To shoot a drone time-lapse on a DJI drone, use Hyperlapse in Free mode and simply hover: the drone takes a photo at each interval and builds the video for you. Lock exposure and white balance in Pro mode, use a 2 to 5 second interval, and remember the battery limits you to roughly 10 to 25 minutes of shooting. For longer time-lapses, repeat a saved waypoint route across batteries, or use a ground camera.
Time-lapse vs hyperlapse
- Time-lapse: the camera stays still and time speeds up.
- Hyperlapse: the camera moves while time speeds up.
On a drone, both use the Hyperlapse mode. Free mode while hovering gives a classic time-lapse; Circle, Course Lock and Waypoint add movement. See time-lapse vs hyperlapse.
How to do it
- Fly to your spot in calm air, ideally above 50 m, with a static subject more than 15 m away.
- Open Shooting Modes, select Hyperlapse, then Free.
- Set the interval and video length. The app shows how many photos it will take and how long.
- In Pro mode, fix ISO, shutter and white balance.
- Choose to save the original frames (RAW if available) in the camera settings.
- Tap the shutter and don't touch the sticks.
The interval math
Video plays at about 25 to 30 frames per second. So 10 seconds of video needs about 250 to 300 photos.
| Interval | Time for 10 s of video | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 s | about 4 to 5 min | Fast traffic, people |
| 2 s | about 8 to 10 min | Clouds, boats |
| 3 s | about 12 to 15 min | Slow clouds, tides |
| 5 s | about 20 to 25 min | Sunsets, shadows |
Keep the shutter at least 2 seconds shorter than the interval.
The battery problem
A drone can only hover so long. The Mini 5 Pro is rated at 36 minutes on its standard battery, but you need time to fly out, set up and return. Plan on 15 to 20 minutes of actual shooting, less in wind or cold. That's enough for a 10 to 20 second clip at short intervals, not a full sunset.
For longer sequences:
- Save a Waypoint route and fly it again on each fresh battery, from the same spot, height and heading. Join the clips in editing.
- Or put a ground camera on a high viewpoint. The Osmo Pocket 3's Timelapse mode runs for hours with intervals from 0.5 to 60 s.
Construction and progress time-lapses
Long-term site time-lapses are made by flying the same automated route on a schedule: weekly or monthly, same waypoints, same camera angle, same time of day. Mapping apps used for construction can repeat the same flight plan too. Then line up the frames in editing. Commercial work like this requires a Part 107 certificate. See best drone for construction.
Common problems
- Flicker: auto exposure or white balance. Lock both, or deflicker RAW frames in software.
- Drift: wind or GPS drift moves the frame. Shoot higher or on calmer days, and stabilize in editing.
- Too short: lower the interval or shoot longer.
- Night time-lapses: vision sensors need light; see drone night photography and the night rules.
For moving shots, read how to shoot a drone hyperlapse, or shop the DJI Mini 5 Pro.
Related guides
- Drone video tips: how to shoot better aerial footage
- How to shoot a drone hyperlapse (DJI settings that work)
- How to shoot a hyperlapse with the DJI Mini 5 Pro
- How to shoot panoramas with the DJI Mini 5 Pro
- How to shoot vertical video with a DJI drone
- How to shoot vertical video with the DJI Mini 5 Pro
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