Why Image Quantity on Cards Change
I really could not think of a good title for this post. It’s late and I’m tired! But, it’s what’s in the post that counts, right?
In the middle of our move I received a question from one of my favorite commentors ever. Bobbie always leaves the nicest and most thoughtful comments on both of my blogs and they always make my day so I knew I had to do this small favor to repay her. Here’s Bobbie’s question:
Okay, I have a 4 GB SD card and when it is totally cleaned off (all images deleted and the card formatted) it says I have 536 (or something like that) images to take. However, I get out there shooting away and it goes WAY over that number. I have my image quality set to fine (I shoot Nikon…. I know, I know, your rolling your eyes!!) and am wondering how/why the card takes more pictures than what it first started out saying? Is it changing the image size and/or quality? I feel like I know NOTHING about image size and quality!!
Great, question Bobbie. I’m sure a lot of people often wonder the same thing and the answer is simple. It’s because you use Nikon 
Haha. Just kidding! It’s because at some point you are changing your ISO. The higher the ISO the more space an image will take on your card. Look for yourself. Change your ISO to 125 and see how many images it tells you are left. Now change your ISO to 1600. You should have about 150 – 200 less images than you did when you were shooting on the low ISO. The image quality is totally staying the same. Hope that helps!!!
About DrewB
I’ve started this blog as a way to connect with other moms who love photography. Whether you are a professional photographer who is looking for advice on how to manage your own business and your family or if you are a mom who is looking for tips on how to take better pictures of your kids, I hope that you can find some good information and be inspired!
Okay, first I log on this morning to find you left me a comment and I kid you not I think I did a little dance around my kitchen yelling “DREW B left ME some blog luv!!!” Haha! Okay, maybe I didn’t do all that, but I was super excited! THEN, I log onto your blogs and find here that you not only answered my question (THANKS!) but also said such nice things about me AND put a link over to my blog. Seriously, your just way to nice. XOXO!
Bobbie Brown’s last blog post..Kennedy
Thank you for answering that (and for Bobbie asking the question). I guess, i would have never put two-and-two together.
ISO definitely makes a difference to the number of images that will fit on a memory card. However, from what I have read (and I am not sure where I read this) I think there are other factors as well. I also shoot Nikon (LOVE IT!!) and I think that the number of images listed is the minimum number of images you will get. Capacity of memory cards also varies depending on the type of scene you are shooting. For instance, if I take a memory card that typically says I will get around 200 shots and take only pictures of tree bark, I might get 300+ because there isn’t much contrast and color variance that needs to be recorded. However, if I am photographing a family in a field with lots of blue sky and color contrast, I will probably get right around the 200 pictures it initially told me I would get since there is a lot more info to be recorded. Just my 2 cents. Hope this adds to what Drew said. LOVE your blog!!
GayleV’s last blog post..Fathers
OMG. Like…I totally did not know that! I wasn’t wondering, but it’s good to know! Thanks, Drew!!!
Navy Sou’s last blog post..Laker Girl
Thanks Drew! That’s great to know! Hope your new house is starting to feel like “home”. ~Patti
I never knew that, either. Thanks!!
Eden’s last blog post..Love.
I don’t pay too much attention to my numbers, I just shoot until it says “no more space”. I guess I should be more in tune to my camera, I am just having fun using it for now. Thanks for the post, I learn something new everyday!!!
Lindsay’s last blog post..10 Months Later
On an earlier post you stated that you wanted this new point and shoot camera, but when I clicked on the link, nothing came up. Could you tell me what camera you would recommend? Thanks!
Brittany Nickell’s last blog post..Ramsey is 7 months!
I’ve never thought about this, but now I know. Thanks Bobbie for asking and Drew for answering! I always learn something here:)