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.

[pawl]

B&H (NFI) just added the Lumix back in stock.

[videophan]

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@pawl wrote:

B&H (NFI) just added the Lumix back in stock.

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Pawl, thanks for noting this. While there I saw something very odd. B&H is reporting the Canon SX280 as "no longer available." This could be a good sign...or a bad one.

SX280 availability

[pawl]

Your welcome, videophan. btw, sorry for the snippy tone in my previous post. think I might have confused you with another poster.

[UberAugie]

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@videophan wrote:

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@pawl wrote:

B&H (NFI) just added the Lumix back in stock.

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Pawl, thanks for noting this. While there I saw something very odd. B&H is reporting the Canon SX280 as "no longer available." This could be a good sign...or a bad one.

                                                                                                                                                                                                              

I don't know if the "no longer available" means much. The white Lumix was out of stock last night at B&H but now it says it's been discontinued.

UPDATE: Last night I pulled the trigger on the Lumix DMC-ZS30 and requested a return label for my SX280. I don't take enough photos to notice the difference in image quality between the two models but I will appreciate the features of the Panasonic. Last night I was taking a picture with my SX280 and once again my finger inadvertently blocked the flash from popping up. Glad I won't have to worry about that with the Lumix.

[videophan]

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@pawl wrote:

Your welcome, videophan. btw, sorry for the snippy tone in my previous post. think I might have confused you with another poster.

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No problem. I just feel that we,  who have purchased an SX280 that clearly has a serious issue, deserve better treatment from Canon. Props to you for keeping such a positive attitude throughout.

As I said, I had a Canon Powershot A70 whose sensor failed. Because there was a defect in the manufacture of these and were supplied to several maufacturers of cameras, Canon chose to replace the sensor free of charge regardless of the age of the camera. Mine was three years old at the time, I did have to pay shipping to the repair center (which I had no problem with), and the camera was returned fully functional. What has happened to that kind of oustanding customer service in such a short period of time?

[videophan]

Yes, I thought after I posted, the "no longer available" may just be an error. B&H did reduce the price to $269 to match Amazon a couple of days ago. Maybe they are just sold out. I envy your puchase of the ZS30. If the price were $350, I'd pull the trigger and never look back

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@UberAugie wrote:

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UPDATE: Last night I pulled the trigger on the Lumix DMC-ZS30 and requested a return label for my SX280. I don't take enough photos to notice the difference in image quality between the two models but I will appreciate the features of the Panasonic. Last night I was taking a picture with my SX280 and once again my finger inadvertently blocked the flash from popping up. Glad I won't have to worry about that with the Lumix.

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[mcasale16]

I made the plunge. I returned the SX280 camera to the store as I only had a 15 day window. I repurchased the camera from Amazon at a much lower price, tested it and determined that it had the very same issue. Now with a 30 day window I dropped it off at UPS and sent it back to Canon. I figure that I have nothing to lose, and everything to gain as the camera fits my needs at the $269 price. I'll let you know what happens as the saga continues.

Now regarding batteries- I purchased the wasabi batteries from Amazon - 1300 mAh- fully charged it, put it in the camera 2 days later. I recorded a 13 minute, 5 minute and 19 minute video. The camera shut down, and said to charge the battery. After a bit I turned it back on - the indicator showed 1/3 battery left- I continued to take 105 non flash non zoom pictures. Unfortunately the ad for these batteries say that there is a 3 year warranty. The batteries arrived with no paperwork whatsoever. No directions, no warranty, no directions on how to register for a warranty.

[UberAugie]

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@videophan wrote:

I envy your puchase of the ZS30. If the price were $350, I'd pull the trigger and never look back

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I paid $329 for my red case SX280 so it wasn't too big of leap for me to get the ZS30. I'm still keeping an eye out for better prices on it but it's very hard to find it in stock. I have read comments in some reviews where other SX280 owners switched over. I only have you to blame for my decision. 🙂

[joshf52]

I called last night to get mine set up for a repair/replacement. The CS rep on the phone said it was not their policy to provide return shipping labels. I actually had to argue for one (as politely as possible, since I generally don't agree with being rude to CS.) It is supposed to be emailed in 24-48 hours. This is completely unacceptable policy from Canon on this problem, and I don't appreciate this treatment.

FYI mine currently shows full battery, immediately goes red when I switch to video, and immediately shuts down as soon as I tap the zoom, then shows full again once I power it back up.

I also currently own an S95 and T3i, and this will be my last Canon purchase.

[Davy]

Just queried the power problem with Canon UK... here is part of  their reply-:

Quote:

Thank you for your request and for contacting Canon.

In reference to your enquiry on the PowerShot SX280 HS please be advised that we have no information on USA models but there is no issue with our UK models and the battery.

Any known issues will always be announced on our Product Support page, for the PowerShot SX280 HS you can find this here There are no known issues listed.  ......... Unquote:

Note:

The link given is -:

http://www.canon.co.uk/Support/Consumer_Products/products/cameras/Digital_Compact/Powershot_SX_serie...

Canon seems to be at sixes and sevens over this issue?

So can anyone confirm that this problem does not apply to UK models, maybe I'm better looking elsewhere.

Thanks, Dave