Shooting in 25fps to avoid light flicker? Here’s why that doesn’t work on Instagram

If you’re a content creator in Australia or anywhere that uses 50Hz power frequency, you’ve probably been told time and time again to shoot your videos at 25fps. And it’s not bad advice — but if you’re posting directly to Instagram, it might not be giving you the best results.

Let’s break it down.

Why Creators Recommend 25fps

Australia (along with many other countries) runs on a 50Hz electrical frequency, which means the lights in most indoor spaces flicker at 50 times per second — something your eye can’t see, but your camera definitely can.

By setting your frame rate to 25fps, you’re syncing your camera to this flicker — which helps eliminate those annoying banding lines or flickering you sometimes see when filming indoors under artificial light. Makes sense, right?

But here’s where things get tricky.

The Problem with 25fps on Instagram

Instagram — and most social platforms are primarily built around 30fps (or 29.97fps) video. That’s the standard in the US and for most mobile-native content.

When you upload a 25fps video to Instagram:

• It can get recompressed poorly
• It may look laggy or stuttery
• Sometimes, audio/video sync can be off
• It just doesn’t look as smooth as it should

So while you may have eliminated flickering, you’ve traded it for lower-quality playback, which no one wants on their feed.

So What Should You Do Instead?

Here are a few workarounds to keep your content looking clean, flicker-free and platform-friendly:

✅ 1. Use a Continuous Light

Invest in LED lights that are designed for video — they’re made to avoid flickering issues and will allow you to shoot at 30fps with no problem. For even better diffusion and softer, more flattering light, add a softbox or lantern modifier to your setup.

✅ 2. Turn Off Overhead Lights

Most flickering comes from overhead fluorescents or older LED fixtures. Turning them off can immediately solve the issue — then rely on your own lighting setup or natural light.

✅ 3. Use Natural Light Whenever Possible

Nothing beats daylight. Set up near a window to avoid flicker issues — and make your videos look beautifully soft and bright.

✅ 4. Use a Manual Video App

Apps like ProCamera, Filmic Pro, or Manual Camera let you control shutter speed and frame rate. This allows you to fine-tune your settings and minimise flicker.

The Takeaway

Yes, 25fps might save you from flickering — but if you’re posting to Instagram, it’s not the best choice for playback quality. With the right lighting setup or a few simple tweaks, you can shoot at 30fps (or 60fps for buttery-smooth footage) and get the best of both worlds: no flicker, and platform-optimised quality.

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Need help setting up your gear or choosing the right lighting for your shoot?
Reach out or book a session in our studio — we’ve got everything from natural light to continuous and flash lighting ready to go.