Keep in mind a good tripod that meets your needs will outlast several cameras, so possibly budget a little more time and I hate to say it but cash to this category. Here's a few thought to spearhead your research:
So you've just scoured your camera's manual and sifted through the extensive menu system and alas, no built in intervalometer. That's ok, an external timer remote for your camera is lot less expensive than you think. Well, some of them are. That's the purpose of this post is to layout some of the options that exist when looking for an external intervalometer for DSLR time-lapse photography.