Frame rate (fps)
Also known as: fps, frames per second
The number of still images a camera records for each second of video, measured in fps. It sets how smooth motion looks and how far a clip can be slowed.
Updated
What it means
Video is a rapid sequence of still images, and the frame rate is how many of them the camera captures every second. 24 fps is the traditional film look, 30 fps is common for online video, and 60 fps renders fast motion with a smoother, more lifelike feel. Action cameras and drones go much higher - 120 or 240 fps on many models - mostly so the footage can be turned into slow motion later.
Frame rate also shapes how motion looks inside each frame. Together with shutter speed, it decides how much motion blur every frame carries, which is a big part of why 24 fps feels cinematic and 60 fps feels crisp and immediate.
How it works in practice
On a GoPro, frame rate is picked together with resolution. On recent models 5.3K tops out at 60 fps, 4K reaches 120 fps, and the fastest rates are reserved for 2.7K or 1080p. DJI and Insta360 cameras follow the same trade-off: the more frames per second, the fewer pixels per frame.
A rule many riders use: shoot 60 fps by default for anything with speed, switch to 120 fps or higher for jumps and tricks you plan to slow down, and stay at 24 or 30 fps for calm scenery and talking shots. Higher rates fill cards faster or, at a fixed Bitrate, leave fewer bits for each individual frame.
What to watch out for
Mixing frame rates in one edit is the classic trap. Drop 60 fps clips onto a 24 fps timeline and the editor has to throw frames away, which can look like judder; put 24 fps clips on a 60 fps timeline and frames get repeated. Decide the delivery rate first and shoot with it in mind.
Region settings matter too. Cameras set to PAL offer 25, 50 and 100 fps, while NTSC gives 24, 30, 60 and 120. Under artificial lights the wrong family can cause visible flicker. And very high rates need plenty of light: indoor 240 fps clips often turn noisy because the camera pushes ISO to make up for the short exposure.
How RawClip handles it
RawClip accepts footage from 1080p up to 4K and 5.3K, including high frame rates from 60 to 120 fps, and you can mix clips shot at different rates on different cameras in one order. The finished highlight comes back as one MP4 in 4K and 1080p.