When it comes to video editing, there are a million and one options available for people to choose from. There is something for everyone’s taste, but the fact is, some tools are simply better than others. For professional videographers, what you mostly hear about is Adobe Premiere. However, not only is that expensive, but it is also quite complicated. And for a lot of people that can be a huge turn-off. As an alternative, they look for a tool that can provide them with professional-grade video editing without making things too complicated. That is exactly what the Filmora video editor by Wondershare promises to offer. In this Filmora review, we are going to see if it fulfills the criteria that it sets out for itself and how it matches against the other big players.
Positives
- Software gets regularly updated with bug fixes and new features
- Can import media directly from cameras connected to the computer
- Supports video editing for resolutions up to 2160p.
- Support for a wide variety of video and audio formats.
Negatives
- No support for older versions of Windows
- The free version adds watermark instead of limited video time
- No trials for full functionality
Software Aesthetics
Video editing can be a complicated affair to go through and whoever does it wants ease of access. Our Filmora video editor review looked for the cleanliness that is present in the software with everything present where it is supposed to be. Using this as our criteria we found Filmora to be an incredibly clean software. The tabs are easy to find and operate and you feel like everything that you need is right in front of you. There is no need to dig through menus to find different functionalities. Even for advanced settings, most features can be reached using a simple double click on the video element that you want to edit.
While most advanced editors come with a learning curve, there is hardly any time required for you to learn everything you need to know to get started. Things like transitions, effects, text additions, and filters are all present under conveniently placed tabs. The fact that you can find yourself immersed in your project within minutes instead of hours is a huge plus for Filmora!
Editing Modes
Depending on the level of complexity you want, our Wondershare Filmora review found that the software offers you different options to choose from. It is also the same menu when you want to select what kind of videos you are editing. The options you get include Full Feature, Action Cam, Easy Mode, and Instant Cutter. However, one thing that you need to keep in mind is that this setting stays the same while you are editing. There is no way for you to change the mode while you are editing your video. You can only do so by closing the app and opening your project again.
For example, the Easy Mode is meant for making quick edits to your videos, so it only provides options like themes, music options, etc. Most of the fixes get applied by the software and you can get your video ready in no time. However, that means you do not have any direct control over the minor details in case you want to make changes. Similarly, if you go to the Full Feature mode, you have all the control you want but everything must be done manually, and no assistance is provided from the software.
Filters and Effects
When it comes to filters, our Filmora review 2020 found that it passes that test with flying colors! There are a ton of different options to choose from, and none of them are low effort filters either. There are sets that you can go through as well and choose filters with minor differences to choose something that suits your personal preferences. You can also add more effects if you want and further enhance the experience. Adding filters to the video is also incredibly easy with everything happening in a single click. Once you have selected the location that you want to add the filter to, all you have to do is select your desired filter and click on the plus sign that appears when you hover your mouse on it.
The software also has effects like background blur which is especially useful for portrait videos as it replaces the large black bars on the sides. This means you can easily make a portrait video look great when it is published on platforms that only support landscape view.
Color Grading
For the simplicity that Filmora offers its users, it is not at all behind when it comes to color grading. Any professional videographer would tell you that they shoot videos with flat colors so they can edit it later in post-production. Filmora offers professional-level color grading with two different modes depending on who you are. There is a basic tool that allows you to change things like color, temperature, brightness, contrast, saturation, etc. however, if you want to go in-depth, there is an advanced option as well where you can make very minute changes to the colors.
To make things even more convenient, there are two more options that Filmora offers as well. One of them is the 3D LUT option which allows you to either choose from a group of color presets. However, like any powerful software, it also allows you to add your LUTs that you may have created or downloaded online. For people who are not familiar with color grading at all, Filmora also has an auto mode which makes all the changes that it thinks are needed to improve the color and overall look of the video.
Changes Preview
A cool feature that Filmora offers is the ability to check how your updated video looks against the stock footage that you used. This comparison allows you to see if things look the way they should and where you need to make changes. If you are not happy with the edits that you have made, you can easily undo or redo any steps that went into the editing process. The live preview window is also a great place to look at these changes and you can change the quality as well to ensure smooth playback while editing.
Audio Options
No video is ever complete without good audio and Filmora allows you to take your audio editing to the next level. You can make basic changes to the audio volume directly in the timeline. There are other options as well like fade in, fade out, audio, pitch, equalizer profiles, and even background noise removal. Although we would suggest using separate software for that to get better results.
In addition to that, Filmora also has an option to record voiceovers in your videos directly in the software. This is extremely convenient and the tool is also quite good so you do not have to rely on recording and adjusting voiceover audio separately. The time this feature can save for some people is quite astounding.
Conclusion
Filmora is a great video editing software and in our Filmora review, we found it to be more than worth the money you pay for the full version. For newly starting videographers and YouTubers, this is a great option to opt for, especially if you don’t have any experience with video editing. Additionally, when we look at the prices, Filmora is a lot cheaper compared to Vyond and MotionVFX. Do take a look at Filmora reviews from users to get a better idea.
Leave a Reply