What frame rate should I shoot?

24fps is the cinema standard for a filmic look. 25fps is the PAL/UK broadcast standard. 30fps is the NTSC standard. 60fps is smooth for sports and gaming. 120fps and above is for slow motion. Choose based on your delivery format and creative intent.

How does frame rate affect slow motion?

Slow motion speed = playback fps / shooting fps. 120fps played at 24fps = 0.2x speed (5x slower). 240fps at 24fps = 0.1x (10x slower). The higher the shooting frame rate, the more extreme the slow motion effect.

Does higher frame rate improve quality?

Higher frame rates capture smoother motion but may limit resolution or dynamic range on some cameras. Many cameras drop to lower bit depth or crop the sensor at high frame rates. 24-30fps typically gives the best image quality per frame.

What is 23.976 vs 24fps?

23.976fps (often written as 23.98) is the actual frame rate used in NTSC countries for broadcast compatibility. True 24fps is used for cinema. The difference is subtle (0.1%) but can cause sync issues over long programmes. In the UK (PAL), 25fps is standard for broadcast.

PhotoCalcs

Frame Rate Calculator — Playback Duration

Convert between shooting and playback frame rates, and calculate slow-motion duration.

Shooting Frame Rate

Playback Frame Rate

Real-Time Duration

How We Calculate This

Playback Duration

Playback duration = (shoot fps x real duration) / playback fps

Speed Factor

Speed = playback fps / shoot fps

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates based on standard optical and photographic formulas. Results may vary with specific equipment.