Last Updated on December 4, 2023 by Sharon Advik
Time-lapse video is a relatively new technique, and it is practiced mainly by professionals.
There are different types of time-lapse videos, but the basics are the same.
Images are captured over a set period and then played back faster.
Time-lapse video is helpful as it can turn boring shots into exciting footage.
Time-lapse photography is an art as well as it is a science.
And just like with any other art, there are different techniques and tricks that you can employ to generate better-looking videos than others.
And the most crucial one is choosing the right camera.
That’s why I’m here with the top 6 best video cameras for time-lapse.
Which is the Best Video Camera for Time Lapse?
Here are my recommended top 6 Best Video Camera for Time Lapse:-
Nikon D850: (A solid and reliable choice giving full creative control of 8K timelapse)
I mean, it’s not just any state; it’s California!
The biggest thing in the world! It has Hollywood!
And Silicon Valley! And Napa Valley! And Yosemite National Park!
And all those beaches you hear about? They’re there too!
But then I saw it.
There’s no way I could capture what makes California so extraordinary in one video.
So, instead of trying to do that, I focused on one part of California: San Francisco and the Nikon D850.
San Francisco is one of my favorite places because so many different types of people come together in harmony despite their differences.
Some techies, hippies, artists, and businessmen live side by side, and all seem happy with each other’s presence.
If only we could all be like that more often.
Features
Model: Nikon D850
Effective Megapixel: 45.7 MP
Image sensor type: Back-side illuminated CMOS Sensor
ISO range: 64 – 25600
Shutter speeds: 1/8000
Storage Compatibility: SD, SDHC, SDXC Memory
Viewfinder: Optical Viewfinder
Image stabilizer: Not Available
Dimension: 146 x 124 x 78.5mm
Weight: 915g
ISO/Shutter Speed
It was a foggy day in San Francisco.
The sun slowly rose over the hill, casting a golden glow over the cityscape.
I had been planning this shoot for months, but finally, I was here in person to make it happen.
I planned to capture the sunrise from four locations around the city and stitch them into one continuous video showing each location at different moments of its rise.
The ISO was set at 300, and the 1/8000 shutter speed gave me enough room to find suitable angles.
Aperture/Field of View
I reached the top of one of the tallest buildings and realized just how much it was there.
It was easy to see why people had been talking about this city for so long.
It was surrounded by water on three sides and hills on two others, like something out of a dream.
The sunset over the bay cast a golden glow across everything; it felt like an oasis in a sea of gray and white.
I set up my camera on a tripod at the top, where I could get an unobstructed view of both sides of the city, and then I just started shooting at f/5.6 aperture.
White Balance/Frame Rate
I found a fantastic place in Sunset District called Twin Peaks, which was required for my film.
The view was amazing, and you could see the Golden Gate Bridge.
In North Beach, there is a park called Washington Square Park, where many people are always around.
That’s why this place was perfect for the last part of my time-lapse, as it had a lot of activity at all times of the day.
My camera seized every footage at bursting 8K resolution, capturing 30 frames per second.
The white balance was set at Natural Light Auto K.
Why is this camera the best?
It is the best option for time-lapse videos, as it was made to capture the world around you.
With this camera, you can shoot in 4K resolution and create beautiful time-lapse videos to make your audience feel right there with you.
Whether you’re shooting nature or city scenes, the D850 can provide the perfect look for your project.
You can also use its automatic settings to make things even easier on yourself, or you can use manual settings if you want more control over your image quality.
Conclusion
The only thing that might be bitter about this camera is its price, but if you’re serious about your time-lapse videos, it’s worth every penny!
It’s a solid and reliable choice, giving full creative control of 8K timelapses.
Fujifilm X-T4: (A stylish and versatile camera with a dedicated timelapse mode)
The Tongass National Forest is one of America’s largest national forests in Alaska.
The Tongass is where you can find some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States.
It’s a forest with over 2 million acres and includes nearly 20% of all remaining temperate rainforests in North America.
The Tongass is also home to many rare and endangered animals, including wolves, black bears, bald eagles, and salmon.
To create a time-lapse video of the Tongass National Forest that would be a fitting tribute to its natural beauty, I used Fujifilm X-T4.
I edited the footage into a short film showing the beauty of the forest at sunrise and sunset and during daylight hours when no cloud cover was present.
Every shot was carefully planned so that each scene would be perfectly timed with its corresponding time on screen.
Features
Model: Fujifilm X-T4
Effective Megapixel: 26.1 MP
Image sensor: X-Trans BSI CMOS sensor
ISO range: 160 – 12800
Shutter speeds: 1/200
Storage: SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory
Viewfinder: Electronic Viewfinder
Image stabilizer: Available
Dimension: 134.6 x 92.8 x 63.8mm
Weight: 607g
ISO/Shutter Speed
I wanted a long exposure, so I shot my camera at ISO 160 and 1/8000 second shutter speed.
This meant some light would still come through even when the clouds were overcast and raining.
The only problem was that your camera couldn’t focus on anything while shooting in such low light conditions.
It’s just dark!
So, I set up my tripod and then took a step back so that it wouldn’t focus on me; it would just focus on whatever was directly in front of it: the forest.
Aperture/Field of View
Here’s what I did: First, I drove out to the national forest and set up my tripod at the edge of an old-growth red cedar tree, with the forest behind me.
Then, I set my camera on Aperture Priority mode and let it run for 10 minutes at f/8.
Finally, I took a couple of long breaks between shoots to catch my breath and enjoy the scenery before heading back home with another video clip!
White Balance/Frame Rate
My camera was set at 4K video at 60 fps in auto white balance mode for even color temperature across the board and a steady tripod.
I started with a shot of the forest floor, then moved into the canopy.
I spent time filming the mossy branches and trunks covering everything from below and above.
I didn’t rush; I wanted to take my time and soak up every moment in this magical place.
Why is this camera the best?
Its CMOS sensor lets you take clear photos and record 4K movies even in low light.
The X-T4 also features a 1/8000 shutter speed, incredibly fast for capturing moving objects without blurring them out or leaving trails behind them.
Furthermore, this camera offers several modes to capture time-lapse sequences and single photos.
You can set it up to automatically take photos every minute or hour, making it easy to create beautiful time-lapse videos without manually taking pictures all day.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a camera that can help capture some incredible time-lapses, then the Fujifilm X-T4 might be the one for you.
It’s a stylish and versatile camera with a dedicated timelapse mode
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV: (Incredibly compact and affordable but still packs a punch)
It’s been a long time coming, but I finally got to shoot some time-lapse video of that big old moon blocking out the sun.
I’ve been waiting for this day for months and months, maybe even years.
And it was worth it.
It was so worth it.
The moment the eclipse started, it was like nothing I’d ever seen before.
It was like the sky was on fire, with these fantastic colors and streaks of light everywhere.
And then I hit totality!
When the moon completely covered the sun, it became dark as night.
I couldn’t believe how beautiful everything looked at that moment.
I’m so glad I had my Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV there to capture every second of it!
Features
Model: Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV
Effective Megapixel: 20.3 MP
Image sensor type: Four-Thirds MOS Sensor
ISO range: 200 – 25600 (extended)
Shutter speeds: 1/16000
Storage type: SD, SDHC, SDXC Memory
Viewfinder: EVF Viewfinder
Image stabilizer: In-body Image Stabilization
Dimension: 122 x 84 x 49mm
Weight: 383G
ISO/Shutter Speed
At first, I could see a bright dot through my viewfinder.
But as the Moon moved in front of it, blocking out its light, I could see more and more details of its surface.
It looked like a giant orange ball, a fat pumpkin with a glowing face.
I adjusted my ISO to 160 while setting the shutter speed at 1/2000.
Then, I fired off some shots every few seconds, hoping to catch its change in size from beginning to end.
Aperture/Field of View
I set up my camera, focused on the sun, opened the aperture to F/3.5, and started shooting.
And there it came: the moon slowly moving between me and the sun like some celestial curtain rising on a stage play while hordes around me cheered wildly and took photos from their phones or cameras.
It was almost too much for me to take in; the sight was so beautiful, so perfect. If I could freeze this moment forever, that would be enough for anyone who loves science and nature as much as myself!
White Balance/Frame Rate
The weather was perfect.
It was clear and sunny again, but not too hot or humid.
Thousands of people were around me, but they were all there for the same reason: to see something so beautiful and rare that it happens once every few decades (or longer!).
I took some stunning time-lapse videos that day with my camera.
It’s got a sensor that lets me shoot video at 4K resolution at 30 frames per second, a pretty high frame rate for the time-lapse video!
Why is this camera the best?
This camera is one of the best in its class regarding performance, price, and features.
It has many advanced features make it unique and stand out from other cameras in the same category.
The Mark IV has a new sensor allows it to capture high-quality videos at a fast rate of 30 frames per second.
This makes it one of the most powerful cameras available today.
The camera’s images look fabulous even when viewed on a large screen or television set, making it ideal for professionals working with large photos all day.
Conclusion
Whether you’re shooting a time-lapse of your coffee brewing or a day at the beach, this camera will get it right every time.
It’s incredibly compact and affordable but still packs a punch.
Sony A7 III: (Pro performance at a very reasonable price point and excellent battery life)
The stars have always been one of my favorite things to watch.
I love how they appear as dots, but when you look at them through a telescope, you see their beautiful shapes and colors.
I wanted to capture the beauty of the stars in a time-lapse video, so I went out one night with my camera and tripod to find the perfect spot.
My friend and I drove around for a while until we found a field that looked like it would be good for our purpose: it was far enough away from any streetlights or houses that we wouldn’t have any light pollution interfering with our photos.
I set up my Sony A7 III and started taking pictures every 15 minutes for three hours.
That way, I could get some nice shots of how different parts of the sky changed over time.
Features
Model: Sony A7 III
Effective Megapixel: 24.2-MP
Image sensor type: Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
ISO range: 100 – 51200
Shutter speeds: 1/8000
Storage Compatibility: SD, SDHC, SDXC Memory
Viewfinder: Electronic Viewfinder
Image stabilizer: 5-Axis Stabilization
Dimension: 126.9 x 95.6 x 73.7mm
Weight: 650g
ISO/Shutter Speed
The first thing I did was choose my ISO range.
My camera has an ISO range of 100 – 51200 and a 1/8000 shutter speed.
Since the night sky is dark, I needed to use a low ISO so my camera wouldn’t be overwhelmed by the light coming through the lens.
The higher the ISO is, the more sensitive it will be to light.
I also had to ensure that my shutter speed was quick enough to capture all the movement in the sky without blurring or streaking effects.
Aperture/Field of View
The night sky was a sight to behold.
The stars were so bright and clear it was like you could reach out and grab one.
It felt like I was standing in the middle of a giant clock, with the stars rotating around me like hands on a clock face.
I set up my camera on a tripod and used Aperture Priority mode.
I could control how much light entered the camera by changing the aperture and shutter speed settings.
White Balance/Frame Rate
I used my 4K 30 fps camera with custom white balance settings.
This would allow me to capture all the shades of blue and purple in the sky without worrying about manually adjusting any settings during post-processing.
I set up my tripod and took several test shots with different exposure times, trying to find one that best captured the motion of the stars while still being able to see them enough so they didn’t blend into a blurry mess.
Why is this camera the best?
It boasts an impressive 24-megapixel and an ultra-fast autofocus system that can shoot 4K video at up to 30 frames per second.
But where it shines is in its ability to capture time-lapse videos.
As it features such a high resolution and so many pixels, it can take multiple photos per second, so your resulting time-lapse video will be incredibly smooth and crisp.
On top of that, this model comes with built-in Wi-Fi functionality that allows you to transfer images directly from your camera to your phone or computer without any hassle.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a great all-around camera that can double as both a stills and a video device, consider getting yourself a Sony A7 III!
It performs well at a very reasonable price and has excellent battery life.
Nikon Z6: (A robust mid-range mirrorless option for enthusiasts)
One day, I was outside shooting a time-lapse video of flowers blooming.
I spent much time setting up my camera and tripod, ensuring it was steady.
I wanted to capture the whole process of the flowers opening up, but so many factors could affect the film: wind, rain, and insects; I wasn’t sure how long I’d be able to leave my camera there before taking it down!
But I persevered and kept filming with Nikon Z6.
It took a while longer than expected for the first flower to open, but once it did, it was worth it; the way the petals folded outwards and expanded into their full form was gorgeous!
Features
Model: Nikon Z6
Effective Megapixel: 24.5 MP
Image sensor type: Full-Frame Back-Illuminated CMOS Sensor
ISO range: 100 – 25600
Shutter speeds: 1/8000
Storage Compatibility: SD, SDHC, SDXC Memory
Viewfinder: Quad-VGA Electronic Viewfinder
Image stabilizer: In-body Image Stabilization
Dimension: 134 x 100.5 x 67.5mm
Weight: 1175g
ISO/Shutter Speed
I started my shoot by taking a photo of this patch of dirt with some grass in front of me; it was just about getting enough light on my subject to get a decent picture.
The ISO was adjusted between 400 and 1200 while the shutter speed was at 1/8000.
Then, as the sun rose and shone through the clouds (it was an overcast morning), I took another photo, focusing on the patch of dirt and grass directly in front of me.
The sunlight made everything look brighter and more vibrant than before!
Aperture/Field of View
The sun was setting, casting golden rays over the entire scene; it was beautiful.
As I continued to photograph at f/2.8 aperture, I noticed other flowers beginning to bloom around me.
They were different shapes and sizes, but each had unique beauty.
I couldn’t wait to see what they would look like after they finished blooming!
As night fell and the moon rose above us all, it lit up the scene like never before.
It felt like we were in our world, where no one could tell us what we could or could not do with nature’s beauty surrounding us.
White Balance/Frame Rate
I had been waiting all night for the flowers to bloom and reveal their true colors.
And as soon as the sun broke over the horizon, I started filming.
It was so beautiful: how they unfurled like little explosions of color, how their petals reflected the light into my lens; I couldn’t believe it!
I was so lucky that day to be able to capture this incredible moment in time at 4K 30 fps.
Meanwhile, the white balance on my camera was set to auto.
Why is this camera the best?
It can shoot in 4K at 30 frames per second, the standard for creating high-quality videos.
It also has an incredible autofocus system that lets you capture your subject clearly and accurately.
And if you want to get fancy with your video, the Z6 will let you do that too; it can take stills while recording video so that you can make your stop-motion or cinemagraphs.
It has all the features you’d expect from a professional camera and then some!
Conclusion
This is the camera if you’re looking for a device to help you create beautiful time-lapse videos easily and effectively.
It’s a robust mid-range mirrorless option for enthusiasts.
Canon EOS Rebel SL3: (Automate the timelapse process with this beginner-friendly DSLR)
I live in the mountains, so it’s not unusual to wake up to see all the snow-covered trees.
But this morning was different.
I woke up at 4 AM and looked out my window.
I saw something I had never seen before: a blanket of white covering everything but the very tops of the trees.
It was so beautiful, but it also saddened me because I knew I could never capture this moment on camera.
That’s when I decided that today was the day that I would make a time-lapse video of a snowfall.
I grabbed my Canon EOS Rebel SL3, set it up outside on a tripod, and shot for about hours while it recorded.
When I returned and checked the footage, I was blown away; it looked like something out of Frozen!
Features
Model: Canon EOS Rebel SL3
Effective Megapixel: 24.1-MP
Image sensor type: APS-C CMOS Sensor
ISO range: 100 – 25600
Shutter speeds: 1/4000
Storage Compatibility: SD, SDHC, SDXC Memory
Viewfinder: Optical Viewfinder
Image stabilizer: Not Available
Dimension: 122.4 x 92.6 x 69.8mm
Weight: 449g
ISO/Shutter Speed
The night was cold, but the view was stunning.
It was cloudy, and I didn’t think I would get a good shot.
So, instead of giving up, I decided to try something different: lowering my shutter speed.
At first, I lowered it to 1/4000 seconds, which is fast enough for most people but not for me.
So, I lowered it repeatedly until I finally found a sweet spot: 100 – 25600 ISO range and 1/4000 shutter speed!
Aperture/Field of View
I kept walking until I reached my spot, a large rock overlooking miles of untouched land blanketed in white powdery snow.
It was exactly what I had hoped for pure quietude and beauty.
I set up my tripod and looked through my f/6.0 aperture at the vast expanse below me; it seemed endless in its depth and majesty.
I focused on a lone tree in the distance. I started shooting one after another, frame after frame, until finally exhaustion took over and forced me to rest again before sunrise and, hopefully, another chance at capturing this moment.
White Balance/Frame Rate
I wanted to make sure that the lighting conditions were optimal for filming.
There’s no point in capturing something if you can’t see it!
I set up my camera on its tripod, pointing towards the sky to capture everything clearly without any motion blur from movement in front of the lens.
Then I began recording at 25 fps and set my white balance to automatic so that everything would look natural while being filmed later when editing all these clips together into one long video clip showing a time-lapse view from midnight until dawn.
Why is this camera the best?
The SL3 is a powerful DSLR with a 24.1-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and a DIGIC 8 image processor that can capture high-resolution images and HD video in any situation.
It has an ISO range of 100-25600 (expandable to 51200) and can shoot up to 25 frames per second.
The camera has an excellent autofocus system that can track moving subjects, and it comes with several built-in settings for different types of shots and manual controls for advanced users who want more control over their shots.
Conclusion
The design is sleek and modern, with a small body that’s easy to hold.
The buttons are well-placed and intuitively placed, so you can get used to them quickly.
You can automate the timelapse process with this beginner-friendly DSLR
CONCLUSION:
Alright, guys, that concludes all the cameras we will discuss today in this article.
Do you guys have any experience with these cameras? What are your thoughts on them?
Which is your Best Video Camera for Time Lapse?
Is there a camera I didn’t mention in this article that you love using for macro photography?
Would you please leave your thoughts and comments below?
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