If you’ve just picked up a Sony a6700 or another camera and want to achieve that stunning cinematic look, you’re in the right place. The Sony a6700 shares the same sensor as the FX30 cinema camera, but getting professional results depends less on the hardware and more on understanding the right settings. Let’s break down the essentials.
FPS (Frames Per Second)
The first concept to grasp is FPS, or frames per second. Think of FPS as a flipbook: the number of pages in the flipbook determines how smooth the motion appears.
For cinematic footage, you’ll generally shoot at 24 FPS, which gives natural motion blur and mimics how our eyes perceive movement.
Shooting at 30 FPS introduces a smoother look that can feel unnatural, reminiscent of soap operas or older British TV shows. Higher frame rates, like 60 FPS or 120 FPS, are typically reserved for slow-motion effects.
Shutter Speed
Next, consider shutter speed, which controls how long your camera’s sensor is exposed to light for each frame. For video, the 180° shutter rule is key: your shutter speed should be double your frame rate. For instance, at 24 FPS, set your shutter speed to 1/48.
If your camera doesn’t offer that exact number, use the closest setting. Similarly, 60 FPS requires a shutter speed of 1/120, and so on. Following this rule ensures natural motion blur and smooth footage.

White Balance

White balance is another critical setting, as it determines how colors are rendered under different lighting conditions. Lighting has a color temperature measured in Kelvin, ranging from warm tungsten lights (around 3200K) to daylight (typically 5400K).
In controlled environments, match your camera’s white balance setting to the light source.
For example, in a studio, you might set both your lights and camera to 5400K.
Outdoors or in mixed lighting, auto white balance is an option, though it can sometimes produce inconsistent results.

Aperture

Aperture, controlled by your lens, is the next step. This setting determines how much light enters the lens and hits the sensor. A wide aperture, such as f/1.8, allows more light in and creates a shallow depth of field, blurring the background for a cinematic effect. For shots where you want more of the scene in focus—like landscapes or establishing shots—use a smaller aperture, such as f/8 or higher, to narrow the depth of field.
ISO (“International Organization for Standardization”)
ISO, which adjusts the camera’s sensitivity to light, is another essential factor. A low ISO is ideal for bright conditions, while a high ISO is useful in low light but can introduce noise. If lighting conditions change frequently, such as when vlogging or shooting outdoors, auto ISO can be helpful, though results can vary.


If you’re shooting in bright sunlight and your ISO is at its lowest setting but the image is still overexposed, you’ll need an ND filter. These filters act like sunglasses for your lens, reducing the amount of light that enters without altering colors.
Picture Profiles & LUTs
Lastly, let’s talk about picture profiles and LUTs. Picture profiles, such as the standard setting, provide a good base image straight out of the camera. For more creative control, you can use LUTs (lookup tables), which are essentially presets that apply specific color grades to your footage. LUTs can save time in post-production and help you achieve a consistent, stylized look. You can see a few of my LUTs available for purchase here:
By mastering these six settings—FPS, shutter speed, white balance, aperture, ISO, and picture profiles—you’ll lay the foundation for creating cinematic footage. But remember, settings are only part of the equation. Lighting plays a huge role in achieving professional-quality videos, so be sure to explore techniques for proper lighting in your shoots. You can start by checking out my video: Video Lighting Techniques Every YouTuber Should Know.
If you found this guide helpful, check out my other tips on my blog. You can also check out creative tools like LUT packs and Lightroom profiles available in my shop. Start experimenting with these settings, and you’ll be on your way to capturing stunning cinematic shots.
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