What is the best frame rate for slow motion video? Check out this post from MiniTool MovieMaker (a free slow motion video editor) to find out the optimal frame rate for slow motion effects.
What Are Slow Motion and Frame Rate?
Let’s start with the basics before diving into the best frame rate for slow motion.
What Is Slow Motion
Slow motion is an amazing video effect in which time appears to be moving slower than normal. It’s achieved by recording footage at a higher frame rate than the standard playback frame rate and then playing it back at normal speed. This creates the illusion of time slowing down, allowing people to see details and movements that would otherwise be too fast to notice. Slow motion videos can be often seen in sports events, action scenes, and everyday moments.
It’s simple to record a slow motion video using your smartphone or professional camera. However, choosing the right frame rate is the most critical factor in achieving the perfect slow motion shots.
What Is Frame Rate
Frame rate refers to the number of individual frames (or still images) captured or displayed per second in a video. It is an important indicator of video smoothness and is usually measured in frames per second (fps). Frame rate plays a crucial role in how smooth or choppy a video appears to the human eye.
Generally speaking, the frame rate of normal video is 24 or 30 FPS. The former is the standard for film and cinematic videos, while the latter is commonly used in TV shows, live broadcasts, and online videos.
Best Frame Rate for Slow Motion
Why does frame rate matter in slow motion? First, the essence of slow motion video is to play it back at a lower frame rate than when it was recorded. Second, higher frame rates make motion appear smoother because there are more frames to capture the movement, whereas lower frame rates can cause motion to be choppy or stuttering, especially in fast-moving scenes. So, what is the best frame rate for creating smooth and high-quality slow motion footage? Let’s continue reading.
60 FPS
60 FPS is the standard frame rate for slow motion and also the ideal frame rate for 4K video. This frame rate can provide comparatively smooth slow motion effects and is suitable for most slow motion shooting needs, especially when the movement is already slow.
60 FPS is ideal for capturing subtle slow motion, such as sports highlights, walking people, dancers’ movements, playing pets, or splashes of water. Such videos may be 2-2.5x slower when played at 24-30 FPS.
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120 FPS
120 FPS should be the best frame rate for recording slightly faster-moving subjects and action scenes. For instance, Ang Lee used 120fps technology for the first time in the movie Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, and combined 4K and 3D technology to make the movie look more realistic.
120 FPS can create smoother and more detailed slow motion than 60 FPS and this type of video provides a smoother visual experience during playback and reduces screen smear and blur, making dynamic images clearer.
240 FPS
240 FPS, as it implies, means that each second of the video contains 240 frames. If you record at 240 FPS and play it back at 30 FPS, the video will be 8 times slower. It is perfect for recording extremely fast action movements that are imperceptible to the human eye, as well as presenting ultra-smooth slow motion with more dramatic effects.
240 FPS is the best frame rate for professional fields that require high-precision motion capture to deliver ultimate picture smoothness and detail. However, it also has higher requirements for equipment and storage transmission.
480 FPS and Higher
There is no doubt about the suitability of 480 PFS and higher frame rates for achieving super slow motion with incredible detail and providing extremely high smoothness. This frame rate is often used in professional film production and scientific research to capture moments invisible to the human eye, such as a bullet in motion.
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Conclusion
Frame rate is one of the most significant factors for realizing slow motion effects and ensuring high-quality footage for fast-paced action. All in all, the best frame rate for slow motion ranges from 60 to 480 FPS and higher. Choosing the ideal frame rate for slow motion depends on your equipment, subject, and the level of slowness you want to achieve. With the appropriate frame rate, you can create stunning slow motion videos that captivate your audience.
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Cora works as an editor at MiniTool for many years, writing articles about video editing, video conversion, and screen recording. She also writes articles about Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, and Twitter. During her spare time, Cora loves reading, traveling, and watching movies.