Last updated on December 7th, 2023
Capturing slow motion video is a great way to show off your skills and impress your friends, but finding the right camera is challenging.
With all the different cameras on the market, it can be hard to know which will give you the best slow motion shots.
We’ve researched for you and found 9 of the best slow motion cameras available. Whether you’re looking for a professional-grade camera or something easy to use, we have a recommendation for you.
Overall Best Slow Motion Camera
Sony zv-1
When it comes to capturing videos in slow motion, very few cameras can do it as well as the Sony zv-1. Released in 2020, many professional videographers have since praised this camera for its excellent slow motion capabilities.
One thing that sets the Sony zv-1 apart from other cameras is its 4K resolution. This allows you to capture videos in stunning detail, which is perfect for capturing videos in slow motion. Other cameras might offer higher resolutions, but they pale in comparison to the 4K resolution of the Sony zv-1.
As we mentioned before, one of the main selling points of the Sony zv-1 is its ability to capture videos in slow motion. This is made possible by the camera’s high frame rate, which allows you to capture up to 960 frames per second. This means you can play back your videos at up to 1/40th of their original speed, giving you a nice, smooth, slow motion effect.
Another great feature of the Sony zv-1 is its image stabilization. This allows you to capture videos without worrying about them being shaky or blurry. This is thanks to the camera’s Optical SteadyShot technology, which compensates for any small movements you make while filming.
What We Like/Dislike About the Sony zv-1
Like:
- Great video quality
- Built-in high-quality microphone
- 4K video capture
- Affordable
- 960 FPS
- It fits in your pocket
Dislike:
- Limited Battery Life
- No viewfinder built-in
- Limited physical controls
- Only one lens
What Consumers Are Saying
“This camera is so easy to use and has amazing features!”
“I highly recommend the Sony ZV-1 for anyone looking for a great camera!”
“The Sony ZV-1 is a camera that packs a lot of punch in a small package.”
Best Budget Slow Motion Camera
GoPro 10
The GoPro 10 is one of the market’s most affordable slow motion cameras, making it an excellent option for those on a budget.
In addition to its low price, the GoPro 10 also offers some features that make it an attractive option for those looking to capture slow-motion footage. For starters, it has a built-in timecode that allows you to keep track of your footage without using expensive external equipment. Additionally, it offers both 120 and 240 FPS recording modes, allowing you to capture slow-motion footage at a lower or higher frame rate.
Another area where the GoPro 10 shines is in its usability. The camera has an easy-to-use design, even for those who have never used a camera before. Its intuitive menu system and large LCD screen make it easy to change settings and review your footage. At the same time, its durable construction ensures that it can withstand even the most strenuous activity. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly slow motion camera that doesn’t sacrifice quality or features, then the GoPro 10 is the perfect option.
What We Like/Dislike About the GoPro 10
Like:
- 4K/120p mode
- Excellent image stabilization
- Front and back-facing displays
- Powerful GP2 processor
Dislike:
- Small sensor
- Bad in low light
- Mediocre battery life
What Consumers Are Saying
“The new GoPro is insanely powerful.”
“It’s a perfect camera for capturing extreme sports and activities.”
“The quality of the video is incredible.”
Runner Up Best Slow Motion Camera
A7s III
The Sony a7S III is an excellent choice for anyone looking to get into slow motion videography. The A7S III has a 12MP full-frame sensor, which is large enough to produce detailed images but not so large that it becomes unwieldy. This sensor also gives the A7S III excellent low-light performance – perfect for shooting in dimly lit situations.
One of the most important things to look for in a slow motion camera is high resolution at high frame rates. The a7S III delivers on this front, offering 4K resolution at up to 120 frames per second. This level of detail ensures that your slow motion footage will look sharp and crisp, with no blurring or other artifacts that can ruin a shot.
Another critical feature to look for in a slow motion camera is 10-bit color depth. This allows over a billion different color variations to be captured, which is essential for smoothly gradated colors in your slow motion shots. The a7S III’s 10-bit color depth also gives you more flexibility in grading and color correction in post-production.
What We Like/Dislike About the A7s III
Like:
- Incredible low light performance
- 4K 120 FPS
- Fully articulating touchscreen
- 5-axis stabilization
Dislike:
- Only 12 MP
- Price
What Consumers Are Saying
“The A7s III is a major step up from the A7s II in terms of features and performance”
“The Sony A7S III is a camera that can handle any shooting situation”
“The Sony A7S III is the perfect camera for low-light photography and video recording”
Honorable Mentions
Panasonic Lumix GH6
In slow motion cameras, the Panasonic Lumix GH6 is a top-notch choice. The Panasonic Lumix GH6 can record 5.7K video at up to 60 frames per second. That means you’ll be able to capture even the most intricate details in your footage with ease.
Not only does the Panasonic Lumix GH6 allow you to record 4K video at up to 60 frames per second, but it can record 180 FPS in full HD. This makes it ideal for filmmakers who want to add slow motion effects to their projects without breaking the bank.
Another area where the Panasonic Lumix GH6 shines is in low-light situations. The GH6 can produce high-quality footage even in dimly-lit environments thanks to its large sensor and fast lenses. This makes it perfect for filmmakers who often shoot in less-than-ideal lighting conditions.
What We Like/Dislike About the Panasonic Lumix GH6
Like:
- Records at 5.7K60 and 4K120
- Unlimited recording times
- Excellent image stabilization
- Relatively affordable
- Multi-angle tilt-and-swivel screen
Dislike:
- Larger and heavier than GH5 II
- Requires pricey CFexpress cards
What Consumers Are Saying
“The Panasonic Lumix GH6 is a powerful camera that offers great features and performance.”
“The GH6 is a great camera for professional and amateur photographers.”
“The GH6 is a great choice for anyone looking for a feature-rich, high-performing camera.”
Panasonic Lumix GH5
The Panasonic Lumix GH5 is an excellent slow motion camera. It’s user-friendly and has excellent image quality. Plus, it’s affordable for a high-end camera. What sets the Panasonic Lumix GH5 apart from other slow motion cameras is its ability to shoot at 4K/60p resolution. This is four times the resolution of Full HD and provides high-quality footage. In addition, the GH5 can shoot up to 180 fps at 1080p/Full HD resolution. This gives you beautiful, smooth slow motion footage that you can use for your films or other projects.
Another great feature of the Panasonic Lumix GH5 is its autofocus system. This system is fast and accurate, which is critical when shooting slow motion footage. You don’t want to miss a shot because your camera can’t keep up! The autofocus system on the GH5 is also great for shooting video in general.
Finally, one thing that sets the Panasonic Lumix GH5 apart from other cameras is its rugged design. The GH5 is weather-sealed and built to withstand heavy use, making it an excellent choice for anyone who plans to use its camera in harsh conditions.
What We Like/Dislike About the Panasonic Lumix GH5
Like:
- Strong image quality
- In-body stabilization
- Large and bright EVF
- Touchscreen interface
- Records at 4K60fps and 1080p180fps
Dislike:
- ISO range could be broader
What Consumers Are Saying
“The Panasonic Lumix GH5 is the most advanced camera I’ve ever used. The features are incredible, and the image quality is stunning.”
“The GH5 is Panasonic’s most impressive camera yet. It’s a true hybrid that can shoot stills, video, and even 4K footage.”
“The GH5 is Panasonic’s most versatile camera yet. With its impressive features and high-quality images, you can use it for various purposes.”
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K (BMPCC4K) is a popular choice for filmmakers looking for a high-quality, yet affordable, slow motion camera.
The BMPCC4 K’s sensor and codec work together to produce smooth, clear slow motion footage. The camera’s sensor captures 4K footage at up to 60 frames per second (fps) while the codec compresses that footage into a manageable file size. This makes the BMPCC4K an ideal camera for slow motion filmmakers who want to capture beautiful, detail-rich footage without breaking the bank.
The BMPCC4K offers various recording options, allowing filmmakers to choose the best project format. For example, the camera can record 2.6K footage at up to 120 fps or 1920 x 1080 HD footage at up to 240 fps. This means that filmmakers can select the perfect frame rate for their slow motion scene—whether they’re aiming for dreamy, ethereal footage or action-packed excitement.
The BMPCC4k’s image stabilization feature is one of the most powerful on the market. This feature ensures that even the shakiest hand-held footage will look smooth and steady when played back in slow motion. This is essential for capturing high-quality, professional-looking slow motion shots.
What We Like/Dislike About the BMPCC4K
Like:
- Huge, sharp screen
- Comprehensive connections
- Excellent 4K video capture
- 4K resolution and 120fps in 2.6K
- Affordable
Dislike:
- Weak battery life
- Inconsistent battery meter
- No articulating screen
What Consumers Are Saying
“The BMPCC4K is the perfect camera for professional and amateur filmmakers. Its small size and great features make it the perfect tool for any filmmaker looking to create great content.”
“The BMPCC4K is a great camera because it gives you the power to create high-quality videos without lugging around a large and cumbersome camera. Its small size makes it easy to take with you wherever you go, and its great features ensure that your videos look great no matter what.”
“The BMPCC4K is the perfect camera for anyone who wants to create high-quality videos without spending much money. Its small size and great features make it easy to use and affordable for anyone who wants to create amazing videos.”
Sony a7R II
The Sony A7R II is one of the best slow motion cameras on the market. It’s an excellent choice for anyone looking to capture high-quality slow-motion footage. The sensor size and resolution make the Sony A7R II top-of-the-line. The Sony A7R II has a full-frame sensor with a resolution of 42.4 megapixels. This gives you plenty of detail and clarity when capturing slow-motion footage.
The Sony A7R II also has several different slow motion video modes. These video modes allow you to capture slow-motion footage at different frame rates. The highest frame rate is 120fps, which is ideal for capturing fast-moving objects in slow motion.
Another reason why the Sony A7R II is an excellent slow motion camera is because of its high ISO performance. The Sony A7R II has excellent ISO performance, so that you can capture clear and concise footage even in low-light conditions. This is perfect for capturing footage at night or in dark environments.
What We Like/Dislike About the Sony a7R II
Like:
- 42.4 million pixels
- In-body image stabilization
- 4K video
- 120fps at 1080p
- Dust- and moisture-resistant design
Dislike:
- Menu needs streamlining
- The video record button is in an awkward spot
- Complicated Menu System
What Consumers Are Saying
“The Sony a7R II sets a new benchmark for resolution in a full-frame camera.”
“The Sony a7R II is the most well-rounded camera I’ve ever used.”
“The a7R II’s 42.4-megapixel sensor captures stunning images with incredible detail and low noise, while its 5-axis image stabilization keeps your shots sharp and clear.”
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
The Canon EOS 1D X Mark II is a popular slow-motion camera choice due to the camera’s sensor and image processor. The EOS 1D X Mark II boasts a full-frame CMOS sensor with 20.2 megapixels. This high-resolution sensor is paired with a powerful image processing engine that allows the camera to shoot 4K video at up to 60 frames per second (fps). When shooting in slow motion mode, the Canon EOS 1D X Mark II can capture Full HD video up to 120 fps. This high frame rate gives your videos a smooth, natural look when played back at 24 or 30 fps.
In addition to its impressive sensor and image processor, the Canon EOS 1D X Mark II also has a fast autofocus system that makes it easy to keep your subjects in focus while shooting moving objects. This is especially helpful when shooting slow motion video, as even slight movement can make it challenging to keep your subject in focus. The Canon EOS 1D X Mark II’s autofocus system is so good that you’ll be able to keep your subject focused even when zooming in and out or panning around.
What We Like/Dislike About the Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
Like:
- 4K at 60fps and FHD at 120fps Video Recording
- Touch Screen
- Optical Built-in Viewfinder
- Long Battery Life
Dislike:
- No Wireless Connection
- No Sensor shift Image Stabilization
- No Articulating Screen
- Heavy Body
What Consumers Are Saying
“The Canon EOS 1D X Mark II is an amazing camera that can do it all!”
“There’s no doubt that the Canon EOS 1D X Mark II is a powerful camera!”
“The Canon EOS 1D X Mark II is the perfect camera for professional photographers!”
Nikon D850
The Nikon D850 is an excellent slow motion camera because it has a high frame rate. The frame rate is one of the essential factors in choosing a slow motion camera. The higher the frame rate, the better the quality of the slow-motion video. The Nikon D850 can shoot up to 120 frames per second (fps), which is impressive for a DSLR camera.
The autofocus system on the Nikon D850 is perfect. It can quickly and accurately focus on subjects, even in low-light conditions. This is important for capturing sharp, slow-motion videos.
The Nikon D850 also has a tilting LCD screen. This helps shoot slow-motion videos because you can see your subject while filming. This way, you can ensure that your subject is in focus and that you’re getting the best possible shot.
What We Like/Dislike About the Nikon D850
Like:
- 1080p120fps
- Full-frame 45.7MP image sensor
- Sturdy, weather-sealed design
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
Dislike:
- Expensive
- Omits built-in flash
- Expensive
What Consumers Are Saying
“This camera is amazing! The detail and clarity are incredible!”
“I’m in love with the Nikon D850! The features and results are incredible.”
“The Nikon D850 is amazing! The detail and quality are outstanding.”
Conclusion
If you are looking for a high-quality slow motion camera to capture unique videos and images, then any of the cameras on our list would be a great choice. Do your research to figure out which would best suit your needs and budget, and you’ll be sure to end up with a fantastic camera that will help you create unique slow motion content.
FAQ
How much does a slow motion camera cost?
An excellent slow motion camera can cost anywhere from $500 to $5,000.
What are the best settings for slow motion video?
The best settings for slow motion video depend on your camera and the look you want. However, you’ll generally want to use a high frame rate and double the rate for shutter speed.
What is the best resolution for slow motion video?
The best resolution for slow motion video is 1080p or higher. This will ensure that your videos are sharp and clear when played back in slow motion.
What is the best frame rate for slow motion video?
The best frame rate for slow motion video is 120fps or higher. This will give you the best quality slow-motion video.
