Nikon Z9 Storage Calculator
The Nikon Z9 is Nikon's flagship stacked-sensor mirrorless. It records 8.3K N-RAW and ProRes RAW HQ internally — both at industry-leading bitrates. This page covers the storage math, with values verified against the Nikon online manual.
Nikon Z9 Recording Bitrates
Every value below is sourced from Nikon's official online manual tables for the Z9. The Z9 records N-RAW (Nikon's compressed RAW), ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ, and H.265.
| Codec | Resolution | Frame rate | Bitrate |
|---|---|---|---|
| N-RAW 12-bit HQ | [FX] 8256×4644 | 60p | 5780 Mbps |
| N-RAW 12-bit HQ | [FX] 8256×4644 | 30p | 3470 Mbps |
| N-RAW 12-bit HQ | [FX] 8256×4644 | 24p | 2780 Mbps |
| N-RAW 12-bit Normal | [FX] 8256×4644 | 60p | 3470 Mbps |
| ProRes RAW HQ | [FX] 8256×4644 | 60p | 2965 Mbps |
| ProRes 422 HQ | [FX] 4128×2322 | 60p | 786 Mbps |
| H.265 10-bit | [FX] 4128×2322 | 60p | 340 Mbps |
Memory Cards for the Nikon Z9
The Z9 has dual CFexpress Type B slots. For sustained 8.3K N-RAW writes, the camera demands fast, deep-buffer CFexpress Type B cards.
- SanDisk Extreme PRO 512 GB CFexpress Type B — 1700/1200 MB/s. Widely-recommended pro pick.
- ProGrade Iridium 400 GB Type B — CFexpress 4.0, sustained writes for 8K N-RAW.
- Sony Tough 480 GB CFexpress Type B (CEB-G) — Tough series, water/shock-resistant.
- Angelbird AV PRO CFexpress 1 TB — Pro reliability, larger capacity for long-form 8K.
Nikon Z9 Storage — Quick Examples
| Setting | 1 minute | 1 hour | 1 TB card holds |
|---|---|---|---|
| N-RAW HQ 8.3K 60p | 43.4 GB | 2.60 TB | ~23 min |
| N-RAW HQ 8.3K 24p | 20.9 GB | 1.25 TB | ~48 min |
| ProRes RAW HQ 8.3K 60p | 22.2 GB | 1.34 TB | ~45 min |
| H.265 4K 60p | 2.55 GB | 153 GB | ~6 hr 32 min |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest bitrate the Nikon Z9 records at?
The Nikon Z9 records N-RAW 12-bit High Quality at 8.3K (8256×4644) at up to 5780 Mbps at 60p, 3470 Mbps at 30p, and 2780 Mbps at 24p. ProRes RAW HQ at 8.3K runs 2965 Mbps at 60p. Both modes require CFexpress Type B media.
How much storage does the Z9 need per hour at 8.3K N-RAW?
At N-RAW HQ 8.3K 60p (5780 Mbps), the Z9 consumes about 43.4 GB per minute, or 2.60 TB per hour. At 24p (2780 Mbps), per-hour usage drops to 1.25 TB. ProRes RAW HQ 8.3K 24p is approximately 643 GB per hour.
What card does the Z9 require for 8.3K N-RAW?
CFexpress Type B with sustained write speed above ~250 MB/s. SD UHS-II works only for H.265 modes; it cannot sustain N-RAW writes.
How is the Z9 different from the Z8 for storage?
Identical recording pipeline and bitrate tables. The Z9 has dual CFexpress Type B slots; the Z8 has one CFexpress Type B slot plus one SD UHS-II slot.