What Is Noise in Videography?

In videography, noise refers to any unwanted visual artifacts or distortions that appear in the final video. This can include things like graininess, speckling, or color distortion. Noise can be caused by a variety of factors, including a low-quality camera sensor, poor lighting conditions, or high ISO settings. It can also be introduced during post-production editing or compression.

Why Is There Noise In Videography?

Noise can appear in video for a variety of reasons. Some common causes include:

  1. Low-quality camera sensor: lower-end cameras tend to have smaller sensors which are more susceptible to noise, especially in low-light conditions.
  2. High ISO settings: when a camera’s ISO is set too high, it can increase the amount of noise in the final video.
  3. Poor lighting conditions: noise is more likely to appear in video shot in low-light environments.
  4. Post-production editing: noise can be introduced during post-production editing, such as during color correction or compression.
  5. Image processing: Some image processing techniques such as denoising algorithms can introduce noise if not done properly.
  6. Electric interference: Sometimes, electronic devices or power sources can introduce noise in the form of electromagnetic interference or electrical noise.

What Cameras Are Best For Noise Reduction?

Noise In Video

Cameras that have large sensors and advanced noise reduction technology are typically considered to be the best for low noise in video. Some examples of cameras that are known for their low noise in video include:

  1. Full-frame cameras: Cameras with full-frame sensors, such as the Sony A7S III or the Canon EOS R5, tend to produce less noise than cameras with smaller sensors, especially in low-light conditions.
  2. Cinema cameras: Cinema cameras like the Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K or the Arri Alexa LF, often have large sensors and advanced noise reduction technology that make them well suited for low noise video.
  3. Mirrorless cameras: Mirrorless cameras with high-end sensors like the Sony A7S III or the Panasonic S1H are known for their low noise performance and they are popular among filmmakers.
  4. High-end DSLRs: High-end DSLRs like the Canon EOS R5 and the Nikon D6 also have advanced noise reduction technology and produce less noise than lower-end models.
  5. Professional camcorders: Professional camcorders such as the Panasonic EVA1 or the Sony PXW-FS5 are also known for their low noise performance and are popular among videographers and filmmakers.

It’s important to note that camera noise is also affected by the shooting conditions and the settings used, so even the best camera can produce noise under certain circumstances.

How Can You Reduce Noise In Video?

There are several ways to reduce noise in video:

  1. Use a camera with a large sensor and advanced noise reduction technology: As mentioned before, cameras with large sensors and advanced noise reduction technology tend to produce less noise than cameras with smaller sensors.
  2. Use a tripod and a shutter release cable: Using a tripod can help keep the camera steady, which can reduce the amount of noise in the final video. A shutter release cable can also help reduce camera shake.
  3. Use a low ISO setting: Higher ISO settings can increase the amount of noise in the final video, so it’s best to use the lowest ISO setting possible.
  4. Use a fast lens: A fast lens (one with a wide aperture, such as f/1.4 or f/2) can help gather more light and reduce the need for high ISO settings.
  5. Proper lighting: Proper lighting can help reduce noise by providing enough light to the scene.
  6. Use noise reduction software: There are several software programs available that can help reduce noise in video, such as Neat Video, Red Giant Denoiser, or Adobe Premiere Pro’s built-in noise reduction tool.
  7. Post-processing: If noise is present in the final footage after shooting, noise reduction software can be applied during post-production. Some programs like DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro X, and Avid Media Composer have built-in noise reduction tools.

It’s important to note that some noise reduction techniques can also blur the image or remove details, so it’s important to find the right balance between noise reduction and image quality.

Best Camera Settings For Low Noise

The best camera settings for reducing noise in video can vary depending on the camera and the shooting conditions, but some general guidelines include:

  1. Use a low ISO setting: The lower the ISO, the less noise in the final video. It’s best to use the lowest ISO setting possible, especially in low-light conditions.
  2. Use a fast lens: A fast lens (one with a wide aperture, such as f/1.4 or f/2) can help gather more light and reduce the need for high ISO settings.
  3. Use a fast shutter speed: A fast shutter speed (such as 1/1000th of a second) can help reduce motion blur and camera shake, which can cause noise in the final video.
  4. Use manual focus: Auto focus can cause the camera to hunt for focus, which can cause camera shake and noise in the final video.
  5. Use manual white balance: Auto white balance can cause the camera to constantly adjust the color temperature, which can cause noise in the final video.
  6. Use manual exposure: Auto exposure can cause the camera to constantly adjust the exposure, which can cause noise in the final video.
  7. Use proper lighting: Proper lighting can help reduce noise by providing enough light to the scene.
  8. Turn off Image stabilization: Some cameras have image stabilization feature which can cause noise, it’s best to turn it off if the camera is on a tripod.
  9. Turn off noise reduction settings: Some cameras have built-in noise reduction settings which can cause noise, it’s best to turn it off if you’re planning to do noise reduction in post-production.
Noise Reduction In Video

It’s important to note that some cameras have different settings and options, so it’s best to consult the camera’s manual or do some research to find the best settings for your specific camera.

The Most Basic Answer To All Of This

Noise will technically be in every video that you shoot, it’s a part of the process and there’s no way around it. The tricky part is putting operating procedures in place that minimize the digital noise so that it is unseen by the human eye. 
The best way to do this?
Shoot your shot the right way, the first time, every time. 
Make sure you have sufficient light, know your camera’s capabilities and limitations and have your settings at the optimal range. Every camera is different and there is no one size fits all solution to this. The best advice we can give is to put as many hours behind the lens as possible. Only then will you truly understand your camera and what practices you need to put in place in order to get the best quality footage possible.