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.

[RCJ]

Thinking maybe the Canon S110 would be better for what I want to do with the camera. Doesn't have the super zoom, but I have a closetful of big lenses for super zooming.

[canon_user]

My Canon experience:

2x different IXUS

Canon EOS 500D

Powershot SX200

Update on my post few days ago.

I tested the battery life again but now in 2 different ways, with both times a full battery to start with.

Conditions in both tests

Eco mode turned ON

GPS turned OFF

WIFI turned OFF

Not using flash

Test 1 = Max. video length without taking pictures or zooming

I had the camera set on a tripod and did not touch it except for the ON/ OFF video button.

The next thing I did was, turn the video ON for 3 minutes followed by 1 minute OFF, and doing this continuously till the battery gave up.

This was after 15 times, so 15 times ON x 3 min. = 45 minutes video!

Immediately after this I removed the battery and measured the temp. and it was 49 deg. Celsius.

I was satisfied and thought I made a mistake the first time, but the temp. of almost 50 degr. Celsius of the battery was disturbingly high.

(every 10 deg. celsius above 30 deg. celsius shortens the battery life by factor two for Li-on.)

Test 2 = Normal use for me on a holiday

I did a short research on my last holiday pictures and came up with video-shots from 10 sec. to 3 minutes and between the video shots mostly 10 to 20 images.

So in a time period of one day I used the camera as if I where on a holiday.

The result was: 120 images and an added total of 9 minutes of video until the camera shut down during a video-shot because of an empty battery.

My solution

120 images and 9 minutes of video could be useable, however not for me and especially not on a holiday.

So I'll take it back to the store because my returning-window is closing soon and I am not expecting a solution for this problem other than: adding more battery power or lowering the processor speed.

If the indicator was giving the actual power left in the battery AND the battery did not cost as much as 45 euros I think I would have kept the camera.

Good things

The pictures are really good, clear and have very little noise.

You can shoot indoors with 20 times zoom and still get very sharp pictures without noise and distortion considering the high ISO values.

And the videos are very steady and clean.

Bad things

Aside from the huge battery problem:

The encoder-wheel is turning quite heavily so you're accidentally pushing it too hard so the flash is popping up frequently while you are altering other settings.

The mode selection wheel or switch is turning quite heavily as well, hence at least it won't turn by itself when you put the camera in the camera bag.

I have spend days, looking for the best camera in this category and figured out that the SX280 is by far the best.

Looking at my footage it is far beyond my expectations however sadly I must return it.

It's like giving someone candy and after 10 sec. you take it back.

[dswansonil]

canon_user,

Great analysis!  Given your experimental procedure and knowledge of thermal effects on the battery, I'd guess you might be an engineer. 

Your first test on a tripod would seem to confirm that the image stabilization is NOT a significant power drain as the documentation indicates that it is de-activated in that shooting mode.  I know in earlier cameras it was supposedly a big draw on the power supply.

Your second test confirms that battery life is terrible even under normal shooting conditions as 120 images and 9 minutes of video is way too limiting.  I imagine that your second test also simulates what was not in the first test in that you were probably turning the camera on and off and zooming to take pictures. 

I would have expected that the lens motor was an major demand on the battery but that is a part of the standard CIPA battery life test:

"Under the test scheme, the camera takes a photo every 30 seconds, half with flash and the other without. The test zooms the lens in and out all the way before every shot and leaves the screen on. After every 10 shots, the camera is turned off for a while and the cycle is repeated."

That would seem to parallel your second test and lead one to believe that 9 minutes of video consumed about half of the battery's available power (210 exposure rating).  As a point of reference, the standard battery for the Canon Vivia camcorders has a slightly lower power rating (890 vs 1000 mah) but seems to produce 90+ mins of video.  They use a different processor so it looks likely that's what takes all the power.

Bottom line is then as you stated.  It's unlikely they can fix the underlying battery life problem without increasing the battery's power rating or decreasing the current draw by hobbling the processor.

[Emsmith]

I received this camera yesterday for a present. Love it but after experiencing the battery issue I am thinking about returning the camera. What camera are you getting after returning this one?

[canonuser4]

I'm considering the Panasonic Lumix ZS30 however it's out of stock until June 9th, or so Panasonic told me. Too bad about the SX280. I'd buy it again if the battery issue was fixed.

[pawl]

UnionStation, I'm wondering how far beyond the 30 days you were when B&H accepted the return.

I just checked with them and they said "no can do" for my upgrade (I was asking to return for a more expensive camera).

[UnionStation]

Call during a week day and ask to speak to a supervisor, if necessary. Explain that this is a flawed camera and that Canon has acknowledged this. Perhaps I just got lucky, but the customer rep helped me without hesitation.

For those thinking about returning the sx280, you might want to think about returning now and buying again when/if Canon comes up with a fix. If it takes a long time to solve the problem - or involves a return - you'll be glad you did.

[pawl]

US, just curious how long beyond your 30 day window did you contact them?

Good idea to call them, I guess. Their written reply so far is "...sorry for the camera and that it is not working anymore. [Regarding a return], we can only do this within the 30 day policy since that is the amount of time that we have to send this back to the manufacturer for a replacement. I am very sorry but you would need contact Canon for a their warranty service to replace the camera."

[scupking]

Canon we need an update on this??? When will this issue be fixed???

[Simson]

In Germany there is the same problem with the camera. And the reviews on Amazon.de are also negative. Canon loses many customers are now the Panasonic DMC-TZ41EG buy. Too bad you can not solve the problem.