EOS R7 draining battery even in sleep mode - no aftermarket products

[alyssal]

Brand New R7 - My Canon battery was completely charged before I used it before a family session. The camera had 3/4 left after session. Brought it home, it was left in On mode, but is set to sleep after 3 min of no use. I noticed about 5 hours later the camera was warm as was the battery and it was also dead. Is that normal? Do these cameras always need to be turned off? My DSLRS would last for days even in sleep mode and I never had an issue like that before. No after market products, Canon battery and Canon 28 - 70 RF lens with it. Is there another setting that would drain or make it warm just sitting in sleep mode?

[alyssal]

Thanks for the reply. Yep I'll reach out to them. The warmness of the camera was what shocked me most. It wasn't necessarily hot, like I couldn't touch it, but I have never had one of my DSLRs get that warm by simply sitting on my desk on sleep mode. Even on very hot wedding days, my DSLR is never really got warm to touch per se. So having the R7 get warm by simply sitting in sleep mode seemed of a concern? I'm just trying to figure out if I'm overreacting, or if this camera has a flaw. Thank you.

[alyssal]

Yes, I did debate a lot on if I should get a full frame, but I ended up getting the crop sensor because the 85 mm look is my favorite, and when I paired this with the 28 to 70 mm lens, that seemed to work for me. And I could also use it for wildlife too.

[alyssal]

Would there be a big difference between an LP-E6NH battery versus the LP-E6N? It came new with the LP-E6NH and that is also the battery that got warm when on sleep mode the first time. I've noticed now today that my other battery (LP-E6N) seems to say cool while it has been on sleep mode this afternoon.

[alyssal]

Would there be a big difference between an LP-E6NH battery versus the LP-E6N? It came new with the LP-E6NH and that is also the battery that got warm when on sleep mode the first time. I've noticed now today that my other battery (LP-E6N) seems to say cool while it has been on sleep mode this afternoon - over 5 hours and it has stayed full charge. Could it be a faulty battery that came with it? Or maybe the LP-E6N works better with it? 

[jrhoffman75]

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@alyssal wrote:

Would there be a big difference between an LP-E6NH battery versus the LP-E6N? It came new with the LP-E6NH and that is also the battery that got warm when on sleep mode the first time. I've noticed now today that my other battery (LP-E6N) seems to say cool while it has been on sleep mode this afternoon - over 5 hours and it has stayed full charge. Could it be a faulty battery that came with it? Or maybe the LP-E6N works better with it? 

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There may be something wrong with the NH battery. The N and NH are both compatible versions.

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

@alyssal 

You don't need to reply to each one of us individually.  We can all see your replies which can address any questions asked by persons participating in this topic.  

[JFG · Accepted solution]

Hi Alyssal,

What you've experienced with your new R7 may be out of the norm and you may have a faulty battery or hopefully not a faulty camera circuit and if so, you should contact Canon as previously advised by other members.  Having said that, make sure you're using the Canon recommended battery for the R7 if so try using a new battery. 

Also, Canon R-series battery keeps discharging because the camera never truly "turns off".  Wireless radios, background circuits, and the real-time clock all stay alive.  However, the fix is simple. 

Core fix to stop R camera's battery from draining while "OFF".  These are the only settings that actually prevent off-state battery drain.

1.  Turn on Airplane Mode:  This kills Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, the #1 cause of off-state drain.  From first hand experience I can tell you that turning on Airplane Mode eliminates R5 Mark II battery drain even when the camera is switched off.  

2. Disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth individually (if not using airplane mode).  If you don't want global Airplane Mode, you must manually disable both radios.  Canon's solution:  "Make sure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are disabled when not in use".

3. Remove the battery for long term storage.  All lithium-ion batteries self-discharge 0.5-3% per month even when not in a device.  DPReview users note this natural drain applies to R5/R5C as well.

In-Camera Settings That Prevent Unnecessary Drain.  These are the settings that you already use and they're the gold standard: *Auto Power OFF: 1 minute, *Airplane Mode: ON, *GPS: OFF, *Image Review: OFF or 2seconds, *Display Performance: Smooth (Doesn't affect battery much, but keeps EVF responsive), *Display Viewfinder Display: ON (Prevents accidental LCD activation,)

This why my old DSLR could sit for months, but my R6 Mark II and R5 Mark II will drain in weeks if radios are on.

Why R Cameras Drain Even When "OFF".  Canon mirrorless cameras keep several subsystems alive:  *Bluetooth low-energy handshake, *Wi-Fi" standby scanning, *Real-time clock, *Internal housekeeping circuits and * Lens communication (momentary checks).

Alyssal, I hope the above helps.  Let us know how things work out.

[alyssal]

Thank you - I will go through my settings and adjust what you recommended. I've been in contact with BH Photo where it was ordered from and they are willing to send a new replacement battery to try on it. But, they want to send a Watson brand replacement - Watson LP-E6P.

I'll probably try it and see how the camera reacts? Even though I know sticking with Canon supplies is better....

[JFG]

alyssal,

B&H is a really good store.  I shop most of my photography equipment from them, if I'm not buying it directly from Canon.  Did you purchase the R7 from B&H new ?  If so, I would request that they send me a new Canon OEM battery LP-E6P or tell them to exchange the camera for a new one or get a refund from them.  If you want to try the Watson brand its ok but I myself use Canon batteries only.  Once you get the problem solved then go through your settings and adjust them per the recommendations.  I found that my R6 Mark II and R5 Mark II stopped  draining power and if they are it is so miniscule that it's barely noticeable if at all.   Keep me posted on the results with the new battery.