The calculation
total frames = active days × frames per day
storage budget = total frames × MB per photo ÷ 1,000 × (1 + margin ÷ 100)
Worked example
Five eight-hour days with one photo every 60 seconds produce 2,400 photos. At 8 MB each, that is 19.2 GB of source images, or 23.04 GB with a 20% margin. At 30 fps, playback lasts 80 seconds.
Count active sessions, not calendar days
A site camera running only during working hours produces fewer images than one running continuously. Enter the actual number of active days. This simple planner assumes identical hours and interval each day, and does not infer holidays, daylight, weather interruptions or time-zone changes.
Measure image size from the intended settings
Image dimensions alone do not determine storage. Format, compression and scene detail matter. Capture representative samples and use a realistic average. If writing both RAW and JPEG, add the two file sizes for each capture. Include separate cameras as separate plans.
The first frame occurs at the beginning of each daily session. Frames starting exactly at the ending boundary are excluded. Very short sessions still include their starting frame. Card capacity and formatted free space can differ; compare the budget with actual available space and plan offloads and backups.
Common questions
Does the budget include a backup copy?
No. Multiply the storage requirement by the number of copies you intend to keep, then allow for working files separately.
Why GB instead of GiB?
This tool uses decimal units: 1 GB equals 1,000 MB. Some operating systems display binary units, so labels and numbers may differ.
Further reading
Official or original references for the workflow; these organizations do not endorse this independent tool.