Quick Answer

Both the Canon 450D and 1000D use Canon’s E3-type remote shutter port (the same connector as the RS-60E3). A wired intervalometer remote — typically well under $25, though you should check the live price — plugs into that port and fires the shutter at set intervals for timelapse. Prefer free? Magic Lantern’s built-in intervalometer costs nothing: see our EOS Camera Movie Record vs Magic Lantern comparison.

The E3 Port Both Cameras Share

The remote jack sits under a small rubber cover on the side of the body. Any remote labeled “for Canon RS-60E3” or “E3-type” fits both the 450D and the 1000D — it is the same connector on both. (Do not buy N3-type remotes: those fit the 40D/50D pro bodies, not these.) If you are unsure which port your camera has, the compatibility list has you covered.

What an Intervalometer Actually Does

Three settings run the whole show: the interval between shots (say, 5 seconds), the number of shots (or unlimited), and an optional start delay. Set them, press start, and the remote fires the shutter on schedule while you walk away. For flicker-free results, shoot manual everything — manual exposure, manual white balance, manual focus — the full technique is in our timelapse guide.

Buying Tips

1. E3 / RS-60E3 compatible — the single non-negotiable spec; everything else is secondary.
2. Backlit LCD — you will be setting this thing up in the dark more often than you would think.
3. Timer + shutter-release + bulb modes in one unit — most cheap intervalometers include all three.
4. Battery type — most use AAA or a coin cell; carry spares on long shoots.
5. Cable length — about a meter is plenty; longer cables just snag on tripod legs.
6. Shutter-button feel — a half-press on the remote should wake the camera’s metering just like the body’s own shutter button; if it does not, the remote is low quality.

Price reality check: basic E3 intervalometers are commodity electronics — paying more mostly buys a nicer screen and better buttons, not better timing accuracy. The cheapest unit from a reputable seller does the same job as one costing three times as much.

Interval Math Cheat Sheet

How long between shots? It depends on how fast your subject moves. A practical starting point: people and street scenes, 2–3 seconds; drifting clouds, 3–5 seconds; sunsets, 5–10 seconds; stars and the Milky Way, 20–30 seconds (with matching long exposures); construction or plants growing, minutes apart. Remember the math runs both ways: at 24fps, a 10-second clip needs 240 shots, so a 5-second interval means 20 minutes of shooting — and a 30-second night-sky interval means two hours. That is why long timelapses pair the intervalometer with a dummy battery: the camera must stay awake the entire time.

A Typical Timelapse Session, Step by Step

1. Lock the camera down. Tripod, tightened head, and — this matters — do not touch it again until the sequence is done.
2. Go full manual. Manual exposure, manual white balance, manual focus. Any “auto” will flicker frame to frame as light changes.
3. Frame and focus on your subject, then switch the lens to MF so nothing refocuses mid-sequence.
4. Set the intervalometer: interval, shot count (or unlimited), and a 5-second start delay so your hand is out of the frame.
5. Walk away. Check the first few frames for exposure, then leave the rig alone — reviewing every frame on the LCD wastes battery and risks bumping the tripod.

The Free Alternative: Magic Lantern

Magic Lantern includes a full intervalometer in firmware — $0 and no extra hardware to carry. The trade-off is installing third-party firmware and confirming your body is supported. Our EOS Camera Movie Record vs Magic Lantern comparison lays out the pros and cons honestly so you can decide which route fits you.

Recommended

E3 intervalometer remotes on Amazon — our pre-filtered search for RS-60E3-compatible timers. Check the live price before ordering and treat any number as a reference only. As an Amazon Associate, this site may earn from qualifying purchases — it costs you nothing extra and keeps these guides free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Canon 450D have a built-in intervalometer?

No — neither the 450D nor the 1000D has any built-in interval timer. You need an external remote or software to shoot timelapse automatically.

Will any Canon remote shutter work?

No — you need the E3 type (RS-60E3 style connector). N3-type remotes made for the 40D/50D pro bodies physically do not fit the 450D or 1000D.

Can I shoot timelapse without buying anything?

Yes: Magic Lantern’s free intervalometer runs in firmware, or you can fire the shutter on a schedule from USB-tethered capture software on your PC. The wired remote is simply the most reliable option.

How many shots do I need for a 10-second clip?

At 24 frames per second, 240 shots. At a 5-second interval that is 20 minutes of shooting — which is exactly why battery planning matters for timelapse.

Will a long timelapse drain the battery?

Absolutely — interval shooting keeps the camera awake for hours. For anything serious, pair the intervalometer with a dummy battery; our ACK-E5 guide covers continuous power for LP-E5 bodies.

Wired or wireless intervalometer?

Wired. It is cheaper, it cannot lose its wireless pairing mid-sequence, and there is no receiver battery to die at 3am halfway through a night-sky timelapse.