10 Best Time Lapse Cameras in 2024

Time-lapse videos are created by stitching together a series of photos captured during a period of time (mostly hours) and then created into sped-up footage. Back in the day, time-lapse videos were considered a novelty and only limited to special events or perhaps movies or TV.

However, technology has evolved a great deal since then which means that users can shoot time-lapse content using their standard smartphone cameras. However, there are some situations where a professional time-lapse camera would be required. If you’re a budding photographer with an eye for time-lapse video, you need to consider looking at a professional time-lapse or stop-motion camera.

Fortunately, the market is filled with excellent time-lapse cameras that can fit almost every shooting needs. Whether it’s to notice the progress at a construction project or to capture the nature around you, time-lapse videos can be shot anywhere and everywhere.

The sheer amount of choices can be sometimes confusing to the customers. This is why we’re compiling a list of the best time-lapse cameras you can get right now. While we will discuss some of the most popular offerings, we will also look at some of the underrated offerings out there.

Best Time Lapse Cameras

1. DJI Osmo Action

DJI is a big-name manufacturer known for its drones and other equipment including gimbals. Needless to say, the company also makes some of the best action cameras out there, perhaps on par with GoPro. The Osmo Action is a good choice for time-lapse video, and one of the best parts is that it offers a dual-screen setup, with both LCD screens acting as viewfinders.

DJI is using a 1/2.3 inch optical CMOS sensor which can shoot photos at 12 MP while recording at wide-angle 145 degrees. It also allows you to capture 4K HDR video at 60 frames per second. Thanks to the build quality, the Osmo Action is 11m Waterproof and-10℃ Temperature resistant, putting it among an elite list of cameras out there. Customers can pair the camera with their smartphone using the DJI Mimo app available for free on Android and iPhones.

As for the battery, it has a maximum capacity of 1,300 mAh, though the company falls short on mentioning how long each charge can last. The Osmo Action uses a USB C port for charging. The image quality offered by this action cam is pretty impressive as well. This is one of the best camera for any budding photographer thanks to the wide range of features it offers.

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2. VanTop Moment 4C

This time-lapse camera is fairly similar to the offering we talked about above, though there are a few changes on board. To start with, this camera is capable of recording content at 4K resolution at 60 frames per second, offering crystal clear videos. Moreover, it’s also excellent with time lapses, while it also has a 16 MP sensor for more than decent photos. The company mentions that this camera is waterproof up to 100ft/30m, allowing you to capture videos or photos underwater.

Thanks to Electronic Image Stabilization built-in, this camera is well suited for continuous shooting as it significantly reduces shakes or vibrations in your video. It comes with Wi-Fi enabled, allowing you to pair it with your phone for wireless controls of the camera. The company provides a handy remote control with a couple of buttons to help you start or stop video recording.

The VanTop Moment 4C comes with two rechargeable batteries which can be swapped within seconds. The idea is to have one fully charged battery spare so that you can use it when the other is running low. It should last a few hours depending on the usage, though the company doesn’t provide any specifics on battery life. We put this among the best time-lapse camera thanks to the simple to use features as well as the price.

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3. GoPro HERO9

If you’re looking for a more upgraded version of the GoPro we discussed above, the Hero9 is the action camera to get. One of the key upgrades here is the Hero9’s ability to shoot videos at 5K UHD 2880p, putting this among an elite list of action cameras in the market right now. Further, it can capture excellent photos at 20 MP. We also like the inclusion of a display on the front coupled with a touchscreen display on the back for controls and video resolution settings.

It can also live-stream video 1080p on supported social media platforms, which is a big upgrade compared to the Hero7. The inclusion of TimeWarp 3.0 allows users to capture smooth time-lapse video effortlessly without manual intermission. Undoubtedly one of the best features here is Hindsight. This basically starts recording the video 30 seconds before you hit the record button. This can come in handy if you want to relive a moment that occurred before you started recording.

As you would expect, this camera works with the GoPro app, which offers extensive features on your smartphone. The Hero9 also offers excellent low-light video and photos, making this the best camera in the market right now.

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4. GoPro Hero7

The GoPro Hero7 really needs no introduction given that it continues to be a massively popular action camera with a wide range of features to brag about. This camera uses HyperSmooth to offer gimbal-like video stabilization without using one. The inclusion of TimeWarp is what makes this well suited for time-lapse photography, letting users create well-stabilized videos. The GoPro Hero7 is designed to be rugged and waterproof up to 33 feet (10m).

We also like the decently sized touchscreen display on this time-lapse camera which gives the photographer access to the various shooting modes before a video is shot. Other features of this action camera include live streaming at 720p on social media platforms as well as support for 16 voice commands such as “GoPro, take a photo”. Unsurprisingly, the Hero7 is also good with still photos which are captured at 12 MP and can handle any light conditions. Combine this with the extremely capable GoPro app, and you have an excellent combo for all your time-lapse videos.

This camera comes with a 32GB microSD card included, though users can use cards of up to 128GB as per the company. Those looking to use the cloud storage option will need to get a GoPro subscription, and we recommend this option if you’re looking to capture a lot of time lapses, 4K videos, and photos. These features combined make this the best camera out there, especially for time-lapses.

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5. Dragon Touch Vision 3

The Vision 3 by Dragon Touch is an excellent camera to round off our list of the top time-lapse cameras. It comes with the ability to shoot 4K video by default which puts it among the best in the business. Though it doesn’t have a touchscreen display, the company has included a 2-inch preview screen which acts as a viewfinder for the camera while also giving you access to the general menu.

The company offers a waterproof case for the camera, allowing you to shoot content underwater. This offering comes with two 1,050 mAh rechargeable batteries. It also has a wireless remote that offers shutter buttons. This is in addition to Wi-Fi support via the app known as XDV which is a free download on Android and iOS.

Though this camera can sync with your Windows computers, the company specifies that it cannot work on Mac computers. Perhaps the most attractive aspect of this offering is the price. If you’re an amateur photographer who is looking to add time-lapse or continuous shooting to your repertoire, we highly recommend you to check out this offering.

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6. COOAU Action Best Time Lapse Cameras

As most people are aware, action cameras are excellent alternatives to dedicated time-lapse cameras since they offer pretty much the same functions. This offering by Cooau comes with a maximum video resolution of 3840 x 2160 (4K). In addition to capturing high-quality 4K video, this camera can also capture 20MP photos by default. To add to the long list of features, the manufacturer mentions that this offering is even compatible with underwater recording.

As for video quality, the company has built-in electronic image stabilization to reduce shaking and unnecessary movement from the videos. Further, this camera comes with an external microphone, allowing photographers to capture background noise by default. To make things easier for the users, the manufacturer also includes a remote to start and stop video recording. This camera can use microSD cards of up to 64GB, which may run out quickly if you’re recording too many 4K videos.

As for mobile use, customers can download the LIVE DV app to control all aspects of the camera, including recording and downloading. The company provides two 1,200 mAh replaceable batteries with this camera, with each lasting for a few hours before running out. There’s also a micro USB port to charge the port, and an HDMI port to plug in your laptop or other devices. This offering ticks all the boxes and is a decent camera for time-lapse photography.

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7. Brinno Empower TLC2020

The Brinno Empower TLC 2020 is relatively new to the market. This time-lapse camera expands on the best of other Brinno time-lapse cameras while offering the same reliability. The camera has a time-lapse mode, accompanied by stop motion and step video capture modes. One of the best aspects of this time-lapse camera is its ability to last a long time. It offers a maximum focal length of 35 millimeters which should be suitable for most purposes.

It uses four AA batteries, and can reportedly last for up to 82 days with a 5-min shooting interval, and 110 days with a 10-minute shooting interval. Those previously acquainted with Brinno equipment will like to know that this camera is also compatible with the BCS18-5mm lens sold separately by the manufacturer. As for use cases, the manufacturer mentions this is suitable for outdoor construction, home school, indoor activities, and more.

This camera can record video at a maximum video resolution of 1920 x 1080. The company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee with this time-lapse camera which is complemented by a 1-year warranty. Customers can further get a 6-month extension on the warranty by simply registering the product on the company’s website. If you’re looking for an easy-to-use camera with time-lapse, the Brinno TLC2020 should be high on your list.

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8. Brinno TLC200

The Brinno TLC200 has a lot of fans out there, and with good reason. This time-lapse/stop motion camera has a lot to offer, albeit in a small package. Much like other cameras in this segment, the Brinno TLC200 comes with an LCD screen and a scrolling button right below to help you set the right modes before shooting time lapses.

However, customers should know that the Brinno TLC200 originally launched a few years ago, so you’re likely to find newer versions of time-lapse cameras in the marketplace. However, this particular offering makes the cut for its low-cost appeal, particularly in comparison to some of the cameras we’re going to talk about today. Though it doesn’t contain weatherproof features by default, the Brinno TLC200 can be used with the company’s ATH110 attachment to make it truly resistant to rain or snow.

This time-lapse camera is also compatible with the AWM100 attachment that allows the TLC200 to stay in place with the help of a strong base. Thanks to these factors, we consider the TLC200 by Brinno to be among the best time-lapse camera out there, particularly for a new photographer.

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9. ATLI EON Best Time Lapse Cameras

The Atli Eon has a very unique design for a time-lapse camera, though it is perhaps one of the best suited for this very reason. It’s small, which means it can easily adjust to the angles you want to set. The company uses an f/2.8 sensor here, which isn’t the best out there but will certainly get the job done, especially at this size.

The Eon can shoot at a maximum resolution of 1080p, which holds it back somewhat given that other cameras can shoot 4K videos. However, this should be a non-issue if you’re looking for a camera to make time-lapse photography easier and effortless. The manufacturer is also kind enough to offer a lens cover, while the camera offers scheduling features to turn the camera on at a particular time of the day.

Users can control the app wirelessly over Wi-Fi using the aTLi Cam app available for Android and iOS devices. In terms of storage, the manufacturer provides a standard 16GB microSD card with this offering, which can be replaced by the customer with their own. However, capacity isn’t specified by Atli. This camera can shoot decent video even in low-light conditions. Taking these factors into account, the Atli Eon is a decent alternative to the wide variety of cameras we’ve talked about today. It’s available in two colors – Black and White.

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10. Brinno TLC130 Best Time Lapse Cameras

This is an exciting offering that comes in a small package. The TLC130 is rated to be a time-lapse + step video camera which means you can shoot a variety of videos by default. One of the highlights of this time-lapse camera is its 11-day battery life, something that’s unheard of in this business. However, 11 days of uptime is only based on a 5-minute capture interval, so it may differ with heavier use. The company doesn’t offer a micro SD card with this camera.

This camera is IPX4 rated water-resistant, though it is not rated to be used underwater. Much like other Brinno cameras on this list, the TLC130 is compatible with the Brinno App which is a free download for Android and iOS devices. Since there’s no display on the camera, the app acts as a viewfinder of sorts while also letting you modify or tweak the shooting mode.

The aforementioned app also lets you edit videos and share them on social media instantly, making it one of the must-have tools for this camera. It is also compatible with a handful of Brinno camera accessories, making this a versatile offering. Thanks to the simple controls, this is one of the easiest cameras to create a time-lapse on.

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