Every time we find more options and functions within the camera application of our mobiles. Before, you had to look for certain shooting or video recording options in third-party applications. Even the post-editing of an image is something that is no longer sought outside. Among the options that have improved the most in recent years is the ability to record video in slow motion.
The line that separates the results achieved by a high-end mobile and a professional camera is getting thinner. We see how our terminals integrate increasingly complete astrophotography modes and editing modes. But few things can be more spectacular than slow or super slow motion video. However, even to record this type of video we must be clear about how it works and the options that we have at our disposal.
Slow motion modes
The show-motion or show-mo, is a visual effect resulting from slowing down an action in order to capture more details or increase its spectacularity. To achieve this, the video scene must be shot with more images per second than normal footage. Later, when the record is passed with a normal number of images per second, the impression is that the scene is longer and passes slowly. The technique has been used since the beginning of the 20th century and we see it daily in television commercials, sports broadcasts or in scientific applications. Imagination also plays an important role when recording these types of videos.
Most of the devices that go on sale now, especially in the mid and high range, have some kind of slow motion mode. It is usually found within the additional settings in the camera settings, so it may go unnoticed by some.
Depending on the slow motion mode that our device has, we can record in the traditional mode, or in the Ultra-Slow Motion modes. In the latter, the number of frames captured in each recording is much higher. Sometimes it achieves eight times more frames when shooting in slow motion, which allows it to offer a quality that can be considered as professional.
Choose the right mode for each shot
However, keep in mind that each speed has a different resolution for its purpose , as it cannot be used in all scenarios. This must be taken into account so that the results are what we expect in each scene, before we start recording.
- 4X (120fps) and 8X (240fps): this is the standard slow motion, which fulfills the basic function of this mode
- 32X (960fps) : Raising the bar when it comes to stopping time. This mode is ideal for capturing falling snowflakes or water droplets.
- 64X (1920fps): This is an idea mode for capturing very fast moving objects. For example the passing of a vehicle at high speed or the fall of an object.
- 256X (7680fps): it is a perfect mode to capture explosions, water balloons breaking, fireworks and any event that occurs suddenly and in which several elements intervene that will emerge very quickly
Slow motion videos taking up more?
The truth is that slow motion videos tend to take up more space than traditional videos. This is due to the number of extra frames per second that the final result contains. For example, a video recorded in FullHD resolution at 960 fps, can occupy much more than the same clip recorded in 4K at 30 fps.