This page takes you through the setup for slow-motion shots using the Sony Z90 cameras .
The Z90 will record up to 100fps continuously and 250-1000 fps in 5 second bursts. After 100 fps there is a decline in picture quality, but 250fps is still HD and looks good.
First, we have to make sure the S and Q (slow and quick) on the side of the camera is working. This is an assignable button, and on some cameras it has been given a different job like Zebra or Peaking. This is how we check:
Press the S and Q button and see if you get the pale blue overlay on the upper LH side of the screen.
If the button has not been assigned, you will need to reset it:
Press MENU > OTHERS > ASSIGN BUTTON > ASSIGN 1, and select S and Q MOTION from the list.
Next step is to choose the recording set up:
In MENU choose the recording tab
REC SET
XAVC HD
1080/25p 50mbs
The Z90 wont record high speed at 4K.
You can only do this on a Z90, as the X70 does not come with a fast or big enough SD card.
Setting up Slow and Quick settings (S & Q)
There are two options:
S AND Q will let you run continuously at 100 fps
SUPER SLOW MOTION will let you record in 5 seconds bursts of 250, 500, and 1000 fps.
To set up S and Q for continuous 100fps filming:
MENU > CAMERA SET > SLOW AND QUICK > S&Q MOTION
On this menu page confirm your HIGH FRAME RATE = ON (only 50fps, if off)
FRAME RATE = 100FPS, then press EXECUTE.
When you press EXECUTE, this will take you to the S AND Q recording screen. (You can also bring this screen up by pressing the S and Q button on the side of the camera)
Here you can adjust your exposure settings and press record.
Setting up Super slow motion (250-1000fps)
To setup SUPER SLOW MOTION mode, it's a similar operation:
MENU > CAMERA SET > SLOW & QUICK > SUPER SLOW MOTION
Set your speed, set your REC TIMING as START TRIGGER .
This will start recording for events you can plan or observe. If you are waiting for something to happen that you cannot control, like a whale breaching the water surface or a lightning strike, you select END TRIGGER. As long as you are in the the SUPER SLOW MOTION TAB (Pale Blue Overlay) the camera is constantly recording and dumping the last five seconds of motion, so when you press record, it will keep the last 5 seconds.
Then back to EXECUTE
This will take you to the shoot screen.
If you press press and hold the S & Q button on the side of the camera, you get the option to change the frame rate
The maximum shutter speed will appear in the bottom right hand corner, but you will get best visual results if the shutter speed is approximately or greater than your frame rate.
So for 250 fps, a minimum of 1/425, but if there is enough light 1/600 will give you crisper results.
Actual recording in S&Q mode
When you press the record button, it is a little confusing as you don't get the usual red REC sign in the LED, you get a yellow notice saying “BUFFERING”. This lasts about 5 seconds as the camera captures the shot, which you cannot see happening.
Then it the says “RECORDING’ in red, as it writes the data to the SD card. Now you can watch the slow motion. This will take about 30 seconds and you can cancel the process if the shot is no good and you want to move on
Written by FR