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File Sizes and Storage Considerations

What’s Best for What

Understanding file sizes is crucial for photographers, videographers, and content creators as it helps in selecting the appropriate storage solutions, both in terms of physical drives and cloud backups. Here’s a breakdown of file sizes across different types of content and the best storage solutions for each.

1. Photography File Sizes

RAW Files

  • Size: RAW files are uncompressed or minimally compressed images directly from the camera sensor, typically ranging from 20MB to 100MB per image, depending on the camera resolution and sensor type.
  • Best For: High-quality images where you need maximum flexibility for post-processing.
  • Storage Solution:
    • SSD (for active projects) – Store ongoing projects and current photo shoots on an SSD for fast access and editing.
    • HDD (for archiving and backups) – Once you’ve finished editing or no longer need immediate access, store the RAW files on external HDDs.
    • Cloud (for backup and offsite storage) – Store backup copies of important images on cloud storage like Google Drive, Backblaze, or Dropbox.

 

JPEG/TIFF Files

  • Size: JPEG files are compressed (lossy), and their size varies from 1MB to 10MB. TIFF files are uncompressed or losslessly compressed, ranging from 10MB to 100MB depending on resolution.
  • Best For: Deliverable images or prints after editing.
  • Storage Solution:
    • HDD (for archiving) – Store completed projects or final images in bulk on HDDs for cost-effective, long-term storage.
    • External SSD (for smaller, active portfolios) – Use an SSD for portable portfolios, particularly for clients or exhibitions.

2. Video File Sizes

HD Video (1080p)

  • Size: For 1080p HD video at 24fps with standard bitrates, the size is approximately 0.9GB to 4GB per minute of footage.
  • Best For: Standard video editing or YouTube content.
  • Storage Solution:
    • SSD (for active video editing) – Fast data access and seamless playback during editing.
    • HDD (for storage and backups) – Archive finished HD video projects on an HDD for long-term storage at a lower cost.

 

4K Video

  • Size: 4K video at 30fps can range from 6GB to 30GB per minute depending on the codec and bitrate.
  • Best For: Professional video production, documentaries, and cinematic work.
  • Storage Solution:
    • SSD (for editing) – 4K video requires high read/write speeds for smooth playback during editing. Use SSDs for real-time editing.
    • RAID or NAS (for team workflows) – A RAID setup using multiple SSDs or HDDs can help with data redundancy and fast access to large files in a shared environment.
    • External HDD (for backups) – Backup 4K footage to large capacity HDDs (8TB, 10TB, or more) for cost-effective storage after editing.

 

8K Video

  • Size: 8K video at 60fps can range from 20GB to 60GB per minute, depending on the codec used.
  • Best For: High-end productions and future-proofing content.
  • Storage Solution:
    • High-performance SSD (for editing) – 8K video requires even more speed and data transfer, so investing in NVMe SSDs (such as Samsung 970 PRO) is crucial for smooth editing.
    • RAID (for backup and storage) – For archival, a RAID 5 or RAID 10 system is recommended to provide a good balance of redundancy and speed for 8K content storage.
    • External HDD (for less frequent access) – Store less frequently accessed 8K footage on high-capacity HDDs after editing.

3. Audio File Sizes

WAV/AIFF Files

  • Size: Uncompressed audio files, such as WAV or AIFF, are 10MB per minute for stereo 44.1kHz audio. For higher bitrates or multitrack files, this can grow significantly.
  • Best For: Professional recording studios or high-quality audio needs.
  • Storage Solution:
    • SSD (for real-time recording/editing) – For professional audio editing, use SSDs for quick read/write speeds.
    • HDD (for archival and backup) – Store archived audio sessions, completed tracks, or mixes on external HDDs, especially if the data doesn’t need frequent access.

 

MP3/FLAC Files

  • Size: MP3 files typically range from 1MB to 10MB per song, depending on compression quality, while FLAC files range from 20MB to 50MB per track (lossless).
  • Best For: Music libraries, podcasts, and audio content.
  • Storage Solution:
    • HDD (for music library) – Store large collections of MP3/FLAC files on HDDs for bulk storage.
    • External SSD (for portable audio content) – For portable or active music content, such as podcasts or live mixes, use SSDs.

4. Document File Sizes (e.g., PDFs, Word Docs)

PDF/Word Documents

  • Size: These files typically range from 50KB to 10MB depending on the content, images, and formatting.
  • Best For: Client contracts, project documentation, presentations, and portfolios.
  • Storage Solution:
    • SSD (for active use) – Store and edit working documents on an SSD for faster file access and editing.
    • Cloud (for sharing and backup) – Use cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox for collaboration and cloud backup.

5. Image and Video Editing Software Files

Adobe Photoshop (.psd) and Lightroom Catalogs

  • Size: Photoshop files can range from 100MB to 1GB or more, depending on layers, resolution, and added elements. Lightroom catalogs usually take 1GB to 10GB or more.
  • Best For: Editing complex images and managing photo libraries.
  • Storage Solution:
    • SSD (for editing) – Store Photoshop or Lightroom catalog files and active projects on SSDs for faster processing and load times.
    • HDD (for backup and archival) – Backup and archive finished work or older catalogs on external HDDs.

Summary of Best Storage Solutions Based on File Size

Conclusion

Choosing the right storage solution depends on the type of content you’re working with. For fast-paced editing and frequent access to files (especially for photography and video), SSDs are essential. For long-term storage, backups, and archiving, HDDs provide a cost-effective solution without compromising on storage capacity. Additionally, cloud backups or NAS setups can complement your physical storage for an added layer of security and flexibility.

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Personal and business brand photographer and educator, super passionate about empowering business women and men to have a positive self perception, with the right tools and guidance so they can share their gifts with the world.

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