Nikon ZR recording time and file size

How much fits on each card, for all 71 recording modes Nikon publishes. Bitrates checked November 11, 2026.

Ask about the Nikon ZR

Key facts

Recording media: CFexpress Type B / XQD + microSD (UHS-I)
Published recording modes: 71 normal, plus 3 slow motion
Highest bitrate: 3,730 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): 239.76p 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 ZR. The heaviest mode, N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality] at 59.94p (RAW 12-bit (Bayer), 3,730 Mbps), uses 1,679 GB per hour, so the same card lasts 4 min. The lightest 4K mode (150 Mbps) fits 1 hr 48 min.

Open the Nikon ZR 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
6K 6048x3402
23.98p
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	1,490	671	5m	10m	21m	43m	CFexpress
R3D NE 12-bit (R3D)	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	1,490	671	5m	10m	21m	43m	CFexpress
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	750	338	10m	21m	43m	1h 26m	CFexpress
29.97p / 25p
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]29.97p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	1,870	842	4m	8m	17m	34m	CFexpress
R3D NE 12-bit (R3D)29.97p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	1,870	842	4m	8m	17m	34m	CFexpress
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]25p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	1,560	702	5m	10m	20m	41m	CFexpress
R3D NE 12-bit (R3D)25p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	1,560	702	5m	10m	20m	41m	CFexpress
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]29.97p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	940	423	8m	17m	34m	1h 8m	CFexpress
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]25p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	780	351	10m	20m	41m	1h 23m	CFexpress
59.94p / 50p
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]59.94p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	3,730	1,679	2m	4m	8m	17m	CFexpress
R3D NE 12-bit (R3D)59.94p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	3,730	1,679	2m	4m	8m	17m	CFexpress
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]50p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	3,110	1,400	2m	5m	10m	20m	CFexpress
R3D NE 12-bit (R3D)50p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	3,110	1,400	2m	5m	10m	20m	CFexpress
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]59.94p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	1,870	842	4m	8m	17m	34m	CFexpress
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]50p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	1,560	702	5m	10m	20m	41m	CFexpress
5K+ 5376x3024
23.98p
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
29.97p / 25p
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
59.94p / 50p
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
DCI 4K 4032x2268
23.98p
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	670	302	12m	24m	48m	1h 36m	V90
R3D NE 12-bit (R3D)	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	670	302	12m	24m	48m	1h 36m	V90
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	340	153	23m	47m	1h 35m	3h 10m	V60
29.97p / 25p
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]29.97p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	830	374	9m	19m	39m	1h 18m	CFexpress
R3D NE 12-bit (R3D)29.97p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	830	374	9m	19m	39m	1h 18m	CFexpress
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]25p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	700	315	11m	23m	46m	1h 32m	V90
R3D NE 12-bit (R3D)25p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	700	315	11m	23m	46m	1h 32m	V90
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]29.97p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	420	189	19m	38m	1h 17m	2h 34m	V60
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]25p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	350	158	23m	46m	1h 32m	3h 5m	V60
59.94p / 50p
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]59.94p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	1,660	747	4m	9m	19m	39m	CFexpress
R3D NE 12-bit (R3D)59.94p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	1,660	747	4m	9m	19m	39m	CFexpress
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]50p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	1,390	626	5m	11m	23m	46m	CFexpress
R3D NE 12-bit (R3D)50p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	1,390	626	5m	11m	23m	46m	CFexpress
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]59.94p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	830	374	9m	19m	39m	1h 18m	CFexpress
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]50p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	700	315	11m	23m	46m	1h 32m	V90
4K 3984x2240
23.98p
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	650	293	12m	24m	49m	1h 39m	V90
R3D NE 12-bit (R3D)	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	650	293	12m	24m	49m	1h 39m	V90
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	330	149	24m	49m	1h 38m	3h 16m	V60
29.97p / 25p
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]29.97p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	810	365	10m	20m	40m	1h 20m	CFexpress
R3D NE 12-bit (R3D)29.97p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	810	365	10m	20m	40m	1h 20m	CFexpress
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]25p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	680	306	11m	23m	47m	1h 35m	V90
R3D NE 12-bit (R3D)25p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	680	306	11m	23m	47m	1h 35m	V90
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]29.97p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	410	185	19m	39m	1h 19m	2h 38m	V60
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]25p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	340	153	23m	47m	1h 35m	3h 10m	V60
59.94p / 50p
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]59.94p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	1,620	729	5m	10m	20m	40m	CFexpress
R3D NE 12-bit (R3D)59.94p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	1,620	729	5m	10m	20m	40m	CFexpress
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]50p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	1,350	608	6m	12m	24m	48m	CFexpress
R3D NE 12-bit (R3D)50p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	1,350	608	6m	12m	24m	48m	CFexpress
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]59.94p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	820	369	9m	19m	39m	1h 19m	CFexpress
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]50p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	680	306	11m	23m	47m	1h 35m	V90
119.88p / 100p
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]119.88p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	3,240	1,458	2m	5m	10m	20m	CFexpress
R3D NE 12-bit (R3D)119.88p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	3,240	1,458	2m	5m	10m	20m	CFexpress
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [High quality]100p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	2,700	1,215	3m	6m	12m	24m	CFexpress
R3D NE 12-bit (R3D)100p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	2,700	1,215	3m	6m	12m	24m	CFexpress
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]119.88p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	1,630	734	4m	9m	19m	39m	CFexpress
N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) [Normal]100p only	RAW 12-bit (Bayer)	1,360	612	5m	11m	23m	47m	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
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
239.76p / 200p
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

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 + microSD (UHS-I)
Nikon's card requirements: Not published by Nikon

Recommended cards for the Nikon ZR

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)
Amazon B&H
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)
Amazon B&H
microSD, V30Lexar 256GB Professional SILVER PLUS UHS-I microSDXC (with SD adapter)Speed: V30, U3, A2, UHS-I (205 MB/s read / 150 MB/s write)
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 ZR?

From 4 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 ZR need?

It records to CFexpress Type B / XQD + microSD (UHS-I). For its top mode (3,730 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 ZR?

Between 67.5 GB and 1,458 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 ZR 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/zr/en/15-09.html
onlinemanual.nikonimglib.com/zr/en/19-01.html
onlinemanual.nikonimglib.com/zr/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.