Camera setup
What frame rate do I need?
The speed of the movement decides the frame rate. A 90 mph pitch travels about 67 cm (26 in) between frames at 60 fps and about 17 cm (6.6 in) at 240 fps. Shutter speed is a separate setting: it controls how far the object moves during each exposure, which shows up as motion blur.
Use the fastest part you need to see clearly.
The largest gap or smear you can accept, e.g. 5 cm to judge a release point.
Even 240 fps leaves more than 5 cm between frames, so use it to see phases rather than exact positions, with a shutter of 1/1000 s or faster.
Movement between frames
- 30 fps134 cm · 52.8 in
- 60 fps67 cm · 26.4 in
- 120 fps34 cm · 13.2 in
- 240 fps17 cm · 6.6 in
Motion blur per frame
- 1/60 s67 cm · 26.4 in
- 1/125 s32 cm · 12.7 in
- 1/250 s16 cm · 6.3 in
- 1/500 s8.0 cm · 3.2 in
- 1/1000 sRecommended4.0 cm · 1.6 in
- 1/2000 s2.0 cm · 0.8 in
- 1/4000 s1.0 cm · 0.4 in
- 1/8000 s0.5 cm · 0.2 in
How to use this calculator
- Pick a movement or enter its speed. Use the speed of the fastest part you want to see clearly, such as the hand, club head, or ball.
- Choose how precisely you need to see positions, for example 5 cm to judge a release point.
- Read the lowest frame rate that keeps movement between frames within that precision, and the slowest shutter speed that keeps blur within it.
- Set the camera to match. On iPhone, slow motion records at 120 or 240 fps; KineVision's camera adds shutter speed and ISO controls with Max.
Formula
distance per frame = speed ÷ fps, blur = speed × shutter time
Frame rate controls the gap between images. Shutter speed controls the smear within each image. A high frame rate with a slow shutter still gives blurry frames.
Movement between frames for common sports movements
| Movement | 30 fps | 60 fps | 120 fps | 240 fps | Blur at 1/1000 s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walking, ~1.4 m/s | 4.7 cm | 2.3 cm | 1.2 cm | 0.6 cm | 0.1 cm |
| Distance running, ~4 m/s | 13 cm | 6.7 cm | 3.3 cm | 1.7 cm | 0.4 cm |
| Sprinting athlete, ~9 m/s | 30 cm | 15 cm | 7.5 cm | 3.8 cm | 0.9 cm |
| Punch (fist), ~9 m/s | 30 cm | 15 cm | 7.5 cm | 3.8 cm | 0.9 cm |
| Volleyball spike (ball), ~60 mph | 89 cm | 45 cm | 22 cm | 11 cm | 2.7 cm |
| Baseball bat speed, ~70 mph | 104 cm | 52 cm | 26 cm | 13 cm | 3.1 cm |
| Hockey slap shot (puck), ~80 mph | 119 cm | 60 cm | 30 cm | 15 cm | 3.6 cm |
| Baseball pitch (ball), ~90 mph | 134 cm | 67 cm | 34 cm | 17 cm | 4.0 cm |
| Golf driver club head, ~100 mph | 149 cm | 75 cm | 37 cm | 19 cm | 4.5 cm |
| Tennis serve (ball), ~110 mph | 164 cm | 82 cm | 41 cm | 20 cm | 4.9 cm |
Common mistakes
- Raising the frame rate to fix blur. Blur comes from shutter speed; frame rate only reduces the gap between frames.
- Using a fast shutter in a dim gym. Each frame gets less light, so the picture turns dark or noisy, and LED or fluorescent lights can flicker.
- Planning around body speed when the fastest part matters. A pitcher's hand or a golfer's club head moves far faster than the torso.
- Forgetting that some phones lower resolution at their highest frame rates.
Frequently asked questions
Is 60 fps enough for sports video analysis?
For walking, posture, and slower drills, yes. For sprinting, throwing, hitting, and jumping, 120 or 240 fps shows key positions such as foot contact and release far more clearly.
What shutter speed avoids motion blur in sports?
It depends on speed. Body movements are usually sharp at 1/500 s to 1/1000 s, while balls, bats, and club heads often need 1/2000 s or faster plus plenty of light.
Why does my slow-motion video look blurry?
In low light the camera picks a slower shutter to keep the image bright, so each frame smears. Add light, film outdoors, or set a faster shutter manually.
Related terms
Count frames on your iPhone or iPad
KineVision plays video in slow motion, steps through it frame by frame, and includes a stopwatch, angle tools, and side-by-side comparison for coaching.
Download on the App StoreMore tools
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