What size SD card for 30-second 1080p video clips, checked every 30 days?
SanDisk Extreme 128GB SD
$44.99 listed price, changes oftenHow much space at different trigger counts?
One trigger in this mode (30-second 1080p video clips) writes about 60.0MB. Over 30 days, that adds up as follows:
| Triggers a day | Data in 30 days | Smallest card (25% headroom) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 18.0 GB | 32GB |
| 30 | 54.0 GB | 128GB |
| 60 | 108.0 GB | 256GB |
| 120 | 216.0 GB | over 256GB |
How long does each card last in this mode?
| Card | Days at 30 triggers | Days at 60 triggers |
|---|---|---|
| 8GB | 4 | 2 |
| 16GB | 8 | 4 |
| 32GB | 16 | 8 |
| 64GB | 33 | 16 |
| 128GB | 66 | 33 |
| 256GB | 132 | 66 |
Video is the fastest way to fill a card: every clip in this mode is as large as 14 single 20MP photos. If the card fills before your check, shorten the clips or switch to photos with video only at night.
Other check intervals for this mode: 7 days, 14 days, 21 days, 45 days, 60 days, 90 days. Other modes at 30 days: photos only, photos, photos at a 64mp setting, 10-second 1080p video clips, 10-second 4k video clips.
SD cards and a reader for the field
Name-brand cards; keep two per camera and swap at each check.
Frequently asked questions
Can a trail camera use a card bigger than 32GB?
Only if the camera supports SDXC. Cards of 64GB and larger are SDXC and use the exFAT file system; many older and budget trail cameras read only SDHC cards up to 32GB and will refuse to format a larger one. The maximum supported size is in the manual. When in doubt, two 32GB cards swapped at each check are the safer buy.
Should I format the SD card in the trail camera?
Yes. Format a card in the camera itself before each deployment. A card formatted on a computer can end up with a file system or cluster size the camera handles badly, which shows up as card errors or corrupted files. Copy your photos off first, since formatting erases everything.
Researched from published specifications, brand plan lists and verified owner reviews; we do not claim hands-on testing. General information, not professional, legal or security advice. Trail camera rules differ by state: some restrict transmitting cameras during hunting seasons or on public land, so check your state wildlife agency. Recording and audio laws vary; only record where you have the right to.