Slow motion shots captured with the GoPro Hero 12 can dramatically enhance a film’s visual appeal, adding a cinematic and professional quality.
However, the key to stunning slow-motion footage lies not only in reducing speed but also in fine-tuning the right settings to ensure optimal video quality.
In this article, you will discover how and when to use the GoPro Hero 12 Slow Motion feature, along with tips for creating your best slow-motion videos.
QUICK TAKE
- Shoot at high frame rates like 240 fps in 1080p for extreme slow-motion or 60 fps in 5.3K for cinematic quality
- Use low ISO values (100 or 200) and fast shutter speeds (1/480 or 1/960) to reduce noise and motion blur
- Stabilize your camera with a tripod or gimbal for smooth slow-motion effect
What is Slow Motion and How Does It Work
Slow motion is a video technique that reduces the speed of the playback, making the action appear slower than it is. To achieve a slow-motion effect, you need to shoot at a higher frame rate than the playback speed.
For example, if you shoot at 60 frames per second (fps) and playback at 30 fps, you can slow down the footage by 2x. The higher the frame rate, the slower the motion.
However, shooting at a higher frame rate also requires more light and storage space. You need to balance the frame rate with the resolution, exposure, and battery life of your camera. You also need to consider the type of action you want to capture, and how much you want to slow it down. Keep on reading to dig into details.
GoPro Hero 12 Slow Motion Settings
Watch the following video where I explain how to start out with slow motion videos:
Resolution and Frame Rate
The resolution and frame rate are the two main factors that determine the quality and speed of your slow-motion videos. The higher the resolution, the more details and clarity you can get.
The higher the frame rate, the smoother and slower you can make your footage. However, there are trade-offs between these two factors.
Higher resolution and frame rate also means larger file size, shorter battery life, and lower low-light performance. Therefore, you need to choose the optimal combination that suits your needs.
The GoPro Hero 12 offers several resolution and frame rate options for slow-motion videos:
Resolution | Frame Rate | Slow Motion Factor |
---|---|---|
1080p | 240 fps | 8x |
1080p | 120 fps | 4x |
2.7K | 120 fps | 4x |
2.7K | 60 fps | 2x |
4K | 60 fps | 2x |
5.3K | 60 fps | 2x |
As a general rule of thumb, you should use the highest resolution and frame rate that your camera can handle, as long as you have enough light and storage space. However, depending on the type of action you want to capture, you may want to adjust these settings accordingly.
Action Shots
For example, if you want to capture very fast actions like surfing or skiing, you may want to use 1080p at 240 fps, which is ideal for extreme slow-motion effects.
Wide Angle
However, if you want to capture more details and wider angles, you may want to use 2.7K or 4K at 120 or 60 fps, which offer higher resolution and still decent slow-motion effects.
Highest Quality
If you want to capture the highest quality and resolution possible, you may want to use 5.3K at 60 fps, which is great for cinematic slow-motion videos.
Playback Frame Rate
Another crucial aspect to monitor is the playback frame rate. Ideally, you should stick to 30, 25, or 24 fps. Venturing below 24 fps can make your video appear both choppy and unclear.
Post Production
GoPro sets slow-motion videos to play at a normal speed by default, making it easier for you to edit in any video editing software. If you’re working on a desktop, you can manually adjust the playback speed to achieve the desired slow-motion effect.
For instance, if you’ve shot a video at 240 FPS, you can set your playback speed to 0.25x to get that smooth slow-motion look.
Check out my video comparison for GoPro Slow Motion settings (240fps vs 30fps):
Tips For Better Slow Motion Videos
Here are some of my insights on how to improve your slow motion video quality:
Choose the right Digital Lens
The digital lens is another important setting that affects how your slow-motion videos look. The digital lens determines the field of view and the level of distortion of your footage. The GoPro Hero 12 has six digital lens options that you can choose from: SuperView, Wide, Linear, Linear+Horizon Leveling, HyperView, or Max HyperView (with Max Lens Mod 2.0).
Max Lens Mod 2.0
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SuperView and HyperView are the most immersive and dynamic options, offering a very wide angle of view and a fisheye effect. These options are great for capturing fast-paced actions and movements from a first-person perspective.
Wide is a standard option that offers a wide angle of view without too much distortion. This option is good for capturing scenic views and landscapes.
Linear and Linear+Horizon Leveling are options that offer a narrower angle of view with minimal distortion. These options are good for capturing more realistic and natural-looking videos.
Max HyperView is an option that requires the Max Lens Mod 2.0, which is an accessory that you can attach to your GoPro Hero 12. This option offers the widest angle of view and the best stabilization possible, as well as the ability to rotate your camera 360 degrees without affecting the horizon. This option is ideal for capturing ultra-smooth and immersive slow-motion videos.
The digital lens that you choose depends on your personal preference and the style of your videos. You can experiment with different options and see what works best for you.
Adjust the Exposure Settings
The exposure settings are also crucial for shooting slow-motion videos, as they affect the brightness and color of your footage. The exposure settings include the ISO, shutter speed, white balance, and color profile.
ISO
The ISO is a measure of how sensitive your camera is to light. The higher the ISO, the brighter your footage will be, but also the more noise and grain you will get. The lower the ISO, the darker your footage will be, but also the cleaner and sharper you will get. For slow-motion videos, you should use a low ISO value, such as 100 or 200, to avoid noise and grain.
The shutter speed is a measure of how long your camera captures light for each frame. The faster the shutter speed, the less motion blur you will get, but also the darker your footage will be. The slower the shutter speed, the more motion blur you will get, but also the brighter your footage will be. For slow-motion videos, you should use a fast shutter speed, such as 1/480 or 1/960, to freeze the action and avoid motion blur.
White Balance
The white balance is a measure of how warm or cool your footage looks. The white balance depends on the color temperature of the light source that you are shooting in. For example, sunlight has a warm color temperature, while fluorescent light has a cool color temperature.
For slow-motion videos, I recommend a white balance that matches the light source that you are shooting in, or use the auto mode to let your camera adjust it automatically.
Color Profile
The color profile is a measure of how saturated and contrasted your footage looks. The GoPro Hero 12 has two color profile options: GoPro and Flat. GoPro is a default option that offers vibrant and vivid colors and contrast. A flat is an option that offers muted and neutral colors and contrast.
For slow-motion videos, you can use either option depending on your preference and editing needs. GoPro is good for ready-to-share videos that don’t need much editing. Flat is good for videos that need more editing and grading in post-production.
It’s always good idea to use GoPro Luts in postproduction to adjust video color in 5 seconds.
Use a Tripod or a Gimbal
One of the challenges of shooting slow-motion videos is keeping your camera steady and stable. Any shake or movement of your camera can ruin your slow-motion effect and make your footage look shaky and blurry. Therefore, you should use a tripod or a gimbal to stabilize your camera and ensure smooth and steady shots.
A tripod is a device that holds your camera in place on a flat surface. A tripod is good for shooting static or slow-moving subjects from a fixed angle.
A gimbal is a device that holds your camera in place on a handheld or wearable mount. A gimbal uses motors and sensors to counteract any shake or movement of your camera and keep it level and balanced. A gimbal is good for shooting dynamic or fast-moving subjects from a moving angle.
You can choose either a tripod or a gimbal depending on the type of action you want to capture and the style of your videos.
3 Axis Gimbal Stabilizer
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Tailored for action enthusiasts, it promises hyper-smooth footage even during high-octane activities like running or skating. The quick release clip ensures effortless camera mounting, while its app control offers diverse modes for tailored videography. Although it’s resistant to water splashes (IPX4), what truly sets it apart is its enduring 14-hour battery life – a boon for prolonged shoots.
With vast compatibility extending beyond GoPro models, this stabilizer also accommodates other camera brands and integrates seamlessly with additional accessories, thanks to the 3 ¼” screw hole. Dive into a hassle-free and enhanced filming experience!
Check out more gimbals: TOP 7 Best GoPro Gimbals
Unlock the full capabilities of the GoPro Hero 12 by watching my tutorial:
Thanks for reading!
I hope this guide helped you learn about the best GoPro Hero 12 slow motion settings 🙂
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