As more cameras offer both 4K and 1080P HD options, it can be tough to decide which one to shoot in. While shooting in 4K technically provides better quality, 1080P HD is the recommended option for most people. Let’s dive deeper into why.
First, a quick breakdown of the difference between the two resolutions. A 1080P HD video is 1920 pixels wide and 1080 pixels high, while a 4K video is 3840 pixels wide and 2160 pixels high. This means that a 4K video has four times more pixels than a 1080P video.
While this extra resolution does provide better quality, it’s not noticeable unless you’re viewing the video on a 4K monitor or TV. Most smartphones and tablets don’t have 4K displays, so if you’re watching a 4K video on one of these devices, you won’t notice a difference from a 1080P HD video.
However, there are still benefits to shooting in 4K even if you plan to export your project in 1080P HD. For example, shooting in 4K and then cropping in still provides a high definition video quality when you zoom in. In contrast, zooming in on a 1080P video may result in a pixelated image due to the lower resolution.
Despite these benefits, shooting in 4K comes with a cost. You need extra hard drives, faster SD cards, and better equipment to shoot in 4K. Additionally, computers may not be able to handle 4K, which could lead to slower editing times. If you’re just starting in video or doing it as a hobby, 1080P HD is the recommended option.
At Think Media, they shoot in 4K because they want to offer a high-quality viewing experience on 4K TVs and monitors. However, they’ve had to upgrade their hard drives and computers to handle the larger files. Most importantly, their audience is watching their content on smartphones and tablets that don’t have 4K displays. So, it’s not necessary for them to shoot in 4K.
In conclusion, the recommended option for most people is to shoot in 1080P HD. The majority of people are watching videos on their smartphones or tablets, which don’t support 4K. Additionally, shooting in 1080P HD results in smaller file sizes, making it easier to edit and store your videos. However, if you have the equipment and budget, shooting in 4K provides better quality and flexibility in post-production.