Best Slow Motion Camera in 2024
Updated: September 12,2023
If you want to film someone dramatically walking away from something (preferably an explosion), your cat jumping over a TP tower, or anything in between, in slow-mo, what you need is a reliable slow-motion camera. However, there are many things to pay attention to when choosing one, including the maximum frame rate, video resolution and quality, image stabilization options, battery life, etc.
Luckily for you, we did the research and made a list to help you pick out the best slow-motion camera for capturing and preserving precious (and hilarious) memories in incredible detail. Read on!
GoPro HERO8
- Arguably the best action camera out there
- Completely waterproof
- Stunning video quality
- Short battery life
Camera Type
GoPro is practically a synonym for the best slow-motion action camera these days, with good reason. The GoPro HERO 8 is a high-speed camera you can trust to keep up with your adventurous lifestyle.
Specifications
Being only 66.3 x 48.6 x 28.4 mm in size, this slow-motion camera might make you wonder whether it has what it takes to record incredible moments in full HD and slow-motion. Not to worry – this tiny device can support 4K video resolution at up to 60 fps; in a high-frame-rate mode, you’ll get 1080p slow-motion footage with up to 240 fps. Coupled with the fact that it can livestream in 1080p, the HERO 8 is undoubtedly an action camera with the best slow-motion results.
The exceptional HyperSmooth 2.0 mode will mitigate any camera-shake issues, and the built-in mounting hardware makes setting up to record slow-motion video a piece of cake. On the downside, all these special options mean the GoPro has a shorter battery life than most cameras on this list - you can expect to record for about an hour before needing to recharge.
Moreover, you can make the most of super-stabilized time-lapse videos with GoPro’s TimeWarp 2.0 feature. Another handy addition is the LiveBurst mode, which catches the 1.5 seconds before and after your shots – perfect for capturing slow-motion footage.
Apart from being an outstanding action camera with the best slow-motion capabilities one can find, the GoPro HERO 8 won’t disappoint as an everyday photography or vlogging camera, either. Thanks to its excellent low-light performance and automatic blur reduction, you’ll be able to create excellent 12 MP shots even in imperfect conditions.
Price
If you’re planning to purchase the HERO 8, set aside about $350 – a reasonable amount for the top slow-motion cameras. With an annual subscription to GoPro, however, the price can drop below $250. Keep in mind that the famous brand name plays a huge role in its action cameras’ prices.
Reviews
With a remarkable score of 4.7 on Amazon, it’s safe to say the GoPro HERO 8 is the best slow-motion action camera there is. Most reviewers say the camera delivers the smooth video recording it promises, as well as easy setup and ultimate convenience, as it is very “pocketable.”
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III
- YouTube livestreaming
- Efficient face detection
- External microphone socket
- Outdated autofocus system
Camera Type
The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III is a slow-mo camera with all the characteristics of a powerful video recorder. Although it might not be the best 4K slow-motion camera out there, it still has several amazing features those looking for action cameras will appreciate.
Specifications
This slow-motion camera is another tiny candidate on this list (105.5 x 60.9 x 41.4 mm), but its video recording power won’t let you down. You can make slow-motion footage in 4K video resolution at up to 30 fps and up to 120 fps in full HD – a rare trait for compact cameras. Even though the autofocus system fails on occasion, the company’s new image processor update stabilizes it to the point of perfection.
What makes the PowerShot possibly the best slow-motion camera for vloggers is the possibility to stream live directly to YouTube, as well as add an external mic, ensuring crisp and clear sound. You can create instantly shareable vertical videos and take advantage of a 180° tilting panel to create some gorgeous frames. The camera’s phenomenal video file and image quality are also more than suitable for both regular and slow-motion photography.
Price
If you were to decide to purchase a Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III camera, you’d have to prepare a decent sum – $749, to be exact, even though it doesn’t have a full-frame sensor, nor is it a DSLR camera.
Reviews
Despite a pretty good score of 4.5 on Amazon, it seems that the PowerShot won’t be taking the title of the best camera for slow-motion video. Although it’s considered an excellent on-the-go backup option, overheating is its main problem, apparently starting only ten minutes into a recording.
DJI Osmo Pocket
- ActiveTrack feature
- Excellent video-editing software
- Shoot slow-motion footage in 1080p video resolution at 120 fps
- Mediocre audio quality
Camera Type
The DJI Osmo Pocket is a strong competitor to GoPro slow-motion cameras in terms of practicality. It’s also undoubtedly the best slow-motion camera for those on a budget. You can rely on it to catch all important moments in full HD or 4K video resolution, depending on the frame rate you want.
Specifications
Another miniature slow-motion camera, the DJI Osmo Pocket’s dimensions are 121.9 x 36.9 x 28.6 mm. Easily fitting into the palm of your hand, it’s simple to operate and can accompany you everywhere, collecting slow-motion footage of priceless memories. This gimbal camera can record videos in 4K resolution at an astonishing 60 fps, making for some awesome slow-mo videos. Its stabilization system helps create spectacular videos, making it an excellent slow-motion camera.
You can trust the DJI Osmo Pocket camera to help you create beautiful full HD video clips, like the ones you’ve seen online. It supports motion lapse and 3×3 panorama videos, while the ActiveTrack feature makes locking on a moving object a piece of cake. The fantastic NightShot option ensures better low-light performance than most other cameras, so you can maintain high-quality video recording even in poor lighting conditions.
Simply making a video is not enough, of course – you’ll need to edit it, too. The DJI Osmo Pocket includes an excellent app for creating audiovisual recordings that will stun your audience.
Price
At only $199.99, the Osmo Pocket is surely the best inexpensive slow-motion video camera you can find.
Reviews
The DJI Osmo Pocket has an excellent score on Amazon, going strong with 4.7 stars. Many praise it for its ease of use, great slow-motion capabilities, and astounding video quality, but there is also some dissatisfaction regarding the audio quality.
Canon EOS R5
- 8K video capability
- Fantastic autofocus system
- Amazing viewfinder
- Steep price
Camera Type
Mirrorless cameras for creating slow-motion videos have only one representative on our list, and it’s also the priciest and the most powerful of the bunch. If you want some exquisite scenes shot in 8K video resolution with an astounding frame rate, the Canon EOS R5 is the full-frame camera for you.
Specifications
Unlike other slow-motion cameras listed here, the Canon EOS R5’s dimensions are slightly bigger – 138.5 x 97.5 x 88 mm. On the other hand, it’s the only slow-mo camera whose image processor can shoot footage in 8K, making it an excellent choice for those who value high resolutions. It also records in 4K at 120 fps, which secures its place among the best cameras for high slow-motion frame rates.
Besides being the best compact camera resolution-wise, the EOS R5 provides excellent low-light performance and comes with an eight-stop image stabilizer for creating clear images even when it’s freezing outside, and you can’t help but shake the recorder.
Other valuable features include the integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices to help you connect your slow-motion camera both to the internet and all the programs you need to make magic happen. All in all, this device ticks all the boxes for slow-mo cameras.
Price
The camera’s price would have us believe the company is selling the best slow-motion camera out there, i.e., not something a regular Joe can afford. Not including any additional gear, buying the EOS R5 from Canon’s official US website will cost you a little under $4,000. While this is certainly not the cheapest option, it is entirely reasonable for the kind of resolution, frame rate, dynamic range, and slow-motion recording this mirrorless camera allows.
Reviews
With an astonishing score of 4.9 on Amazon, there seem to be no bad user experiences with this full-frame camera. The few negative reviews mention a couple of tiny glitches that don’t impact the device’s performance in any meaningful way. Considering its asking price, it is only right that the EOS R5 be regarded as the best slow-motion DSLR camera.
Sony RX100 VII
- Minimal adjustments for excellent video quality
- 180-degree flipping touch screen
- Excellent image quality
- Overpriced
Camera Type
Another super slow-motion camera on our list, the Sony RX100 VII is the next big thing when it comes to DSLR cameras. Although it’s famous for its face and eye detection, this camera’s impressive slow-motion footage will not disappoint you, either.
Specifications
Sony RX100 VII is another pocketable contender for the best slow-motion 4K camera title. For a device of its size, it makes some extraordinary 4K videos, and it is one of the few devices that can achieve 120 fps in that resolution. It’s a perfect slow-motion camera for beginners, as creating breathtaking videos requires minimal tweaking.
The RX100 VII was designed primarily for vloggers, so the built-in microphone port and image stabilization system seem like excellent additions to an already great camera.
This camera is certainly the best point-and-shoot camera for slow-motion video recording, and it also delivers high-quality stills. Just make sure to account for the crop factor, as this camera doesn’t have a full-frame sensor. Truly beginner-friendly, it may well be the perfect choice for many – if only the price were a bit more competitive.
Price
While the camera is top-notch for its range, Sony could tone down the pricing a bit. You can buy this product without additional gear for about $1,300 on the official site. If you require the shooting grip kit as well - recommended for slow-motion video making - you’ll need to throw in an extra hundred dollars, totaling $1,400 – not something we would call a bargain.
Reviews
This slow-motion camera, exceptional as it is, currently holds a 4.5 score on Amazon. According to the comments, the overall reason seems to be its steep learning curve. Interestingly enough, the positive reviews mainly mention this camera’s trouble-free setup as one of its main advantages, so if you want to learn the truth, you’ll have to try it yourself.
Best Full HD Slow-Motion Camera in 2024
- GoPro HERO8
- Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III
- DJI Osmo Pocket
- Canon EOS R5
- Sony RX100 VII
The Evaluation Process for Slow-Motion Cameras
You know those moments when you tell a funny story, but no one laughs, so you have to resort to the good old “I guess you had to be there,” wishing you had recorded it? Well, good news - you can now not only record and slow down all your hilarious experiences, but livestream them as well! All you need is a good slow-motion camera.
Even though it’s such a small device, this video recording gadget is significantly more complex - and pricier - than most compact cameras used for streaming or those found on smartphones, especially those made for children, picking the right one out is more difficult. To help you make an educated choice, here’s our methodology for finding the best camera to make slow-motion videos with:
No camera can suit every purpose, situation, or skill set, so these gadgets come in all shapes and sizes. Therefore, camera type is one of the most important factors to take into account before purchasing a recording device.
For instance, people with more dynamic lifestyles will have more use for an action or compact model, while vloggers will need steady, easily shareable recordings with excellent audio quality. On the other hand, video producers will most certainly look for the best full HD slow-motion camera available, capable of creating first-rate footage.
Each camera on our list has a distinct set of specifications. If you are looking for something particular in your future device, this is the section to pay attention to. From the dimensions to the capabilities - we’ll cover everything.
The most important aspects to pay attention to are the dynamic range, low-light performance, crop factor, whether there’s a video mode specifically designed for slow-motion recording, the peak frame rate by resolution, and battery life.
Budget-friendliness is probably one of the biggest concerns people have when on the hunt for a new piece of equipment, and it’s no wonder - not everyone can afford to skip the price tag while shopping. In this section, you will find whether the best slow-motion camera is worth its price or if it's time to check out the alternatives.
Is there a better ad for the best slow-motion cameras - or any other cameras, for that matter - than one featuring real, happy users? In this section, you’ll find product specs and ratings that could make a difference between making the best and the worst purchase of your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
The answer to this question lies in your actual needs. Based on its specifications, for example, the Canon EOS R5 is on par with some studio cameras, but it has a price to match. On the other hand, if you are looking for the best cheap slow-motion camera to use on the go, then the DJI Osmo Pocket Gimbal would be the best choice.
For creating unforgettable slow-motion recordings that don’t look choppy, you need the highest frame rate possible. In other words, 240 fps is ideal, but you can get decent results with a 120 fps camera too. Ultimately, it all comes down to what you’re trying to accomplish with your slow-motion recording.
Caltech made an incredible breakthrough by inventing a camera that captures 70 trillion frames per second. However, if we’re talking about commercial cameras, Phantom cameras lead the high frame rate pack, with an extraordinary rate of one million frames per second.
You can use a 30 fps rate to make your videos slow-motion if you set your playback rate to 24 fps (the standard for cinematic footage). The resulting slow-mo effect won’t be very noticeable, however. Ideally, you need to record at no less than twice the desired playback speed to gain more visible results. Even better if your camera has specialized slow-motion modes to achieve this effect.
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