In action movies, slow motion is used to make scenes feel more intense by making things move slower. To do this, editors use a technique called "time stretching," which adds extra frames to make the action look slower.
Since slow motion makes everything move slower, it's best to use a super slow motion camera that takes lots of pictures quickly (high fps) for smooth results. This is because slowing down a video makes it longer, and if the camera doesn’t take enough pictures, the video won’t look smooth. It could look choppy because the frames are too spread out.
Knowing the function or importance of slow motion in an action film to make it look more dramatic, this article will discuss the best slow-motion camera and how to make a slow-motion video without a camera. Read this article further and learn!
In this article
Part 1. How Does a Slow Motion Camera Work?
To put it simply, a super slow-motion camera works by capturing fast action in a special way. Normal cameras usually record at 24 to 30 frames per second (FPS), but slow-motion cameras can record at much higher rates, like 120 FPS or even 1000 FPS! This means the camera takes more pictures every second, capturing all the little details.
When you watch a video recorded at a high FPS, like 1000 FPS, and play it back at the normal speed of 24 FPS, the action looks super slow. For example, if you record at 120 FPS and play it back at 24 FPS, everything moves five times slower than in real life. The higher the speed, the slower the scene in the video will be.
Understanding slow motion and frames per second is very important for videographers. If they use techniques that record footage at a higher frame rate than the playback speed, viewers can see details in videos.
Slow motion videos can make every detail in the video look excellent. For example, you can watch raindrops falling in slow motion or other cool stuff on the “Slow Mo Guys” YouTube channel using an ultra slow-motion camera!
Part 2. What Makes a Good Slow Motion Camera?
Slow-motion cameras can be expensive and tricky to use, so you want to make sure you pick the right one. That's why it's important to think about a few key things when choosing a super slow-motion camera.
Here are some explanations of the important factors when choosing a super slow motion camera:
- Frame Rate: Make sure you are recording at the maximum frame rate. A high frame rate is needed to capture high-speed scenes. For basic slow motion, use a camera with at least 120 FPS; for professional use, use a slow-motion camera with 1000 FPS or more.
- Resolution: Check the camera's resolution when recording at a high frame rate. The resolution can decrease, reducing the quality of your final video.
- Light Sensitivity: Making slow motion videos requires good lighting. Use additional lighting when recording slow motion videos.
- Storage Capacity: Recording videos at a high frame rate takes up a lot of space. Make sure your camera supports high-capacity memory cards or has enough internal storage.
- Battery Life: Recording slow motion can drain your battery quickly. Look for a long battery life camera and an external power solution.
- Portability: You should also consider the camera's size and weight. Portable cameras offer more flexibility but will likely sacrifice other features.
Part 3. Best Slow Motion Cameras with User Review
Now that you know how a slow-motion camera works, let’s talk about some of the best slow-motion cameras you might want to choose from. We’ve picked these 5 cameras based on the important things we talked about earlier.
Here is a list of the best slow motion cameras along with brief reviews:
1. Canon EOS 90D
It is a versatile APS-C sensor DSLR for filmmakers and videographers that can record slow-mo. With this camera, you can shoot up to 120fps. It has a 32.5-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, so you can get sharp and clear results and track faces and eyes very well. In addition, this camera has precise autofocus.
2. Sony ZV-1
It is an affordable vlogging camera from Sony suitable for beginner content creators. The Sony ZV-1 camera has a selfie video light, a 1-inch sensor, and digital and optical image stabilization. It also has a resolution of 20.1 MP, so the camera results are sharp. There is a standard 120fps slow motion option and a 960fps super slow motion option.
3. DJI Pocket 2
It is a small handheld camera that is a dream for content creators and is perfect if you like to travel while capturing moments. DJI Pocket 2 can record up to 240fps, and there are Hyper-lapse, pro mode, and Time-lapse options. It also has great stabilization.
4. GoPro Hero 11
This is an excellent camera for adventurers to capture hiking, traveling, sports or high-speed action. With the GoPro Hero 11, you can record 8x slow motion (240fps) in 1080p. It also has fantastic night shot effects and is a rugged camera because it is waterproof, has a long battery life and has excellent stabilization that makes videos look smooth.
5. Panasonic Lumix GH6
This camera can record internally in ProRes 422 and ProRes 422 HQ, resulting in high-quality results. It has a dedicated recording button and good stabilization. It also has image stabilization, a memory card slot, and a flexible rear monitor.
Part 4. How to Make Slow Motion Videos Without a Camera
These 5 best slow-motion cameras are great, but not everyone has one or can afford to buy one. Don’t worry, though! Thanks to new technology, you don’t need a special camera to make slow-motion videos. There’s a cool software called Wondershare Filmora that can help you create awesome slow-motion videos easily!
Wondershare Filmora has amazing and complete video editing features. With this software, you can easily adjust the video speed to create a slow-motion effect on your video. Wondershare Filmora can also change the video playback speed, which can start from 0.01 to 100x.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make slow-motion videos with Filmora:
Method 1: Add Slow Motion to Specific Parts of the Video Using Speed Ramping Feature.
Step 1: Download and Install the newest version of Wondershare Filmora.
Step 2: Launch Wondershare Filmora then click New Project and import video to the editing timeline.
Step 3: After importing the video, then right-click on the video and select the “Speed Ramping” option.
Step 4: Choose from the available options, including customize, montage, hero moment, bullet time, jumper, flash in and flash out. Click on one of the available presets to add a slow-motion effect.
Step 5: Set the video speed at the curve point (as shown in the image below) according to your desired slow motion. Preview the video before exporting it. Once you are satisfied with the result, save the slow-motion video by clicking the "Export" button.
Method 2: Add Slow Motion Effect to Entire Clip with Uniform Speed Feature.
Step 1: Import the video, then right-click the video in the timeline and select the “Uniform Speed” option.
Step 2: Set the video to slow-motion duration by sliding the slider to the left according to the slow-motion you want. Preview the video before exporting it. Once you are satisfied with the result, save the slow-motion video by clicking the "Export" button.
In addition to the methods explained above, we will also provide tips for making slow-motion videos look smooth using AI Frame Interpolation.
How to make the slow motion video appear smooth using AI Frame Interpolation:
Step 1: Import the video, then right-click the video in the timeline and select the” Uniform Speed” option.
Step 2: Enable Optical Flow by right-clicking on the video in the timeline, then selecting the "Speed" tab and selecting "Uniform Speed." Expand "AI Frame Interpolation" and select "Optical Flow" from the options.
Step 3: Preview the video before exporting it. Once you are satisfied with the result, save the slow-motion video by clicking the "Export" button.
Conclusion
You have learned about some of the best slow-motion cameras, which we explained above, to make slow-motion videos. If you want to buy a slow-motion camera, this article can help you consider your options before you decide.
However, for those of you who do not have enough money to buy a slow motion camera, you don't need to worry. Technological advances are increasingly sophisticated; you can use software that has a slow-motion effect feature that you can use to change your regular video recordings into slow-motion video recordings.
We recommend the best video editing tool, Wondershare Filmora, for making the best slow motion video camera. What are you waiting for? Let's try it and enjoy the convenience!
