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.

[UnionStation]

As someone who's shoveled thousands of dollars to Canon - and convinced my friends to give up much more - in the mistaken belief the company brand stood for something like value and integrity, I'm now doing my absolute best to warn other potential suckers away from this flawed camera. I bought one, and did my best to alert Canon customer service to the flaw. In return for my efforts, I was ignored and treated like my customer loyalty was worth zippy squat. I - and others - were told for weeks that there was no problem. Canon finally admitted to a problem, but never made a good faith effort to deal with it or the customers stuck with the sx280, I decided to launch a one-man jihad to alert other customers to the problems with this camera and Canon's disdain for customers. Turns out I'm hardly alone. Mark my words, pal, your faith in Canon will never be rewarded. Like I said, get back to us after you've had your fill.

[LSousa]

Yes Canon only want to sell their 280 fiasco...  They only want the money of the costumers... Canon sucks.. 

[bradmoss]

Sorry to learn about your feelings, I also bought the SX280, and if they don't fix the problem sure it will be my last Canon, and as you said I would be warning all my friends. Hope Canon resolves the issue and shows us the integrity of the Company that seems to be mishandled by some manager right now...

[dswansonil]

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@bradmoss wrote:

Sorry to learn about your feelings, I also bought the SX280, and if they don't fix the problem sure it will be my last Canon, and as you said I would be warning all my friends. Hope Canon resolves the issue and shows us the integrity of the Company that seems to be mishandled by some manager right now...

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There's an old saying that you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink.

In this case, it's that you can point out 89 pages of user complaints to bradmoss but you can't make him read.

[nserrano]

Does the camera have to explode on someones face for Canon to recall the camera? What ever happend to recalling a product because it was a lemon? Time for a Class Action lawsuit.

[astorki]

Here is temporary solution with small piece of tape in the middle battery contact . With this fix work like charm but without battery icon.I hope that this fix will help you. Explanation is on German language but you will see everything in next video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDsy5E7bh2Y

[UnionStation]

How do you say "short circuit" and "my camera's on fire - call 911" in German?

Sorry, friend, but this idea has been floated here before. It doesn't solve the problem - it just disables the flashing battery light but leaves you with no clue when your battery is going to die.

Not only that, it's so ill-advised that the almighty at Canon actually broke months of radio silence in this forum to warn us we might burn our houses down if we try this janky 'fix' for their unfixable camera.

[bradmoss]

I did find a solution!!

I bought this battery from Vivitar and use it instead of the Canon it works!!

The link to the Vivitar Batteries: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DVPGBDG/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Try them., it says they can deliver 1150 mAh instead of the 1000 the Canon delivers...

[astorki]

Sorry i don't speak German, I found this solution on youtube.
But I decide to risk with my new Sx280HS five days old.
Today I play with my SX280 and I am surprised because now working.Of course without battery icon but I make more than 40 min full hd video with zoom playing constantly.Camera still work and battery is not empty.I think that firmware can't solve this issue because some electronic part not work properly.But for me this is okay temporary solution.I have three battery now, two old from IXUS85 IS and one new from SX280 and all work good with this small fix..Last 15 years I use only Canon (A60,A70,S1IS,IXUS85IS and last one SX280HS).Twice Canon change ccd chip on my old A70 for free (was factory issue) and because I believe in this big and good company.But this is big mistake from Canon and if Canon not solve this is be my last Canon camera
We must be patient and wait some solution from Canon

[UnionStation]

We must be patient and await some solution from Canon? Sorry, but Canon has already told us all to shut up and be satisfied because there is no problem. Don't take my word for it. Scroll back through the last 89 pages of this thread. This problem was reported right after the sx280 was released. Canon initially refused to believe the problem was widespread. When it became clear it was, Canon released a firmware update and declared the problem solved, even though complaints persist. Every once in a while some Canon fan (I used to be one) pops up here and stands up for Canon's good name - something Canon won't do, incidentally. Then they suddenly realize the sx280 sucks - and return it in disgust, or keep it and feel like crap because it's too late. Best of luck to anyone who's bought this camera, and a word of caution to anyone considering it.