Nikon Z50II recording time and file size

How much fits on each card, for all 12 recording modes Nikon publishes. Bitrates checked November 11, 2026.

Ask about the Nikon Z50II

Key facts

Recording media: SD (UHS-II), single slot
Published recording modes: 12 normal, plus 3 slow motion
Highest bitrate: 340 Mbps: H.265 10-bit (MOV) at 59.94p / 50p (4:2:0 10-bit)
Lightest 4K mode: 150 Mbps: H.265 8-bit (MOV) at 29.97p / 25p / 23.98p (4:2:0 8-bit)
Card for the top mode: V60
128 GB card at 4K 30p: 1 hr 25 min in H.265 10-bit (MOV) at 29.97p (4:2:0 10-bit, 190 Mbps)
Top frame rate (normal video): 119.88p at 1080p
Slow motion (in camera): Yes. Up to 120 fps at 1080p

"4K 30p" means the highest-bitrate 4K UHD mode at 29.97p or 30p that a V30 card can record (240 Mbps or less). If there is no 30p, we use 25p, then 24p.

Quick answer

A 128 GB card holds about 1 hr 25 min of H.265 10-bit (MOV) at 29.97p (4:2:0 10-bit, 190 Mbps) on the Nikon Z50II. The heaviest mode, H.265 10-bit (MOV) at 59.94p / 50p (4:2:0 10-bit, 340 Mbps), uses 153 GB per hour, so the same card lasts 47 min. The lightest 4K mode (150 Mbps) fits 1 hr 48 min.

Open the Nikon Z50II in the calculator

Set your shoot length, number of cameras and upload speed to see total storage and cards needed.

Recording time by mode

Every normal recording mode Nikon lists, grouped by resolution and frame rate. Times are continuous recording on one card.

Format	Color	BitrateMbps	Per hourGB	64 GBcard	128 GBcard	256 GBcard	512 GBcard	Card speed
4K 3840x2160
23.98p
H.265 10-bit (MOV)	4:2:0 10-bit	190	85.5	42m	1h 25m	2h 50m	5h 41m	V30
H.265 8-bit (MOV)	4:2:0 8-bit	150	67.5	54m	1h 48m	3h 36m	7h 12m	V30
29.97p / 25p
H.265 10-bit (MOV)4K 30p pick	4:2:0 10-bit	190	85.5	42m	1h 25m	2h 50m	5h 41m	V30
H.265 8-bit (MOV)	4:2:0 8-bit	150	67.5	54m	1h 48m	3h 36m	7h 12m	V30
59.94p / 50p
H.265 10-bit (MOV)	4:2:0 10-bit	340	153	23m	47m	1h 35m	3h 10m	V60
H.265 8-bit (MOV)	4:2:0 8-bit	300	135	27m	54m	1h 48m	3h 36m	V60
1080p 1920x1080
23.98p
H.265 10-bit (MOV)	4:2:0 10-bit	50	22.5	2h 42m	5h 24m	10h	21h	V30
H.265 8-bit (MOV)	4:2:0 8-bit	40	18	3h 22m	6h 45m	13h	27h	V30
H.264 8-bit (MP4)	4:2:0 8-bit	30	13.5	4h 30m	9h	18h	36h	V30
29.97p / 25p
H.265 10-bit (MOV)	4:2:0 10-bit	50	22.5	2h 42m	5h 24m	10h	21h	V30
H.265 8-bit (MOV)	4:2:0 8-bit	40	18	3h 22m	6h 45m	13h	27h	V30
H.264 8-bit (MP4)	4:2:0 8-bit	30	13.5	4h 30m	9h	18h	36h	V30
59.94p / 50p
H.265 10-bit (MOV)	4:2:0 10-bit	100	45	1h 21m	2h 42m	5h 24m	10h	V30
H.265 8-bit (MOV)	4:2:0 8-bit	80	36	1h 41m	3h 22m	6h 45m	13h	V30
H.264 8-bit (MP4)	4:2:0 8-bit	50	22.5	2h 42m	5h 24m	10h	21h	V30
119.88p / 100p
H.265 10-bit (MOV)	4:2:0 10-bit	190	85.5	42m	1h 25m	2h 50m	5h 41m	V30
H.265 8-bit (MOV)	4:2:0 8-bit	150	67.5	54m	1h 48m	3h 36m	7h 12m	V30

GB per hour = bitrate in Mbps x 0.45. Card times use 95% of the labelled size (formatting and file overhead). Card speed: V30 up to 240 Mbps, V60 up to 480, V90 up to 720, CFexpress above that. * Nikon's stated minimum for that format, which is stricter than the bitrate alone needs. Scroll the table sideways on a phone.

Memory cards

Card types: SD (UHS-II), single slot
Nikon's card requirements: Not published by Nikon

Recommended cards for the Nikon Z50II

Nikon's own or recommended cards first, then the most-reviewed cards on B&H for this camera's media. SD cards show how many of this camera's modes they can record; for other cards, compare the speed with the requirements above.

SD, V60Lexar 128GB Professional 1667x UHS-II SDXCHandles: Every normal recording mode (12)
Amazon B&H
SD, V30SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO UHS-I SDXCHandles: 10 of 12 normal recording modes; the rest need a faster card
Amazon B&H

We earn a commission if you buy through these store links, at no extra cost to you. It doesn't change which cards we list.

Slow motion

In slow motion the camera writes data faster than the file's bitrate, because each second you shoot plays back as several seconds. These figures are per minute of shooting, not of finished video.

Resolution	Shooting	Plays at	Data writtenMbps	Per hour shotGB	128 GB cardshooting time
1080p 1920x1080	120 / 100 fps	29.97p, 25p, 23.98p	120 to 150	54 to 67.5	1h 48m to 2h 15m

All 3 slow-motion settings

Format	Resolution	Color	Shooting	Plays at	FileMbps	Data writtenMbps	Per hour shotGB	128 GB card	Card speed
H.264 8-bit (MP4)	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:0 8-bit	120 fps	29.97p (4x slower)	30	120	54	2h 15m	V30
H.264 8-bit (MP4)	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:0 8-bit	120 fps	23.98p (5x slower)	30	150	67.5	1h 48m	V30
H.264 8-bit (MP4)	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:0 8-bit	100 fps	25p (4x slower)	30	120	54	2h 15m	V30

Questions

How long does a 128 GB card last in the Nikon Z50II?

From 47 min in its heaviest mode to 9 hr in its lightest. In H.265 10-bit (MOV) at 29.97p (4:2:0 10-bit, 190 Mbps) it holds about 1 hr 25 min. Times use Nikon's published bitrates and 95% of the card's labelled size.

What memory card does the Nikon Z50II need?

It records to SD (UHS-II), single slot. For its top mode (340 Mbps) you need a V60 card or faster. Lighter modes work with slower cards; the table on this page lists the card speed for every mode.

How much storage does an hour of 4K take on the Nikon Z50II?

Between 67.5 GB and 153 GB per hour, depending on the format and bitrate. H.265 10-bit (MOV) at 29.97p (4:2:0 10-bit, 190 Mbps) uses 85.5 GB per hour.

Can the Nikon Z50II record slow motion in camera?

Yes. Nikon lists 3 slow-motion settings, up to 120 fps at 1080p. Slow motion writes more data per minute of shooting than the file's bitrate suggests, because each second you shoot becomes several seconds of video.

Sources

Bitrates and card requirements: onlinemanual.nikonimglib.com/z50II/en/15-09.html
onlinemanual.nikonimglib.com/z50II/en/19-01.html
onlinemanual.nikonimglib.com/z50II/en/19-02.html
Checked: November 11, 2026
How we calculate: GB per hour = Mbps x 0.45. Card time = 95% of the card size / GB per hour. Real files can differ by a few percent (audio track, file overhead, card format).

Spotted a wrong number? Tell us and we'll check it against Nikon's documents.