When you see a really cool slow-mo video, like an NBA all-star dunking, or footage of a predator catching its prey, we ask the same thing — how did they film that? And if you want to get that kind of quality slow motion footage yourself, it’s good to know what your options are. So, let’s jump into those options with a closer look at the 10 best slow motion cameras available today.

Frame Rates and Slow-Motion Video

How does slow motion work?

The first thing to consider is frame rate — the amount of frames recorded per second on your camera. The more frames you record in a given second, the more data you’ll have when you slow down the footage later to get those natural and smooth movements, rather than a stuttered and choppy scene.

So, what’s the best frame rate for shooting slow motion videos? The first thing to know is what’s your minimum frame rate. 60 frames per second is typically the lowest frame rate you’d want to go with to ensure slowed down footage that isn’t choppy.

Many slow motion cameras today, can shoot 60 or even 120 frames per second in 4k resolution. This gives filmmakers a lot of room to work with slow motion footage at such high quality and resolution. To get you inspired before we jump into the cameras, let's remind ourselves just how beautiful and thrilling slow motion can be.

Best Slow Motion Scenes Ever

So if you’re interested in slow motion cameras, looking at cameras that have higher frame rates, is a good first step. The list below considers this, above all else.

Secondly, it’s also good to know right off the bat what you’ll be filming and where you’ll be sharing your work. For instance, if you’re more focused on incredible image quality but plan to only share your videos on Instagram, knowing that Instagram doesn’t support 4k videos is probably good to know before you buy.

Purchasing a higher-end slow motion camera just so you can shoot with more frames per second, won’t be ideal for that situation. But of course, if you’re planning on using your videos in other capacities, sharing elsewhere, or if you’re a professional videographer, you’ll likely want to spend more on slow mo cameras with advanced features. 

And lastly, know your budget. There are a ton of options and most of the time, you do not need that most expensive equipment to get incredible slow motion footage. It just takes a little looksie of what’s out there and how they compare to each other.

For each of the 10 cameras below, I’ve added a link to “more specs,” take the time to go through each if the overview of the camera isn’t enough. Buying a new camera can be overwhelming, but hopefully, if you’re looking for the best slow motion camera, you’ll find something here. 

Best Budget Slow Motion Cameras

GoPro HERO8 Black ($349)

Get slow motion video with your GoPro Hero8

This is one of the best slow motion cameras on a budget. As mentioned above, when considering slow mo, one of the best places to start is looking at frames per second. The GoPro HERO8 Black is the brand’s latest, and is an action camera that delivers those high frames per second at an affordable price. 

It boasts 240 fps at 1080p and also has HyperSmooth 2.0 technology, their improved stabilization feature that really makes this one a contender for capturing great slow motion footage. 

The main con here is that because it’s an action camera, it has a small sensor and lack of lens variation. So if you’re in the super professional space, well, you’ll likely already know this isn’t for you, but if you’re shooting video fairly casually or have some other cameras to mix in with this, it’s an awesome option. 

  • Full HD up to 240 fps
  • HyperSmooth stabilization
  • 60fps in 4k & 120fps in 2.7k
  • 4k time-lapses at night
  • Less flexibility with lenses
  • Small sensor
  • N/A

Best Budget Slow Motion Cameras

DJI Pocket 2 ($349)

DJI Pocket 2 Review

The model before this one was the Osmo, but this latest iteration comes with mucho improvements. 

This handheld gimbal camera makes it one of the least expensive and best slow motion cameras available. The Pocket 2 model doubles the slow-motion frame rate than that of the Osmo, shooting at 1080p at up to 240 frames per second.

With a larger sensor than the original, shots are crisper. It also boasts a wider 20mm lens and has an improved autofocus with Hybrid AF 2.0 from the last version.

  • Serious upgrade
  • Shoot in 1080p at 240 FPS
  • Mini control for precision
  • Poor mobile connection
  • Needs solid lighting
  • ND filters are preferred

Best Compact Camera for Slow Motion Video

Sony ZV-1 ($698)

New Slow Motion Camera: The Ultimate Vlogging Camera…?

The Sony ZV-1 is one of the newer point-and-shoot cameras that expands its features quite a bit, making it not only one of the best slow motion cameras but one of the best budget-friendly slow motion cameras. 

The ZV-1 is very similar to Sony’s much pricier option, the Sony a6600, in that it shares the incredible video autofocus with eye autofocus tracking and object tracking features. It uses the same menu system and its slow motion features are nothing to mess with. 

The High Frame Rate mode lets you record at high slow motion frame rates like 240 frames per second, 480, and 960 in 1080p, establishing this as a high quality slow motion camera. 

  • High Frame Rate Mode
  • Good internal audio
  • No 4K recording limit
  • Built-in time lapse mode
  • Great autofocus
  • Built in ND filter
  • Reasonably priced
  • Can’t change lens
  • Battery life
  • Low light performance

Best Budget Slow Motion Cameras 

Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III ($649)

Vlogging demo with the PowerShot

This is a good option if you want reliability while on-the-go. It lacks the interchangeable lenses as it is a point-and-shoot, but is a great camera for high frame rate cinematography for those traveling. 

With full HD up to 120 frames per second, it works well with the 20.1 MP sensor and 4k video recording. You can also shoot right to YouTube as it's able to live-stream video and cuts out the middle process of having to shoot it on your phone first. 

  • 4K up to 30fps
  • HD up to 120fps
  • Livestream capabilities
  • No interchangeable lenses
  • Small aperture range
  • N/A

Best Slow Motion Cameras 

Sony a6400 ($1,298 w/ lens)

4k Slow Motion Camera: Sony a6400 review

This camera sacrifices higher-end image stabilization but it’s one of the few cameras with an APS-C sensor that can shoot in 120 fps, producing incredible video quality. While the Sony ZV-1 has more options for slow mo, the 6400’s sensor size makes it stand out significantly for quality and price point. It shoots 4K up to 30fps and 120 fps in 1080p. 

It comes equipped with a powerful autofocus system that yields real-time autofocus tracking when in video mode and has a pretty wide range ISO for this price bracket. Body only comes in at under $1,000.

  • No 4K recording limit
  • Big ISO range for low light 
  • Top notch autofocus...
  • ..and auto-detection
  • Best camera for price
  • Slo mo range not as flexible
  • No built-in stabilization
  • Additional crop in 4k
  • OK battery life

Best Slow Motion Cameras

Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K ($1,295)

4k Slow Motion Camera: Review and footage

One of the very few cameras that can shoot in 4k at 120fps. The Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera allows the flexibility and capability of shooting in four versions of ProRes 422 or Blackmagic Raw codec. It can do so much with video that it’s been dubbed the poor man’s Red Cinema Camera. 

As a slow motion camera, this delivers some of the best quality and flexibility with everything it can shoot in. See “more specs” below for all of its possibilities. 

But of course, this doesn’t come without issues. With almost a 2x crop factor when shooting in 120 fps and of course the fact that it can’t be used for photography, makes it a little less versatile. 

The Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K is another great option but comes with a higher price tag. It has less of a crop factor, better image quality being 6K,  but burns through batteries as compared to the 4K. The 6K version of this camera comes in at about $2500, the body is $2095.

  • 4K up to 120 fps
  • Shoot Blackmagic RAW
  • Performs well in low light
  • Variety of lens options
  • No photography
  • Need lots of storage
  • No image stabilization
  • Poor autofocus

Best Digital Camera for Slow Motion Video

Sony a7III ($1,698)

Best slow mo camera: Sony a7II in 2020

I put the Sony A7III on the list as it’s a solid option for those looking to get a solid slow motion video camera, but also want to do more. If you’re shooting in 4k, want to also take still images, and desire slow motion, this is one of the better cameras available.

But keep in mind, if you’re just looking for a camera based on slow-motion, I’d consider some of the others on this list, perhaps like the GH5. But this camera can shoot 60fps and 120fps in 1080p. 

Its full-frame sensor allows better low-light performance and it has a really well built autofocus system. You’re also able to switch Super 35mm and full-frame mode with one click, where you can zoom to 1.5x not sacrificing image quality. This is definitely a top contender for the best camera for shooting slow motion video.

  • No crop factor @ 120fps
  • Great autofocus system
  • Best for low light
  • Image stabilization
  • Pricey
  • N/A

Top of the Line Slow Motion Cameras

Panasonic Lumix GH5 ($1798)

Super slow motion camera: All praise for the Panasonic GH5

Next in this more expensive price range, we have the Panasonic Lumix GH5. This is a super slow motion camera, shooting at 60fps in 4k and even up to 180fps at 1080p. 

You can also record in 10-bit, allowing more flexibility later in post production. It’s one of the most advanced cameras for video quality you can purchase at this price point. 

  • Shoot ideal slow mo rates
  • Record in 10-bit
  • Best image stabilization
  • Low-light performance
  • Autofocus
  • Micro four thirds sensor

Best Slow Motion Cameras

Panasonic Lumix S5 ($2,298)

Best Slow Mo Camera: Panasonic Lumix S5 review

This upgrade is a recent full-frame Panasonic camera that rolls up everything we liked from the GH5 — full frame sensor with improved autofocus tracking from the GH5. The S5 autofocus works up to 150 frames per second compared to the GH5’s 120. In general though, the autofocus in Panasonic's doesn’t quite measure up to Sony’s.

For slow-motion, you can shoot in 4K up to 60 frames per second and in full HD up to 180. And like the GH5, the S5 has one of the best image stabilization systems to date. 

  • 4K up to 60fps
  • GREAT image stabilization
  • No limit shooting in 4K
  • Better AF in other cameras
  • Expensive
  • N/A

High Definition Slow Motion Cameras

Sony α7R IV ($2,998)

Best Slow Mo Camera: Sony a7R IV review

This is a higher-end slow motion camera that can shoot full HD up to 120 fps, with a top of the line autofocus system. 

With a shooting speed of 10fps, and up to 8 frames per second in live-view continuous shooting mode, the mechanical shutter allows you to capture motion without sacrificing detail. 

If you’re just looking for slow motion footage, you can definitely save your money and buy one of the other options. If you have it like that, this is a great camera both for slow motion footage and in general.

  • 4K up to 30fps
  • Full HD up to 120 fps
  • 567-Point AF
  • Very large image sizes
  • Expensive
  • N/A

UP NEXT

Best 4K video cameras you can buy

If nothing on this list ticks all the boxes, you might continue the search with the best 4k cameras out there. With options from Panasonic, Sony, Nikon, Canon, Blackmagic, and more, this is the ultimate list covering a wide range of specs, features, and prices.

Up Next: Best 4k cameras →
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