Is 16GB sufficient for a dash cam?
2 Answers
A 16GB memory card is generally sufficient for a dash cam. Most dash cams on the market support MicroSD cards with a maximum capacity of 32GB, with the mainstream options being 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB. 1080P resolution is essentially the standard for dash cams. Taking an 8GB memory card as an example, it can store up to 180 minutes of 1080P video, which is barely adequate. Therefore, memory cards below 8GB have largely become obsolete. Dash cams typically record in a loop, automatically overwriting the oldest footage when the TF card is full. This feature usually requires no manual configuration. In other words, when the dash cam's memory storage is full, it will automatically overwrite the oldest recordings. Dash cams allow users to set the duration of video clips, with common options being 1, 3, 5, 10, or 15 minutes. Most users opt for 3 or 5-minute clips, as this results in moderately sized files.
As a car tech enthusiast, I'm quite particular about dash cam storage. 16GB sounds decent but is actually insufficient, especially for HD recording. 1080p video takes up about 200MB per minute, meaning 16GB only stores roughly 1.5 hours of footage. While loop recording automatically overwrites old files, with parking mode or in high-traffic areas, files accumulate quickly and the card can fill up in half a day. I prefer higher frame rates for clearer video quality, but smaller cards soon prompt storage warnings, disrupting continuous recording. Upgrading to 32GB or 64GB cards costs just a few dozen yuan and stores several times more data, providing better security. Additionally, dash cam batteries and card read/write cycles are affected—smaller cards have shorter lifespans and are more prone to failure. In summary, 16GB barely suffices for short commutes, but for long-term use, I recommend larger capacities to avoid critical failures.
