Short answer:
Frame rate controls how motion feels, not how “good” your video looks.

There is no single “best” frame rate.
There is only the right frame rate for the job.

Why Frame Rate Confuses Everyone

People hear:

  • “24fps is cinematic”

  • “60fps is smoother”

  • “Higher is better”

All of that is half-true and half-wrong.

Frame rate does not change:

  • sharpness

  • resolution

  • dynamic range

It only changes motion feel.

👉 This matters even more when you shoot HDR, which I explained in What Is HDR in Video, and How Do I Use It in My Workflow?

The Big Three Frame Rates (You Actually Need)

🎞️ 24fps – Story, Film, Narrative

Feels natural and “movie-like.”
Best for:

  • short films

  • narrative scenes

  • documentaries

📺 30fps – Clear and Neutral

Feels more “live” and direct.
Best for:

  • talking-head videos

  • YouTube

  • tutorials

⚡ 50/60fps – Action and Flexibility

Feels smooth and sharp.
Best for:

  • sports

  • fast movement

  • slow motion in editing

Frame Rate by Genre (Simple Rules)

  • Short films / narrative → 24fps

  • YouTube / talking head → 30fps

  • Action / sports → 50/60fps

  • Commercials → 24fps or 30fps (based on brand feel)

  • Slow motion shots → Shoot 60fps, deliver slower

Don’t overthink it.
Pick one and be consistent.

I personally shoot everything in multiples of 24fps, even YouTube videos.

Slow Motion Without Breaking Your Video

Slow motion works best when:

  • You shoot at a higher frame rate – 60/100/120fps

  • You slow it down in editing

Do not:

  • Mix slow motion randomly

  • Deliver everything in 60fps “just in case”

Your final video should still feel intentional. The platform or your client will determine the final delivery fps.

Common Frame Rate Mistakes

  • Mixing 24fps and 60fps randomly

  • Shooting everything in 60fps (you can do this, if you will conform this to the delivery fps in post-production)

  • Changing frame rate mid-project

  • Choosing frame rate after editing

Decide before you press record.

How Frame Rate Affects the “Cinematic Look”

Frame rate alone does not make a video cinematic.

Cinematic feel comes from:

  • controlled lighting

  • intentional camera movement

  • thoughtful framing

  • color and contrast

👉 This is what we’ll break down in How Do I Create Cinematic Looks on a Budget?

The Big Truth

Frame rate is a creative choice, not a technical upgrade.

Once you choose it intentionally, your videos will look more confident immediately.

FAQs

Is 60fps better quality than 24fps?

No. It’s smoother motion, not higher quality.

You can, but only if you plan for slow motion. Random mixing looks messy.

No. It creates workflow problems and changes the feel of your video. Once you are proficient in the basics and know what you are doing well, then you can shoot in 60fps and conform it to 24 or 30fps in post production, but remember the motion wil appear smoother than if it was originally shot at 24fps or 30fps.

Only partially. Lighting and composition matter more.