Camera Labs

I want to buy a compact camera but with a time lapse feature. Are there any that are on the market?

I want a rate of 1 shot per second to 1 shot per 10 seconds.

I dont want the "movie" mode as that is usually vastly reduced resolution, I would like the normal cameras resulition of at least 5 meg pix.

Many thanks
John

Hi John,

A very warm welcome to the CameraLabs forum.

I get a sense that there isn't a compact camera out there that matches your specification but I would be delighted to be proved wrong. For instance, the Ricoh Caplio GX100 has a timer which runs from one frame every 5 seconds to one every 3 hours but, searching the net this afternoon, I couldn't find one that goes faster. Indeed, some compact cameras max out at 1 fps continuous shooting.

Canon produced the Digital IXUS Wireless compact which can be remote controlled from a PC. I think the camera can still be found but I can't imagine that this is the solution you want. If you are prepared to lug a notebook around then why not use a DSLR? In any event, I imagine camera battery life would be a real issue.

Maybe it would help forum members more knowledgeable than myself if you were to share your intended application(s) and budget and why it has to be a compact camera.

Sorry not to be able to solve your problem.

Bob.

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Hi John, I think Bob's right - if you want the camera's full resolution, then you'll probably need to fire it manually or more likely with a computer.

Do you have software which can present these frames in smooth motion though, like a high resolution video? Most slideshows will be too slow, and most video editors will max out at 1920x1080 - (2mpixel) resolution for HD...

you can make awsome time lapse videos in Photoshop CS3 extended!

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I've hardly had a chance to touch CS3 yet - can you explain what the time lapse feature does and how it works?

Thanks guys... I appreciate your help!
John

I havnt had a chance to play with time lapse myself but there is a brief tutorial on photoshop user tv episode 101, heres the link: http://www.photoshopusertv.com/photoshoptv/photoshopuser-tv-episode-101-october-1-2007.html

The time lapse bit is 19 minutes 18 seconds into the episode.
there was one on episode 97 but this episode is no longer free to download.
hope this helps.

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Nikon D80 w/ Nikkor 18-135mm/ Nikkor 70-300mm VR/ Nikkor 50mm 1.8/ Nikon SB-25
Tamrac Digital 3 bag, Tamrac adventure 9
BR-2A reversing ring

My flickr page

I've got a Canon Powershot S80, and I'm sure that's got an 'intervalometer' feature in it. It's a very good compact with full manual controls, just a bit noisy at 400 iso. I would imagine at least some other canon's could do this?

Found this via google, Intervalometer Shooting interval: approx. 1 - 60 min. (1-min. increments)
Number of shots: 2 - 100 shots (Maximum number of shots varies according to memory card capacity.)

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