What slow motion video is and how to create it

Slow motion video plays back footage at a slower speed than it was recorded, making fast action visible in detail. To create it, you either record at a higher frame rate than normal (so playback at standard speed looks slower) or slow down existing video in editing software. Most phones now have a built-in slow motion mode in the camera app that does the frame-rate recording for you. On a computer, you use video editing software to stretch out the timeline of regular footage.

The method you choose depends on whether you are recording new video or working with something you already have. Recording in slow motion mode captures more frames per second, which gives you smoother results than slowing down footage after the fact. But if you only want to slow down part of a video, or you do not have a slow motion camera mode available, editing software works just as well.

Key Takeaways

  • Most smartphones have a slow motion mode built into the camera app that records at 60 or 120 frames per second, which you select before recording.
  • Slow motion video requires more light than normal recording because the camera is capturing more frames in the same amount of time.
  • On a computer, you can slow down any video using free software like DaVinci Resolve or iMovie by adjusting the speed in the timeline.
  • Slowing down video in editing software after recording produces less smooth results than recording in slow motion mode, but works for short clips or partial slowdowns.

Recording slow motion video on your phone

On an iPhone, open the Camera app and swipe left through the modes until you reach "Slo-Mo". Tap the red record button to start. The phone will record at 120 frames per second by default (or 240 fps on newer models). When you stop recording, the video saves to your Photos app. The entire clip will play in slow motion when you open it.

On Android phones, the process varies by manufacturer. Open the Camera app and look for a "Slow Motion" or "Slo-Mo" mode in the shooting modes menu — it may be under "More" or require swiping to find. Samsung phones label it "Slow Motion", while Google Pixel phones call it "Cinematic Pan". Tap record, capture your action, and stop. The video saves to your gallery in slow motion.

One important detail: slow motion recording uses more battery and storage space than normal video because the phone is capturing many more frames. A 10-second slow motion clip can be 50 MB or larger. Also, slow motion mode needs good lighting. If your scene is dim, the video will look grainy because the camera is trying to capture so many frames in low light.

Slowing down video on a computer with free software

If you want to slow down video you already have, or slow down only part of a video, use DaVinci Resolve, which is free and works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. read it from blackmagicdesign.com, install it, and open the program. Click "New Project" and give it a name. Then click "Import Media" and select your video file.

Drag your video from the media panel into the timeline at the bottom. Right-click on the clip in the timeline and select "Change Clip Speed". A window will open with a speed slider. Move it left to slow down the video — 50% makes it half speed, 25% makes it one-quarter speed. Click "OK" and the clip will play slower in the timeline. If you want to slow down only part of the video, you can split the clip at the point where you want the slowdown to start and end, then adjust the speed of just that section.

On Mac, iMovie is built in and simpler to use. Import your video, drag it to the timeline, click the speed icon (it looks like a speedometer), and drag the slider to the left to slow it down. The downside is that iMovie offers fewer speed options than DaVinci Resolve and cannot slow down just a portion of a clip without splitting it manually first.

Why slow motion video looks different depending on how you create it

When you record in slow motion mode on your phone, the camera captures 120 or 240 frames every second instead of the normal 30. When that footage plays back at 30 frames per second, each frame lasts longer on screen, so the action appears to move slowly. The motion is smooth because there are many frames to display.

When you slow down regular video in editing software, you are stretching the same 30 frames across a longer timeline. The software has to guess what happens between frames, which can make the motion look choppy or blurry. This is why recording in slow motion mode always looks better than slowing down footage after the fact. However, for short clips or for slowing down video by only 20 or 30 percent, the difference is not always noticeable.

Lighting and frame rate considerations

Slow motion recording demands more light than normal video. When your phone records at 120 frames per second instead of 30, it has one-quarter the time to gather light for each frame. In bright outdoor conditions, this is not a problem. In indoor lighting or shade, the video will appear grainy or noisy because the camera is pushing its sensor to its limit.

If you are recording slow motion indoors, turn on all available lights and position your subject facing the light source. Avoid recording slow motion in dim rooms or at night unless you have external lighting. If you are slowing down video in software, the same principle applies — footage shot in poor light will look worse when slowed down because the graininess becomes more visible.

Frame rate also affects file size. A 10-second video recorded at 120 fps takes up roughly four times as much storage as the same 10 seconds at 30 fps. If your phone is running low on storage, record slow motion in shorter bursts or delete old videos before shooting.

Exporting and sharing your slow motion video

On your phone, slow motion videos export the same way as normal videos. In Photos on iPhone, select the video, tap "Share", and choose your destination — email, messaging app, cloud storage, or social media. The video will upload in slow motion. On Android, open your gallery, select the video, and tap "Share".

If you edited the video in DaVinci Resolve on a computer, click "File" and then "Export". Choose a location on your computer, name the file, and select a format — MP4 is the most compatible option. Click "Export" and the software will process the file, which can take several minutes depending on the length and your computer's speed. Once finished, you can upload the file to social media, email it, or transfer it to your phone.

One note: some social media platforms compress video differently, which can affect how smooth your slow motion looks. YouTube and Vimeo preserve slow motion well. Instagram and TikTok compress more aggressively, so test a short clip first to see how it looks after uploading.

Common problems and how to fix them

If your slow motion video looks choppy or stutters, the most common cause is that you slowed it down too much in editing software. Try reducing the slowdown — instead of 25% speed, try 50% speed. If the video is grainy, it was recorded in low light. There is no fix for this after recording, but you can reduce the graininess slightly in editing software by explore a noise reduction filter.

If your phone runs out of storage while recording slow motion, the video will stop and save what it captured so far. Delete old photos or videos to free up space, then record again. If slow motion mode is not appearing in your camera app, restart your phone. On Android, check that your phone has enough free storage — some phones disable slow motion mode when storage is nearly full.

If you are editing in DaVinci Resolve and the video plays slowly or stutters in the timeline, your computer may not have enough processing power. Lower the resolution of the timeline preview by clicking the dropdown that says "Full" or "1/2" near the top of the timeline, and select a lower resolution. This makes the software run faster while you edit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I convert a normal video to slow motion after recording?

Yes, using video editing software like DaVinci Resolve or iMovie. However, the result will not be as smooth as video recorded in slow motion mode because the software cannot create frames that were not captured. The motion may look slightly choppy, especially if you slow it down by more than 50 percent.

How much storage does slow motion video use?

Slow motion video uses roughly four times as much storage as normal video because it records four times as many frames per second. A 10-second slow motion clip typically takes 50 MB to 100 MB, depending on your phone and resolution. Check your phone's storage before recording long slow motion videos.

Why does my slow motion video look grainy?

Slow motion recording needs more light than normal video because the camera has less time to gather light for each frame. If you recorded in dim lighting, the video will appear grainy. Record slow motion outdoors or in bright indoor lighting for the best results. Avoid recording slow motion at night or in dark rooms.

Can I slow down only part of a video?

Yes, in DaVinci Resolve and iMovie. Split the video at the point where you want the slowdown to begin, then adjust the speed of just that section. In DaVinci Resolve, right-click the clip and select "Change Clip Speed". In iMovie, click the speed icon on the clip you want to slow down.

What is the difference between 60 fps and 120 fps slow motion?

120 fps slow motion is smoother than 60 fps because there are twice as many frames to display. When played back at normal speed, 120 fps footage appears twice as slow as 60 fps footage. Most phones default to 120 fps, which is smooth enough for most uses. Higher frame rates use more storage and battery.