If you're shooting in the P, Tv, Av, or M exposure modes, choose Time-Lapse Movie from Shooting Menu 5; in other exposure modes, from Shooting Menu 3. Change the setting from Disable to Enable, which displays the following recording options:
- Interval and No. of Shots: The first option sets the delay between captures; the second option determines how many frames are captured. You can set that value from 2 to 3600. As you change the interval and number of shots, values at the bottom of the screen indicate how long it will take the camera to record all the frames and the length of the resulting movie.
- Auto Exposure: Choose Fixed First Frame to record all frames using the exposure settings the camera selects for the first frames. Choose Each Frame if you want the camera to reset exposure for before each shot.
- LCD Auto Off: By default, the monitor stays on during shooting but automatically turns off about 30 minutes after the first image is captured. If you want to save battery power, you can shut the monitor off automatically about 10 seconds after the first frame is captured by setting this option to Enable. Press the Info button to bring back the display at any time. Note that you can't record a time-lapse movie while the camera is connected to an external display, so the onboard monitor provides your only visual reference.
- Beep as Image Taken: By default, the camera beeps after each frame is captured, which is a very good way to annoy everyone within earshot. If you don't want to lose friends and family members, set this option to Disable.
After exiting the menu screen, frame your shot and the press the shutter button halfway to initiate autofocusing and exposure metering. Make sure that focus is accurate — the camera won't adjust focus between frames. To begin capturing frames, press the Live View button. Recording stops automatically after all frames are captured and the movie is created.
For video-spec lovers: Time-lapse movies are created in the MOV format, using the Full HD video setting (1920 x 1080 pixels) at 30 frames per second (for NTSC systems) or 25 frames per second (for PAL systems). Frames are compressed using ALL-I compression rather than the IPB compression used for regular movies.