Finding the Best 1080p Video Frame Rate for Your Needs
As a gamer and content creator producing videos at 1080p resolution, one question I‘m often asked is: "What is the best frame rate to shoot at?"
The answer depends a lot on context. Shooting gameplay for YouTube at 60 fps provides an extremely smooth experience for viewers. Meanwhile, 24 fps gives narrative videos a cinematic quality.
Below I break down key use cases and make recommendations on ideal 1080p video frame rates.
Cinematic Video Creation
For narrative films, commercials, or more cinematic video styles, 24-30 fps is ideal. This frame rate range imitates motion picture film cameras and gives video a smooth, film-like feel.
- Major Hollywood movies shoot at 24 fps.
- 30 fps is common for live broadcast television.
Lower frame rates lend themselves well to controlled video shoots with slower camera motion, steady lighting, and deliberate editing.
Action Video Production
For capturing sports, video games, or high motion footage, 60 frames per second (fps) is the best frame rate for 1080p.
Higher frame rates like 60 fps record more visual information and scenes with fast movement more accurately. This allows action to be played back smoothly or slowed down gracefully in editing software.
- 60 fps captures twice as much motion detail as 30 fps
- Creates flexibility for generating slow motion replays/highlights
Esports and Let‘s Play content creators tend to record gameplay video at 60 fps to convey an exciting, visceral viewing experience. The fluid on-screen visuals better convey the feeling of high-speed racing games, fighter combos, etc.
Web & Social Media Distribution
For video intended primarily for internet streaming and social media sites, 30 fps strikes the best quality and file size balance.
Online platforms have bandwidth limitations. At 30 fps, 1080p video still looks reasonably smooth in motion while limiting file sizes for practical hosting, downloads, and streaming:
- YouTube default is 30 fps
- Facebook video max is 30 fps
- 30 fps files are 50% smaller than 60 fps
So for YouTube walkthroughs, Twitch clips, Instagram stories, etc. – shooting in 30 fps 1080p makes it easier to manage and distribute your footage.
Flexible Video Production
When creating video you intend to manipulate heavily with effects, color grading, edits, VFX, and more in post-production, the highest frame rate possible is ideal.
Leaving footage at your camera‘s max frame rate gives you maximum flexibility when it comes time to edit. Slow motion, stabilization, and other software tricks work best with excess frames to leverage.
- Use max sensor frame rate when intention is heavy post-production
- Gives most raw visual data for software algorithms
The latest mirrorless and DSLR cameras can capture 1080p at up to 120 fps, allowing huge creative freedom. Storage space is the main constraint.
Technical Considerations
There are also some technical quirks around video frame rates to keep in mind:
- Most cameras default to 29.97 fps instead of 30 due to outdated analog video standards
- 24, 30, 60 fps are the most widely compatible frame rates
So choose your frame rate not just based on the look you want, but device compatibility as well. Now go capture some epic gaming moments! Let me know if you have any other questions.
