Frame rate tells you how many individual images a camera records each second of video. A setting of 30 fps records 30 frames every second. A setting of 120 fps records four times as many frames.
24 fps
24 fps is closely associated with cinema and scripted production. It can produce natural motion when paired with an appropriate shutter speed, but fast camera movement can look choppier than at higher frame rates.
30 fps
30 fps is common for online video, general-purpose recording, family video, tutorials, and many livestreaming workflows.
60 fps
60 fps records motion more frequently, so movement looks smoother. It is useful for sports, action, handheld movement, gaming capture, and footage that may be slowed to half speed on a 30 fps timeline.
120 fps
120 fps is mainly useful for slow motion. On a 30 fps timeline, 120 fps footage can be played at one-quarter speed while still supplying 30 frames each second.
Why not record everything at the highest frame rate?
- Higher frame rates often require more light.
- Files may be larger or use higher bitrates.
- Some cameras crop the image or reduce quality at their highest frame rates.
- Recording time and heat limits may become more restrictive.
Frame rate is not shutter speed
Frame rate describes how many frames are recorded. Shutter speed describes how long each frame is exposed. They interact, but they are different settings.