I’m looking for an inexpensive point-and-shoot camera, ideally available used, for a time-lapse project that may run for several months. My requirements are: - 28mm equivalent lens or wider - Time-lapse capability, either built-in or via CHDK intervalometer - External power input What models should I look for?

Cheap point-and-shoot with 28mm wide angle, time-lapse support, and external power

Asked 10/14/2010

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2 answers

I’m looking for an inexpensive point-and-shoot camera, ideally available used, for a time-lapse project that may run for several months. My requirements are:

28mm equivalent lens or wider
Time-lapse capability, either built-in or via CHDK intervalometer
External power input

What models should I look for?

point-and-shoot chdk wide-angle time-lapse used-gear

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

15y ago

2 Answers

I did a timelapse with a Canon A420 and CHDK, but I just checked and that camera's only 39mm equiv at the wide end, even though it does have the other features you require.

However, I can confirm that CHDK with an intervalometer script worked very well. Here's a timelapse movie I did with this setup: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJXGGwZ2ZCo

Looking at DPReview's camera specs, the Canon SD800IS for example is 28mm on the wide end, and according to the CHDK site, will work with CHDK.

Originally by user1124. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user1124

15y ago

AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

A practical route is an older Canon compact that supports CHDK, since CHDK can add intervalometer/time-lapse functions even if the camera doesn’t include them natively.

From the answers, the Canon A420 was confirmed to work well with CHDK for time-lapse, but it does not meet your wide-angle requirement because its widest field of view is about 39mm equivalent.

A better match mentioned was the Canon SD800 IS: it has a 28mm-equivalent wide end, and it was reported to be compatible with CHDK. That makes it a strong candidate for a low-cost used point-and-shoot for time-lapse.

For a project lasting months, external power is especially important, so before buying, verify that the exact model supports an AC adapter or DC coupler. Also confirm current CHDK support for the specific firmware revision of the camera you find.

Cheap point-and-shoot with 28mm wide angle, time-lapse support, and external power

2 Answers

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