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.

[myasg]

Canon - when do you plan on shipping new cameras with the firmware upgrade?

[UberAugie]

Based on responses here, it sounds like most folks are holding on to their SX280 and waiting for a firmware upgrade instead of buying a comparable make/model. I'm still on the fence but can't find an alternative with the image quality of the SX280.

[videophan]

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@UberAugie wrote:

Based on responses here, it sounds like most folks are holding on to their SX280 and waiting for a firmware upgrade instead of buying a comparable make/model. I'm still on the fence but can't find an alternative with the image quality of the SX280.

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I have my SX280 set up for return. All that is required is to print the prepaid return UPS label provided by the vendor and drop it off. My window of oportunity for return closes next week. Unless I see some compelling evidence that the issue has been corrected, it will be returned. I  may purchase a functional SX280 at some point in the future if one ever exists, but I doubt it.

[UnionStation]

Is this the part where I get to say, "I told you so?" Because I did. This camera is a lemon, and Canon is treating its customers like chumps. I've been reading this chain with some amusement - and I have a really hard time believing all the people who are convinced the photo quality and features are so great you can't live without them. Maybe my camera was worse than yours, but the photo quality on my sx280 wasn't that great (I work in a photo-related field - my ruling isn't subjective) and the gimmicky features like WiFi (terrible interface) and GPS (worked about 1/4 of the time) fell far short of the hype. But the terrible customer service that we're all seeing was the dealbreaker.  Thank God I didn't wait around for a firmware update. My refund has been processed and I'm happily using another camera that actually works. Vote with your wallets, people. Cannon can and should treat you better than this. 

[scupking]

As much as I like the photo quality and the 20x zoom I think I will return this and go with the Nikon P330.

[canonuser4]

Yeah, I'm pretty disgusted with the lack of response from Canon. I'm sure they are reading this forum. Why not speak up?

Has anyone considered the Panasonic Lumix TZ40 / ZS30? From what I've read it has a bit more noise at higher ISOs. So I'm still not sure if that will affect my use much or not. However it is a camera that works, unlike the sx280.

[smith]

I just got off the phone with Canon.  Here's the 'current' scoop.  The issue has been confirmed.  For quicker resolution you can send your camera in for repair- camera body only- no accessories.  Turnaround time is 5-7 days.  They will provide a prepaid UPS shipping label for you.  They have documented successful repairs of this issue.  A firmware update will very likely be available in the future to enable you to update/repair your camera remotely.  But they haven't released it yet (obviously).  So it boils down to urgency of having this issue resolved.  Want it resolved now?  Call Canon and have them email you a prepaid shipping label for repair and send your camera in.  Good at executing patience and can carry on with this temporary annoyance?  Simply wait for a firmware update to be released.  Canon will provide clear instructions for updating your firmware 'through a memory card'. 

While on the phone with Canon I went ahead and set up my camera for repair.  They sent me an email link.  I just need to print the UPS label.  After that time they confirmed with me that I have ONE YEAR to use it!  So I will patiently await a firmware update online while also having the return option at my disposal.  I may decide to send it in if I have significant down time where I won't plan on using my camera much.  I have had a good experience with Canon repairs.  In fact my previous Canon camera purchase had a lens error.  I sent it in, received it back fairly quickly, and haven't had a problem since.

On a side note, keep in mind the originally documented battery performance (that was also posted previously in this forum).  Don't have too high expectations!  There are certainly other cameras that have better battery life.

Power Source Battery Pack NB-6L

Still image Number of Shots Approx. 210

Still image Number of Shots Eco mode Approx. 260

Movie Shooting Time*1 Approx. 25 min.

Movie Continuous Shooting*2 Approx. 1 hr.

Playback Time Approx. 3 hr. 30 min.

*1: Times are based on default settings, starting and stopping shooting, turning the camera on and off, and operations such as using the zoom.

*2: Times are based on repeatedly shooting until the maximum clip length is reached or recording stops automatically.

• The number of shots that can be taken is based on the Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) measurement standard.
• Under some shooting conditions, the number of possible shots and shooting time may be less than mentioned above.
• Number of shots/time with a fully charged battery.

[pawl]

Thanks for the objective post, smith.

All the emotion/frustration and the "I bet Canon will make you pay for shipping," or "I_told_you_so, it's_a_lemon," provides little help in making a smart decision.

I'm going to follow in your footsteps.

[smith]

Thanks -pawl-.  I agree with you completely.  Many of these posts are just sour attitudes which serve no positive contribution.  Let's find a resolution and move forward with life!  Although this post doesn't really contribute either, just had the urge to reply. 😃

[mcasale16]

Thank you very much for the information. I already have a free shipping label which Canon provided when they wanted to just LOOK at my camera- before they recognized the issue. I wasn't interested in sending it back then. BUT NOW I am interested- and have emailed them- to make sure that I can proceed with the old label. 

I appreciate your very helpful report! Thanks to ALL the contributors who have offered useful information (testing results, links, canon responses etc) You have made this forum a blessing. I appreciate those who are taking the time to provide accurate, useful, productive data.