Battery Life Hey,I just bought the SX110 IS. So far, it's great, but I have a question about the battery life.I have taken 73 pictures so far. I got a low battery notice around picture 40 or so (I think) and have been able to take pictures regardless up until 70 and now it will turn off after taking a picture or two telling me to replace the batteries. I am using the included AA batteries. I have used the Flash a lot, but haven't used used the video.Is this typical? I was expecting to get at least 200 shots at least. Are they the stock batteries? Would replacing them fix the problem or is this a problem with the camera? If this is abnormal should I return it for a replacement?Thanks Battery Life Hey,I just bought the SX110 IS. So far, it's great, but I have a question about the battery life.I have taken 73 pictures so far. I got a low battery notice... » Read More Battery Life Hey,I just bought the SX110 IS. So far, it's great, but I have a question about the battery life.I have taken 73 pictures so far. I got a low battery notice around picture 40 or so (I think) and have been able to take pictures regardless up until 70 and now it will turn off after taking a picture or two telling me to replace the batteries. I am using the included AA batteries. I have used the Flash a lot, but haven't used used the video.Is this typical? I was expecting to get at least 200 shots at least. Are they the stock batteries? Would replacing them fix the problem or is this a problem with the camera? If this is abnormal should I return it for a replacement?Thanks « Show Less
818476
alot of folks recommend using nimh batteries and a good charger. Personally I prefer using the Energizer lithium batteries. They last a very long time and I have taken 100's of shots, used the flash alot plus recorded a few videos and the batteries are stil going strong. Alkaline batteries are best for emergency situations only when no other battery type is available. A set of 4 lituium battieries is around $9.
818477
I had the same problem when I first used my Sx110 IS. I think it is the stock batteries. I put a pair of my own in and the camera works just fine, taking more pictures than it did with the batteries that came in the package. Hope that helps!
818478
I just bought my Sx110 IS yesterday--and after taking about 15 pictures and trying out the video, I got the battery low warning. I can only hope that the problem is with the batteries being old. According to my manual, I should get 140 images and 5 hours of playback time with them. The only other batteries they recommend in the manual are AA-size NiMH-3AH. I'd like to use Lithium batteries, but I'm worried that they are not listed in the manual as OK. I see that Canon Chick uses them, what about the rest of you?
2229146
If you read all the questions and reviews, you'll find battery life was impossible for some and acceptable with others. I personally chose the SX280 and determined to test the battery life before the 30 days were up by taking sets of 6 stills/4 stills with flash/1 2minute movie clip (with slow zoom at beginning to about 5X), and then return the camera if it turned out badly. The good news is I made it to the end of 10 sets, so Im satisfied. I really wanted the 280 over the 260 because of the many improvements the new DIGIC processor provides (better low light performance, faster pre-shot setup time, maybe anti-shake is improved also). I am really enjoying the flash-off indoor shots I'm getting in available light.
1954006
You may have already found the answer to this by now but just in case you haven't, let me say that the sx700 I've just purchased functions extremely well in this regard. So far I've shot close to 300 pictures and 30+ minutes of video and the camera still shows three bars (I use ECO mode which takes a little getting use to). I've heard only positive things about battery life all over the web. We may be in the clear. I too purchased the sx280 -- it was incredible to me that a major company would release a device that didn't work. The SX700 appears to function the way a camera should and has a lot of nice features. You may have already found the answer to this by now but just in case you haven't, let me say that the sx700 I've just purchased functions extremely well in this regard. So far I've shot close to 300 pictures and 30+ minutes of video and the camera still shows three bars (I use ECO mode which takes a little getting use to). I've heard only positive things about battery life all over the web. We may be in the clear. I too purchased the sx280 -- it was incredible to me that a major company would release a device that didn't work. The SX700 appears to function the way a camera should and has a... » Read More You may have already found the answer to this by now but just in case you haven't, let me say that the sx700 I've just purchased functions extremely well in this regard. So far I've shot close to 300 pictures and 30+ minutes of video and the camera still shows three bars (I use ECO mode which takes a little getting use to). I've heard only positive things about battery life all over the web. We may be in the clear. I too purchased the sx280 -- it was incredible to me that a major company would release a device that didn't work. The SX700 appears to function the way a camera should and has a lot of nice features. « Show Less
183945
I took photos in rapid succession with the flash always on and it lasted between 260-280 photos before I changed it out, only because it was on the last bar. It recharges very fast in an hour or two. I have done this numerous times with similar results. They are a notch below the Nikon batteries as far as how many photos could be taken on a single charge, but they are still very good and way cheaper. I used them more than the Nikon battery, because they are cheaper to replace.
1589670
In all honesty I haven't used my camera all that much and I haven't recorded videos, which I imagine would drain the battery quicker. With that said, I charged my camera two months ago when I got it and I haven't re-charged it since. I've used it intermittently for fishing pictures and haven't noticed any issues with the battery life. My old Olympus camera had great battery life and stayed charged for several days of use, and from what I've seen with this one, I don't expect the battery life to be much different (although this camera is 12 MP and my old one was 4 MP - perhaps my old camera didn't use much juice in comparison???).
1451157
Having purchased this battery, I reviewed it based on the fact that when I used it in my camera, occasionally during the shoot, the camera simply wouldn't fire. I'd then turn the camera off and then back on, shoot a few more frames, then same thing. I've since acquired another Canon brand battery, and retired this one to use as a "backup backup backup." After all, you never know, and if you truly run out all of your batteries and still need to shoot, having an unreliable battery is still better than having no battery at all. How long does the battery last? Can't say. . . got too frustrated with its unreliability to keep using it until it died. Sorry. Having purchased this battery, I reviewed it based on the fact that when I used it in my camera, occasionally during the shoot, the camera simply wouldn't fire. I'd then turn the camera off and then back on, shoot a few more frames, then same thing. I've since acquired another Canon brand battery, and retired this one to use as a "backup backup backup." After all, you never know, and if you truly run out all of your batteries and still need to shoot, having an unreliable battery is still better than having no battery at all. How long does the battery last? Can't say. . . got too... » Read More Having purchased this battery, I reviewed it based on the fact that when I used it in my camera, occasionally during the shoot, the camera simply wouldn't fire. I'd then turn the camera off and then back on, shoot a few more frames, then same thing. I've since acquired another Canon brand battery, and retired this one to use as a "backup backup backup." After all, you never know, and if you truly run out all of your batteries and still need to shoot, having an unreliable battery is still better than having no battery at all. How long does the battery last? Can't say. . . got too frustrated with its unreliability to keep using it until it died. Sorry. « Show Less
1087607
Put it this way, I went to the water park in orlando and had the camera on non stop for at least 4 hours or more whilst I was taking pictures and videos, and when I wasn't I still left it on. I took the extra battery that I charged prior to the visit that came with the kit I purchased, thought ill need it but didn't use it, in fact when we went back to the hotel and rested we went to another theme park where I used the camera and the battery was still fine, the camera shows the battery sign on the screen like a phone so you are able to see when its running low. Hope this helps but if you really want to know exactly how long it lasts time wise I can test it at home just let me know, also if you want to see how the pictures it takes looks like under water and above water ill be more than happy to email them just let me know, you won't regret purchasing this camera for real
2197806
I bought the SX280 and had problems with it shutting down and locking up. Replaced it with the same model and applied the firmware update to correct the infamous problem with the camera misreading the battery charge when shooting video. Fix DIDN'T fix the problem. Returned the SX280 and bought this SX260. Very happy with it. Very good pictures in all modes.
300782
Robert, I said I would get back with you after taking more pictures. I just hit photo number 30 since you asked and no...it is not flashing that I need new batteries. I use regular Energizers. Nothing special. I too think you may have a problem with the camera. Although, I have gone through a couple pair of batteries very quickly, and it occured to me that the store may have just sold me old batteries. Not all have experation dates on the packging. Good luck, I love the pictures I am getting, I hope you do to.
875753
You know I went on vacation early November to PR and I have to say I survived ALL DAY on one battery. But, I don't use flash, and I don't chimp. I just shot jpg+raw, with a few short videos, under a minute. I would only charge the battery back at the hotel overnight. I was there three days, and returned with about 1300 images. No problems running out of juice.If I were to get another battery I would swap them out each charge. I would not let either the original battery, or the replacement sitting idle. I would run one down, then swap it out, let the worn battery charge...
1082487
Thanks very much for the info., Les. I actually returned my camera when even Panasonic tech support couldn't fix the problem, but I later learned it was not a defective camera. I'll be buying it again in the near future as I think it's a great camera, and I'll be saving your message in an attempt to figure it all out. Also, too bad there's no flash button on the camera and that you have to go to the menu to fiddle with it. That's weird! (and too bad it doesn't pop up automatically, like my Sony) THANKS AGAIN! Jeffroar
2015331
Depending on how much you use flash, delve frequently into menus, etc., you can usually expect pretty decent battery life. I've gone a whole day shooting over 200 exposures without depleting the battery entirely.
372898
I've been using the camera for a couple of days and shot a couple of hundred photos and multiple videos totaling about 30 minutes. I've used the zoom a lot with both stills and videos. Still three bars. I'm so happy. I'm going to keep going and I will let you know of something emerges. I'm encouraged because, having owned the SX280, I can tell you that it would have failed by now for sure. Fingers crossed,Don
1496124
I use rechargeable batteries. How long they last seems to be a function of how many pictures i take over a short period of time. When I take abot 20 pictures and then don't use the camera for 4 months, it still has the battery juice for another 50 pics. I did run out it one day after about 425 pics however. I have solved this issue by always taking a fully charged set of batteries with the camera set. Hope this helps.
1358221
The Canon cameras that use AA batteries can use rechargeable NiMH batteries in AA format. In my Canon "A" series camera I use four PowerEx rechargeable AA batteries (2700 mAh). With the setup, battery life is phenomenal. I can take hundreds of pictures with one set of batteries. (I rarely use flash, but I do keep the LCD display turned on whenever I use the camera.) The new SX110 uses only two AA batteries, and I'm wondering how the battery life will be for my type of usage pattern. The SX110 would be very tempting if the disappointments reported for the SX100 have been overcome. The Canon cameras that use AA batteries can use rechargeable NiMH batteries in AA format. In my Canon "A" series camera I use four PowerEx rechargeable AA batteries (2700 mAh). With the setup, battery life is phenomenal. I can take hundreds of pictures with one set of batteries. (I rarely use flash, but I do keep the LCD display turned on whenever I use the camera.) The new SX110 uses only two AA batteries, and I'm wondering how the battery life will be for my type of usage pattern. The SX110 would be very tempting if the disappointments reported for the SX100 have been overcome.
407452
In most cases in low light the picture is a little darker. There is a feature on the camera that tells you to flip up the flash. When you do that there is no problem. As far as the battery it last much longer then I am used too. I can take about 250 pictures. If I set it at the ECO mode I can take 330 pictures There is a feature that tells you that the battery is getting low. The charger comes with the camera and it recharges the battery in 2 hours. The battery will last 1.5 hours of continuous shooting. Hope this helps you
1346599
Sorry I do not have any personal experience with the sx260. I do like the sx280 a lot except for the movie function. In movie mode the battery managment is very bad and actually shuts the camera off after only minute or two of recording even on a freshly charged, high capacity battery. I followed the instructions to update the camera firmware, but it made no dofference with this problem on my camerra. Some people claim that their camera was fixed using this update but mine was not. My movie mode is virtually useless to me because of the battery issue. For the SX 260 I could only suggest reading other peoples reviews. I hope this helps. Sorry I do not have any personal experience with the sx260. I do like the sx280 a lot except for the movie function. In movie mode the battery managment is very bad and actually shuts the camera off after only minute or two of recording even on a freshly charged, high capacity battery. I followed the instructions to update the camera firmware, but it made no dofference with this problem on my camerra. Some people claim that their camera was fixed using this update but mine was not. My movie mode is virtually useless to me because of the battery issue. For the SX 260 I could only suggest... » Read More Sorry I do not have any personal experience with the sx260. I do like the sx280 a lot except for the movie function. In movie mode the battery managment is very bad and actually shuts the camera off after only minute or two of recording even on a freshly charged, high capacity battery. I followed the instructions to update the camera firmware, but it made no dofference with this problem on my camerra. Some people claim that their camera was fixed using this update but mine was not. My movie mode is virtually useless to me because of the battery issue. For the SX 260 I could only suggest reading other peoples reviews. I hope this helps. « Show Less