Timelapse calculator: interval, duration, storage
In interval shooting, three quantities are tightly linked: the interval, the shooting duration, and the finished clip's length. Set two — the calculator computes the third, plus the frame count and storage needed.
Input data
Result
Always turn off stabilization for interval shooting: it drifts frame to frame, and the drift accumulates — the finished clip will “swim.” Set exposure and white balance manually, or auto modes will cause flicker.
How it's calculated
- Frame count is the shooting duration divided by the interval.
- Clip duration is the frame count divided by the clip's frame rate. Hence the rule of thumb: a minute of clip at 25 fps costs 1500 shots.
- The reverse problem — what interval to use to get a clip of the desired length at the same shooting duration.
Example: An hour-long shoot at a 5 s interval → 720 frames, a 28.8 s clip at 25 fps, and 17.58 GB on the card. To fit into 20 s, the interval needs to be 7.2 s.
Frames = shooting duration ÷ interval; clip duration = frames ÷ frame rate; storage = frames × frame size.
This is an estimate
Verify final values against current standards, the project design, and equipment nameplates.