Understanding Frame Rates & Resolution

In the world of video production, two technical settings greatly impact the final look and feel of your footage: frame rate and resolution. Whether you're shooting a cinematic short film, a social media clip, or a commercial spot, understanding these concepts helps you plan the right style and technical workflow for your project.

1. What Is Frame Rate?

Frame rate refers to the number of frames (images) captured per second in video. Common frame rates include:

• 23.976 fps – The broadcast standard for NTSC, a television friendly version of 24fps.
• 24 fps – The cinematic standard. Smooth and natural, used for films and narrative projects.
• 29.97 fps – The broadcast standard for NTSC, allowing the addition of color signals without interfering with the B&W TV.
• 30 fps – Slightly smoother, used for TV broadcasts or corporate videos.
• 60 fps – Ultra-smooth and ideal for sports, action footage, or slow motion editing.
• 120 fps – Super-smooth and ideal for any extreme slow motion.

Higher frame rates can be slowed down for buttery-smooth slow motion, while lower frame rates offer a more traditional film aesthetic.

2. What Is Resolution?

Resolution is the amount of detail in each frame, measured by pixel dimensions. Common resolutions include:

• 1080p (Full HD) – Standard for online content, interviews, and business video.
• 4K – High-quality resolution for commercials, documentaries, and professional projects.
• 5.6K – High-quality resolution that allows for cropping-in and while still delivering 4k.
• 8K – Cutting-edge clarity for future-proofing and extreme detail capture.

Higher resolution allows more flexibility in post-production for cropping, stabilizing, or zooming without losing quality, although requiring higher demands on post-editing computers. In most cases, editing high-resoltution files will require a proxy workflow.

3. Choosing the Right Combination

Your choice of frame rate and resolution depends on your project goals, typically set by your client. Shooting a cinematic film? Go with 23.976 or 24 fps and 4K. Need something fast and fluid for YouTube or events? 30 or 60 fps might be better. Always balance artistic intent with the practical needs of editing and delivery.

4. Storage and Workflow Impacts

Higher frame rates and resolutions require more storage, faster cards, and stronger editing systems. Plan ahead so your workflow can handle the demands of large files and complex post-production needs.

Final Takeaway

Frame rate and resolution aren't just technical terms—they directly influence how your audience experiences your video. Making the right choices at the start of production ensures a smoother shoot, easier editing, and more powerful final content.