How to Record Professional Quality Video on Your iPhone.
High-quality video is available to everyone who has a modern smartphone. Gone are the days when you needed a $ 10,000 DSLR and lighting equipment to take great pictures and record great sound – now you can do it just by changing a few settings on your iPhone.
This is a big advantage in this age of amateur filmmakers and video podcasts, as it means that even someone on a tight budget can get started on their creative endeavors without a huge initial investment.
By default, the iPhone X, XS, and XR record at 1080p and 30fps. That’s not bad, but higher FPS and better resolution can really add to the appeal of a podcast or movie. However, changing the recording settings is not as easy as it might seem. Here’s how to do it.
How to change settings for recording video on iPhone
First things first, make sure you have enough space on your iPhone. If you are going to record videos of any length on it, you need to free up memory. Here’s a rough breakdown of the various settings you can choose and how long each minute of video takes.
- 40MB @ 720p HD @ 30fps.
- 60MB @ 1080p HD @ 30fps
- 90MB @ 1080p HD @ 60fps
- 135MB @ 4K @ 24fps
- 170MB @ 4K @ 30fps
- 400MB @ 4K @ 60fps
It scales exponentially as you increase the resolution. Just ten minutes of video at 4K / 60 FPS is 4 GB of memory. Find out why you need to make sure you have storage space?
Either plan your shoot carefully, or give yourself some wiggle room with how much memory it takes. You can always transfer the file to your computer after you finish shooting and free up space for backup.
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Once that’s settled, here’s how to change the settings.
1. Open the settings menu on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down to Camera and select it.
3. Select “Record Video” and tap it.
4. The list next to you will show you all the options available to you. Select the one you want to use.
Bravo! You have changed the write speed. It also changes the way your camera displays, so open the Camera app and give it a try. Take some time and decide which one you like best and then continue. We recommend newbies use 1080p and 60fps – it’s a balance of quality without ridiculous file sizes.
Alternatives to iPhone Camera app
Not everyone wants to use the iPhone’s built-in camera. There are different recording requirements for broadcasting films in different countries, so if you are filming in the United States, you may need to change the frame rate to a different value. Yes, it can be done in post-production, but why not shoot it right away?
When it comes to a situation like this, consider a third party app like FiLMiC Pro. At $ 14.99, this is no ordinary camera app. The download page claims to be “the most advanced camcorder for mobile devices.” A quick look at its feature list reveals that this may be true:
- Focus and Exposure Controls
- Zoom Controls
- Automatic White Balance
- Sound sync speed 24, 25, 30, 48, 50 and 60 frames per second.
- High frame rates 60, 120, 240 frames per second.
- Image Stabilization
The list of features goes on and on, but these are just a few of the outstanding ones. If you’re serious about capturing videos, then buying a recording app that gives you significantly more control over the final product than the default video recording app is a good investment.
Of course, if you’re just starting out, some of these terms may be confusing or new to you. If you don’t want to spend money but want more control than the basic app gives you, consider one of the many free iPhone apps like Horizon Camera.
While Horizon Camera lacks the control provided by FiLMiC Pro, it lets you set a few basic settings like aspect ratio, overlay filters, and even use AirPlay to mirror your recording to another device so you can see what it looks like. in real time. It’s a good way to record iPhone videos without distractions.
IPhone camera accessories
If you have an app that provides great control and you still want to improve the quality of your videos, the next step is to choose the right accessories. There are so many options for iPhone camera accessories on the market that your phone is potentially almost the equivalent of an expensive DSLR.
There are many different lens manufacturers on the market, but Movement is one of the best. These lenses are made by photographers for photographers. You will also find all types of lenses you can dream of.
- 18mm wide-angle lenses
- 58mm telephoto lenses
- Macro lenses
- Fisheye lenses
- Anamorphic lenses
Anamorphic lenses are usually incredibly expensive, but Movement offers them for $ 149.99. These lenses give any video a widescreen look with a letter rectangle. It adds an air of professionalism from the moment the record button is pressed.
The lenses attach to your iPhone through a special case. Once you screw on the lens, it works just like a DSLR lens. A telephoto lens allows you to get closer and closer without getting too close. A macro lens allows you to capture fine details that might otherwise be lost.
The fisheye lens gives a stunning effect to whatever you point it at. While buying all of these lenses will be a significant investment, take some time to consider which lens will best enhance the quality of your video.
In many cases, this is a wide angle lens. This allows the video to cover a large area with minimal distortion around the edges. If you have to shoot a large space – like a large sofa while you and your friends talk about the latest Marvel movie – a wide-angle lens can help you keep focus without cutting anyone out of the frame.
Don’t wait for the right moment to start your creative project. You already have the basics of everything you need, and you can shoot professional grade video with just a few iPhone settings if you know how.
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