Resolution is how much detail each photo holds. In construction time-lapse, the camera usually captures more detail than the finished film shows. That is why Site Eye films on 6K cameras as standard and delivers 4K time-lapse films. This guide explains what 4K, 6K, 8K and 12K mean, and which your project needs.
The short answer
| Resolution | Approximate size | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Full HD | 1920 × 1080 pixels (about 2 megapixels) | Social media clips and smaller screens |
| 4K UHD | 3840 × 2160 pixels (about 8 megapixels) | Finished films on TVs, monitors and presentation screens |
| 6K | About 6,000 pixels wide (around 20 to 24 megapixels) | Most construction sites: sharp stills to zoom into, with room to crop for a 4K film |
| 8K | About 8,000 pixels wide (around 33 megapixels for 8K UHD) | Large sites, wide views and cameras placed a long way from the work |
| 12K | About 12,000 pixels wide | Very large sites and long-range views where you need to zoom deep into the frame |
What do 4K, 6K and 8K mean?
The number is roughly how many pixels wide each image is. 4K UHD is 3,840 pixels wide, 6K is about 6,000 and 8K UHD is 7,680. Because the image grows in both width and height, each step holds far more detail than the number suggests. An 8K UHD image has four times the pixels of a 4K image, and a 6K image has roughly two and a half to three times as many.
Why film in 6K for a 4K time-lapse?
- Room to frame the shot. Extra resolution lets the editor crop to the best framing for the finished film without dropping below 4K.
- Movement in a fixed shot. A slow zoom or pan across the site can be created in the edit from a static camera, still in 4K quality.
- Small corrections. Levelling or stabilising footage trims the edges of the frame. The extra pixels cover it.
- Detail in the portal. Your team can zoom into the full-resolution stills to check progress on a particular area without a site visit.
- A better record. The archive of high-resolution, time-stamped stills is useful long after the film is finished.
When do you need 8K or 12K?
For most building sites, a 6K camera is the right choice. Higher resolutions earn their place when one camera has to cover a lot of ground:
- Large sites or phased schemes where one view covers several buildings or plots.
- Long-range positions, such as a camera on a neighbouring building some distance from the work.
- Projects where you need to zoom deep into the frame to see detail on one area of a wide view.
The free site survey looks at the camera positions and the view, and recommends the resolution and number of cameras. See how many time-lapse cameras does my site need?
Is the finished film in 6K?
No. Site Eye time-lapse films are delivered in 4K or full HD, which is what most screens, social media platforms and presentations show. The extra resolution of the camera goes into framing, camera moves, corrections and the image archive, so the 4K film is sharper and better composed.
What matters as much as resolution
- Camera position. A high, safe view of the whole footprint makes more difference than any resolution.
- Keeping the camera running. Gaps can’t be filled later. Site Eye cameras have built-in 4G, mains or solar power, and store images if the signal drops.
- How long it runs. Starting before work begins gives the finished film its impact. See how long a construction time-lapse should run.
- The edit. Hand-editing turns thousands of stills into a film worth watching. See time-lapse films.
Time-lapse resolution questions
Is 6K better than 4K for time-lapse?
For capturing the images, yes. 6K holds much more detail, which gives room to crop, pan and zoom while still producing a sharp 4K film.
What resolution are Site Eye’s cameras?
Our standard camera is a 6K DSLR, which produces 4K time-lapse footage. 8K and 12K cameras are available for large sites and long-range views.
Will my time-lapse film be 6K?
No. Films are delivered in 4K or full HD. The extra resolution is used for framing, camera moves and the image archive.
Can I download the full-resolution images?
Yes. Every image can be viewed and downloaded in full resolution from the secure online portal.
Do I need an 8K or 12K camera?
Usually only for large sites, wide views or cameras a long way from the work. The free site survey recommends the right camera for each position.
Not sure which camera your site needs?
Tell us about your project and we will recommend the cameras, positions and resolution, then confirm it all at a free site survey.
Related: time-lapse cameras and specifications · what is time-lapse? · which site camera do you need?
