FPS in video: what they are and how to choose them

Quick answer: FPS stands for frames per second. It indicates how many frames are shown each second of video. Choosing FPS well affects smoothness, style, slow motion, file size, and compatibility.

Common values

• 24 FPS: cinematic feel.
• 25 FPS: standard in PAL environments and Europe.
• 30 FPS: common in online and social video.
• 50/60 FPS: more smoothness, useful in action or sports.
• 100/120 FPS or higher: slow motion.

More FPS isn't always better. It depends on the goal. A premium brand ad is usually shot at 24 or 25 to keep a cinematic look, while a dynamic tutorial or a sports video benefits from 50 or 60. Mixing formats in the same piece forces you to standardize in editing; it's best to decide before shooting.

Slow motion

If you shoot at 120 FPS and export at 30 FPS, you can slow things down four times while keeping it smooth. This works well in product, sports, food, beauty, or scenes with movement. A practical rule: if you want to slow down to 25% in the edit, shoot at 100 or 120 FPS and export at 25 or 30. If you only need an occasional point of emphasis, it's not worth shooting everything at a high frame rate, because the file is heavier and the editing team takes longer to review it.

Relationship with bitrate and light

More FPS generates more information. You'll need more bitrate, storage, and light. You should also check for flickering if you're shooting with artificial lights. Indoors with fluorescents or cheap LEDs, 50 FPS usually flickers more than 25 if the synchronization isn't adjusted.

Shutter is tied to FPS. The 180-degree rule recommends a shutter speed of double the FPS, that is, 1/50 for 25 FPS or 1/60 for 30. Breaking this rule changes the visual feel: fast shutter speeds give a documentary and sports look, while slow shutter speeds create cinematic motion blur.

How to decide

Ask:

• Does the video need a cinematic aesthetic?
• Will there be slow motion?
• Is it for social, an event, or an ad?
• Is there a lot of action?
• Can the team edit heavy files?

Log the recording settings in Studio and store the raw footage organized in Media so editing knows what can be slowed down and what can't.

Checklist

• FPS defined before shooting.
• Compatible shutter.
• Light checked.
• Sufficient bitrate.
• Final format clear.
• Slow-motion test if applicable.

FPS is both a creative and a technical decision. Choosing it too late can limit the entire edit.