Videography Basics: 7 Fundamental Camera Settings to Check and Set
So you’ve decided to take the next big step in your content creation/filmmaking journey: going off the Auto mode. Good choice—you’re on your way to more creative control. Here’s a walkthrough on some basic settings to check and change before you start, even if you have experience with manual settings for still photography. Spoiler alert: Video unlocks extra potential in some common still photography settings!
1. Video resolution: 4K or Full HD?
The video resolution setting determines the pixel resolution (size) of your video and how much detail it can show. While your camera may provide other options, the most frequent choice you’ll have to make would probably be between 4K UHD (3840 x2160) and Full HD (1920 x 1080).
Things to consider when deciding on video resolution:
- Where and how will the footage be used?
- Do you want more flexibility to crop and zoom the footage?
- Are you leaving the camera to record, or shooting short clips?
- Resources such as storage space, processing power, and data bandwidth.
4K:
- Has more data, providing more flexibility during post-production.
- Has larger file sizes.
Full HD (“1080p”):
- Is sufficient for most uses, including social media.
- Has smaller file sizes.
- Requires less resources.
Find out more about different video resolutions in:
Videography FAQ: What are 8K, 4K, and Full HD? How Do I Use Them?
2. Frame rates: How many frames per second?
Generally, higher frame rates depict motion more smoothly. The most common frame rates are 24 fps, which is the cinema industry standard, and 30 fps. However, it depends on the project. Besides the aesthetics, you should also consider:
- Delivery platform: For videos meant for TV broadcast or projection, that’s where the difference between PAL and NTSC systems (see point 3) matters. The PAL/NTSC setting will affect the available frame rates. Also, some playback devices or software might not support frame rates higher than 30 fps.
- Will your footage be combined with others as part of a larger sequence?: If so, all the footage in a sequence should ideally be shot with the same frame rate. While the frame rate can be adjusted in post-production, drastic changes will give choppy results.
Watch: 30 fps vs. 60 fps
Both videos were shot with a shutter speed of 1/30 seconds to minimise distractions. The pinwheel seems to spin more smoothly in the 60 fps video. (Note: For the 60 fps video, please ensure that ”1080p60” or ”720p60” is selected in the video settings.)
Know this (1): Common frame rates
24 fps is the industry standard for cinema. Many filmmakers feel that this makes motion look more natural.
25 fps is the standard broadcast industry frame rate for countries that use the PAL system. This includes many countries in Europe and Asia.
30 fps is commonly used for live news broadcasts in countries that use the NTSC system. Nowadays, it is also frequently used for online videos and streaming.
50 fps or 60 fps: If you are shooting fast action such as sports or wildlife, using a higher frame rate will give smoother results.
The frame rate setting, shown next to the recording size on the “Movie recording size” menu, sets the number of frames that will be recorded in a second (fps = frames per second). “23.98P” refers to 24 fps and “29.97P” refers to 30 fps—the numbers are not full figures due to technical reasons.
Know this (2): Slow motion video
You can shoot at a higher frame rate and export your video with a lower frame rate to get slow motion effects. For example, 60 fps video converted to a 30 fps video in post-production will give you 1/2 speed slow motion. However, slowing down footage captured at 24/25/30 fps can give choppy results, so beware!
Most newer camera models will also have a High Frame Rate mode, where you can capture video at up to 180 fps. The footage is recorded as a 30 or 25 fps video file, resulting in video as slow as 1/6 speed.
Know this: As High Frame Rate Movie mode requires more battery power and has a shorter maximum recording time, use it selectively!
3. PAL or NTSC?
If you aren’t seeing the frame rate options you want, check the video system setting in the yellow menu. “For NTSC” will “unlock” the higher frame rates. This is assuming you aren’t shooting video for television broadcasts or playback on a projector!
Know this: I’m in a PAL country. Is it okay to use the NTSC system setting?
The video system setting was meant to synchronise the frame rates to the different analogue broadcasting frequencies in different countries. PAL is for countries with the 50Hz power standard (many Asian and European countries), and NTSC is for countries that use the 60Hz power standard (North America, Japan, and some other countries such as the Philippines). It is less relevant for digital TV and online content. However, using the system setting appropriate for the country you are in could help you avoid flickering when shooting under artificial lighting.
4. Shutter speed
This video shows how the shutter speed affects video aesthetics.
In video, your shutter speed is restricted by the frame rate. The general guideline for shutter speed is twice the frame rate. For example, if your frame rate is 24 fps, you should set the shutter speed at 1/40 or 1/50 seconds (since there is no “1/48 seconds” setting).
Of course, this is not set in stone. You can adjust the shutter speed to get different outcomes. There are two main reasons to change the shutter speed:
i) Aesthetics
Just like for still photography, a slower shutter speed increases the motion blurring in each frame. The video above shows how it changes the quality of motion. Use this knowledge to achieve your intended results!
1/8 sec
1/30 sec
1/60 sec
1/200 sec
More motion blur (a slower than normal shutter speed) can make sequences look dreamlike or suggest disorientation or drunkenness. Sharper images from a fast shutter speed can make fast action look more rapid and dramatic. If you can, do a few different takes outside the “normal” shutter speed—you might prefer those results!
ii) To avoid flickering and banding
You might see flickering or banding if the shutter speed doesn’t match the frequency of an artificial light source. If you are shooting in a 50Hz environment like in many Asian countries, another solution besides the PAL/NTSC setting is to choose a shutter speed that is a multiple or fraction of 50 such as 1/100 or 1/50 seconds.
Pro tip: Use shutter speed to control exposure only as a last resort
In video, as the shutter speed is so dependent on frame rate and can affect creative outcomes, it is limited as an exposure control method. Use an ND filter for sunny day shoots and external lighting sources if you are shooting in dim light.
5. White balance
Setting your white balance manually ensures better consistency within and between clips. You don’t want the colour temperature to change in the middle of a recording as that can be quite a hassle to correct in post-production!
Use one of the camera’s white balance presets, set a custom white balance, or dial in a colour temperature setting. For the most accurate results on the set, you might even want to use a white balance card or grey card.
6. Aperture
EOS R6 Mark II + RF50mm f/1.8 IS STM @ f/1.8
Just like in still photography, a larger aperture (smaller f-number) gives a shallower depth-of-field (stronger shallow focus effect). Your shutter speed options are limited compared to still photography (see 4. Shutter speed), so bring an ND filter if you want to create shallow focus effects when it’s bright.
7. ISO speed
A high ISO speed results in visibly grainy (“noisy”) footage, just like in still photography. Unless that’s the effect you want, keep the ISO speed as low as possible. Try to avoid having to adjust exposure in post-production as it could introduce more noise. Make the most of available light and introduce additional light sources where necessary.
8. Other settings to check
- IS (Image Stabilizer) mode (red menu): If you are shooting handheld, make sure Digital IS is turned on to ensure steadier handheld footage. If your lens has an IS switch, make sure it’s set to “ON”.
- Card recording settings (yellow menu): Especially if your camera has dual card slots. Some cards don’t support certain video recording sizes or frame rates. Is your camera recording video to the correct card—the one with a faster writing speed and higher capacity? Are you going to record video and stills to the same card or separate ones?
- Movie Servo AF settings (red menu, or pink menu on advanced cameras): If you are using the autofocus, is subject detection turned on? On more advanced cameras, you can also change the Movie Servo AF speed and tracking sensitivity, which gives more control over the speed of focus transitions.
- Focus Breathing Correction (red menu): Corrects the distracting changes in field of view that might occur when the focus changes.
- For advanced users: Planning a cinematic production? You might also want to enable Canon Log recording if you plan to colour grade. You can also record with a higher colour sampling rate or bit depth.
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