
With its high-resolution video, waterproof construction, built-in image stabilization, compact size and low cost compared to the majority of DSLR cameras, GoPro is one of the best time lapse cameras available. Not to mention, HyperSmooth technology makes it possible to shoot a smooth action time lapse, which we call a TimeWarp.
Time Lapse Video vs. Time Lapse Photo
Learning how to time lapse with GoPro cameras is easy. To start, it helps to understand that GoPro cameras provides two time lapse modes. In both modes, GoPro cameras captures still images at regular intervals. In Time Lapse Video mode, GoPro cameras automatically stitches stills into a video file. This is the easiest way to create time lapse video.
In Time Lapse Photo mode, GoPro cameras save each still image separately and you can stitch them together yourself with your preferred software. Yes, this involves more work, but it also gives you more control.
To shoot time lapse in either mode, simply swipe left-to-right or right-to-left to select Time Lapse on the back LCD screen or toggle to Time Lapse by pressing the power button. By swiping top-to-bottom, you can access ProTune settings and choose between Time Lapse Video or Photo mode under Format.
Time Lapse vs. TimeWarp
GoPro's Time Lapse mode is used for standard time lapse capture-GoPro sits on a stable surface and doesn't move for the duration of the shot. In TimeWarp mode, GoPro applies HyperSmooth stabilization technology, which means you can move GoPro and still get smooth action time/hyper lapse shots.
Simply put: Use Time Lapse for stationary shooting and TimeWarp for movement.
Imagine capturing your marathon or a tedious road trip or even a top-to-bottom trail and being able to share quick, compelling AND dynamic content without shake. This is exactly what TimeWarp delivers. Plus, in TimeWarp, you can jump to Real Time (aka regular video)by tapping the screen, allowing you to create creative ramp-up shots.
Time Lapse settings
GoPro Time Lapse settings include:
Resolution: Shoot at up to 4K resolution with HERO11 Black Action Camera, Mini (Small Action Camera) and HERO10 Black.
Interval: This is how often GoPro cameras capture a still-anywhere from half a second to an hour.
Lens: Choose Wide, Narrow or Linear just as you would in normal video mode.
Format: Choose between Time Lapse Video or Photo mode.
Scheduled Capture: This allows you to schedule when time lapse starts. This can also be used to toggle the camera on and start capture when its been placed somewhere strategic.
Duration: Define how long GoPro should capture time lapse footage. Set to no limit to capture until you stop it.
Timer: Set a start delay so you can get into the shot (or out of it).
Zoom: Zoom in from 1.0x (all the way out) to 2.0x.
In addition, you can change ProTune settings just like in normal video mode and choose Night Lapse mode for night time lapse with more low-light friendly shutter speeds. HERO11 Black also adds three new Night Effects called Star Trails, Vehicle Lights and Light Painting modes for a whole new range of creative possibilities.
The best Time Lapse accessories
Time Lapse and TimeWarp are easy out of the box, but a few accessories can help ensure you nail the shot. For stability in Time Lapse mode, use the Volta (External Battery Grip / Tripod / Remote), which is a tripod and external battery. GoPro can shoot time lapse for as long as the battery lasts, so having an external power source is handy to extend your shoot.
Either Volta or the Enduro Rechargeable Battery will provide extra juice for long TimeWarp videos too, say on a long bike ride or hike. Finally, try the Protective Camera Housing + Waterproof Case for HERO11 Black to get intense deep water TimeWarp video.
Time Lapse is one of the coolest video effects you to experiment with, and it's a cinch with GoPro. Get out there and try your hand at some creative time lapse video today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a GoPro good for time lapse?
GoPro cameras are excellent for time lapse, both in a fixed position and on the move!
What is the best time lapse camera?
With multiple time lapse modes, HyperSmooth image stabilization and GoPros special TimeWarp mode, GoPro cameras is one of the best time lapse cameras around.
Difference between Time Lapse Video vs Time Lapse Photo vs TimeWarp on GoPro?
Time Lapse Video mode captures images at regular intervals, automatically stitching them into a video file. Time Lapse Photo captures the same images but saves them as individual files you can stitch together yourself. Finally, TimeWarp adds HyperSmooth image stabilization for moving time lapse and the ability to drop into regular video mode on the fly for cool ramp-up effects.
How long can a GoPro do a time lapse?
GoPro cameras can time lapse as long as the battery lasts and theres room on the SD card. This means it depends on the resolution you shoot at, the type of battery youre using and the size of your SD card.
How to time lapse with GoPro?
Time lapse with GoPro cameras is easy. Just choose Time Lapse mode by swiping on the home screen or pushing the power button to scroll through modes.
GoPro time lapse settings?
In Time Lapse mode, you have access to all the video and ProTune settings like resolution, color profile, field of view and so on. Plus, you can choose Time Lapse Video or Time Lapse Photo mode, interval, TimeWarp mode, scheduled capture or set a timer.
Best GoPro accessories to shoot time lapse video?
To enhance your time lapse experience, we recommend extra battery life from Volta or the Enduro Rechargeable Battery and for amazing deep water TimeWarp, add the Protective Housing.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
28/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/08/2026
Global media technology company Backlight will showcase its latest innovations across Iconik and Wildmoka live video creation and distribution at IBC2026 (booth...
28/08/2026
Emergent, a developer of browser-based, AI-enhanced content production tools, will present its complete AI-enhanced content production platform at IBC2026, exhi...
28/08/2026
Joseph Bell Announces VFX & Animation World Atlas 2026
Joseph Bell August 28, 2026
0 Comments
Joseph Bell's Visual Effects & Animation World Atlas...
28/08/2026
Paris-Troyes en Champagne Goes Live on France.tv with AVEO
Brie Clayton August 28, 2026
0 Comments
Regional audiovisual company builds broadcastgrade ...
28/08/2026
DHD to Introduce its Third-Generation Audio Mixing Console at IBC 2026
Brie Clayton August 28, 2026
0 Comments
DHD.audio has chosen IBC 2026 as the la...
28/08/2026
Encompass Digital Media and Grass Valley are expanding their collaboration with the launch of Altitude Playout Plus, a software-defined channel origination plat...
28/08/2026
Yospace, the trusted leader in Dynamic Ad Insertion (DAI), has announced the release of its Ad Presentation solution, which enables broadcasters to apply non-li...
28/08/2026
TSL Showcases Reduced Complexity for Control & Monitoring Across IP Workflows at IBC2026
New TSL Hummingbird capabilities including Dante control routing, toge...
28/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/08/2026
GlobalM and Lamhas Satellite Services today announced a new agreement that will see GlobalMs GMX technology deployed as part of Lamhas expanding managed IP broa...
28/08/2026
Integrated 25GbE Connectivity Delivers UHD Video Directly to Up to Two Monitors, Eliminates External Gateways, and Supports SMPTE ST 2022-7 Network-Path Protect...
28/08/2026
Interactive Ask Me Anything sessions will connect broadcasters and technology providers with the experts developing a practical, interoperable roadmap for sof...
28/08/2026
At IBC2026, TAG will show sub-2-frame latency and 800 Gbps of aggregate scale for uncompressed ST 2110 monitoring in software, live MXL interoperability with pa...
28/08/2026
SportsBox, BHV's Ultra-Compact 4K Remote Switcher, Moves from Development to Production at IBC 2026
SportsBox brings flexibility without compromise to high...
28/08/2026
Lutz Rathmann named CEO of Riedel Communications Anthony Zuyderhoff to lead unified customer-facing organization as CCO
Riedel Communications is strengthenin...
28/08/2026
LA JOLLA, CA-Scripps Research has established the Pete Schultz Fund for Innovati...
28/08/2026
LA JOLLA, CA-Chemical structures called cyclopropanols are among the most useful...
27/08/2026
ESPN and Disney are launching College Football Saturdays, adding two college football games per week to Disney for U.S. subscribers as part of their existing ...
27/08/2026
Zixi will exhibit at IBC2026 (Hall 5, Stand 5.A76, RAI Amsterdam, September 11-14), demonstrating the Zixi Platform and the latest release of Zixi Broadcaster, ...
27/08/2026
NDI has announced that its ecosystem has surpassed 1.2 million NDI-enabled hardware nodes worldwide, spanning products from more than 200 hardware brands across...
27/08/2026
Clear-Com conducted a pre-launch field trial of FreeSpeak Cell during Carnival 2026 in Rio de Janeiro, in partnership with Brazilian systems integrator Savana C...
27/08/2026
BHV returns to IBC 2026 with an important milestone for its own SportsBox: the broadcast industry's smallest remote vision mixer and format processor has mo...
27/08/2026
TOGETHXR and Snapchat have announced the second cohort of their Snap the Gap content creator program, welcoming nine athletes as Snap Stars. The program provide...
27/08/2026
MediaKind has announced that CNBC UK has selected Beam to modernize its contribution and distribution infrastructure for live broadcast operations. The deployme...
27/08/2026
Monitor engineer Chris Dwight has deployed Sennheiser's Spectera wideband bi...
27/08/2026
Telestream has announced an expansion of its UP cloud-native platform, adding capabilities for orchestrating Telestream services, third-party technologies, and ...
27/08/2026
Swerve TV has signed a multi-year partnership with GLORY Kickboxing, bringing live GLORY events and library programming to Swerve Combat, Swerve TV's free a...
27/08/2026
Dalet has announced a new integrated content experience with Agence France-Presse (AFP) in Dalet Flex, designed to bring AFP's editorial metadata into the p...
27/08/2026
Grass Valley will demonstrate an integrated live production environment at IBC2026 (Booth 9.A01, RAI Amsterdam, September 11-14), combining K-Frame, Maverik X, ...
27/08/2026
The National Women's Soccer League and Roku have announced an expanded partnership, with the Roku Sports Channel becoming the exclusive streaming home of ei...
27/08/2026
FuboTV has announced the launch of ACC Network Extra (ACCNX) and SEC Network (SECN ) on the Fubo streaming service at no additional cost to subscribers with En...
27/08/2026
Sports marketers have entered the experiential age. Today, sports teams, leagues, and venues are increasingly using immersive interactions and real world events...
27/08/2026
MultiDyne will introduce the MDoG-8800 at IBC2026 (Stand 11.C12, RAI Amsterdam, September 11-14), extending its openGear portfolio with a high-density fiber tra...
27/08/2026
The Joint Task Force on the Dynamic Media Facility (JT-DMF), an initiative of AMWA and the EBU, will host a series of informal Ask Me Anything sessions during...
27/08/2026
Homestream, a mobile app that automatically syncs a team's local radio broad...
27/08/2026
A packager for TNT Sports, Kwokman Productions is on hand for the unique event w...
27/08/2026
After more than 3,000 games, five members of YES Network's original staff re...
27/08/2026
Physical modelling orchestral instrument announced
Following their recent cryptic hints, Dreamtonics have officially revealed the latest addition to their s...
27/08/2026
M5 Ultra-equipped Studio most powerful Mac to date
Apple have just announced a design refresh which they say makes the Mac mini fiercer and more versatil...
27/08/2026
Sampler receivers major upgrades
Bitwig's latest DAW update brings some major changes to the Sampler device, kitting it out with new slicing options, tw...
27/08/2026
Designed specifically for hard-hitting modern bass
Designed specifically for bass-heavy electronic music, the latest plug-in from Arturia aims to offer an a...
27/08/2026
Advertisers gain granular CTV targeting and turnkey reporting across eligible in...
27/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...