Triggering slow-motion video capture based on object tracking includes receiving user input defining a trigger area on the viewfinder of a digital camera and tracking the movement of an actor in the field of view of the camera. A determination is made that the actor's movement has positioned the actor within the boundaries of the defined trigger area. Slow-motion video capture is initiated based on the determination. Feature detection methods may be used to identify feature points, where some of the feature points correspond to the actor. Additionally, feature point tracking methods may be used to track the movement of the feature points corresponding to the actor. Statistical methods may be used to remove outlier feature points. The trigger area may be tracked and its position updated in order to anchor the trigger window to stationary objects in the field of view of the digital camera.