With the best time-lapse camera for construction, you can capture impressive time-lapses of ongoing projects, spanning hours to months.
These cameras work by taking a series of stills over a period and condensing them into a short clip.
While many cameras and phones can capture time-lapses, a dedicated, rugged, mountable, and weatherproof time-lapse camera is essential for construction work.
This article will guide you through some of the best time-lapse cameras for construction currently available.
5 Best Time Lapse Cameras for Construction
Here are the five best timelapse cameras for construction:
THE BEST timelapse camera
GoPro HERO 11 Black
- Capture. Charge. Get a Highlight Video Automatically
- Revolutionary New Image Sensor
- Unbelievable Image Quality
This one is the first camera that comes to mind when you talk about a great timelapse camera for construction ā and if you want GoPro’s newest, the Hero 13 Black offers the same TimeWarp and Time Lapse modes with a bigger battery. Still, the HERO 11 Black finds this place as our top pick in this list. With the capability of shooting awesome 5.3K footage for 70 minutes straight, this action camera can capture some ultimate timelapse shots. The options that it offers include 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 30, and 60-second intervals between frames.
Another great way to capture timelapses with the HERO 11 is by using its TimeWarp function. With the in-built HyperSmooth image stabilization and horizon leveling, you get gimbal-like stabilized footage even if the camera is on the move. Overall, it’s a must-buy if you want to capture some awesome construction timelapse shots.
For time-lapse settings check out: GoPro Hero 11 Time Lapse & Time Warp GUIDE
Best non-GoPro timelapse action camera
DJI Action 2
- Snap Into Your Environment - Action 2's innovative magnetic design allows you to...
- Action on the Go - The ultra-compact DJI Action 2 takes up next to no room in your...
- Footage That Speaks for Itself - Record stunningly smooth 4K/120fps [2] video with...
A DJI device that gives GoPro’s action cameras tough competition, the DJI Action 2 can be used as an awesome timelapse camera. With the ability to be worn discreetly on the chest using the magnetic lanyard, this camera lets you shoot some amazing long-term timelapse scenes. Its OLED touchscreen lets you choose the interval and shooting duration with ease. While the timelapse is being recorded, you can continuously see the actual duration of the resulting video.
With the DJI Action 2, you get the following time interval options – 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 13, 15, 20, 30, 40 seconds. It’s available at all resolutions including 4K, 2.7K, and 1080p. Lastly, being waterproof, this is a perfect outdoor timelapse camera for construction shots.
Best timelapse-specific camera for construction projects
Brinno Empower TLC2020 Time Lapse Camera
- Professional time-lapse camera: 99-Day battery life! 1080P HDR and 118Ā° field of...
- 3 Mode versatility: Capture modes include timelapse, step video and stop motion...
- Long battery life and flexible schedule: Record up to 99 days using a 5-min shooting...
Brinnoās first timelapse camera, the TLC2020 is capable of capturing time-lapse shots extending up to 99 days (at one frame every five minutes). This is achieved thanks to the option of adding two extra batteries with significantly increases the camera’s run time. What’s more, Brinno also provides multiple additional accessories to let this camera capture long timelapse shots with ease. These accessories include a waterproof housing, a clamp mount, and a motorized turntable.
The TLC2020 captures timelapse shots at 1080P HDR resolution and 118Ā° field of view. Its HDR and FHD sensors automatically select optimum lighting to capture videos outdoors or indoors, during the day or night. All these specs make the Brinno Empower TLC2020 perfect for long-term construction projects.
Good for beginners
Brinno TLC300 Time Lapse Camera
- Easy time lapse: TLC300 is the new 2023 time lapse camera from Brinno. This...
- Straightforward operation: Brinno has improved its user interface for professional...
- Low power consumption: Never worry about battery power again when shooting long-term...
For those who are new to timelapse photography, the Brinno TLC300 is a perfect choice. This relatively inexpensive entry-level timelapse camera offers a great starting point in the world of timelapse photography. It offers 100-Day battery life with the camera capturing one shot every five minutes. The camera features a 10800P HDR resolution and a 118Ā° field of view.
So, you’ll be to capture stunning professional timelapse videos with the Brinno TLC300 Time-Lapse Camera. And, what’s really amazing about this camera is that despite the cheap price, it offers HDR which is especially useful if lighting conditions change during the shoot.
Great long-term timelapse camera
Technaxx TX-164 Time Lapse Camera
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Another highly reasonably priced timelapse camera, the Technaxx TX-164 is perfect for capturing long-duration timelapse shots. Running on 12 AA batteries, the camera can last up to half a year! Its powerful CMOS sensor ensures that no matter the scene, you will get a brilliant, highly detailed video with a 110-degree field of view. The camera is IP66-waterproof which makes it usable even in harsh environments.
The Technaxx TX-164 offers 1080p HD resolution with 110Ā° FOV and auto IR fĀilter. These specs ensure superb quality timelapse shots. So, if you want to record the full process of your house building, the Technaxx TX-164 is a nice pick.
Things to Consider Before Making a Buying Decision
When looking for a timelapse camera, the most important thing is that the camera should be robust and stable. This will enable it to capture some perfect shots of the moving vistas of the landscape.
Another thing to keep in mind is the battery life. For long-term timelapses, such as the ones that record construction work, you require the camera to run for days together. Therefore, long battery life ensures uninterrupted timelapse shots.
Lastly, if the timelapse camera is weatherproof, it will be better, especially for outdoor shots.
What is The Best Time-lapse Speed?
The best time-lapse speed depends on the subject matter and the desired effect you want to achieve in your video. Time-lapse speed is determined by the interval between each shot and the frame rate at which the images are played back.
Here are some general guidelines to help you choose the right time-lapse speed for various subjects:
Fast-moving subjects (e.g., people, traffic, or clouds)
For subjects with rapid movement, a shorter interval between shots (e.g., 1-3 seconds) is recommended. This will create a smooth and continuous motion in your time-lapse video.
Slow-moving subjects (e.g., sunsets, sunrises, or shadows)
For subjects with slower movement, a longer interval between shots (e.g., 5-30 seconds) is more suitable. This will help emphasize the gradual changes in the scene.
Very slow-moving subjects (e.g., plant growth, construction projects, or long-term outdoor scenes)
For these subjects, a much longer interval between shots (e.g., several minutes to hours) may be necessary to capture the desired effect.
When setting the frame rate for playback, a standard frame rate of 24 or 30 frames per second (fps) is commonly used. This frame rate produces a natural-looking motion in the time-lapse video. However, you can experiment with different frame rates to achieve different effects, such as a slower or more dramatic playback.
Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all answer for the best time-lapse speed, as it depends on the subject matter and your creative vision. Experiment with different intervals and frame rates to find the best combination for your specific project.
Which One Is The Best?
The best timelapse camera for you depends upon your own needs and preferences. If you want a timelapse camera that’s simply the best, then you should go for the 5.3K capable GoPro HERO 11 Black. But, please note that for long-term timelapse shots, you may need to connect the camera to a power source.
However, if you want the best timelapse-specific camera for construction projects, then the Brinno Empower TLC2020 timelapse camera is the best option for you.
Thanks for reading!
I hope this guide helped you learn about some of the best timelapse cameras for construction available on the market. š
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a dedicated time-lapse camera, or will an action camera like a GoPro work?
For short shoots of a few hours to a couple of days, an action camera such as the GoPro Hero 13 Black is fine since you can plug it into mains power and let the interval mode run. For anything stretching weeks or months, I would go with a purpose-built unit like the Brinno Empower TLC2020, since its battery life and weatherproofing are built for that job in a way action cameras are not.
What interval should I use for a construction time-lapse?
For slow, months-long progress I usually shoot one frame every 5 to 10 minutes, which keeps motion smooth without filling the card too fast. For something quicker, like a concrete pour or a crane lift, I drop to a 5-30 second interval so the movement does not look choppy.
How long will the battery actually last outdoors?
Manufacturer battery numbers come from ideal lab conditions, so real-world runtime is usually shorter, especially in cold weather. I always pair a long-term shoot with a solar panel or external battery pack once it runs past a few weeks.
Do I need a separate weatherproof housing?
Most dedicated time-lapse cameras, like the Brinno models, ship with their own weatherproof housing, so there is nothing extra to buy. Action cameras are more mixed: some are waterproof out of the box and some need an add-on housing for weeks-long outdoor mounting.
How much storage do I need for a multi-month time-lapse?
It depends on resolution and interval, but I plan for at least a 128GB card for a month-long shoot at 1080p. If you are shooting 4K or using a short interval, size up to 256GB or use a camera with cloud offload so you are not swapping cards mid-project.
