Whats a good camera, to take High-def Time lapses?

Question

like these pictures:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3172/2297142898_8fae4627e7_o.jpg

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/PTGPOD/597144~Time-Lapse-Traffic-in-Front-of-Paris-Opera-House-Posters.jpg

http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/118608main_thunderstorm.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/4/4151207_a45e633560.jpg

these are some examples, but i want to go even more high def.

what type, and how many MP is it?

Answer 1

Those are not time lapse photos, they are simply long exposures.

What is your budget? Most of the simple little Point & Shoot cameras don't have a bulb settings (which is what you need for very long exposures), they usually stop at 15 seconds.

15 seconds can be enough for the headlight trail look, but not for the stars example you posted.

If you want longer times, more control and better quality (which does not only depend on the number of megapixels but on many other factors, as well), you need to go to DSLR. Just exactly which one to get, depends on your budget, your goals, your preferences.

It is a pretty big investment, so do some learning and comparing first.

As you compare cameras, you need to look at their specifications and learn what each can do. Once you know a bit more and figured out what you want, narrow it down to a few. Then go to a store and handle those cameras to find the one YOU like.

My personal preference is Canon. Second choice would be a Nikon, then a big long pause before the others.