Slow-motion videography in 2025 appears more cinematic and requires learning important criteria, practical settings, and lighting tips. We have explained all of this here in detail so you can start with slow motion immediately.
Simply put, slow-motion videography differs from normal recordings by the number of frames captured, which is usually significantly higher than in standard videography. Such slow motions are recorded at 120 frames per second, 240 frames per second, or even more, and then played back at the usual standard frame rates of 24 frames per second or 30 frames per second, which we are all already accustomed to.
The finished footage shows movements that appear elongated and detailed. Such videography changes everything: how much light you need to capture such movements, how your subject stands out from the background, and even how stable your camera appears.
Camera Body and Slow-Motion Videography
Higher frame rates mean that the datasheet of your video camera body should be significantly more powerful compared to a conventional body. For slow-motion recordings, you generally need a camera with at least 120 frames per second, ideally 240 frames per second or more in Full HD and 4K. Anything beyond that will be expensive in 2025.
But resolution is not the only requirement; your camera must have a datasheet that offers top performance in low light conditions, a larger dynamic range, and outstanding image quality. Look for cameras with integrated image stabilization and built-in thermal management that can record with higher bitrates and flexible codecs for professional post-production. Slow-motion videos naturally cost a lot of money.
Camera Lens and Slow-Motion Videos
Higher frame rates in slow-motion videos require special camera lenses that can keep up with the high frame frequency. In short: slow motion multiplies all the small problems your normal camera body and lens might have. That is why the choice of lens has a huge impact on the specifications of your next lens.
1. Aperture and Light Transmission of the Lens
Slow motion consumes light to keep up with the high frame rate. Each captured frame is exposed less by the camera due to the high frame frequency. This is where the aperture comes into play. It should be large enough, about T2.9, to keep up with this ultra-fast frame sequence and let more light onto the sensor.
2. Sensor Type and Size
Since the camera needs more light to capture these rapidly changing images, the sensor must also be able to process enough light for a slow-motion clip. In 2025, full-frame sensors are the most popular choice for slow-motion videos due to their large surface area. This allows them to process light more effectively at shorter exposure times per frame.
3. Focal Length and Depth of Field
These two factors are closely related. As a videographer, you decide which focal length you want to use for your slow-motion clip. There are two extremes: one side is for telephoto lenses that compress space, the other for wide-angle lenses that exaggerate it. If you aim for a shallow depth of field behind the subject in slow motion, you should choose longer focal lengths and large apertures.
4. Anamorphic Advantages in 2025
Spherical lenses are considered standard in slow-motion videography because they are easier to handle and more versatile. However, the trend is slowly moving towards anamorphic lenses, the same lenses that large production houses already use for creative film shots.
These lenses are known for their unique lens flares in the image and can squeeze a wider field of view onto the sensor, creating true cinematic aspect ratios in both normal frame rate and slow-motion videos. One such lens is the SIRUI Saturn, a reliable lens kit highly regarded in the industry for its true cinematic character, compact size, low light refraction, and stunning lens flares in slow-motion videos.
The lens kit is available in various focal lengths, giving you a lot of freedom when shooting different scenarios. The powerful T2.9 aperture significantly helps to maintain motion blur at a shutter angle of nearly 180° without overloading the camera sensor. The 1.6x anamorphic squeeze with slow motion and smooth bokeh also retains shape without jittery edges at higher frame rates.
Camera Settings and Slow-Motion Videography
Your camera should set the highest possible frame rate. For natural motion blur, a shutter speed of about double the frame rate is recommended. When shooting in low light, you should choose a larger aperture on the lens or a higher ISO value on the camera body, as shorter shutter times at such high frame rates let in less light.
Lighting for Slow-Motion Videos
Higher frame rates drastically reduce exposure time, requiring one to three additional stops of light. We recommend investing in high-quality COB lights or flicker-free LEDs that maintain brightness even in slow-motion recordings at high frame rates. Combined with a consistent T-stop lens like the one mentioned above, you achieve smooth results.
Summary:
If you make slow-motion videos, learning the above basics is essential. With a high-quality camera body, the right lighting, and a powerful camera lens like the SIRUI Saturn lens kit, you achieve professional results.
