Normal shooting at 24 fps

Normal cinematic shooting is done at 24 fps, the same rate as in film cameras. Discrete 720p images and a specially developed film gamma curve create images with the same tonal characteristics as film.

Lower-speed shooting at 4 to 23* fps

For example, shooting at 12 fps lets you attain a 2x fast- motion effect with playback at the cinema speed of 24 fps. This technique can be combined with zooming to create a warp-speed effect, such as for giving special emphasis to flowing water, fast-moving clouds, or a person standing still amid a bustling crowd. Decrease the shutter speed for a strobe effect, or increase it for a ghost effect. The expressive possibilities are endless.

*When the standard speed is 24 fps. For a standard speed of 30 fps, anything under 29 fps will be undercranked.

Higher-speed shooting at 25* to 60 fps

For example, shoot at 48 fps to attain a 1/2x slow-motion effect with playback at the cinema speed of 24 fps. This is especially effective for high-action scenes such as car chases or spectacular crashes, or for scenes with great dramatic impact. Unlike the slow motion captured at playback speed by ordinary video cameras, the Varicam captures highly dense frames to provide a smooth, naturally flowing slow-motion effect with vivid picture quality.

*When the standard speed is 24 fps. For a standard speed of 30 fps, anything over 31 fps will be overcranked.