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.

[joshf52]

same - 1-14.0.1.0

[dswansonil]

"replacement"  Does that mean you returned the original to Canon or to the retailer?

[smith]

I returned my original to B&H Photo, then purchased a new one from Amazon due to a considerable price drop that B&H would not match.

[mcasale16]

ME TOO

[dswansonil]

Does your battery light stay off or flash red when you switch to video?

[mcasale16]

I have the same issue-I have made sure to NOT have GPS and WiFI on when checking the poor battery life- and it is still there.

 I called Canon and asked them if they were working on a fix for the problem and they indicated that they were NOT AWARE of any complaints - and WERE NOT- working to fix ANY ISSUES- so I too am trying to decide if I want to return it before my limit is up- I love the picture quality and the range. Should I return it??

[smith]

Performance Update:  Battery life still shows as 100% but zooming while video recording triggers the low battery indicator light.  I power it off, turn it back on and full bars show.  No red light during video until I zoom.

[dswansonil]

Jessica - Moderator<

I hope Canon is working on this as the longer it goes without resolution, the wider the dissemination and the worse the blow back on Canon.

[canonuser4]

I agree and so far they haven't been willing to admit that there's an issue. I can't recall having such negative customer service experience in quite awhile. Very disappointing so far.

One tech support person actually told me that there was no issue even if all of us have the problem with our cameras. There have to be lots more complaints than just all of us. It seems to me that even one person with an issue should be enough to offer a solution.

My replacement is arriving tomorrow so we'll see if it has the same issue.

[mcasale16]

I read all your comments and came home and tested my 2 batteries. With the canon battery put into the camera yesterday, and used a bit-- I took an additional 200 pictures (no flash, wifi or gps) and 2 movies that exceeded 30 minutes! And while taking the movies - I tried the zoom and the red battery immediately started blinking. I turned the camera off and back on and the battery was full again. When the battery eventually died after the 30 minutes- I put in my non-canon battery and with no gps or wifi, I took about 180 pictures all with flash and zoom, and I squeezed in a 8 minute movie before it died. So yes you are correct- the issue is not battery life- but the battery indicator. I love the pictures-I've taken- and feel much better about my purchase.