The Buyers guide to...Which cameras shoot 4K at 120fps

Even with the Canon EOS R3 stealing its position, the Canon EOS R5 is still a remarkable camera, serving as the flagship mirrorless camera for Canon. It was without a doubt the most exciting camera of 2020, boasting impressive features.

Although the Canon R5 made headlines with its 8K video capability, it’s primarily a 45Mp stills camera equipped with a remarkable autofocus system. The Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system comes with 5,940 AF points, providing superb eye detection AF for humans, animals, and birds, working seamlessly in both video and stills mode.

In addition to the autofocus system, the Canon EOS R5 also features a 5-axis in-body image stabilization system, which is similar to the Canon EOS R6 announced at the same time. The R5 provides up to 8EV of shutter speed compensation.

This camera is designed for experienced enthusiasts and professional photographers and is positioned at the same level as the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. It comes with an excellent touch-control interface on the 3.15-inch 2.1-million dot vari-angle screen, coupled with a variety of button and dial controls.

Although 8K video might not be everyone’s cup of tea, the R5 has a 4K HQ (High Quality) mode capable of producing stunning results. Furthermore, the still image quality is exceptional up to around ISO 25,600.

Find the latest deals on the Canon EOS R5 at Amazon UK and Amazon US.

Read our Canon EOS R5 Review

Canon has given the EOS R3 very similar video capability to the EOS R5 although it maxes out at 6K rather than 8K. As such, the R3 is able to capture 6K raw video at 60p using the Canon Cinema Raw Light (.CRM) format, which gives the videographer greater post-capture control over exposure, colour and white balance than when shooting non-raw video.

It’s also possible to create 4K footage oversampled from 6K at up to 60P to deliver better quality 4K movies. Canon Log 3 is also available, enabling 10-bit internal recording for greater dynamic range while 10-bit HDR PQ reduces the amount of post-production editing or grading.

For those interested in slow-motion video, the R3 can capture 4K video at up to 120p. The camera can also record up to 6 hours of ‘regular’ video or 1.5 hours at high 119.88/100p frame rates, according to Canon.

Furthermore, footage can be recorded in the All-I, IPB, or smaller IPB light format at a variety of bit rates. The EOS R3 also offers dual memory card slots, enabling simultaneous 6K raw video recording on two memory cards for peace of mind.

Read our Canon EOS R3 Review

The headline video feature of the Sony a 7S III is that it can shoot 4K video at up to 120p and full HD footage at up to 240p, with full-sensor readout no pixel-binning and with the hybrid autofocus system in action.

In addition, the camera offers 10-bit colour depth and 4:2:2 colour sampling across all recording formats. Sony has introduced new video formats – XAVC S-I 4K (All-Intra) and XAVC HS 4K (Long GOP) – and has made improvements to the XAVC S 4K (Long GOP) format for the a7S III.

The All-Intra recording format captures more data than Long GOP, but it also requires higher bit rates and more storage capacity. It’s useful when the best quality 4K video is required for internal recording.

XAVC S-I 4K (All-I) can be used in normal recording at 50/25 frames per second and 10-bit 4:2:2 500Mbps, and in S&Q (Slow and Quick) mode at 110/50/25/12/6/3/2/1 frames per second at 25p (4x slow-mo)/50p and 10-bit 4:2:2 250Mbps. It’s important to note that using a CFexpress card is essential for the S&Q options.

While audio isn’t recorded in S&Q mode, the AF system remains operational, so tracking a fast-moving subject and creating a slow-motion video should not be an issue.

The a7S III can record to a UHS-II SD card or a CFexpress Type A card in the memory port. It can also output 16-bit raw 4K 60 frames per second footage via its HDMI 2.1 connection to an Atomos Ninja V. It’s important to remember that 60 frames per second is the maximum framerate supported by HDMI 2.1.

Read our Sony A7S III Review

A flagship camera needs to be capable of recording great video as well as superb stills, and the Nikon Z9 can deliver 8K video recording from 24p to 60p, or 4K video at 24p up to 120p. With its design focused on dissipating heat, the Z9 can record 8K 30p video for about 125 minutes continuously.

Moreover, while shooting 8K video, the Z9 retains its full autofocus and exposure metering capabilities, which includes Eye-detection AF.

Except for Full HD/24p, 25p, and 30p, the camera is compatible with the 10-bit ProRes 424 HQ format at up to 4K 60p. Furthermore, a firmware update slated for 2022 will enable raw 8K video at 60p, and another update will add N-Raw format recording to reduce file sizes to roughly half that of ProRes Raw files.

In addition, the Z9 has an in-camera time-lapse movie function.

Read our Nikon Z9 Review

Fujifilm’s X-H2S marks a significant upgrade over its predrecessor, and is a versatile camera suitable for both stills and video. With internal recording, the camera can capture 6.2K video at 29.97p and 4K video at 4:2:2 10 bit with no crop. It can also shoot DCI 4K video at 120p/100p with a 1.29x crop and FHD video at 240p/200p with a 1.38x crop. Furthermore, the camera has a full-size HDMI port and external recording capability.

The X-H2S has long recording times for these resolutions, with the ability to shoot 4K 60p video for up to 240 minutes at 25°C before overheating. However, in hotter climates, recording time may drop to around 15 minutes, but the camera is equipped with a fan that can be attached to the back to assist with cooling and extend 4K 60p recording time to 51 minutes.

Fujifilm has included F-Log2, which allows for video recording with up to 14 stops of dynamic range, making it an excellent choice for videographers.

Read our Fujifilm X-H2S Review

The Panasonic Lumix G9 II steps up its video game with resolutions of 5.7K at 60p and 4K at 120p, alongside a greatly improved autofocus system. The camera also offers recording in 4:2:0 10-bit, delivering up to 13 stops of dynamic range when shooting in V-Log, positioning itself as a strong choice for serious videographers​​ at a pretty modest price point that won’t break the bank.

The GH6 – the latest in Panasonic’s much-loved GH line – is a highly capable camera when it comes to video, with a vast array of options and combinations to choose from. For example, it can record 5.7K 30p video in ProRes 422 HQ or ProRes 422, directly onto a CFexpress Type B card.

The camera is also capable of capturing 5.7K 4:2:0 10-bit video at 60p/50p and anamorphic 4:3 footage at 5.8K 30p/25p/24p with 4:2:0 10-bit quality using the full sensor. Additionally, it can simultaneously record 4:2:2 10-bit Cinema 4K 60p both internally and over HDMI.

For creative speed ramping, the GH6 offers the ability to record 4:2:0 10-bit 4K 120p (equivalent to 5x slow motion) and 4:2:2 10-bit FHD 240p HFR (High Frame Rate) footage with audio. Variable Frame Rate (VFR) recording is also possible, with a maximum of 300fps at FHD resolution (equivalent to 12.5x slow motion) for more dynamic videos. For more details on the camera’s video capabilities, check out our Panasonic GH6 review.

Panasonic has even more in store for GH6 users, with new firmware coming in July 2022 that will enable DCI 4K raw video data output over HDMI at up to 120fps, as well as additional internal recording options. All of these features make the GH6 an exceptional camera, especially considering its price point.

Read our Panasonic Lumix GH6 Review

After all these years, the Hero Black remains the best action camera you can buy, and this latest iteration again expands what’s possible. The GoPro Hero12 Black elevates action videography with its capability to shoot 5.3K at up to 60 FPS and 4K at up to 120 FPS. It stands out for its versatility in high-resolution slow-motion capture, especially for FPV drone enthusiasts, marking a notable upgrade with improved battery life and enhanced video features​​.

Close on the heels of GoPro, as always, is DJI’s Osmo Action series of action cameras. The DJI Osmo Action 4 is heralded as one of the best compact low-light action cameras, rivaling even the GoPro Hero12 Black. It shines with its 4K video capability at up to 120fps, making it an excellent choice for capturing crisp, smooth slow-motion footage in a variety of conditions​​.

As usual, GoPro has announced its latest camera, the Hero11 Black, towards the end of the summer season in 2022. While resolution and frame rates remain similar to its predecessor, the Hero10 Black, the Hero11 Black is capable of recording 1080p resolution with frame rates up to 240fps, allowing for 8x slow motion. Additionally, it can shoot stunning 4K video at 120p.

However, this release saw significant improvements in image quality, and the new Horizon Lock feature makes it easier than ever to capture great footage. With its exceptional video quality and features, the GoPro remains unmatched by the competition, solidifying its position as the best action camera on the market.

Read our GoPro Hero11 Black Review

It may have been replaced already – as HeroBlack action cameras are every year – but the GoPro Hero10 Black specs sheet included a few important upgrades. Chief among these was the ability to shoot 4K video at 120fps, a significant increase from the previous maximum of 60fps. Additionally, you can capture 2.7K footage at 240fps, while 1080p footage remains available at 240fps.

If you choose to film in 5.3K resolution on the Hero10 Black, you can now capture footage at 60fps, a marked improvement from the previous maximum of 30fps. Moreover, the camera no longer gives a warning about recording in HEVC if you have disabled the notification.

Overall, with its upgraded frame rates and powerful GP2 processor, the Hero10 Black is a formidable camera for everyday filming and one of the best action cameras you can buy, as well as one of the best GoPro cameras even today.

Read our GoPro Hero10 Black Review

The smallest and lightest camera in Canon’s Cinema EOS system, the Canon EOS C70 uses Canon’s new 4K Super 35mm DGO sensor with HDR capabilities.

Thanks to its sensor, the EOS C70 can capture 4K video at 120fps in 4:2:2 10-bit in XF-AVC (All-I or Long-GOP), and MP4 in HEVC (H.265) or H.264.

Moreover, Canon has added 13 customisable buttons, HDMI ports, dual mini XLR ports, a multi-functional hand grip and a built-in ventilation system to this camera. The C70 also features a new built-in ND filter system, providing up to 10 stops of light reduction.

Read our Canon unveils EOS C70 cinema camera with RF mount

The Kandao QooCam 8K spec sheet is pretty impressive. Inside the camera is a 1/1.7-inch sensor, which can provide 8K video recording and 12-bit Raw capture.

As well as 8K, the new QooCam can record 360 videos in 4K at 120fps for slow motion playback. It also supports H.264 /H.265. video coding formats.

When it comes to editing your 360 footage, stitching is done in-camera. Then via the QooCam App you can use the 8K Express Edit tool to fine tune your videos.

Spherical stills can be captured at 30-megapixel resolution, and the QooCam 8K also offers a built-in automated image stacking tool for raw files called Kandao Raw+. This increases the dynamic range and reduces noise.

Kandao has also included its Super Steady stabilisation technology, which uses 6-axis gyro and IMU for electronic stabilisation.

Other features include a 2.4-inch OLED touchscreen for accessing key camera functions, live-streaming capability, a QooCam S vlog mode, 64GB of internal storage and a microSD card slot.

Vloggers will also appreciate the QooCam 8K’s 3.5mm mic port, making it one of the few 360 cameras to offer one.

You’ll also find many of the 360 effects, called SmartClips, which are now common in 360 cameras, such as tiny planet, Inception mode, Hyperlapse, Rabbit Hole and more.

Read our Kandao QooCam 8K Review

Z Cam’s Micro Four Thirds cinema camera can record 4K video at 120fps and capture 10-bit colour.

As well as 4K at 120fps, 10-bit colour, H.264 & H.265 (10 bit), the Z Cam E2 can record 4K at 60fps HDMI 2.0 4K 60fps (10-bit) and 4K at 60fps SDI 12G (optional accessory required). You can also record Full HD at up to 240fps.

Inside the Z Cam E2 is a 4/3 Sony CMOS sensor with a pixel size of pixel size = 4.63m. It also uses what Z Cam calls a ‘Deep Learning Engine built in with SDK.’

The E2’s small body measures 91mm x 98mm x 80mm without the lens, is made of aluminium alloy and uses CFast 2.0 memory cards. The body design also features microphone-in and audio-out ports, USB Type C 3.0 and HDMI ports and a 10-pin LEMO port for synchronization.

Kandao’s Obsidian S is a professional 3D 360 VR camera that can record immersive video in 6K at 50fps or 3D 4K at 120fps. You can also purchase the separate Kandao Live license for 4K livestreaming capability.

The Obsidian S has six 190-degree lenses that each records content to individual microSD cards. Six microphones also record PCM-format audio.

Other features include an audio input jack, an ethernet port and GigE connectivity for transferring files or providing power.

Recording options include log mode, time-lapse and DNG-format still capture. Inside is a 12-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor providing 10 stops of dynamic range in video, and 12 stops for stills.

The Insta360 Pro 2 can shoot 8K 3D at 30fps, iK monoscopic footage at 60fps, 6K 3D at 60fps and 4K 3D at 120fps.

There’s also new in-camera HDR that promises a wider, more natural-looking dynamic range.

A new i-Log mode also gives users the opportunity to grade colour in post-production.

Insta360 announced its FlowState stabilisation technology earlier this year as a firmware update, but it comes already embedded in the Pro 2. FlowState uses a gyroscope to track motion on nine axes. Then, when it’s paired with Insta360’s software, it allows users to stabilise their footage automatically.

Other features include 4K live-streaming in both 3D and monoscopic formats. There’s also the option to save 8K versions of your live-stream footage at the same time as your broadcast, meaning you can polish it up later.

There’s also a built-in GPS module, allowing you to append GPS data to your captures and contribute to Google Maps Street View.

The Insta360 Pro 2’s new Farsight technology is a 360-degree live monitoring system that promises a high-definition, low-latency video stream for long-distance preview.

This helps to eliminate the problem some 360 videographers have where WiFi connections between the camera and device can get disconnected.