“Site camera” can mean three different things on a construction project: a time-lapse camera, a video camera that records and streams the site, or a security CCTV system. They do different jobs, and many sites use more than one.
The short answer
| Time-lapse camera | Video recording and live stream | Security CCTV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it records | A high-resolution photo every few minutes | Continuous video, often with a live view | Video triggered by movement, watched for intruders |
| Main use | Progress record, marketing films and handover | Checking what happened and when, watching live work | Deterring and responding to theft and trespass |
| What you get | Dated image archive, monthly clips and a final edited film | Searchable recordings and a live feed | Alerts and incident footage |
| Typical duration | A few days to several years | Months to years | Whenever the site is closed or at risk |
Time-lapse cameras
A time-lapse camera takes a high-resolution photo every few minutes, from one fixed position, for the whole project. The photos build into a dated record of the site that teams use for progress reports and client updates, and at the end they are edited into a time-lapse film.
Site Eye uses 6K cameras as standard, producing 4K time-lapse footage, with 8K and 12K cameras for large sites and long-range views. They have built-in 4G, run on 110 V or 240 V mains or solar power, and send every image to a secure online portal you can view 24/7. See construction time-lapse cameras.
Video recording and live streaming
When stills every few minutes are not enough, a video camera records the site continuously. Our SiteStream cameras record in HD or 4K as 10-minute clips you can search by date and time and download, with an optional live stream. Footage can be stored in the cloud or locally on site. It suits busy sites where teams need to check deliveries, crane lifts or exactly when something happened.
Security CCTV
Security systems are built to detect people on site out of hours and raise an alarm, usually with a monitoring centre behind them. They are designed for incidents, not for a clean record of the build. Time-lapse images can still help: at Wembley Park, our cameras on nine active plots were used for daily security and vehicle-movement checks as well as marketing.
Questions to ask before choosing
- What is the footage for? A progress record and a marketing film point to time-lapse. Checking events in detail points to video recording.
- How long will the project run? Cameras can stay for a few days or several years, so plan to the end of the programme.
- Is there power and a connection? Cameras with built-in 4G and solar power work without a site supply or network.
- Who needs to see it? A shared online portal lets the site team, the client and head office see the same images.
- Will the cameras see people? If cameras can identify people, data protection rules apply. See site cameras and data protection.
Not sure which you need?
Tell us what you want the footage for and we will recommend time-lapse, SiteStream or both, then confirm the positions at a free site survey. Time-lapse cameras start from £220 a month and SiteStream from £310 a month.
Related: what is time-lapse? · how many cameras do I need? · prices
