PowerShot Cameras

Recommended Models

    S5 IS, G9, SX100 IS, S3 IS, A640, A620, S80, G7

PowerShot models are actually better for time-lapse than EOS models because they are inexpensive and have fewer moving parts. EOS models have a complex shutter mechanism with a limited lifetime. Their superior resolution is not necessary when you realize that even high-definition video frame is only 2 mega-pixels. PowerShot cameras have a simpler shutter that last longer and more than adequate resolution for hi-def video.

Most Canon PowerShot cameras are capable of doing time-lapse by remote capture. But, Canon has chosen to remove the remote capture capability form it's smaller SD models and most models in the A-Series.

Desireable Features

• Reliabililty - Newer models are much more reliable than models released prior to Fall of 2006. Older models are prone to capture errors. (See our discussion of Camera Errors.)
• Fast Image Transfer - An image transfer time of 3 seconds or less makes a camera much more useful for time-lapse of action subjects such as traffic or people. Times of 6 seconds or more are good for clouds and landscape.
• Auto Power Up - Connecting the USB cable to the computer automatically turns on the camera. This is a good feature for remote operation where you can't easily get to the camera (maybe it's outside or mounted on a pole). If you lose power and restart your computer, you don't have to go to the camera and manually turn it back on.
• Manual Mode - Manual mode allows you to set the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO rather than relying on the camera to set everything automatically.
• AFLock - AFLock locks the focus so the camera doesn't focus before each shot. Because focusing takes time, AFLock allows shorter time-lapse intervals. It also prevents the camera from losing focus during a time-lapse session due to low light levels (such as when the sun is setting).
• AC Adapter - An AC adapter is used to power the camera from a wall socket instead of from its internal battery, useful for long duration time-lapse.
• 12v Car Adapter - A 12 volt adapter is an optional attachment used to power the camera from an automobile accessory socket instead of from the camera's internal battery. This can be useful when capturing time-lapse at locations away from power sources.

Camera Notes

Here are notes on a few PowerShot cameras that we have used. Desireable features are highlighted in green and the lack of a desireable feature is shown in red.

• S3 IS - Reliability, Fast Image Transfer, Auto Power Up, Manual Mode, AFLock, AC Adapter, 12v Car Adapter
  Excellent camera, sufficient image quality for High-Definintion video, great zoom range, a lens adapter and wide angle conversion lens is available. We use this camera for most of our outdoor time-lapse work.
• A620 - Reliability, Fast Image Transfer, Auto Power Up, Manual Mode, AFLock, AC Adapter, 12v Car Adapter
  Excellent camera, sufficient image quality for High-Definintion video, small. We use ours for moving shots by attaching it to an outside camera mount on the windshield of our vehicle.
• G2 - Reliability, Fast Image Transfer, Auto Power Up, Manual Mode, AFLock, AC Adapter, 12v Car Adapter
  An inexpensive camera with sufficient resolution to create hi-definition video. Good for indoor work where AFLock is not required, but that is limiting for outdoor work in low light levels. Out G2 has been running for over 60,000 images without an error.
• Pro 1 - Reliability, Fast Image Transfer, Auto Power Up, Manual Mode, AFLock, AC Adapter, 12v Car Adapter
  An 8 megapixel camera that can zoom out to 28mm, but battery life is not as good as others.
• G5 - Reliability, Fast Image Transfer, Auto Power Up, Manual Mode, AFLock, AC Adapter, 12v Car Adapter
  Excellent camera, but the lens at wide zoom is only 35mm. Can be widened to 24.5mm with the WC-DC58N lens converter. Good battery life. Our G5 seems to have a capture failure every 3,000 or so images and a camera lock-up after about 15,000 images. The shutter has been very durable with over 250,000 total images.
• G3 - Reliability, Fast Image Transfer, Auto Power Up, Manual Mode, AFLock, AC Adapter, 12v Car Adapter
  Good camera with excellent battery life, but the Canon supplied camera driver is prone to errors, so it is not a good choice for long-term unattended time-lapse.