SX280 - battery life shooting video

[factoryguy]

UPDATED May 5:

I apologize to the forum for mixing two different problems.  They are unrelated.

Problem #1:  User error.  I thought I was using a class 6 SD card but I was wrong. The yellow "!" indicates a pathologically slow card.  Upgrading to a class 10 resolved this problem.

Problem #2: UNRESOLVED.  Red battery indicator comes on prematurely.  On a fresh charge, it'll turn red after recording for a couple of minutes.  On a partially drained battery, it turns red immediately upon entering movie mode or pressing the record button.  Turn the camera off and then right back on in "still" mode and it shows full charge and works fine ... until trying to shoot video.  I have not precisely measured recording times but it'll record for at least 20 (maybe 30?) minutes while flashing red.

[BrianUnderpants]

I took the advice on here and avoided the SX280. Bought a SX260 instead, brilliant pocket camera. No battery problems. £70 secondhand on Amazon.

[mrbenn]

Hi guys,.  Thanks for the replies.   Yes , they are £99 new .  Not sure where you guys are from, but its from a well known company here in the UK .

So a 1yr guarantee is forthcoming.

So do we think the fault definitly hasnt been fixed, no matter what serial number it is , or any tiny black spot it has in the battery area !?  And im not tempted to buy a new camera where i have to stick tape on it. 

Like I said, shame, as I saw the camera in the shop and liked the feel and look of it.  Some seem so small and plasticy.

 My budget is around £150 ..  Id prefer to buy a camera brand I know well, eg Canon, Olympus,  maybe Sony (?) as their reviews are good.   Around 12- 16 mp I guess,  optical around 16-20 is fine.    As mentioned i live in hope it will replace my faulty Sony camcorder  (gutted about that), but i realise its a camera that does video .

[samintx]

Spoiler

Mr. Benn, I'm in Tx. Look at the SX510 SLR. Small, compact. I love this Canon and no problems with it. Great range and easy to run. I have also found in the SX a real Canon brand battery works best. The small velcro i fixed it with works just fine. Also, be sure and check the posts here. Some sent in the SX80 on warranty to Canon and got back scuffed and still not working SX80. Canon really screwed up on this model. Best of luck to you!

[mrbenn]

Looking at the next priced up Canons, its really frustrating to see one good site rave still about the 280  ....  dont they know about the video issue   ?  I guess its mainly about the stills quality.    All very frustrating when this years model (SX700) is currently twice the price of the 280.   I have to admit seeing the 700 and really looked a nice piece of kit and felt good to handle.  I amy spoil myself yet !

[mrbenn]

Just to clarify please,  is the issue not resolved on any version of the camera ?

If it has actually been fixed i will be happy to get the store to test it before i buy it.

If not, then I move on ....

Going off to look at some cameras today.  If the 280 is a non-runner , then I  am swaying towards the SX700, but will see.   If anybody has one , id love to hear their thoughts.

Finally, any recommendations on what the best type of card to buy with these cameras ? Does the spped /quality of the card actually affect the quality of the photos taken ?

Id like to get one that will hold plenty of video footage if the camera is as good as hoped,

Thanks for any advice given.

Hope it may help others too 

[samintx]

The manual will tell you what SD card you should use in any camera. I like to go to the mfg website and check out the MANUALs before buying. Many times there are features I want or don't want you can fine in the manuals to help you decide which model.

[ruko]

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@mrbenn wrote:

Just to clarify please,  is the issue not resolved on any version of the camera ?

If it has actually been fixed i will be happy to get the store to test it before i buy it.

If not, then I move on ....

Going off to look at some cameras today.  If the 280 is a non-runner , then I  am swaying towards the SX700, but will see.   If anybody has one , id love to hear their thoughts.

Finally, any recommendations on what the best type of card to buy with these cameras ? Does the spped /quality of the card actually affect the quality of the photos taken ?

Id like to get one that will hold plenty of video footage if the camera is as good as hoped,

Thanks for any advice given.

Hope it may help others too 

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Just move on away from Canon. In my opinion this is the best response to this 280 lemon they will not fix. I sent my lemon in twice for the "fix" and it came back with exactly the same problem. Why does a big respected company do such a thing? I'm so soured on Canon I could just ....!

[VeryUnhappy]

Seriously, how could anyone who read at least a few of the posts here consider buying a Canon product ever again?  Their engineers are incompetent and management is controlled by thieves and liars.  They don't even have enough honor to defend themselves in their own forum.

[samintx]

Well, fortunately I have corrected the lemon SX and my other Canons work perfectly so I'm happy. I also have a coupld Lumix Panasonics I love. Also have a 1950's Serenar 50mm I'd love to try out sometime. Don't know what size film it takes, tho.

[sneader]

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@samintx wrote:

Well, fortunately I have corrected the lemon SX....

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How?

If you've previously described how to fix this Battery-Video issue in one of the 130 pages of this thread, I apologize for asking (but if you could point me to the solution, I'd be very grateful)

- Scott