10 Best Slow Motion Cameras To Die For (Buying Guide)

So if you’re interested in slow motion cameras, looking at cameras that have higher frame rates, is a good first step. The list below considers this, above all else.

Secondly, it’s also good to know right off the bat what you’ll be filming and where you’ll be sharing your work. For instance, if you’re more focused on incredible image quality but plan to only share your videos on Instagram, knowing that Instagram doesn’t support 4k videos is probably good to know before you buy.

Purchasing a higher-end slow motion camera just so you can shoot with more frames per second, won’t be ideal for that situation. But of course, if you’re planning on using your videos in other capacities, sharing elsewhere, or if you’re a professional videographer, you’ll likely want to spend more on slow mo cameras with advanced features. 

And lastly, know your budget. There are a ton of options and most of the time, you do not need that most expensive equipment to get incredible slow motion footage. It just takes a little looksie of what’s out there and how they compare to each other.

For each of the 10 cameras below, I’ve added a link to “more specs,” take the time to go through each if the overview of the camera isn’t enough. Buying a new camera can be overwhelming, but hopefully, if you’re looking for the best slow motion camera, you’ll find something here. 

This is one of the best slow motion cameras on a budget. As mentioned above, when considering slow mo, one of the best places to start is looking at frames per second. The GoPro HERO8 Black is the brand’s latest, and is an action camera that delivers those high frames per second at an affordable price. 

It boasts 240 fps at 1080p and also has HyperSmooth 2.0 technology, their improved stabilization feature that really makes this one a contender for capturing great slow motion footage. 

The main con here is that because it’s an action camera, it has a small sensor and lack of lens variation. So if you’re in the super professional space, well, you’ll likely already know this isn’t for you, but if you’re shooting video fairly casually or have some other cameras to mix in with this, it’s an awesome option. 

The model before this one was the Osmo, but this latest iteration comes with mucho improvements. 

This handheld gimbal camera makes it one of the least expensive and best slow motion cameras available. The Pocket 2 model doubles the slow-motion frame rate than that of the Osmo, shooting at 1080p at up to 240 frames per second.

With a larger sensor than the original, shots are crisper. It also boasts a wider 20mm lens and has an improved autofocus with Hybrid AF 2.0 from the last version.

The Sony ZV-1 is one of the newer point-and-shoot cameras that expands its features quite a bit, making it not only one of the best slow motion cameras but one of the best budget-friendly slow motion cameras. 

The ZV-1 is very similar to Sony’s much pricier option, the Sony a6600, in that it shares the incredible video autofocus with eye autofocus tracking and object tracking features. It uses the same menu system and its slow motion features are nothing to mess with. 

The High Frame Rate mode lets you record at high slow motion frame rates like 240 frames per second, 480, and 960 in 1080p, establishing this as a high quality slow motion camera. 

This is a good option if you want reliability while on-the-go. It lacks the interchangeable lenses as it is a point-and-shoot, but is a great camera for high frame rate cinematography for those traveling. 

With full HD up to 120 frames per second, it works well with the 20.1 MP sensor and 4k video recording. You can also shoot right to YouTube as it's able to live-stream video and cuts out the middle process of having to shoot it on your phone first. 

I put the Sony A7III on the list as it’s a solid option for those looking to get a solid slow motion video camera, but also want to do more. If you’re shooting in 4k, want to also take still images, and desire slow motion, this is one of the better cameras available.

But keep in mind, if you’re just looking for a camera based on slow-motion, I’d consider some of the others on this list, perhaps like the GH5. But this camera can shoot 60fps and 120fps in 1080p. 

Its full-frame sensor allows better low-light performance and it has a really well built autofocus system. You’re also able to switch Super 35mm and full-frame mode with one click, where you can zoom to 1.5x not sacrificing image quality. This is definitely a top contender for the best camera for shooting slow motion video.

Top of the Line Slow Motion Cameras

Panasonic Lumix GH5 ($1798)

Next in this more expensive price range, we have the Panasonic Lumix GH5. This is a super slow motion camera, shooting at 60fps in 4k and even up to 180fps at 1080p. 

You can also record in 10-bit, allowing more flexibility later in post production. It’s one of the most advanced cameras for video quality you can purchase at this price point. 

Best Slow Motion Cameras

Panasonic Lumix S5 ($2,298)

This upgrade is a recent full-frame Panasonic camera that rolls up everything we liked from the GH5 — full frame sensor with improved autofocus tracking from the GH5. The S5 autofocus works up to 150 frames per second compared to the GH5’s 120. In general though, the autofocus in Panasonic's doesn’t quite measure up to Sony’s.

For slow-motion, you can shoot in 4K up to 60 frames per second and in full HD up to 180. And like the GH5, the S5 has one of the best image stabilization systems to date. 

This is a higher-end slow motion camera that can shoot full HD up to 120 fps, with a top of the line autofocus system. 

With a shooting speed of 10fps, and up to 8 frames per second in live-view continuous shooting mode, the mechanical shutter allows you to capture motion without sacrificing detail. 

If you’re just looking for slow motion footage, you can definitely save your money and buy one of the other options. If you have it like that, this is a great camera both for slow motion footage and in general.