Surely many of you have seen hyperlapse and time-lapse videos on YouTube showing various natural phenomena or simply beautiful views in accelerated mode.

Overlap and time-lapse video are not the same thing. Hyperlapse technology involves shooting accelerated video with image stabilization. To create a time-lapse video, the camera of a device mounted on a tripod must take pictures at a very low frame rate, which are then "glued" together.
Previously, the technology of such video filming required expensive equipment and lengthy editing in the editor, but with the advent of special software for smartphones, everything changed.

In this article, we'll show you how any Android smartphone owner can shoot hyperlapse and time-lapse video without wasting a huge amount of time.

How to shoot hyperlapse video using Microsoft Hyperlapse Mobile app

Thanks to the Microsoft Hyperlapse Mobile application, creating hyperlapse videos will become a simple task - you just shoot a regular video, and then send your video for processing in Microsoft Hyperlapse Mobile. With the help of special technologies, the application smooths out image shaking and produces a spectacular video with accelerated motion.

Here are some examples to show how Microsoft Hyperlapse renders source material.

After you install and run the program, you will be prompted to load the existing video into it or shoot a new one.

For best results, we recommend that you use video captured with Microsoft Hyperlapse Mobile. To do this, you just need to click on the button with the camera image, and on the next screen - on the red button to start recording.

After the video is finished, a slider will appear at the bottom of the application, by moving it you can select the required video playback speed. After that, you need to click on the checkbox on the right and wait for the application to process and save your video.

Time Lapse Video Applications

Time-lapse video is shooting video over a long period of time, recording a scene or objects that change very slowly over time. Thus, the video can capture hours, days, weeks, and then is played back at an accelerated rate.

As with hyperlapse video, you can create time-lapse videos using your Android smartphone. There are dozens of time-lapse video apps available on the Google Play store, but the best in our opinion are Framelapse - Time Lapse Camera and Lapse It.

Framelapse - Time Lapse Camera

Framelapse - Time Lapse Camera is a multifunctional mobile application for creating time lapse videos on devices running the Android operating system.

- Frame interval;

- Ability to set video duration to automatically stop recording;

- Built-in calculator for calculating the duration of the video;

- Zoom and autofocus;

- Selfie timer, white balance, color effects, exposure;

- Video resolution;

- Output video in high quality in mp4 format;

- Immediate loss, no processing;

- Display the duration of the recorded videos;

- Dynamic preview of frame size without cropping;

- Built-in guide and help.

Accessibility features of Framelapse - Time Lapse Camera app:

- Setting the interval from 0.1 second to 24 hours;

- Setting the duration of the video;

- Selfie timer setting;

- White balance lock;

- Exposure lock;

- Mode "magic wand" for automatic setting of the interval;

- Sleep mode (screen off) while recording is in progress so as not to drain the battery.

In the Framelapse - Time Lapse Camera app you will also find beautiful templates and backgrounds to complement and diversify your videos.

Lapse it

Lapse It is an excellent time lapse app from the developers of Interactive Universe.
With the Lapse It app, you can capture sunrises and sunsets, flowers blooming, water movement and much more. All you need to do is just select the desired functions in the settings and set your device motionless.

Click on "Every 2 secs" in the toolbar on the left to change the interval at which frames will be taken for the video (adjust it in milliseconds, seconds or minutes). Video quality can go up to 1080p, frames can be imported from gallery and then combined into video.

The main features of the application:

- Ability to set the frequency of photographing in the settings (in milliseconds, seconds and hours);

- Ability to select the quality of shooting (up to 1080p);

- Ability to add musical accompaniment;

- Front camera support;

- Export in H264, MP4, MOV and FLV formats.

Have you ever tried to shoot hyperlapse or time-lapse video? Share your impressions in the comments.

Timelapse is a spectacular and very popular form of photography and video shooting with a reduced number of frames. The result is accelerated picture playback at normal speed. Thus, you can shoot various phenomena and processes (running clouds, traffic on city streets, melting ice), which take several hours in time, and then show them in a video in one minute.

However, many do not dare to try their hand at timelap, as they are sure that this effect is feasible only on advanced SLR cameras. In fact, you can shoot an interesting accelerated video using your Android smartphone.

In our article, we will tell you step by step how to make timelapse on a mobile device, and what is needed for this.

Step 1. Prepare your smartphone

To shoot high-quality timelapse, it is important to meet certain conditions so as not to be disappointed in the final result. And you need to start, in fact, from the gadget itself:

1. The smartphone must have a good camera that can shoot even in difficult conditions, for example, at dusk.
2. Make sure your device has a lot of memory. One minute of video in high definition takes from 100 to 300 MB. Therefore, before shooting a timelapse, you need to either free up more space in the device's memory, or set up the camera to save photos and videos to an external sd card.
3. Charge your smartphone 100%. The fact is that timelapse shooting can take more than one hour. If you are not sure that the battery capacity is enough for the entire timelap preparation process, connect a charger or power-bank.
4. To prevent an accidental call from disrupting your work, set up Do Not Disturb. This can be done in the "Profiles" section in the phone settings. As a last resort, you can pull out the SIM card from your mobile phone.

Among Fly smartphones, models with powerful processors, 13 megapixel cameras and capacious batteries are ideal for creating timelapse in all the necessary parameters:

• Fly selfie 1
• Fly Cirrus 16
• Fly Cirrus 14
• Fly Cirrus 13
• Fly Cirrus 12
• Fly Cirrus 7

By the way, you can also use it as an external charger due to a capacious 5000 mAh battery, and Fly Selfie 1 allows you to use the front camera for shooting timelapse - its resolution is 13 megapixels.

Step 2. Stabilize your smartphone

Timelapse filming is carried out on a firmly fixed device. If you shoot video handheld, camera shake can severely spoil the effect of the accelerated video. Therefore, the smartphone must be secured in a tripod. For details on how and by what means this can be done, read our article "A tripod for a smartphone". The best option is a tripod or flexible holder.

However, a stabilizer for a smartphone can be made with your own hands from improvised means. To do this, you need a pair of clothespins and a pen (a thick felt-tip pen or pencil will also work). We made such a tripod for Fly Cirrus 12 in just a couple of minutes:

Step 3. Search for an idea

It is clear that it makes no sense to shoot a static object using timelaps. Objects in the frame should move, even if it takes several hours. And here your possibilities as an operator are endless. The most obvious thing is to install the camera in the window, filming a crowded street or traffic. A spectacular video can be obtained if beautiful cumulus clouds are floating in the sky.

However, a great video will turn out not only in an urban environment. By installing your smartphone in a field or forest, you can make a beautiful video with the movement of insects or falling leaves.

Step 4. Selecting an application

Over the past few years, a lot of applications have been released for Android, created for shooting timelapse. We have chosen the most convenient and reliable ones that even an inexperienced user can handle.

Android application that allows you to create two types of timelapse:

• Photo Lapse
• Video Lapse

The first type can be used to record processes that take several days or weeks, for example, weight loss, muscle gain, or flower growth. Accordingly, the second type is suitable for capturing the movement of objects in the frame. The finished video can be added to YouTube directly from the application, as well as watch the best timelaps of other users.

Feature-rich app for creating stunning time-lapse videos on your device. Framelapse lets you create spectacular timelaps effortlessly with a simple and intuitive interface.

Main functions of the application

• Frame interval for speed adjustment
• Video duration
• Set to automatically stop recording
• Built-in calculator for adjusting recording length
• Auto focus options.
• Self-timer, white balance, color effects, exposure compensation
• Video resolution and rotation.
• Instant playback and fast rendering
• Number of frames indicator

For those new to timelapse, the app contains a detailed guide as well as a list of frequently asked questions.

A wide range of settings and ease of use - this application Lapse It is loved by a huge number of users. In the convenient program menu, you can set the shooting frequency, select the quality up to 1080p, add music, export to H264, MP4, MOV and FLV.

Here you can watch and get inspired by the best timelapse videos and add your own masterpiece.

Step 5. Shooting timelapse

So, if you've prepared your smartphone, came up with an idea, picked up an application and installed the gadget on a tripod, you can start shooting. In our case, we used the Time Lapse Camera app to demonstrate the melting of an ice cube.

The application is extremely easy to use:

• Select the type of timelap (in our case, video)
• Open the side menu
• Choose a resolution (it is better to set the maximum)
• Assign frame interval (6 to 24 seconds)
• Choose the maximum duration (from 1 minute to infinity)

If desired, you can set the recording start timer and filter. We used the default settings, choosing maximum resolution, an interval of 6 seconds and an unlimited duration. As a result, the application added 30 minutes of recording to 8 seconds. The result can be seen in this video:

Now you know what timelapse is, how to shoot such videos on a smartphone, and what is needed for this. Did you make a cool video? Share a link to it in the comments to this article!

Timelapse is one of the genres of videography, the essence of which is the noticeable acceleration of slow processes that are imperceptible to the human eye. Many separate frames taken with the same interval from one point are glued into one clip. Because of this, the lengthy process is reduced by at least an order of magnitude!

Time-lapse photography was originally used in science. A little later, she gained popularity among professional photographers. Long preparation, painstaking shooting and laborious editing of the finished result - this is how the process of production of time-lapse video could be described a few years ago. Today, due to the rapid development of mobile technologies, everything comes down to installing a special application on a smartphone and looking for an idea!

What is required to create a video?

Well-prepared equipment is half the battle! First of all, we need a smartphone. Any device on Android will do, an important condition is a good camera. The quality of the final video depends on it, which is especially important when shooting in low light conditions.

Time-lapse means getting all frames from one point, the camera must be fixed, even the slightest movement is unacceptable. A tripod is the most convenient way to mount your smartphone. For more information on tripods and their use in mobile photography, see. Alternatively, you can mount your smartphone using a regular car holder, which is available for every car enthusiast. This method is not universal, but shooting time lapses with a view from the window will do. Be careful, the suction cups to the glass tend to fall at the most inopportune moment - secure your smartphone. In addition to car holders, a variety of stands and docking stations will also work. The main condition is the ability to place the device horizontally.

Remember to prepare your smartphone before shooting. First of all, make sure that there is enough space in the device's memory to record a video. One minute of video in HD quality takes up about 100 MB of disk space - a ridiculous amount for our time, free up memory with a small margin.

The second detail is nutrition. Shooting a video is an energy-consuming process, charge your smartphone battery in advance. Better yet, use a stationary power supply, or an external battery in the field.

Besides, do not forget about the weather conditions. Shooting in direct sunlight in calm weather can cause overheating and damage the device. Sudden rain will be a surprise too! Choose a shaded area that is open to the wind. In case rain is predicted, take care of protecting your smartphone.

The application interface is completely Russified. The main menu is divided into three tabs, besides the videos you shot, the best time-lapse videos from YouTube are aggregated in a separate section - a great place to find inspiration!

The app supports two modes. The first of them - photolapse (Photo Lapse) is useful in the case when you need to demonstrate how the subject changes over a long period of time. The video is assembled from many separate frames, taken at intervals from a day to a week. At the same time, it is important to take photographs from approximately one point so that the photolapse does not turn into a slideshow of little-related frames. With the help of this technique, it is possible to demonstrate changes in the physical form and appearance of people in dynamics: weight loss, the result of gaining muscle mass, pregnancy, and growing up. In addition, the technique will be useful for demonstrating the construction process, plant growth, and so on. For convenience, the application will automatically remind you of the next frame, depending on the selected interval.

The second mode is Video Lapse, at first glance the interface resembles a regular video recording. The key difference is the advanced settings. The application allows you to adjust the resolution, all modes recorded by the smartphone are supported. Frame interval ranging from 0.1 second to 60 seconds, acceleration by 3 and 1800 times, respectively. The duration of filming is up to 12 hours, the application does not calculate the timing of the finished video in advance, you have to figure it out in your head. After recording starts, the display dims to the minimum value to save energy and prevent overheating.

Framelapse - an alternative to TimeSpirit. The most downloaded time-lapse recording software on Google Play.

The application is not Russified, while the interface is simple and straightforward even without knowledge of English. The main menu is the viewfinder window, no additional actions, launched and immediately began recording.

Like the previous program, Framelapse records videos in all supported resolutions. The highest possible resolution is marked Recommended. The interval between frames is set from 0.1 second to 60 seconds. It is possible to preset the duration of the finished video, the informant on the main screen will notify about the time it takes to record. Among other things: a timer, change of the autofocus mode, white balance correction, various effects and manual exposure compensation.

A special mode helps to automatically calculate the interval between frames, depending on the selected recording duration and the finished clip. This function is declared in the PRO version, but for some reason it works in the free version too.

If, when creating a time-lapse, the wrong interval between frames was selected or the finished video lacks contrast, you will have to edit the source material. One of the easiest video editors for android - ActionDirector from CyberLink.

The application interface looks neat, not overloaded. Unfortunately, the menu is not Russified, but mastering the program will not cause difficulties, each function is indicated graphically.

Timelapse is a new technique for recording video material, which was used only by professionals some time ago. Today it is available to amateur operators with a strong desire to shoot and the equipment necessary for this.

Most likely, every person in his life at least once watched a video in which all processes visible to the eye are presented with an unusual, increased speed. It is this genre that is called time-lapse. It is created in such a way that separate frames are taken from one place at the same interval. Then they are combined into one video sequence.

Timelapse - interval shooting - began to be used for scientific purposes. After that, professional photographers began to use it. The process of creating such a video included a lot of work, not only painstaking filming, but also lengthy editing. In our time, with the development of technology, creating time-lapse video has become a simple and quick task. To do this, you only need to have an appropriate electronic device and a special application.

What you need to shoot

First of all, you need to properly prepare the equipment. It can be a smartphone or tablet, the main thing is that it has a high-quality camera with a good resolution. Then the result will be successful, regardless of ambient light or other factors.

In addition to the smartphone itself, you need to get a tripod. You cannot do without it, as it will help eliminate even the slightest movement of the camera, which is unacceptable during interval shooting.

If you don't have a tripod, you can try the alternative, the car mount. Although suction cups are used in such equipment, they are not always reliable, so care should be taken with a safety harness. If you don't have a car holder either, get creative and pick up any item that can serve as a stand so that the device is placed horizontally.

Another thing to consider before recording is to make sure there is enough memory on the external drive. A good video in HD quality takes about 100 MB / minute. It seems a little, but if the video is long, it is important prepare enough space.

When shooting a video, the battery is discharged much faster than in sleep mode, therefore, so that the process is not interrupted, you need to fully charge the device in advance, and also take with you a power bank (portable external battery that works without a power source), which can be connected if necessary ...

You also need to take care of the condition of your smartphone and protect it from the harmful effects of the environment. For example, if the location is sunny for filming, the device may overheat. Or, on the contrary, it will rain unexpectedly, which will easily ruin the device. So think through all the moments find a safe place and protect your smartphone he's in trouble.

Video recording may be interrupted if someone calls, so set the airplane mode so that nobody will disturb you. If you need to always be in touch, use a different phone, rearranging your working SIM card into it.

Time Lapse Video Recording Applications

Time lapse camera

Devices running the Android operating system can easily run different time-lapse video applications. One of them is distinguished by the absence of annoying ads and the ability to use it for free. It's called Time Spirit.

The program interface is clear and simple. It has been fully translated into Russian. The menu has three sections: active, ready-made and tops. In them you will be able to see not only self-filmed videos, but also the most popular from YouTube. These videos can serve as a great occasion for new ideas.

There are two interesting modes in the Time Spirit app. The first is called photolapse... You can use it if you want to capture a change in external forms or dynamics. For example, how a person loses weight, how they gain muscle mass, how their belly grows during pregnancy, or how a child grows up. This technique is sometimes used to demonstrate the construction process, plant growth, etc. If there is not enough functionality for processing the captured photos, you can resort to third-party applications, for example "".

The technique works this way: a video is created from a huge number of small frames that are shot at a set interval, it can be from 24 hours to 7 days. The user is required to install the smartphone in the same place to get a real time-lapse video, not a slideshow. Depending on what time interval you set, the program will automatically remind you that it is time to take the next frame.

The second mode is called videolapse... Unlike normal recording, this mode allows you to customize certain settings to achieve extraordinary results. The interval between frames can be set to 0.1-60 seconds, the acceleration is 3-1800 times. Video shooting can last up to 12 hours in a row. The advantage of the program is that it saves battery by automatically dimming the screen.

The downside is that there are no filters that could be applied - you have to use programs and the timing of the finished video must be calculated independently.

Download: play.google.com

Framelapse - Time Lapse Camera

This application is the most popular among its counterparts.

In contrast, there is no Russian translation in it. But despite this, the interface is intuitive and simple, even for those who are not familiar with the English language. There is nothing superfluous in the main menu of the application, you can immediately press the corresponding button, and the shooting will start.

The program settings are wide enough. You can set any resolution, the highest is called Recommended. It is also possible to set the interval from 0.1 to 60 seconds, set the timer, change the autofocus mode, correct the white balance, add different effects and put a manual exposure compensation. A feature of Framelapse is the ability to set the duration of the finished recording. After that, the program will automatically determine how much time you need to allocate for recording and will notify you on the main screen.

Although the app can be downloaded for free, there is an option to purchase a paid version on Google Play for 169 rubles. She is periodically reminded in the application. The premium version has a lot of useful additions, which include fixing the focus point, white balance and exposure separately. These features make the video more even. In addition, the paid application allows you to set individual user settings in the interval between frames, in the timer, bit rate, as well as in the duration of the video.

Another handy feature is the automatic setting of the interval between frames, depending on the duration of shooting and the duration of the finished video. Interestingly, although this special feature is a feature of the paid version, you can also try it out in the free version.

Download: play.google.com

ActionDirector Video Editor

The developer CyberLink has created a program that allows you to edit already recorded video material. ActionDirector comes in handy when you set the wrong frame spacing or contrast.

To understand how the program works, you need to take a little time. It's easy to figure it out, although the menu is not Russified.

The video editor has several settings in its menu. These include the ability to crop, apply various effects, correct color shades, trim timing, and change the speed from 1/8 to 8x. Thanks to these features, even the wrong video can be useful and become a truly interesting and exciting video clip.

ActionDirector can be used for editing. By applying transitions, overdubbing, and stitching multiple clips, you can create a short movie.

One drawback of the program - in the free version, a watermark is installed on each video. If you want to remove it, you need to purchase the paid version, which costs 229 rubles. Or you can remove this sign if you watch one promotional video. This offer is a good option for those who do not want to give their money to buy the full version of the program.

Download: play.google.com

What's the best to shoot

Finding the right unique idea for a video takes a lot of creativity. For example, you can shoot at an accelerated pace as the sun rises or sets, how the weather changes, how the clouds move. If you still haven't come up with an idea, use YouTube.com (we recommend immediately and create your own, on which later you will post your videos), where by entering into the search something like "time-lapse" you will receive hundreds of thousands of videos, watching which, you will find interesting for yourself!

To do this, you need to set the following settings on your device: the interval between frames should be from 5 to 30 seconds, acceleration by 150 and 900 times.

If you want to shoot how people or cars move, then it is best to set the interval to a maximum of 5 seconds (optimally from 0.20 to 4 seconds). The dynamics of the entire video will depend on this.

You can also shoot physical processes that are invisible to the human eye, for example, it can be melting ice. To understand what interval between frames to set, you need to determine how fast the melting takes place. In the sample movie, the level changes from 0.1 to 8 seconds.

You can always accelerate the interval, while the recording quality does not change. When you slow down the video to 24/30 frames per second, gaps may appear, and there will be no smoothness. If you are unsure of the best spacing, choose a smaller one.

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If there is one thing better than videography, it's the ability to record time-lapse videos. Being able to watch different scenarios being fast-forwarded is a feast for the eyes. In a time-lapse video, the frames are captured at a much lower rate than usual, and when the video is played, time appears to be moving faster. Some smartphones already have the time-lapse feature built-in but if your smartphone does not have this feature, you can install some great time-lapse recording apps that can let you do that. So without further ado, here is a list of the 8 best time-lapse apps for Android and iOS:

If you are looking for a fast time-lapse app with almost zero rendering time, then Framelapse is the one you should download. With this app, you get a lot of control over the settings. You can change the camera settings like exposure, white balance, timer, and even apply filters to your time-lapse. And for the video, you can define the frame interval, video duration, and the orientation. With the option to let you choose the resolution and the bitrate of the app, Framelapse if one of the easiest time-lapse apps to use in this list.

If you don’t mind the occasional ads that pop-up, then the free version of the app is all you should need. However, if you want the app ad-free with a few more features like custom bitrate, white balance lock, exposure lock, etc., then you can download its pro version which costs only $ 2.99.

When it comes to shooting time-lapse videos, Lapse It boasts all the features that you can possibly think of. Ranging from manual settings like focus mode, ISO mode, scene mode, and white balance to choosing the interval after which each frame is clicked, Lapse It gives you the complete control. Not only can you shoot time-lapse videos in the app, but also stop motion videos... And once you’ve shot a video, you can change its resolution, codec, frames per second, and even add an audio or an effect before finally rendering it.

The only downside of the app is that most of the features are available only if you buy the pro version that costs $ 2.99. With the free version, there’s not much that you can do but wonder what all possibilities you’d be opened to if you buy the pro version.

Hyperlapse is the time-lapse app from Microsoft. It has a simple user interface with the options to shoot as well as import videos... If you choose to shoot a new one, you get the option to change the video speed anywhere from 1x to 32x... And if you want to stabilize the video with the audio left intact, you can do that by setting the speed to 1x. Once the time-lapse video has been shot, you can select the resolution (720p or 1080p) and the location where you want to save your time-lapse video. You can even share your masterpiece with others after the rendering is done.

Hyperlapse is Instagram’s take on time-lapse apps and it’s the simplest time-lapse app you will ever come across. Contradictory to what you may be thinking, it doesn’t require you to have an Instagram account. You can create time-lapse videos even when you are in motion and they will be stabilized using Instagram's in-house stabilization, removing any bumps that might occur during their recording. The time-lapse videos can be created up to 12x the speed of the original video and then shared with others.

The app's interface is just the camera, the option to change the speed of the time-lapse and that’s pretty much it. If you’d like a simple time-lapse app that does the job well and does not bog with options and ads, Instagram’s Hyperlapse app is the one for you.

TimeLapse is a very powerful app for recording time-lapse videos. Like many other apps, TimeLapse offers manual controls like saturation, brightness, contrast, and exposure. In addition to this, you can record 4K videos and save RAW images. This is something no other app in this list offers. Along with the ability to record tilt-shift videos, you get absolutely no time-lapse flicker... And once they are recorded, you can even edit them on a frame level.

With its free version, you are restricted to only a certain number of videos. To record more, you’ll have to buy its pro version. Though it costs $ 4.99, it is worth every penny. If you’re serious about recording time-lapse videos, then this is the app that you should download.

iTimeLapse Pro brings the idea of sharing your time-lapse videos with others using the app. Share your photos to the app’s gallery for others to see it and, if you want, you can see theirs too. The app clicks a series of images and, then, combines them to make a video. You can choose whether you want to click these series of images manually or after a set time interval. After the time-lapse video is compiled, you even get to add an audio before finally rendering it.

Sometimes, you may not feel like compiling a time-lapse video in a single sitting. iTimeLapse Pro lets you create different sessions so that you can save any pending video that you may want to work on later. For an app that costs only $ 2.99 and has some unique features, I would totally recommend it.

Like most other apps in this list, iMotion lets you create time-lapse videos while giving you the complete control of video tools like exposure, white balance, orientation, etc. In addition to this, there are features like manual mode and WiFi remote that you can use. The time-lapse videos you record are autosaved and can be shot at up to 10 FPS... And once you record them, the app also gives you the option for reverse playback... Like most other apps, iMotion, too, lets you share your time-lapse videos from within the app. For an app that costs zilch, there isn’t much you can complain about it.

Use the Best Time-Lapse Apps on Android and iPhone

Now that you know some of the best apps that can be used to record time-lapse videos on Android and iOS, you can go out and discover the videographer within you. These apps let you experience time-lapse the way your phone’s stock camera app might not. So, try out these best time-lapse apps and let us know your thoughts. Also, tell us the app you found to be the best? Sound off in the comments section below.