution photos on a DSLR or mirrorless camera for personal use may need 250-500GB. This could store 25,000 to 50,000 RAW files or 50,000 to 100,000 JPEGs according to photographers.
Professional photographer: For a full-time pro shooting weddings, events, portraits etc., 1-5TB is recommended. This provides ample space for RAW files, edits, backups and delivers. Pro photographers may store over 100,000 high-res images.
Overall, the photo storage capacity needed scales with the number and resolution of photos taken. Typical smartphone users can get by with less than 16GB, while pros need multi-terabyte solutions.
Alternatives to local storage
While storing photos locally on a device like a phone or computer has its benefits, there are some downsides as well. Two popular alternatives to consider are cloud storage and external hard drives.
Cloud storage services like Google Photos, iCloud, and Amazon Photos allow you to store your photos in the cloud rather than on a local device. This protects your photos if your device is ever lost, stolen or damaged. It also allows you to access your photos from any device by logging into your cloud account. Most services provide free storage up to a certain limit, with paid plans available for more storage space.
External hard drives are another option for backing up your photos outside of your main devices. Portable hard drives with large capacities are relatively affordable these days. Simply connect the external drive to your computer or phone to copy photos over for backup. The photos will remain safely stored even if you lose or replace your main device. External drives are a good physical backup solution for those who prefer to keep their data off the cloud.
When choosing alternatives to local photo storage, consider your specific needs in terms of accessibility, privacy, storage space and budget. Cloud services and external hard drives both provide distinct advantages as alternatives to only storing photos on your phone or computer.
Summary
In summary, the number of photos that can be stored on a 128GB storage device depends on several factors, including:
- The resolution and size of the photos
- The file format of the photos (JPG, RAW, etc)
- Whether compression is used
For a typical point-and-shoot camera with 10MP JPG photos, you can expect to fit around 15,000-20,000 photos per 128GB of storage. For larger 20MP+ DSLR photos, especially in RAW format, the number is closer to 8,000-12,000 photos on 128GB.
There are ways to optimize storage for maximum photos, like using lower resolutions, more compression, or converting to more space-efficient formats. But in general, 128GB is more than enough storage for most amateur photographers’ needs.