Burst mode
Also known as: burst photos, continuous shooting
A photo mode that fires a rapid series of still images in a short time, so you can pick the perfect frame of a jump, splash or trick.
Updated
What it means
Burst mode takes many photos in quick succession, for example 10, 25 or even 50 frames in one or two seconds. Action cameras offer it because the peak of a move, the moment a skier is highest or a wave is breaking, lasts only a fraction of a second.
Burst photos have higher resolution than individual video frames from 4K recording on many cameras, since they use the full sensor. They are ideal for sharing as stills, creating sequence images that show a rider at several positions in one picture, or printing.
The trade-off is that you get photos, not a video clip with sound and continuous motion.
How it works in practice
Start the burst slightly before the action and let it run through the peak. Use a remote or voice command if the camera is mounted out of reach, and make sure there is plenty of light so each frame is sharp.
An alternative is to record high-resolution video and pull stills later with a frame grab. Modern cameras recording 5.3K or more give video frames sharp enough for social posts, and you never miss the moment between burst frames.
For sequence images, keep the camera completely still on a tripod and let the subject move across the frame.
What to watch out for
Bursts fill cards quickly and the camera may pause while writing, so you can miss the next attempt. Fast memory cards help, and so does clearing old files before an important session.
In low light, burst frames get noisy or blurry, since each photo needs a fast shutter to freeze motion. Save bursts for bright conditions, and switch back to video when the light fades.
Burst photos are separate image files, not video, so they are easy to forget when backing up or uploading. Keep them in their own folder and remember that video tools may ignore them.
How RawClip handles it
RawClip builds highlights from video files, so burst photos are not used. For the best of both, record video of your jumps as well and upload those clips, and the AI turns them into your highlight.