Nikon Z9 recording time and file size
How much fits on each card, for all 54 recording modes Nikon publishes. Bitrates checked November 11, 2026.
Ask about the Nikon Z9
Key facts
- Recording media
- CFexpress Type B / XQD (dual slots)
- Published recording modes
- 54 normal, plus 3 slow motion
- Highest bitrate
- 5,780 Mbps: N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality] at 59.94p (RAW 12-bit (Bayer))
- 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
- CFexpress
- 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 DCI 4K, 4K and 1080p
- Slow motion (in camera)
- Yes. Up to 120 fps at 1080p
Nikon Z9
"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 Z9. The heaviest mode, N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality] at 59.94p (RAW 12-bit (Bayer), 5,780 Mbps), uses 2,601 GB per hour, so the same card lasts 2 min. The lightest 4K mode (150 Mbps) fits 1 hr 48 min.
Open the Nikon Z9 in the calculatorSet 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8K 8256x4644 | ||||||||
| 23.98p | ||||||||
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality] | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 2,780 | 1,251 | 2m | 5m | 11m | 23m | CFexpress |
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal] | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 1,390 | 626 | 5m | 11m | 23m | 46m | CFexpress |
| 29.97p / 25p | ||||||||
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]29.97p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 3,470 | 1,562 | 2m | 4m | 9m | 18m | CFexpress |
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]25p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 2,890 | 1,301 | 2m | 5m | 11m | 22m | CFexpress |
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]29.97p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 1,740 | 783 | 4m | 9m | 18m | 37m | CFexpress |
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]25p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 1,450 | 653 | 5m | 11m | 22m | 44m | CFexpress |
| 59.94p / 50p | ||||||||
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]59.94p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 5,780 | 2,601 | 1m | 2m | 5m | 11m | CFexpress |
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]50p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 4,810 | 2,165 | 1m | 3m | 6m | 13m | CFexpress |
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]59.94p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 3,470 | 1,562 | 2m | 4m | 9m | 18m | CFexpress |
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]50p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 2,890 | 1,301 | 2m | 5m | 11m | 22m | CFexpress |
| 8K 7680x4320 | ||||||||
| 23.98p | ||||||||
| H.265 10-bit (MOV) | 4:2:0 10-bit | 400 | 180 | 20m | 40m | 1h 21m | 2h 42m | V60 |
| H.265 8-bit (MOV) | 4:2:0 8-bit | 370 | 167 | 21m | 43m | 1h 27m | 2h 55m | V60 |
| 29.97p / 25p | ||||||||
| H.265 10-bit (MOV) | 4:2:0 10-bit | 400 | 180 | 20m | 40m | 1h 21m | 2h 42m | V60 |
| H.265 8-bit (MOV) | 4:2:0 8-bit | 370 | 167 | 21m | 43m | 1h 27m | 2h 55m | V60 |
| 5K+ 5392x3032 | ||||||||
| 23.98p | ||||||||
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality] | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 1,190 | 536 | 6m | 13m | 27m | 54m | CFexpress |
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal] | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 600 | 270 | 13m | 27m | 54m | 1h 48m | V90 |
| 29.97p / 25p | ||||||||
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]29.97p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 1,480 | 666 | 5m | 10m | 21m | 43m | CFexpress |
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]25p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 1,240 | 558 | 6m | 13m | 26m | 52m | CFexpress |
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]29.97p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 750 | 338 | 10m | 21m | 43m | 1h 26m | CFexpress |
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]25p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 620 | 279 | 13m | 26m | 52m | 1h 44m | V90 |
| 59.94p / 50p | ||||||||
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]59.94p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 2,960 | 1,332 | 2m | 5m | 10m | 21m | CFexpress |
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]50p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 2,470 | 1,112 | 3m | 6m | 13m | 26m | CFexpress |
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]59.94p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 1,490 | 671 | 5m | 10m | 21m | 43m | CFexpress |
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]50p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 1,240 | 558 | 6m | 13m | 26m | 52m | CFexpress |
| DCI 4K 4128x2322 | ||||||||
| 23.98p | ||||||||
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality] | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 700 | 315 | 11m | 23m | 46m | 1h 32m | V90 |
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal] | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 350 | 158 | 23m | 46m | 1h 32m | 3h 5m | V60 |
| 29.97p / 25p | ||||||||
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]29.97p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 870 | 392 | 9m | 18m | 37m | 1h 14m | CFexpress |
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]25p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 730 | 329 | 11m | 22m | 44m | 1h 28m | CFexpress |
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]29.97p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 440 | 198 | 18m | 36m | 1h 13m | 2h 27m | V60 |
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]25p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 370 | 167 | 21m | 43m | 1h 27m | 2h 55m | V60 |
| 59.94p / 50p | ||||||||
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]59.94p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 1,740 | 783 | 4m | 9m | 18m | 37m | CFexpress |
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]50p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 1,450 | 653 | 5m | 11m | 22m | 44m | CFexpress |
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]59.94p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 880 | 396 | 9m | 18m | 36m | 1h 13m | CFexpress |
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]50p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 730 | 329 | 11m | 22m | 44m | 1h 28m | CFexpress |
| 119.88p / 100p | ||||||||
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]119.88p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 3,480 | 1,566 | 2m | 4m | 9m | 18m | CFexpress |
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]100p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 2,900 | 1,305 | 2m | 5m | 11m | 22m | CFexpress |
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]119.88p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 1,750 | 788 | 4m | 9m | 18m | 37m | CFexpress |
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]100p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 1,460 | 657 | 5m | 11m | 22m | 44m | CFexpress |
| 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 |
| 119.88p / 100p | ||||||||
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]119.88p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 3,020 | 1,359 | 2m | 5m | 10m | 21m | CFexpress |
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]100p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 2,510 | 1,130 | 3m | 6m | 12m | 25m | CFexpress |
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]119.88p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 1,510 | 680 | 5m | 10m | 21m | 42m | CFexpress |
| N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]100p only | RAW 12-bit (Bayer) | 1,260 | 567 | 6m | 12m | 25m | 51m | CFexpress |
| H.265 10-bit (MOV) | 4:2:0 10-bit | 400 | 180 | 20m | 40m | 1h 21m | 2h 42m | V60 |
| H.265 8-bit (MOV) | 4:2:0 8-bit | 370 | 167 | 21m | 43m | 1h 27m | 2h 55m | 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
- CFexpress Type B / XQD (dual slots)
- Nikon's card requirements
- Not published by Nikon
Nikon's card requirements
Recommended cards for the Nikon Z9
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.
- CFexpress Type BNikon MC-CF660G 660GB CFexpress Type BSpeed: CFexpress 2.0 Type B, PCIe 3.0 (1700 MB/s read / 1500 MB/s write)
- CFexpress Type BLexar 512GB Professional DIAMOND CFexpress 4.0 Type BSpeed: CFexpress 4.0 Type B, VPG400 (3700 MB/s read / 3400 MB/s write)
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 Z9?
From 2 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 Z9 need?
It records to CFexpress Type B / XQD (dual slots). For its top mode (5,780 Mbps) you need CFexpress. 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 Z9?
Between 67.5 GB and 1,566 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 Z9 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/z9/en/approved_memory_cards_349.html
onlinemanual.nikonimglib.com/z9/en/video_file_types_32.html
onlinemanual.nikonimglib.com/z9/en/video_frame_size_and_rate_options_33.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.