With a good timelapse camera, you can capture some great timelapses that can extend up to hours, days, weeks, or even months. The camera achieves this by capturing a series of stills over a certain period of time and then condensing the footage into a short clip. There are many cameras and even phones today that have the ability to capture timelapse shots. But, if you want to capture a long-term timelapse for capturing construction work progress, for example, then using a phone (or any other device that you regularly use) isn’t practical. Therefore, the need arises for a rugged dedicated timelapse camera that’s mountable, lasts much longer, and is weatherproof.
In this article, you’ll discover some of the best timelapse cameras for construction available on the market.
So, let’s dive in!
5 Best Time Lapse Cameras for Construction
Here are the five best timelapse cameras for construction:
THE BEST timelapse camera
#1. GoPro HERO 11 Black
This one is the first camera that comes to mind when you talk about a great timelapse camera for construction. That’s why the HERO11 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 Settings.
Best non-GoPro timelapse action camera
#2. 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 a tough competition to the GoPro HERO 11 Black, 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
#3. Brinno Empower TLC2020 Time Lapse Camera
- PROFESSIONAL TIME-LAPSE CAMERA: 99-Day battery life! 1080P HDR and 118° 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...
Brinno’s 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 118° 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
#4. Brinno TLC200 Pro Time Lapse Camera
- OUTDOOR TIME-LAPSE CAMERA: 42-Day battery life! 720P HDR and 112° field of view...
- LONG BATTERY LIFE AND DAILY TIMER: Record up to 42 days using a 5-min shooting...
- INCREDIBLE IMAGE QUALITY AND WATERPROOF CASE: Housing protects the camera and...
For those who are new to timelapse photography, the Brinno TLC200 Pro is a perfect choice. This relatively inexpensive entry-level timelapse camera offers a great starting point in the world of timelapse photography. It offers 42-Day battery life with the camera capturing one shot every five minutes. The camera features a 720P HDR resolution and a 112° field of view.
So, you’ll be to capture stunning professional timelapse videos with the Brinno TLC200 Pro 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
#5. Technaxx TX-164 Time Lapse Camera
- 1080p Powerful CMOS Sensor - No matter the scene; get a brilliant; highly detailed...
- Multipurpose – want to record the full process of your house building; capture...
- 4 Modes - include photo/video time-lapse or stop motions; Providing ultimate creative...
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 110° FOV and auto IR filter. 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.
So, look for a camera that offers a combination of all this for the best experience.
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. 🙂
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