Video Frame Rates: 30fps vs 60fps vs 120fps vs 240fps

Cecilia Hwung
3 min readJun 8, 2023

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Introduction to Video Frame Rates

The term “Video Frame Rate,” often abbreviated as “fps” or “frames per second,” refers to the number of distinct frames or images displayed each second in a video sequence. This applies across the board — be it movies, animations, or video games. Every moving picture that you see on a screen is a sequential stream of individual frames.

To simplify, if you have 30 frames flashing in one second, it’s termed as 30fps. Similarly, 60 frames per second is known as 60fps. This pattern follows right through, with 120fps representing 120 frames per second and 240fps signifying 240 frames every second.

Frame Rate’s Influence on Video Quality

Now, you might be wondering how the frame rate impacts the quality of your video. As a rule of thumb, the more frames per second, the smoother the video appears. But there’s a caveat — if the frame rate drops below 30fps, the video’s continuity is interrupted, resulting in visible flickers on the screen, diminishing the viewing experience. However, this doesn’t imply that striving for the highest frame rate is the ideal objective.

Frame Rate
Frame Rate

30fps vs 60fps vs 120fps vs 240 fps

The general consensus is that a video with a higher frame rate will offer a smoother playback experience. For instance, a 30fps video displays 30 images every second, while a 60fps video displays double that amount.

Comparison Chart of Different Frame Rate
Comparison Chart of Different Frame Rate

According to scientific studies, the effectiveness of the frame rate heavily relies on our capability to recognize actions. While the human eye can process up to 55 frames per second for optimal viewing, it’s challenging to discern the difference between 30fps and 60fps with the naked eye alone. However, the discrepancy becomes noticeable during interactions, particularly in third-person shooter games like Counter-Strike, where the smoothness of gameplay can differ greatly depending on the frame rate.

Cameras Supporting 120fps and 240fps

Advanced motion cameras and select smartphones equipped with high-quality lenses currently available in the market can support frame rates of 120fps and 240fps. Notable examples include the GoPro Hero, YI 4K, iPhones, and most DSLR/SLR cameras. Some even offer high-resolution 4K or 1080P 120fps and 240fps support, such as the GoPro Hero, Yi 4K+ Action Camera, and GoPro Hero.

Frame Rate’s Impact on Video Editing

Factors beyond the frame rate, such as your computer’s configuration, including the graphics card, CPU, disk storage space, and screen resolution, can influence your viewing experience. A higher frame rate necessitates superior PC specifications, an advanced graphics card, high processing speed, and a suitable screen resolution.

Finally, it’s important to remember that videos with different frame rates must be viewed on compatible devices. If a high frame-rate video is played on a device with a lower frame rate, it won’t play smoothly due to the automatic deletion of redundant frames. Conversely, playing a video with a low frame rate on a high frame rate device won’t improve its smoothness.

To conclude, understanding the concept of video frame rates, particularly the distinctions between 30fps vs 60fps vs 120fps vs 240fps, is crucial when creating or viewing content. This understanding aids in improving video quality and optimizing viewer experiences.

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Cecilia Hwung
Cecilia Hwung

Written by Cecilia Hwung

Tech writer on AI, hardware, and software. I share reviews, trends, and tips. Visit me at videoproc.com for the latest in multimedia.

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