I get the “What GoPro settings to use?” question a lot and honestly, I never like answering it because the answer is always “it depends”… and nobody likes to hear that! But this post will help you learn the settings and figure them out on your own.

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GoPro Settings

My goal is not to tell you what GoPro settings you should choose because, the thing is, you have to understand for yourself what your GoPro settings mean and how your shooting situation will affect your results. So let me first say that my answer to this question is always going to be “it depends on what you’re shooting”.

What GoPro settings to use depends on your lighting, your subject. You should know many important details. Examples of those are: if the subject is moving or not, if you’re moving, if you want to use slow-motion when you’re editing, if you want it widescreen, and so on.

I mean, really, the possible situations that you’re shooting are endless. But for reference, I will tell you that I shoot my GoPro videos at 1080p/30fps with Protune off, and I am going to tell you the reasons why.

GoPro Resolution Settings

Image Source: 4KShooters

Let’s talk about resolution. Depending on your GoPro model, you have many different resolutions available: 4K, 2.7k, 1080, 720. Those numbers represent the number of vertical pixels. So for example, a 1080 video resolution is 1920 pixels wide by 1080 pixels high. I see a lot of questions and comments from folks who think “Hey, let’s shoot the highest possible quality and the highest possible frame rate!”. Then, they wonder why it takes several hours for their computer to import footage and render their clips while they’re editing.

The higher your resolution, the bigger your file sizes are going to be. So, that means less space available on your memory cards and hard drive. My computer (with a 2.9 GHz processor and 8 GB of RAM) chokes on 2.7k resolution. And I’ve never shot anything in 4K before, ever. What I mean by “chokes” is it feels like forever to move the files off the memory card and onto my hard drive. Import into my editing software, and then convert if I’m using GoPro Studio. And even when I get to THAT point, the playback is often choppy because my computer is trying to keep up.

By the way, why did I get a computer with only 8 GB of RAM? I’ll be putting more memory on my GoPro Christmas list for sure. I shoot in 1080p because it’s High Definition, it works with my computer, and I’m happy with the end results. Some day, maybe a decade from now, I may all be shooting everything in 4K. I look forward to that day. But we’ll also be using a faster and more capable computer to process that much data when we’re editing.

GoPro Frame Rate – Which One to Choose?

To start with, I have a confession. I can’t really tell the difference between a 30fps video and a 60fps video. I know what the difference is but I can’t see a difference with my own eyes.

30 fps is the setting that many people would consider being the “standard” frame rate. Movies are usually shot in 24fps, and often you’ll hear that shooting 24fps will give your video a more cinematic feel. However, at the same time, doesn’t the scene, lighting, music, and acting talent also attribute to a more cinematic feel?

Shooting at 60 frames per second has a couple of advantages. However, going back to my original point, it depends on what you’re shooting. For example, if you’re shooting something fast-paced, like a skateboarder doing flips or kids jumping into a pool. Shooting that video at 60fps will prevent motion blur. In addition, if you know you want to slow down your clips when you’re editing, so they’re in slow motion, then shooting at 60 fps is a good idea. Your slow-motion clips will be nice and smooth.

Related: GoPro Beginner Mistakes: Avoid These 3 Common Traps

That’s not to say that you can’t slow down your video to 30fps footage. You totally can, but it’s just that if you shoot in 60 fps, your end result will generally look smoother. So, I shoot in 30 frames per second by default, and if I feel like it. However, if I think I might want to slow down my footage later, I bump it up to 60 fps. But, like with higher resolutions, my computer chugs along with 60 fps when I’m editing. That is why I don’t use it often. I also don’t shoot a lot of fast action stuff either, so that’s why 30 fps is my default setting.

We have only talked about shooting at 60 frames per second if you’re shooting a fast-moving subject, but the same idea still applies if you or your camera is moving fast. Shooting at 60 fps will reduce blur if you’re shooting scenery from a car or shooting from a drone while panning your camera quickly in a certain direction. Shout out to Scott Thomas in the GoPro Enthusiasts Facebook group for making that very valid point.

Moreover, remember that the higher your frame rate is, the bigger your file size is going to be. So make sure to take that into account as well. YouTube now allows you to upload videos at 60fps, as long as they are shot in 1080 or 720. So if you choose to shoot and edit an entire video at 60fps, you can export it at 60 fps and upload it to YouTube for all the world to see. But if you’re like me, and you shoot at 30 fps, and only shoot 60 fps for slow motion, you would export at 30fps and be good to go.

GoPro Protune or not?

Image Source: Darek Majewski

Let’s talk about Protune for a moment. Generally, I shoot my GoPro videos with Protune off. I think GoPro’s internal software does a fine job of adjusting colors, exposure, and whatnot, so I don’t mess with it.

Some people swear by using Protune and then manually edit their exposure, contrast, white balance, and color when you’re editing. I just don’t. I let GoPro do its thing, and edit those things if I feel that it’s necessary.

Related: Should I Buy GoPro as a Family Camera?

My GoPro Settings in a Nutshell

I shoot at 1080p/30 fps/Protune off because I feel that for me. In most situations, it provides the best possible looking footage with the least possible amount of time and digital space.

At the end of the day, though, as they say in photography: the best camera is the one you have with you. And in this case, the best settings are the ones you’re using when you press record and capture some amazing moment, memory, or experience. Then, bring it home and edit it into an awesome and fun-to-watch video that can be shared with friends and family, and last forever and ever. You can quote me on that one. Just play with your camera and your settings and see what GoPro settings to use for yourself.

VIDEO: What GoPro Settings to Use?

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