Phone camera settings offer 24, 30 and 60 fps, and most people don't know the difference, so they leave the default. This page explains it as simply as possible, so you know which to choose.
What fps is
A video is a series of still images played fast enough that the eye sees motion. FPS is "frames per second": 30 fps is 30 images a second, 60 fps is 60. More frames means smoother motion and a bigger file.
How the three common rates look
- 24 fps: the cinema standard. Motion has a slight blur that many people read as "cinematic". Good for brand films and story-driven content.
- 30 fps: the most common rate for TV and online video. Natural motion, moderate file size. If in doubt, choose this.
- 60 fps: very smooth motion, good for sport, gaming, product demonstrations and anything needing slow motion. The file is about twice the size of 30 fps and quality drops in low light.
How to shoot slow motion
The principle is simple: shoot at 60 fps and play at 30, and one second of action becomes two, half speed. Shoot at 120 fps for quarter speed. So slow motion has to be decided at the shoot; slowing down 30 fps footage afterwards stutters. A phone's slow-motion mode is just recording at a high frame rate.
What happens when you mix frame rates
If one video contains 24 fps and 60 fps clips, the software unifies them to one rate, dropping or repeating some frames on the way, and motion may look slightly uneven. It's not unusable, but shooting a whole project at one rate is easiest. With several people filming, agree the rate before you start.
Recommendations for everyday shooting
- Talking to camera, interviews, event coverage: 30 fps.
- A cinematic brand film: 24 fps, but keep camera moves slow or the judder shows.
- Sections meant for slow motion: 60 or 120 fps, only for those shots.
- Unsure: 30 fps, for the whole project. More phone settings in the footage preparation checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Does higher fps mean better quality?
No. FPS is frames per second; quality is how sharp each frame is. Two different things. 60 fps isn't sharper than 30 fps, only smoother.
Video flickers under fluorescent lights. Is that related to fps?
Yes. Mains electricity in Taiwan is 60 Hz; shooting at 24 or 25 fps under fluorescent light can produce flicker or rolling bands. Switching to 30 or 60 fps usually fixes it.
What fps will the delivered video be?
It depends on the footage and the purpose; mostly 30 fps. If the footage is 24 or 60, we discuss it when confirming the brief.
