Sony FX6 recording time and file size

How much fits on each card, for all 19 recording modes Sony publishes. Bitrates checked November 11, 2026.

Ask about the Sony FX6

Key facts

Recording media: CFexpress Type A / SDXC (UHS-II)
Published recording modes: 19 normal, plus 67 slow motion
Highest bitrate: 600 Mbps: XAVC-I DCI 4K at 59.94p (4:2:2 10-bit)
Lightest 4K mode: 100 Mbps: XAVC-L QFHD at 29.97p / 25p / 23.98p (4:2:0 8-bit)
Card for the top mode: V90. Sony lists: CFexpress Type A (VPG400) / SDXC V90
128 GB card at 4K 30p: 2 hr 42 min in XAVC-L QFHD at 29.97p (4:2:0 8-bit, 100 Mbps)
Top frame rate (normal video): 59.94p at DCI 4K, 4K and 1080p
Slow motion (in camera): Yes. Up to 60 fps at DCI 4K, 120 fps at 4K, 240 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 2 hr 42 min of XAVC-L QFHD at 29.97p (4:2:0 8-bit, 100 Mbps) on the Sony FX6. The heaviest mode, XAVC-I DCI 4K at 59.94p (4:2:2 10-bit, 600 Mbps), uses 270 GB per hour, so the same card lasts 27 min.

Open the Sony FX6 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 Sony 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
DCI 4K 4096x2160
24p / 23.98p
XAVC-I DCI 4K	4:2:2 10-bit	240	108	33m	1h 7m	2h 15m	4h 30m	V60*
29.97p / 25p
XAVC-I DCI 4K29.97p only	4:2:2 10-bit	300	135	27m	54m	1h 48m	3h 36m	V60
XAVC-I DCI 4K25p only	4:2:2 10-bit	250	113	32m	1h 4m	2h 9m	4h 19m	V60
59.94p / 50p
XAVC-I DCI 4K59.94p only	4:2:2 10-bit	600	270	13m	27m	54m	1h 48m	V90
XAVC-I DCI 4K50p only	4:2:2 10-bit	500	225	16m	32m	1h 4m	2h 9m	V90
4K 3840x2160
23.98p
XAVC-I QFHD	4:2:2 10-bit	240	108	33m	1h 7m	2h 15m	4h 30m	V60*
XAVC-L QFHD	4:2:0 8-bit	100	45	1h 21m	2h 42m	5h 24m	10h	V30
29.97p / 25p
XAVC-I QFHD29.97p only	4:2:2 10-bit	300	135	27m	54m	1h 48m	3h 36m	V60
XAVC-I QFHD25p only	4:2:2 10-bit	250	113	32m	1h 4m	2h 9m	4h 19m	V60
XAVC-L QFHD4K 30p pick	4:2:0 8-bit	100	45	1h 21m	2h 42m	5h 24m	10h	V30
59.94p / 50p
XAVC-I QFHD59.94p only	4:2:2 10-bit	600	270	13m	27m	54m	1h 48m	V90
XAVC-I QFHD50p only	4:2:2 10-bit	500	225	16m	32m	1h 4m	2h 9m	V90
XAVC-L QFHD	4:2:0 8-bit	150	67.5	54m	1h 48m	3h 36m	7h 12m	V30
1080p 1920x1080
23.98p
XAVC-I HD	4:2:2 10-bit	89	40.1	1h 31m	3h 2m	6h 4m	12h	V30
XAVC-L HD 50	4:2:2 10-bit	50	22.5	2h 42m	5h 24m	10h	21h	V30
XAVC-L HD 35	4:2:0 8-bit	35	15.8	3h 51m	7h 43m	15h	30h	V30
29.97p / 25p
XAVC-I HD25p only	4:2:2 10-bit	112	50.4	1h 12m	2h 24m	4h 49m	9h 39m	V30
XAVC-I HD29.97p only	4:2:2 10-bit	111	50	1h 13m	2h 26m	4h 52m	9h 44m	V30
XAVC-L HD 50	4:2:2 10-bit	50	22.5	2h 42m	5h 24m	10h	21h	V30
XAVC-L HD 35	4:2:0 8-bit	35	15.8	3h 51m	7h 43m	15h	30h	V30
59.94p / 50p
XAVC-I HD50p only	4:2:2 10-bit	223	100	36m	1h 12m	2h 25m	4h 50m	V60*
XAVC-I HD59.94p only	4:2:2 10-bit	222	99.9	36m	1h 13m	2h 26m	4h 52m	V60*
XAVC-L HD 50	4:2:2 10-bit	50	22.5	2h 42m	5h 24m	10h	21h	V30
XAVC-L HD 35	4:2:0 8-bit	35	15.8	3h 51m	7h 43m	15h	30h	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. * Sony'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 A / SDXC (UHS-II)
XAVC-I DCI 4K, XAVC-I QFHD: CFexpress Type A (VPG400) / SDXC V90
XAVC-I DCI 4K, XAVC-I QFHD, XAVC-I HD: CFexpress Type A (VPG400) / SDXC V60 or V90
XAVC-I HD: CFexpress Type A (VPG400) / SDXC V30, V60 or V90 (also U3)
XAVC-L QFHD, XAVC-L HD 50: CFexpress Type A (VPG400) / SDXC U3, V30, V60 or V90
XAVC-L HD 35: CFexpress Type A (VPG400) / any SDXC from Class 10 (U1/V10) up
Slow motion: XAVC-I DCI 4K, XAVC-I QFHD, XAVC-I HD: CFexpress Type A (VPG400) / SDXC V90
Slow motion: XAVC-I QFHD, XAVC-I HD: CFexpress Type A (VPG400) only
Slow motion: XAVC-L QFHD, XAVC-L HD 50, XAVC-L HD 35: see the S&Q rows of the FX6 recommended media table (CFexpress Type A always supported; SDXC V90 for most rates)

Recommended cards for the Sony FX6

Sony'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 ASony 240GB CFexpress 4.0 Type A TOUGHSpeed: CFexpress 4.0 Type A, VPG400 (1800 MB/s read / 1700 MB/s write)
Amazon B&H
SD, V90Sony 256GB SF-G TOUGH UHS-II SDXCHandles: Every normal recording mode (19)
Amazon B&H
SD, V90Lexar 256GB Professional 2000x UHS-II SDXC (GOLD series)Handles: Every normal recording mode (19)
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
DCI 4K 4096x2160	60 fps	29.97p, 23.98p	601	270	26m
4K 3840x2160	120 / 100 fps	59.94p, 50p, 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p	300 to 1,201	135 to 541	13m to 54m
4K 3840x2160	60 fps	29.97p, 23.98p	200 to 601	90.1 to 270	26m to 1h 20m
1080p 1920x1080	240 / 200 fps	59.94p, 50p, 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p	140 to 896	63 to 403	18m to 1h 55m
1080p 1920x1080	180 / 150 fps	59.94p, 50p, 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p	105 to 672	47.3 to 302	24m to 2h 34m
1080p 1920x1080	120 / 100 fps	59.94p, 50p, 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p	70 to 448	31.5 to 202	36m to 3h 51m
1080p 1920x1080	60 fps	29.97p, 23.98p	70.1 to 223	31.5 to 100	1h 12m to 3h 51m

All 67 slow-motion settings

Format	Resolution	Color	Shooting	Plays at	FileMbps	Data writtenMbps	Per hour shotGB	128 GB card	Card speed
XAVC-I DCI 4K	DCI 4K 4096x2160	4:2:2 10-bit	60 fps	29.97p (2x slower)	300	601	270	26m	V90
XAVC-I DCI 4K	DCI 4K 4096x2160	4:2:2 10-bit	60 fps	23.98p (2.5x slower)	240	601	270	26m	V90
XAVC-I QFHD	4K 3840x2160	4:2:2 10-bit	120 fps	59.94p (2x slower)	600	1,201	541	13m	CFexpress
XAVC-L QFHD	4K 3840x2160	4:2:0 8-bit	120 fps	59.94p (2x slower)	150	300	135	53m	V90*
XAVC-I QFHD	4K 3840x2160	4:2:2 10-bit	120 fps	29.97p (4x slower)	300	1,201	541	13m	CFexpress
XAVC-L QFHD	4K 3840x2160	4:2:0 8-bit	120 fps	29.97p (4x slower)	100	400	180	40m	V90*
XAVC-I QFHD	4K 3840x2160	4:2:2 10-bit	120 fps	23.98p (5x slower)	240	1,201	541	13m	CFexpress
XAVC-L QFHD	4K 3840x2160	4:2:0 8-bit	120 fps	23.98p (5x slower)	100	501	225	32m	V90
XAVC-I QFHD	4K 3840x2160	4:2:2 10-bit	100 fps	50p (2x slower)	500	1,000	450	16m	CFexpress
XAVC-L QFHD	4K 3840x2160	4:2:0 8-bit	100 fps	50p (2x slower)	150	300	135	54m	V90*
XAVC-I QFHD	4K 3840x2160	4:2:2 10-bit	100 fps	25p (4x slower)	250	1,000	450	16m	CFexpress
XAVC-L QFHD	4K 3840x2160	4:2:0 8-bit	100 fps	25p (4x slower)	100	400	180	40m	V90*
XAVC-I QFHD	4K 3840x2160	4:2:2 10-bit	60 fps	29.97p (2x slower)	300	601	270	26m	V90
XAVC-L QFHD	4K 3840x2160	4:2:0 8-bit	60 fps	29.97p (2x slower)	100	200	90.1	1h 20m	V90*
XAVC-I QFHD	4K 3840x2160	4:2:2 10-bit	60 fps	23.98p (2.5x slower)	240	601	270	26m	V90
XAVC-L QFHD	4K 3840x2160	4:2:0 8-bit	60 fps	23.98p (2.5x slower)	100	250	113	1h 4m	V90*
XAVC-I HD	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	240 fps	59.94p (4x slower)	222	889	400	18m	CFexpress
XAVC-L HD 50	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	240 fps	59.94p (4x slower)	50	200	90.1	1h 20m	V90*
XAVC-L HD 35	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:0 8-bit	240 fps	59.94p (4x slower)	35	140	63	1h 55m	V90*
XAVC-I HD	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	240 fps	29.97p (8.01x slower)	111	889	400	18m	CFexpress
XAVC-L HD 50	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	240 fps	29.97p (8.01x slower)	50	400	180	40m	V90*
XAVC-L HD 35	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:0 8-bit	240 fps	29.97p (8.01x slower)	35	280	126	57m	V90*
XAVC-I HD	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	240 fps	23.98p (10.01x slower)	89	891	401	18m	CFexpress
XAVC-L HD 50	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	240 fps	23.98p (10.01x slower)	50	501	225	32m	V90
XAVC-L HD 35	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:0 8-bit	240 fps	23.98p (10.01x slower)	35	350	158	46m	V90*
XAVC-I HD	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	200 fps	50p (4x slower)	223	892	401	18m	CFexpress
XAVC-L HD 50	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	200 fps	50p (4x slower)	50	200	90	1h 21m	V90*
XAVC-L HD 35	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:0 8-bit	200 fps	50p (4x slower)	35	140	63	1h 55m	V90*
XAVC-I HD	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	200 fps	25p (8x slower)	112	896	403	18m	CFexpress
XAVC-L HD 50	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	200 fps	25p (8x slower)	50	400	180	40m	V90*
XAVC-L HD 35	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:0 8-bit	200 fps	25p (8x slower)	35	280	126	57m	V90*
XAVC-I HD	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	180 fps	59.94p (3x slower)	222	667	300	24m	CFexpress*
XAVC-L HD 50	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	180 fps	59.94p (3x slower)	50	150	67.6	1h 47m	V90*
XAVC-L HD 35	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:0 8-bit	180 fps	59.94p (3x slower)	35	105	47.3	2h 34m	V90*
XAVC-I HD	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	180 fps	29.97p (6.01x slower)	111	667	300	24m	CFexpress*
XAVC-L HD 50	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	180 fps	29.97p (6.01x slower)	50	300	135	53m	V90*
XAVC-L HD 35	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:0 8-bit	180 fps	29.97p (6.01x slower)	35	210	94.6	1h 17m	V90*
XAVC-I HD	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	180 fps	23.98p (7.51x slower)	89	668	301	24m	CFexpress*
XAVC-L HD 50	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	180 fps	23.98p (7.51x slower)	50	375	169	43m	V90*
XAVC-L HD 35	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:0 8-bit	180 fps	23.98p (7.51x slower)	35	263	118	1h 1m	V90*
XAVC-I HD	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	150 fps	50p (3x slower)	223	669	301	24m	CFexpress*
XAVC-L HD 50	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	150 fps	50p (3x slower)	50	150	67.5	1h 48m	V90*
XAVC-L HD 35	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:0 8-bit	150 fps	50p (3x slower)	35	105	47.3	2h 34m	V90*
XAVC-I HD	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	150 fps	25p (6x slower)	112	672	302	24m	CFexpress*
XAVC-L HD 50	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	150 fps	25p (6x slower)	50	300	135	54m	V90*
XAVC-L HD 35	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:0 8-bit	150 fps	25p (6x slower)	35	210	94.5	1h 17m	V90*
XAVC-I HD	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	120 fps	59.94p (2x slower)	222	444	200	36m	V90*
XAVC-L HD 50	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	120 fps	59.94p (2x slower)	50	100	45	2h 41m	V90*
XAVC-L HD 35	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:0 8-bit	120 fps	59.94p (2x slower)	35	70.1	31.5	3h 51m	V90*
XAVC-I HD	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	120 fps	29.97p (4x slower)	111	444	200	36m	V90*
XAVC-L HD 50	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	120 fps	29.97p (4x slower)	50	200	90.1	1h 20m	V90*
XAVC-L HD 35	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:0 8-bit	120 fps	29.97p (4x slower)	35	140	63	1h 55m	V90*
XAVC-I HD	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	120 fps	23.98p (5x slower)	89	445	200	36m	V90*
XAVC-L HD 50	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	120 fps	23.98p (5x slower)	50	250	113	1h 4m	V90*
XAVC-L HD 35	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:0 8-bit	120 fps	23.98p (5x slower)	35	175	78.8	1h 32m	V90*
XAVC-I HD	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	100 fps	50p (2x slower)	223	446	201	36m	V90*
XAVC-L HD 50	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	100 fps	50p (2x slower)	50	100	45	2h 42m	V90*
XAVC-L HD 35	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:0 8-bit	100 fps	50p (2x slower)	35	70	31.5	3h 51m	V90*
XAVC-I HD	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	100 fps	25p (4x slower)	112	448	202	36m	V90*
XAVC-L HD 50	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	100 fps	25p (4x slower)	50	200	90	1h 21m	V90*
XAVC-L HD 35	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:0 8-bit	100 fps	25p (4x slower)	35	140	63	1h 55m	V90*
XAVC-I HD	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	60 fps	29.97p (2x slower)	111	222	100	1h 12m	V90*
XAVC-L HD 50	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	60 fps	29.97p (2x slower)	50	100	45	2h 41m	V90*
XAVC-L HD 35	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:0 8-bit	60 fps	29.97p (2x slower)	35	70.1	31.5	3h 51m	V90*
XAVC-I HD	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	60 fps	23.98p (2.5x slower)	89	223	100	1h 12m	V90*
XAVC-L HD 50	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:2 10-bit	60 fps	23.98p (2.5x slower)	50	125	56.3	2h 9m	V90*
XAVC-L HD 35	1080p 1920x1080	4:2:0 8-bit	60 fps	23.98p (2.5x slower)	35	87.6	39.4	3h 5m	V90*

Questions

How long does a 128 GB card last in the Sony FX6?

From 27 min in its heaviest mode to 7 hr 43 min in its lightest. In XAVC-L QFHD at 29.97p (4:2:0 8-bit, 100 Mbps) it holds about 2 hr 42 min. Times use Sony's published bitrates and 95% of the card's labelled size.

What memory card does the Sony FX6 need?

It records to CFexpress Type A / SDXC (UHS-II). For its top mode (600 Mbps) you need a V90 card or faster; Sony lists CFexpress Type A (VPG400) / SDXC V90. 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 Sony FX6?

Between 45 GB and 270 GB per hour, depending on the format and bitrate. XAVC-L QFHD at 29.97p (4:2:0 8-bit, 100 Mbps) uses 45 GB per hour.

Can the Sony FX6 record slow motion in camera?

Yes. Sony lists 67 slow-motion settings, up to 60 fps at DCI 4K, 120 fps at 4K and 240 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: ats.emory.edu/_includes/documents/studios/manuals/Sony FX6 Manual.pdf
content.abt.com/documents/176462/sony-camcorder-ILME-FX6V-spec-sheet.pdf
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 Sony's documents.