With the best slow-motion cameras, you can capture unforgettable, dynamic footage. Slowing down fast-moving subjects to barely a crawl, and capturing the smallest details of movement that the human eye can't normally perceive, a slow-motion camera unlocks a whole new world of visual expression.
Plus, it doesn't have to be expensive. A huge portion of consumer cameras and even smartphones released today will have some slow-motion capability, with high frame rates for high-resolution video. The maximum frame rates vary from camera to camera, but as a rule of thumb, the higher the better when it comes to slow motion.
The starting point is 60fps, which can give a half-speed slow-mo effect when played back at 30fps. However, for real striking shots, you want 120fps or 240fps, and there are cameras that go as high as 960fps, equivalent to a 32x slowing effect.
Raising the frame rate generally involves lowering the video resolution, which is why you need a decently capable camera in order for the footage to be watchable. Fast frame rates also require a lot of light, as not much is getting to the sensor, so it's worth planning your slow-mo shoot accordingly.
Slow-motion isn't right for every shoot – it's best used sparingly. But it's a tremendous tool for any filmmaker or video content creator to have in their back pocket, which is why we've selected our ten favorite slow-motion camera options in the list below. These are all products our team has reviewed and rated, so we're confident in our recommendations – you can learn more about how we test cameras at our dedicated explainer page. For now, let's crack right on with the best slow-motion cameras you can buy.
Best slow motion camera: our top picks
Best DSLR camera for slow motion
his flexible and powerful all-rounder is a good option for anyone who likes to shoot a bit of everything, including slow-motion. You’ll be able to capture up to 120fps (in Full HD) with excellent face and eye tracking working well to produce sharp and clear results. Indeed, several of the other cameras in Canon’s lineup are limited to 720p for 120fps shooting, so the 90D is the one to look towards if it’s something you’re particularly interested in.
Best vlogging camera for slow motion
This is another versatile and pocket-friendly option that comes with a range of features that video and content- creators are sure to make good use of. As well as relatively standard slow-mo options, such as 120fps, you also get a super-slow motion setting that records at an incredible 960fps. With this, you can really slow down the action for the most dramatic results possible, examining every detail of what’s going on.
Best for travel
This cute little camera is a YouTuber and blogger’s dream, especially for those with a penchant for traveling and capturing moments on the go. A versatile and highly creative option, you’ve got a wide variety of different video options, including Pro modes, Time-lapse, Hyper-lapse, and so on. In terms of slow-mo, you can go all the way up to 240fps when recording at Full HD.
Best slow motion camera in 2023
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This flexible and powerful all-rounder is a good option for anyone who likes to shoot a bit of everything, including slow-motion.
You’ll be able to capture up to 120fps (in Full HD) with excellent face and eye tracking working well to produce sharp and clear results. Indeed, several of the other cameras in Canon’s lineup are limited to 720p for 120fps shooting, so the 90D is the one to look towards if it’s something you’re particularly interested in, especially if you’re keen to take advantage of the more extensive range of Canon lenses that are available for EF mount DSLRs.
With other features such as 4K recording, a headphone, and mic jack, this is a versatile tool for creating lots of different types of shot, using slow-mo when appropriate.
Read our full Canon EOS 90D review for more details
This is another versatile and pocket-friendly option that comes with a range of features that video and content- creators are sure to make good use of.
As well as relatively standard slow-mo options, such as 120fps, you also get a super-slow motion setting that records at an incredible 960fps. With this, you can really slow down the action for the most dramatic results possible, examining every detail of what’s going on.
Designed with vloggers in mind, having the slow-mo options available can help you to inject some interesting extra shots into your footage, while also being great for the rest of your regular recordings.
Read our full Sony ZV-1 review for more details
This cute little camera is a YouTuber and blogger’s dream, especially for those with a penchant for traveling and capturing moments on the go.
A versatile and highly creative option, you’ve got a wide variety of different video options, including Pro modes, Time-lapse, Hyper-lapse, and so on. In terms of slow-mo, you can go all the way up to 240fps when recording at Full HD.
For creating slick videos with a number of different effects all from something that can easily slip into your pocket, there’s not much to dislike about the Pocket 2.
Read our full DJI Pocket 2 review for more details
Despite the Hero 11 Black looking like every other GoPro this side of 2019, with upgraded hardware and software, it's a triumph on all fronts. The new, almost square sensor is supremely versatile, the camera's software has been simplified successfully, and GoPro's companion app, Quik has also been improved. With best-in-class stabilization, great-looking video in all but dimly-lit and dark scenes, and some fun new modes like light painting, the Hero 11 Black is an excellent addition to the line.
The Hero 11 Black's 8:7 aspect ratio is also a standout highlight for content creators. Able to shoot in 5.3K resolution, 8:7 video at up to 30fps, its footage can be losslessly cropped to create new 4K portrait, landscape, and square clips from a single video.
On top of 8:7 video, the Hero 11 Black captures 5.3K resolution video at 60 fps, 4K resolution video at 120 fps, or 2.7K resolution at 240 fps. You can also grab 27MP stills from 5.3K video.
The Hero 11 Black might not have wildly improved the line's lowlight performance. Still, with its new 8:7 sensor, a simplified interface, and enhanced horizon leveling, it's upgraded GoPro's offering in a meaningful way. Particularly appealing to folks who use multiple social platforms, nothing else can do quite what the 11 Black can.
Read our full GoPro Hero 11 Black review for more details
GoPro Subscription explained: what you get, and is it worth it
The Panasonic Lumix GH6 is only a camera for those who are serious about video – and seriously knowledgeable about it – and if that describes you, then it's one of the most outstanding cameras you can buy. Its slow-motion credentials are assured, as it's capable of shooting in 4K at up to 120fps, and in Full HD at up to 240fps. Not only will your footage be slow, but it'll also look fantastic.
With a staggering suite of video options and codecs, the Panasonic Lumix GH6 is one of the most comprehensive consumer video cameras that filmmakers can buy right now. Internal Apple ProRes 422 and ProRes 422 HQ recording formats are just some of the highlights on board – it's worth heading to our filmmaker's review for a full breakdown, where our resident video expert Jon Devo runs through the GH6's strengths in detail.
It's not a cheap camera, and for many users, it's more tech than you need. However, the Lumix GH6 is an absolutely outstanding slow-motion camera for filmmakers who are looking for quality and versatility.
Read our full Panasonic Lumix GH6 review for more details
As moving/action subjects are the most common usage for slow-motion footage, it makes sense to invest in an action camera to do the job.
GoPro remains king of the action cameras, and even with this 2021 model, there are some versatile options for creating a variety of effects. 4K tops out at 120fps, but you can record a stunning 240fps slow-mo at 2.7K, giving you a boost in quality when compared to Full HD.
This is a great option for creating interesting slow-mo POV (point of view) clips of your adventures, such as mountain biking, surfing, and so on. With a variety of attachments and mounts, it’s one you can take with you everywhere, too.
Read our full GoPro Hero 10 Black review for more details or GoPro Hero 10 Balck Vs GoPro Hero 11 Black
If you want a pocket-friendly, video-friendly compact camera that can tackle a little bit of everything, then the G7X Mark III is a fantastic option - especially if you want to record movies on the go.
As well as 4K recording, you can also take advantage of Full HD slow-mo at up to 120fps. The tilting touchscreen can face forward to make creating point-of-view shots easy, while of course, you can also point it at whatever action is happening in front of you.
This is a camera that has been designed with vloggers in mind, so if you’re looking for something which allows you to insert some unusual clips into your vlogs, it makes a lot of sense.
Read our full Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III review for more details
This is another option for those who are serious about videography.
Designed with both video and low-light shooting in mind, the A7S III is capable of producing superb results across a variety of different subjects. It offers uncropped 4K recording, while you can also capture slow-mo at up to 120fps at 4K too.
If you want to go even slower, you’ll need to step down to 720p, but for creating subtle slo-mo effects at high resolutions it’s ideal.
Of course, you pay a price for having such flexibility, with the A7S III having a high price - but if you’re a professional/advanced enthusiast you may consider it worth the outlay.
Read our full Sony A7S III review for more details
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is probably the best smartphone for slow-motion that you can buy right now. It's capable of achieving truly impressive frame rates across its various shooting resolutions, but it's when you dial the video down to HD 720p that the real magic happens. At this resolution, the S22 Ultra can shoot at an incredible frame rate of 960fps, which slows subjects down to a ridiculous degree.
It's got an impressive camera array across the board, with a quad-lens setup on the rear that can capture just about anything, and features one of the best telephoto lenses we've seen on a smartphone.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra review for more details
Sony brings video expertise from its camera department into its smartphones, and accordingly, the Sony Xperia 5 III is an exceptional phone for videography and slow-motion video. While the basic mode is fine for everyday use, allowing you to shoot in 4K at up to 30fps, if you use the advanced Cinema Pro app, you can shoot at a super-smooth frame rate of 120fps (the more recent Xperia 5 IV offers the same spec here, but costs more).
Now, the Cinema Pro app isn't for everyone – it's designed to allow people who know what they're doing to tinker extensively with video settings, so new users may feel a little bit overwhelmed. If you're happy getting involved with your video settings, this is a fantastic choice.
Read our full Sony Xperia 5 III review for more details
Admittedly a bit of a niche option, the Kandao QooCam 8K is something you’ll want to use to create supplementary footage.
The camera is packed with two fisheye lenses that work together to create a wraparound panoramic image that gives you an interesting and unique perspective on the world. Capable of recording at 8K, you also get slow-mo in 4K at up to 120fps, which is fantastic for keeping resolution as high as possible. You can also use AI Slow Motion to boost capabilities to 960fps.
Although not a camera that will have widespread appeal to a huge number of uses, if you’re looking to inject some special shots in your footage, it’s worth looking into.
Read our full Kandao QooCam 8K review for more details
How we test cameras
We test cameras both in real-world shooting scenarios and in carefully controlled lab conditions. Our lab tests measure resolution, dynamic range, and signal-to-noise ratio. Resolution is measured using ISO resolution charts, dynamic range is measured using DxO Analyzer test equipment and DxO Analyzer is also used for noise analysis across the camera's ISO range. We use both real-world testing and lab results to inform our comments in buying guides.
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