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How long do security cameras store footage depends on the card inside the camera, the video quality it records at, and whether it records around the clock or only when motion trips it. Most cameras record in a loop, so when the card fills up the oldest clip is overwritten and the camera keeps going. The sections below show how card size and video quality set the limit, and how to stretch the time a card holds.
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The quick answer: how long do security cameras store footage
For a camera that records Full HD video around the clock, the card size sets the limit. SanDisk states these Full HD figures for its High Endurance cards: a 32GB card records for up to 2,500 hours, a 64GB card for up to 5,000 hours, and a 128GB card for up to 10,000 hours. The maker adds that actual hours of video saved are less, and that total hours are less for 4K UHD video.
| Card size | Full HD hours stated | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 32GB | Up to 2,500 hours | SanDisk High Endurance, Full HD video |
| 64GB | Up to 5,000 hours | SanDisk High Endurance, Full HD video |
| 128GB | Up to 10,000 hours | SanDisk High Endurance, Full HD video |
Stated hours vary a lot by maker. Lexar states a much lower figure for its own 128GB card: up to 6 hours of 4K video, or up to 20 hours of 1080P video. Treat any stated hours figure as a planning guide for that card and camera, not as a promise for every setup.
Step 1: Check the card size
Listed capacities in this guide run from 8GB cards to 512GB cards, with SanDisk stating capacities up to 256GB for its High Endurance line and up to 2TB for its Extreme line. A larger card holds more hours before the loop overwrites the oldest clip. The maker counts 1GB as 1,000,000,000 bytes, and actual user storage is less, so the space a camera can use is always below the number on the label. Before buying a larger card, check that the camera accepts it: MindStor states to check if the device is compatible with MicroSD capacity, and Gigastone states that older cameras may need the card formatted to FAT32 instead of exFAT.
Step 2: Check the video quality
Higher quality video fills a card faster. Full HD video at 1920×1080 takes less space than 4K UHD video at 3840 x 2160, so the same card stores fewer hours at 4K. Lexar states the gap plainly for its 128GB card: up to 20 hours of 1080P video, or up to 6 hours of 4K video. SanDisk states the same direction for its High Endurance cards: total hours are less for 4K UHD video than for Full HD video. Some cards also list 5K video, which needs more space still.
Step 3: Check how the camera records
Loop recording is the usual pattern: the camera records around the clock and overwrites the oldest footage when the card is full, so the card always holds the most recent hours. MindStor states its 128GB card is engineered for 24/7 loop recording in dashcams and surveillance devices. A camera that records only on motion keeps footage longer, because the card only fills while something moves in front of the lens. High endurance cards are built for this kind of constant use: SanDisk designs its High Endurance line for dash cams and home monitoring systems.
Ways to keep footage longer
- Fit a larger card: move from a 32GB card to a 128GB card and the stated Full HD hours rise from 2,500 to 10,000 on the SanDisk High Endurance line.
- Drop the quality to Full HD: 4K UHD video at 3840 x 2160 stores fewer hours than Full HD at 1920×1080 on the same card.
- Record on motion only: the card fills only when the camera sees movement, so quiet hours cost no space.
- Pick a high endurance card: cards built for constant recording carry long cover: Gigastone states a 5-year limited warranty on its 128GB cards, and SanDisk states a lifetime manufacturer warranty on its High Endurance cards.
- Pull event clips off the card: MindStor states read speeds up to 90MB/s and SanDisk Extreme (on Amazon) states read speeds up to 245MB/s, so moving a clip to a phone or computer is quick.
FAQ: power away from the grid
How long does a 128GB card store security camera footage?
It depends on the card and the quality. SanDisk states up to 10,000 hours of Full HD video for its 128GB High Endurance card, while Lexar states up to 20 hours of 1080P video or up to 6 hours of 4K video for its own 128GB card. Actual hours of video saved are less in both cases.
Does 4K video store for less time than Full HD?
Yes. SanDisk states total hours are less for 4K UHD video at 3840 x 2160 than for Full HD video at 1920×1080. On a Lexar 128GB card (on Amazon) the stated gap is up to 20 hours at 1080P against up to 6 hours at 4K.
What happens when the card fills up?
The camera keeps recording in a loop and overwrites the oldest footage, so the card always holds the most recent hours. To keep an event, pull the clip off the card before the loop reaches it.
Do I need a high endurance card for a security camera?
A camera that records around the clock writes to the card without a break, and high endurance cards are designed for that use. SanDisk designs its High Endurance line for dash cams and home monitoring systems, and Gigastone states a 5-year limited warranty on its 128GB cards.
Can I use a 256GB card in any security camera?
No, check the camera first. MindStor states to check if the device is compatible with MicroSD capacity, and Gigastone states that older cameras may need a 128GB card formatted to FAT32 instead of exFAT. SanDisk states capacities up to 256GB for its High Endurance line, so the card exists, but the camera has to accept it.
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