10 Best Time Lapse Cameras in 2023: Buyer’s Guide

Top-rated time lapse cameras with built-in intervalometers.

Modern time lapse cameras come in a variety of sizes and shapes, and they often come with special features that make the process easier. For example, a built-in intervalometer will automatically set the number of frames needed to capture your video and long exposure photography.

This ensures that every frame of your time lapse is on screen for the right amount of time, which helps to minimize dropped frames and flicker.

When choosing the best time lapse camera, you should look for a camera with a high-quality sensor, a high frame rate, the ability to set intervals, good battery life, and a lightweight and compact design. With these characteristics in mind, you can capture stunning intervalometer photography that will truly stand out.

Type: Action | Megapixels: 27 MP | Video resolution: 4K | Night vision: Yes 

As a photographer, I've had the opportunity to use the GoPro HERO11 and must say, it's a fantastic device. The new 8:7 sensor allows for a variety of interesting features and the software and companion time lapse app have been simplified, making it easier to use than previous models.

One of the biggest advantages of the HERO11 is its ability to record long periods of time and stitch them into short videos. This is perfect for capturing sunsets, landscapes, and other scenes that unfold over a period of time. It's also great for capturing underwater time lapses, which is ideal for people who enjoy swimming and snorkeling.

This time lapse camera has an automatic intervalometer that allows you to set a specific interval and then the camera will record a series of frames at this interval. It can also shoot up to 8x slow motion in 2.7K and 1080p resolutions with frame rates up to 240 fps. This feature is great for capturing action scenes and showing the effects of an event in slow motion.

Type: Security | Megapixels: 2.1 MP | Video resolution: 1080p | Night vision: Yes 

One of the most significant advantages of the Brinno BCC2000 is its reliability. It allows you to set your own schedule for your project and will auto-edit frames into a documentation video for easy jobsite monitoring. Additionally, this camera for time lapse is weatherproof, making it suitable for use in outdoor environments for weeks or even months.

Another advantage of the Brinno BCC2000 is its flexibility and efficiency. Being one of the best security cameras, it can connect to your laptop using a 32ft cable, making it easy to adjust capture intervals, image settings, schedules, and start and stop recording as you work on your project.

However, there are some disadvantages to using the Brinno BCC2000. One of the main issues is that it has a fixed lens, which limits your ability to change the angle of the shot. Also, the camera's touch screen can be challenging to use in certain lighting conditions, making it difficult to adjust settings on the fly.

Type: Mirrorless | Megapixels: 24.5 MP | Video resolution: 4K UHD | Night vision: Yes

One of the main advantages of the Nikon Z6 II is its full-frame sensor, which allows for better low-light performance and can help create time lapses that look more natural. This time lapse construction camera offers some of the best time lapse shooting modes and features on the market, including a Dual Card Slot, selectable in-camera shutter speeds, and an Info Display mode for the EVF and rear LCD that turns off information overlays to provide an uncluttered view of the scene.

The Interval Timer Shooting function is also a great feature of this mirrorless camera for travel that allows you to take a series of images at a certain interval, then combine them into a time-lapse movie on the camera. However, one problem I encountered was that the minimum interval is not adjustable enough for some of my more intricate projects.

Another issue I found was that the camera's autofocus can sometimes struggle with fast-moving subjects, particularly in low light conditions. However, this can be mitigated by using the camera's multiple exposures and focus shift features, which are also useful for achieving greater depth of field in images.

Type: DSLR | Megapixels: 45.7 MP | Video resolution: 4K UHD | Night vision: Yes 

First of all, the camera features a built-in intervalometer which makes it easy to create stunning time lapse photos and videos. The tilting touchscreen LCD monitor is also a great feature that makes navigating the menus a breeze.

One of the main advantages of this Nikon camera is its 45.7-megapixel sensor and high-resolution image processor which produce incredibly detailed photos. It also offers a range of settings for noise reduction and sharpness adjustments which is crucial for time lapse photos.

However, there are a few downsides to this time lapse camera. One of the main issues is its price, which is quite high and may not be affordable for all photographers. Additionally, the camera is quite heavy and bulky which can make it difficult to carry around for long periods of time.

Type: Mirrorless | Megapixels: 20 MP | Video resolution: 4K UHD | Night vision: Yes

It's incredibly easy to use, making it a great time lapse camera for both beginners and professionals alike. The large LCD screen and variety of features make it easy to get the most out of your time lapse photos. It's also very durable, made of stainless steel and resistant to water and dust.

One of the best features of the Canon R6 is its interval timer, which allows you to set the interval of how often you want the camera to take pictures. This means you can sit back and let the camera do the work, while you focus on other aspects of your shoot.

However, there are a few disadvantages to this budget video camera that you should be aware of. The first is that the video time lapse feature requires additional equipment, which can be a bit of a hassle.

Additionally, the high-bitrate video recording mode can cause the camera to lock up or have other unexpected behavior, so it's important to have a high-speed SD card on hand to prevent this from happening.

Type: Mirrorless | Megapixels: 24.2 MP | Video resolution: 4K | Night vision: Yes 

One of the biggest advantages of the Sony A7 III is its advanced AF system, which includes 693 phase detection points and 425 contrast detection points. This system is much more powerful and accurate than the one found on the A7 II, and it's compatible with all of Sony's latest lenses. It's especially good for tracking moving subjects, which is essential for time lapse images.

Another useful feature of this Sony camera is its anti-flicker function, which can be activated in scenes with fluorescent lights and other sources of light. This helps to reduce chromatic aberrations and prevent overexposure of the frame. In low-light situations, the camera's high ISO performance is quite impressive, allowing for detailed footage.

However, there are also some downsides to this time lapse construction camera. One of the main issues is the need for a fair amount of skill and planning to create a successful time-lapse. You'll need to know how to calculate shutter speed, image processing, and shooting intervals to avoid skipped frames.

Type: Time lapse | Megapixels: 2 MP | Video resolution: 1080p | Night vision: Yes

As a photographer who has been in the industry for several years, I have had the opportunity to use different types of outdoor timelapse cameras, including the Technaxx TX-164. This camera is specifically designed to capture long-term changes in the environment, and it does so quite well.

The Technaxx TX-164 also comes with a variety of helpful features, including an integrated microphone that lets you record sound. It also has a built-in LED that boosts its visibility at night and provides high brightness for clear recordings.

However, there are some disadvantages to this security camera for home that are worth noting. For example, the camera's pause mode can only be set for a maximum of 24 hours, which may be limiting for some users who need longer pause times.

Type: Mirrorless | Megapixels: 40.2 MP | Video resolution: 4K | Night vision: Yes

Fujifilm X-T5 is compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry around and set up for time lapses. It features image stabilization, automatic focusing, and a powerful autofocus system with 117 or 425 focus points spread across the frame. You can also enable face or eye detection to track your subject and keep them in focus, which is great for creating interesting and realistic images.

Being one of the best time lapse cameras, the X-T5 has a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/8000 of a second and an electronic shutter that can be set to 20fps, allowing you to capture all the action. It can be used for both stills and video, with the ability to record movies in up to 6.2K of 30p at 10-bit 4:2:2.

However, there are a few downsides to this Fuji camera. One problem I encountered is that the battery life is not great, so you may need to carry extra batteries or a power bank for longer time lapses. Also, the menu system can be a bit confusing at times, especially for beginners.

Type: Mirrorless | Megapixels: 20 MP | Video resolution: 4K | Night vision: Yes

As a photographer, I have had the opportunity to work with a variety of time lapse construction cameras, and I must say that the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV has caught my attention. One of the significant advantages of this camera is its ability to capture time-lapse, a technique that allows us to capture moments that aren't likely to be repeated again.

This Olympus camera is compact, easy to use, and offers a range of features that make it an ideal choice for anyone looking for an affordable device that can be used to capture once-in-a-lifetime moments. The most noticeable difference is its larger 20-megapixel image sensor, which translates to an improvement in the resolution and detail resolution, especially when viewed at a distance, as well as a slight increase in low-light performance.

However, one of the disadvantages I noticed is that the camera's battery life is not as long as I would have liked. Also, some users may find the controls a bit complicated, especially if they are new to photography.

Type: DSLR | Megapixels: 32.5 MP | Video resolution: 4K ULD | Night vision: Yes 

One of the main advantages of this DSLR camera is its high-resolution sensor, which allows for incredibly detailed images. It also has a fast autofocus system that can focus on a subject even when it moves quickly, and it can be set to focus on the whole frame or just on one area.

Being one of the best time lapse cameras, it can take up to ten shots per second when using a combination of tracking autofocus and one-shot AF, or eleven shots when shooting in single-point AF mode. It can also record video in both live view and still photography modes, making it a versatile camera for different types of content creation.

However, there are some disadvantages to this camera as well. One problem with usage is that it can be difficult to use certain lenses, particularly those with a slower autofocus system. Additionally, the camera's battery life is not as long as some other models, which can be an issue for shooting longer time-lapse sequences.

When choosing the best time lapse camera, you should look for a camera with a high-quality sensor, a high frame rate, the ability to set intervals, good battery life, and a lightweight and compact design. With these characteristics in mind, you can capture stunning time lapse photography that will truly stand out.

High-quality sensor. The size of the sensor plays a crucial role in capturing images and videos with great detail and clarity. Larger sensors can capture more light and produce better images, but they can also be more expensive.

Memory. Your camera for night photography should offer as much memory as possible, as you are going to take more than 400 images. Moreover, it must be fast to avoid interrupting the process because of the buffering speed. Personally, I recommend the camera with time lapse that supports two-card connectivity.

Frame rate. It will help you capture smooth and steady footage, even on uneven surfaces. It also allows you to create a higher-quality video with more details and accuracy.

What many people don't realize is that a time lapse camera should also have the ability to set intervals. This feature allows you to capture exactly what you want and ensure that you don't miss any key moments. You can choose from a range of different settings, from 1 second to 24 hours, depending on the duration of your project.

Battery life. Take this factor into consideration and think about how much time you need for a single photo session. If you are going to shoot for a long, it would be better to buy time lapse camera with a larger battery capacity or with the ability to connect external batteries or power banks.

Size and weight. A bulky DSLR camera for videos and photos can be difficult to transport and set up, especially if you're working in remote locations. A lightweight and compact camera will make it easier to capture the shots you want, without weighing you down.

Reliable construction. This factor also depends on your preferences. If you intend to shoot on a sunny day, any camera will do. However, if you plan to organize a long time-lapse shoot, when you are not always near your camera (for instance, in a building), I recommend you buy moisture and dustproof devices.

Remote control. You need it to minimize the shaking of the camera during shutter release. An ideal variant for you is a remote control with a built-in timer that can be programmed. You may search for original ones, but remote controls from a third-party manufacturer will be also suitable.

Connection. Connect your camera to a laptop or computer and control it with the help of utilities and edit videos in timelapse software. But, first of all, check the ability of your camera to be remotely controlled from a computer.