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.

[Sktr]

For me, refurbished camera had still the same problem = Red flashing (low energy) + spontaneous shutdown. Battery on 100%, video record mode ... and when I use zoom, low energy indicator is here (sometimes after 2 minutes, sometimes 5 minutes, sometimes immediately...) and subsequently camera turn off (sometimes immediately after low battery indicator, sometimes after 5 minutes later ... ) . When I turn ON the camera, battery indicator = 100% (It's not normal!) and I can take 100 picture (again, It's not normal). But when I go to video mode, again "low battery" and I could wait for shutdown (again, sometimes immediately, sometimes after 5 minutes ...).

This is the main reason why there is this topic in the forum. Firmware 1.0.1.0 and 1.0.2.0 = the same problem.

Yes, I could have taken on a single charge up to 25 minutes of video and more than 200 photos. But the camera itself shutdown several times (in video mode 5 times in 25 minutes, sometime more than 15 times in 25 minutes when I used a zoom). Simply put, I didn't know when the camera shutdown and how long i can take a video . I wanted 1080p 60 FPS camera.

For me, with this problems, it is unusable camera. In my opinion, the problem is somewhere between Zoom, DIGIC 6 processor, video mode and battery. It may be firmware, I don't know. And now I do not care ...

Great video quality, nice zoom, good picture quality, a fair amount and quality aluminum body ... but ultimately useless for me.

I really had a lot of Canon cameras in my life ... but this is EPIC FAIL 😕

[Beetle]

Okay, others were correct, Canon has no interest in fixing the problem! I sent my new camera in and received a letter stating it could not be repaired so they were going to send a new one, I received a refurbished SX280 and guess what? The one they sent is worse than the old one! It will not even do one second of video! Fully charged battery, switch it to movie mode and it immediately shuts down!! GRRRRRRR!!! CANON! I WANT A NEW CAMERA THAT WORKS!!! I will not buy another Canon product until this is resolved!  I did speak with a very nice supervisor who did seem to be genuine, sending it back for another shot.  Soooo frustrating because I paid for a new camera and I would like a new camera, not one someone else has had trouble with.  The first service rep/tech was of no help once again,  I asked to speak to a supervisor and he said there is nobody that could help me, I called back and the other guy let me talk with someone who seemed to care.  Switch to video, flashes then dies, zoom on video, shuts down.  I'm supposed just live with it?

[Jason]

Hi everyone, to keep you and your gear safe we don't recommend do-it-yourself modifications, such as covering the middle pin with tape. In fact, doing this will interrupt important circuits that could cause unsafe conditions, such as overheating. We strongly advise against modifying the battery in any way.

[rft_canon]

Jason. Your suggestion,

Hi everyone, to keep you and your gear safe we don't recommend do-it-yourself modifications, such as covering the middle pin with tape. In fact, doing this will interrupt important circuits that could cause unsafe conditions, such as overheating. We strongly advise against modifying the battery in any way.

Is funny.  People would not resort to trying such fixes if Canon would truly own up AND FIX the issues that this camera has.

[UnionStation]

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Canon finally reponds for the first time in months- to tell us how not to fix the camera they refuse to admit there's a problem with. This, folks, tells you how little regard Canon has for any of us or our business. It proves that Canon has been monitoring this thread all along, and chooses to ignore our pleas for a fix - yet responds within days to a couple of posts that mention a workaround no one here took seriously. Shame on you, Canon, for treating us all like chumps. Please, folks, if you're thinking about buying this camera - DON'T. And if you're stuck with this camera, feel free to let our new pal Jason how that there's still a problem with this camera.

[Davy]

Now that battery dodge certainly rattled Canon.

Now then, what happens if the teminal or it's components are actually faulty...... and something happened to the camera that it did overheat.... yeah, yeah I get it Canon wouldn't want to know, not them  Sony batteries that catches fire are they bought on the cheap?

Seriously though anyone thought of taking this to trading standard to see what they have to say? Wonder what Which Magazine would say?

At least there's one stockist I can rely on - they refuse point blank to stock the SX270/280 - they just don't want to be burdened with the hassel.

Dave

[byronbay]

Putting tape on the battery works for me. It allows me to use the camera the way it was supposed to work.

If the camera catches on fire, I always have my phone ready to take a great Youtube video of a Canon camera on fire.

[Beetle]

We have Call 3 for Action TV which helps consumers fight ripoffs, maybe they will help sway Canon to give a refund?  Might be worth a shot.  Jeez, it's all over youtube, many forums and on Amazon reviews and they still won't acknowledge a problem?

[BeefJerky]

As with others, I am experiencing the issue even with a new camera that should not have the issue based on the serial number. Unfortunately the retailer I bought it from is now out of stock, so I can't just go an exchange it; they also don't know when they will get more in. I tried Canon support, but didn't have much luck. They refuse to cross-ship a replacement, which nearly every other manufacturer is willing to do, especially for a newly purchased product.

I declined the option to send in my brand new camera and be without it for 2 weeks. I think I'm simply going to return it for a refund and go with another brand; one that actually works to fix known issues and make the customers happy. I've bought many Canon cameras over the years, but I suspect this will be my last one.

[BeefJerky]

As with others, I am experiencing the issue even with a new camera that should not have the issue based on the serial number. Unfortunately the retailer I bought it from is now out of stock, so I can't just go an exchange it; they also don't know when they will get more in. I tried Canon support, but didn't have much luck. They refuse to cross-ship a replacement, which nearly every other manufacturer is willing to do, especially for a newly purchased product.

I declined the option to send in my brand new camera and be without it for 2 weeks. I think I'm simply going to return it for a refund and go with another brand; one that actually works to fix known issues and make the customers happy. I've bought many Canon cameras over the years, but I suspect this will be my last one.

[UnionStation]

Sorry, BeefJerky, but you're in good company. Return the camera while you can. There is no fix for the SX280 and probably never will be because Canon refuses to admit the problem that we've all experienced. And Beetle, I doubt that one local news station will be able to shame Canon into doing the right thing. Look at all the complaints here, on YouTube and all over the internet. Canon knows it has a lemon, and has moved on. They're counting on all of us to do the same. And to anyone even thinking about the SX280 - take a quick look at the last 81 pages on this thread and you should come to the conclusion that your cash will be better spent elsewhere. Canon has given up on fixing this flawed camera.