60 fps vs 30 fps
If you want to dabble in filmmaking or videography but don’t know the difference between 60 fps vs 30 fps, we’re here to give you a helping hand.
Many professional and amateur photographers started to complement their photography with video. And almost every new camera can record different frame rates. Even budget ones like GoPro can do it.
But what’s the difference between these various frame rates, and why is it essential that you know how to tell them apart?
Table of Contents
What are frame rates?
Let’s start with the basics.
When talking about frame rates, it all comes down to two things: how many frames are recorded per second and how smooth they look when played back on a screen or projectors.
FPS stands for frames per second and measures how many times per second a camera can capture an image. They tell you how fast the image on your screen changes, so a higher frame rate means things will look smoother and more fluid.
In short, 30 fps means that 30 still images will be shown every second, while 60 fps means that 60 still images will be shown every second.
Frame rates are not just limited to video. It also applies to video games, animation, and even computer graphics.
The 3 most common frame rates
24 fps Frame Rate
When using 24fps, each second of the motion picture film contains 24 still images; this frame rate perfectly fits the human sight.
24 fps is known as the “standard rate” for movies and is known to give that “cinematic” or “film look.” The lower frame rate produces mild motion blur between the frames, resulting in a softer look.
24 fps is a standard for ca inematic “dreamy” look
It was the first frame rate for film and television production, so you’ve undoubtedly seen it in action before.
It’s also the cheapest option on the list because it requires fewer costs for storage and film reels.
30 fps Frame Rate
30 fps is mainly used for TV, live broadcasts, and soap operas.
Recording at 30fps gives a more unrealistic feel to the video, and the shots are more detailed and clean compared to cinematic 24fps.
The difference between them is not immediately noticeable, but it’s there!
Unless you want to reproduce old movies or get that cinematic feel, look no further than 30fps.
30 fps is a standard for television and digital media
60 fps Frame Rate
60 fps is an option that many gamers use when playing fast-paced games to keep up with fast motion. It’s perfect for situations where you need enough frame rates to interact and win the game.
But this frame rate is also becoming increasingly popular among filmmakers who want their films to look more smooth.
They’re often used in sports when you want to catch the details or in slow-motion where you want to emphasize a scene but keep the clarity crisp!
Higher frame rates zoom in on what’s happening in the frame.
Which one is better – 60 fps vs 30 fps?
It’s a question that’s plagued us since the birth of the motion picture: what’s the best frame rate to shoot at?
What should you choose between 60 FPS vs 30 FPS? Well, depending on what you want to do with your footage, one may be better than the other.
For example, if you want to slow down a clip for dramatic effect or for better action shots where motion blur is not acceptable, then 60 FPS would be a good choice since it will allow you more flexibility in that regard.
Higher frame rates are usually used in action movies to smooth motion and emphasize the action presented. A higher frame rate is also ideal for shooting concerts.
But remember: smoother is not always better!
If you want something that looks like a movie or TV show, then 30 FPS might be best because that’s what most people are used to seeing, as many films use this frame rate.
But there are exceptions even to this. For example, The Hobbit was filmed at 48 frames per second.
If you want to go for a jittery feeling, you can use even lower frame rates than the ones discussed here – to add a comedic effect, if you’re going to shoot a silent movie type of video, or if you want to make time-lapses.
In a nutshell, it all depends on what you want to create.
FAQ: 30 fps vs 60 fps
What about 120 fps and 240 fps on my GoPro Camera?
240 fps and 120 fps are two options available on GoPro cameras. They’re both slow-motion modes, which means you’re capturing video at a higher frame rate than usual.
High frame-rate footage can be used for:
- slow-motion effects
- capturing high-speed scenes or fast-moving objects
What’s the difference between 240 fps and 120 fps on a GoPro? It boils down to how many images you can fit into one second of shooting time.
A video that is filmed at 120 or 240 fps will usually be played at lower fps, giving it that show-motion effect. That means if you shoot with a 120 or 240 fps setting and you play back your footage at 30 fps, it will produce a slow-motion effect.
You might think you don’t need such high frame rates, but the Go Pro is essentially made for sports and action shots emphasizing fast movement. Some examples may include horse racing or filming a car or motorcycle at full speed.
You might find that high frame rates are necessary in this case, and anything lower than 120 fps or 240 fps will fall short.
What Frame Rate Should I Use for Youtube?
If you’re going to upload your videos directly on YouTube, then there’s no need for anything higher than 30fps – unless you’re filming sports or games.
Youtube didn’t use to support anything higher than 30fps, but now it can handle frame rates between 24fps and 60fps up to 8K resolution.
But it is unlikely you will upload videos to YouTube at high frame rates because many mobile devices and even laptop computers will be unable to handle it due to insufficient processing power.
In most cases, 30fps is the frame rate of choice when shooting videos for YouTube.
When to use vs 60 fps vs 30 fps?
As you probably figured out, the answer to this question is more nuanced. It’s not just about the number of frames per second— how much storage space you have, what kind of mood you are after, and what editing you’ll be doing.
A higher FPS (like 60fps) has the potential to look smoother, but it also requires more processing power from your computer or device – because it requires more extended export and uploading times. It also takes up a lot of space.
See also: GoPro Voice Commands
30 FPS videos are considered standard for most types of videos, including movies and television shows. But it might not be ideal when trying to emphasize an action or an emotion in your shots.
60 fps vs 30 fps | Final Thoughts
The truth is that having a higher frame rate doesn’t mean better quality footage—it depends on how you plan to use it.
So which one wins? Neither! The actual winner is the one that doesn’t leave you with a headache-inducing amount of motion blur.
Be sure to think about your shots before you start shooting and what kind of medium you plan on uploading your video to.
And if anyone asks you again which frame rate is better, 30 FPS or 60 FPS, don’t hesitate to let them know that neither is better—the winner is whichever one works best for your project.
If unsure what frame rate to use, test different frame rates and watch the result. Sometimes you just have to go with your gut!
Articles Related to “60 fps vs 30 fps – What’s the Difference?“
by Viktor Elizarov
I am a travel photographer and educator from Montreal, Canada, and a founder of PhotoTraces. I travel around the world and share my experiences here. Feel free to check my Travel Portfolio and download Free Lightroom Presets.
30fps vs. 60fps: Which Is Better For Videos?
We no longer cry with joy when we watch content recorded at 60 frames per second. We’ve grown accustomed to 60fps and aren’t impressed even with 120fps.
If you wonder how 30fps holds here, well, it is considered what 15fps was a decade ago. Still, it is quite passable, if you have to record content on a budget or nothing serious.
For years, the discussion between 30fps and 60fps has raged on, and it can be seen everywhere: in gaming, content videos, vlogging, and so on.
After analyzing various recording settings, I’m ready to put an end(as if) to the “30 fps video recording” discussion.
Understanding frame rates is crucial for operating and shooting effectively. For shot motions, a high frame rate is ideal. On the other hand, a high frame rate isn’t always the best option.
In today’s article, I will address different topics regarding frame rates and 30fps vs 60fps.
Let’s get started without further ado.
Table of Contents
Frames Per Second (Fps)
Before we dive deeper into the 30fps vs 60fps, let’s grasp the true meaning of the frame rates.
Simply put, a video is made up of a succession of still images.
Because the difference between each still image is so slight, when those images are seen at a specific speed, our human eye tends to view them as something that is moving at the moment. Each of those images is referred to as a “frame.”
The “Frame Per Second,” or “fps,” on the other hand, refers to the number of still image frames in a per-second video. 60 frames per second, for example, contains 60 frames of still photos every second. The same goes for 30 and 120fps. They contain 30 frames or 120 frames in the 120fps case.
In other words, the more the merrier. The more frames per second are there, the better the quality looks; It comes in a smooth motion.
What is the Best Frame Rate to Use?
If you are playing First-person shooter games, like CS: GO, you want something that can play perform at 300fps at least
Oh wait, this is the wrong topic, sorry, I forgot that we are talking about video recording.
Anyways, when it comes to video recording, there’s no such thing as “the right frame rate”. It mostly boils down to your situation and what you are shooting.
The following is a brief overview of the most often used frame rates:
Recording in 15 Frames Per Second
I am going to be bold and straightforward about this one, stay away from it.
Recording in 15fps, won’t bring any value to your content unless you are doing time-lapses.
Recording in 24 Frames Per Second
24 Fps is the perfect frame rate if you are planning to record a movie.
It is also known as the cinematic frame rate and is favored among all filmmakers.
With 24 frames per second, filmmakers may capture fluent motion without paying expensive film stock costs. The more frames per second the more expensive the film reel or storage becomes.
Currently, 24 frames per second have become the industry standard, and any film released worldwide must support 24 frames per second.
Recording in 30 Frames Per Second
30 Fps is a really common one, while it is a tad different than 24 fps and almost impossible to tell the difference with the naked eye, it can still make a difference.
The extra detail captured by the 30 fps format for cinematic purposes can make movie sequences appear more unrealistic, which is why it isn’t the standard.
However, it has been and is traditionally used for television broadcasts and shows. Also worth mentioning, is the standard fps you get on consoles; meaning that consoles are capped at 30fps, exactly, PC master race!
Recording in 60 Frames Per Second
Since we’re on the subject of gaming, games that are played at 60fps are pure joy.
60 fps Is employed in fast-paced action content, such as in live sports, where blurry content is a big no.
The slowed-down footage appears better and crisper since it is double the frames rather than 30 fps, It simply gives viewers at home a fantastic picture of the action.
Slow-motion highlights from live sports would stutter and seem choppy if shot at 30 frames per second.
The only downside is huge file sizes. 60fps videos take up a lot of space. To properly and safely store your videos, i’d recommend you read our article on the best external SSDs for Photographers.
The difference between 30fps and 60fps?
Above we concluded that it’s not really about “the more the merrier” .
We pretty much got a sneak peek at the differences between 30fps and 60fps, but I’d like to touch down on them again.
If you want to capture quick movement and slow motion, choose 60 frames per second.
If not, shoot at 30 frames per second. When generating videos for social media, shooting at 60 frames per second is rarely necessary because everything is displayed at 30 frames per second.
There was also a frame rate of 24 frames per second, which was ideal for filmmaking and barely differed from 30 frames per second.
So, to summarize, both frame rates have advantages and disadvantages; while 60 frames per second are favored in most situations, it will not work in certain ones, and vice versa.
Cameras to Consider Due to Their Video Capabilities
I know, I know this is not why we are here, I just couldn’t help but list those cameras. The flagships I am about to mention are real game-changers when it comes to video recording.
Sony Alpha 1
With this flagship, Sony just prove to us their remarkable craftsmanship. This camera is simply a beast in many aspects.
It has uncanny autofocus that comes along with video capabilities that are not seen on many cameras.
The Alpha 1 is capable of recording 8K UHD video up to 30fps, while 4k ones at 120fps, are simply insane.
The only obstacle that is stopping you from getting this camera, is the painful price that it comes with.
Find Out More On Amazon
Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III
Canon has pulled out all the stops to make this camera a fantastic product.
It is a compact point and shoot that is really well-known in the vlogging world. No doubt that the recognition comes from its video capabilities.
It can shoot 4K at 30fps or 1080p at 60fps. It is also feature-packed when it comes to recording, such as tracking, built-in stabilization, and so on.
The quality of the footage is just breathtaking.
Find Out More On Amazon
GoPro HERO10
Another camera that excels at video recording is the GoPro, which is essentially a synonym for action cameras.
The GoPro Hero 10 is a compact and well-built action camera, something that we are used to seeing from this line-up.
This bad boy can shoot in 4K at 120 fps and 2.7k at 240 fps. For a camera of this size, those are big figures.
Find Out More On Amazon
Panasonic X2000
The electronic giants Panasonic are known for offering the world great camcorders, and that’s also the case with their Panasonic X2000.
This is a really well-built camcorder that surprisingly enough comes in a lightweight form factor.
As for recording, don’t even question it since it is taken for granted.
It is a professional camcorder that can easily record at 4k in 60fps, and it’s one of the best camcorders for podcasting.
Find Out More On Amazon
Final Words
Lastly, I believe that fps will not be a major factor when recording memories such as parties, weddings, and other events.
The memories that are captured are what matter in this case. We never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory
It makes no difference whether the content you filmed is 30 or 60 fps, or even 15 fps (hopefully not), what matters is that you get to enjoy those moments again.
Simply put a recording is a return ticket to a moment that is gone.
- Author
- Recent Posts
Caleb Soppe
I live in The Netherlands, and I run a wedding photography company. I’ve been in the photography field since when my brother used to make me take pictures of him for his Facebook 10 years ago!
Latest posts by Caleb Soppe (see all)
Frames per second — what is it and how to use it when shooting video | Articles | Photo, video, optics
If you’re new to filmmaking, you’re probably trying to find your own style. Oddly enough, frames per second is part of your definition.
Frames per second or fps (frames per second) is the number of frames your camera captures in any given second.
Your device captures frames and combines them into one whole, which the brain perceives as movement. nine0005
For most purposes, video is recorded at two standard frame rates: 24 fps and 30 fps. However, there are many alternative frequencies in modern cameras, such as 30, 60, 120 and 240 frames per second. We’ll break it all down below.
How the standard frame rate came about
The minimum frame rate at which the human mind perceives an image as motion is 16 frames per second. Various scholars have debated the optimal frame rate over the years. For example, the American inventor Thomas Edison recommended a frame rate of 46 frames per second. nine0005
But film was too expensive to run at that rate, so the number kept dropping until it finally reached the industry standard of 24 frames per second.
24 fps
For a long time, the standard frame rate was 24 fps, 23.98 to be exact. This number was chosen as the lowest possible frame rate so that the movement of objects in the frame mimics «fluid movement».
Such a picture looks alive and moving, as if everything is happening for real. nine0005
The choice of 24 frames per second was also due to the problem of budget and technological limitations: the film companies thus saved money on film.
The more 24 frames per second was used in big budget films, the more people began to associate this frame rate with cinema — this is how the “cinematic” picture appeared.
This is the frame rate at which most feature-length films, as well as commercials and short films, are shot. nine0005
25 fps
Very similar to 24 fps, however 25 fps is the standard frame rate in the UK and any country that runs on 50 Hz power. Using 24 or 25 frames per second will primarily depend on where in the world you live.
30 fps
30 fps — Six frames more than 24 fps, which means the device needs to process 25% more images in the same amount of time. nine0005
Increasing the frame rate makes the video appear smoother, so this frame rate is typically used for fast-moving events such as sports and concerts, live broadcasts, and soap operas.
60fps
Video shot at 60fps is slowed down to 24fps or 30fps in post-processing. This creates the effect of smooth slow motion.
If you try to convert a 30fps video to a 60fps video and slow it down, you won’t get enough extra frames and the image will look smooth but choppy. nine0005
Because of its smoothness, 60 frames per second is often used in movies to highlight dramatic moments in a movie.
120 fps
Most modern cameras today have a maximum speed of 120 fps. This frequency is used for slow-motion footage, including showing details of an object/product, highlighting key movements, and adding depth to your video.
The frame rate of 120 frames per second makes the picture even more dramatic, so sometimes this frame rate should be used in small doses. It can also make it difficult to use your footage in your edit if you overuse that frame rate and shoot almost all of your content at 120fps. nine0005
240 fps
240 fps is also used for slow motion.
240 fps video is twice as slow as 120 fps video. It follows from this that such a video will look the most dramatic — so, it will help you realize some of your ideas.
The ability to record slow-motion video at 240 frames per second is now even on a phone, such as an iPhone. nine0005
It all depends on what you need.
Each frame rate applies to specific situations, so first decide what and how you want to shoot. If you want something lively and cinematic, then go for 24 fps.
If you want to add drama and depth to your movie, record video at 60 or 120 frames per second and then play it back at 24 frames per second (2.5 or 5 times slower than it was filmed).
If you’re shooting live and want smooth images, 30fps is the way to go. In addition, many applications (like Instagram) use 30 frames per second as the standard for video recording.
What is the difference between frames per second and refresh rate?
The refresh rate is usually related to the display and not to the camera/video system.
It is measured in hertz (Hz) and analyzes how quickly the screen refreshes or processes an image, and is usually related to the maximum frequency. nine0005
What is ALL-I and IPB? E
These settings are related to data compression. Each specific camera will affect the amount of compression, but in short: All-I provides less compression and produces a higher quality image and a larger file size. IPB, on the other hand, means more compression, a lower quality image, and a smaller file size.
What are 24, 30 and 60 FPS? Understanding the frame rate per second — on The GEEK
I am sure that you have heard more than once about such a parameter as frame rate per second. From the name it is clear that this is the number of frames that fit in a unit of time, in our case, 1 second. But what affects this indicator? And here you need to take into account many parameters. And if we talk about personal computers, then the main ones are the processor and the video card. nine0005
Basically, when we talk about frames per second, we mean “smoothness” of an image.
You have often seen how the image on the screen «twitches». In scientific terms, we are dealing with a small number of frames per second. Frames per second is a numerical expression and is referred to as FPS. By the way, the number of personnel for the film industry and the gaming industry varies. If 24 FPS is the standard for movies, then for gamers, the more the better, but basically we are talking about 30 and 60 FPS. nine0005
But even here there are some nuances. Take the same Walt Disney and his creations. Oddly enough, but the frame rate in them is only 12 FPS, but is it noticeable? No, and here we must say a big thank you to the animators and their abilities and tricks. But for gamers, this indicator will not be enough and sometimes it can approach 300 FPS. Why such a scatter, it would seem in similar things?
If during the filming of a film it is enough for the operator to set the desired frequency, then in cartoons it is much more difficult. Each frame must be drawn manually and therefore it is divided into several types.
nine0005
1s — each image is rendered. 2s — each of the 12 frames is shown twice. 3s — the viewer sees 8 frames per second.
In the film industry, as we know, 24 frames per second is the standard. This parameter was chosen back in 1926 and to this day we observe it on television screens. The number 24 was not chosen by chance. This is a kind of compromise that combines several nuances, including film consumption, image smoothness and the possibilities of technology of that time. However, there are exceptions in the film industry. For example, Peter Jackson’s film about the travels of the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins has a frame rate of 48 FPS. But this is not the limit: released in 2019blockbuster «Gemini», has 120 frames per second.
Frequency at 10, 20, 30 and 60 FPS
Technology does not stand still and now it is difficult to surprise a person with a TV with a frame rate of 50 and even 120 FPS. How, then, to demonstrate a film with a frame rate of 24 FPS? Motion smoothing technology comes to the rescue — smoothing movements.
This technology is able to analyze movements and “finish” additional frames, thanks to which the film becomes “smoother”. It seems like what could be better than watching a movie at a high frame rate? Alas, there is a nuance here. This technology increases sharpness, action scenes are blurred, and sometimes even artifacts appear. nine0005
And now let’s move on to games where the optimal frame per second limit starts at 30 FPS. In this area, in addition to the number of frames per second, there is also an indicator of the “drop” in the frame rate, which depends on the stable operation of the system. It is better to have a stable 30 fps than a constant change in this indicator from 60 to 30-40 fps.
What determines the frame rate?
Let’s take a PC as an example. Agree that there can be many hardware configurations, and for each it is simply unrealistic to “adjust” the frequency at the same level. And if one game runs on a powerful PC with 60 FPS, then this does not mean at all that it will work with the same parameters on a less powerful PC.
nine0005 Comparison of 30 FPS and 60 FPS in popular games
But things are much better with consoles, because in this example it all comes down to one single configuration, for which it will not be difficult to find the optimal FPS. If earlier it was about 30 FPS, then modern models support 60 FPS. And the newest game consoles like PS5 and Xbox Series X can run at 120 FPS (although a lot depends on the complexity of the game’s graphics). nine0005 Comparison of FPS in Forza Horizon 4
In eSports, the higher the frame rate, the better, and here you already need a clear selection of components, including a monitor.
In practice, it has been observed that avid shooter players achieve better results with a monitor that supports high frame rates, they need an extra 10 milliseconds to take a shot.
And one more experimental dogma in esports. As we know, for the human eye, there is practically no difference in the frame rate of 240 and 360 FPS. However, players who play shooters aim faster at 360 FPS. In addition, professional gamers choose monitors with a high refresh rate for competitions. At 60 Hz, the frame changes every 16 milliseconds, at 144 Hz it changes every 6 milliseconds. nine0005
So how important is frame rate? In cinematography, this does not matter much, except perhaps purely for the perception of the picture. But in games, and even more so in eSports, the frame rate of the scene is important. This is not only convenience and comfort, but also the speed of reaction.
What determines the frame rate?
The main component that is responsible for this is the video card and the more powerful it is, the more likely you will get a high FPS on your PC.
