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.

[Beetle]

I'm sending back number 5, we'll see how they screw me this time. Thanks canon, after this one it is a filing in small claims court.

[Davy]

I can understand your point in sending it back repeatedly but it is a total waste of time, if it hasn't been fixed by now it never will be.

Just one question are you getting the same camera back? Well, we don't know do we because all Canon needs to do is to swap the outer casing?

I would have given up hope the 2nd time afterwich I would have sought legal advice no matter the cost.

The only way to fix that camera is to clod it under a steam rollor, I doubt the SX700 isn't much different - I don't want to be knowing, there are far, far better cameras out there.

It seems Canon doesn't care two hoot's about their reputation these day's, don't go blaming Canon USA, Canon UK or Canon wherever - blame the heirachy, the Chief Sitting Bull...  if you work for a company you do as you are told or your out on your backside.

Dave

[MarioV]

The SX700 doesnt have the battery issue.

I've just filmed 16.5 mins indoors with lots of full zooming. It stops because of the Fat32 4GB file size limit.  Then shot another 15 mins with lots of zooming.  I stopped it there.  Over half hour of 1080p60 video. No red light. Battery still at 3 bars.

[BrianUnderpants]

Thank heavens I read this thread first, nearly bought a SX280 (UK stores offering them for £130 ($215).

Saw a SX260 for £100 ($165) in PCWorld at the same time and got that instead.

The SX260 seems a good camera image quality wise compared to my Casio Exilm EX-ZR100.

Good luck guys and gals with your efforts to get Canon to own up/cough up, I can't work out what Canon are playing at, reputations are hard won and easily lost.

Alsithee.

[Davy]

@ BrianUnderpants:

Good to have you on board... alsithee owd butty!

Dave

[AZK]

I didn't see this before hand.  I just bought one 2 days ago as I thought it was a good deal, on offer for £130.  Use it for about 5 minutes at most and i'm having this issue.  I'll be returning it and looking at another camera when I get my refund.

[Bluestar48]

AZK:"I didn't see this before hand.  I just bought one 2 days ago as I thought it was a good deal, on offer for £130.  Use it for about 5 minutes at most and i'm having this issue.  I'll be returning it and looking at another camera when I get my refund."

Yes, return that lemon as fast as you can or that battery drama will plague you forever. I have heard good feedback up to now about the Sx700, may be you could give it a try. Good luck.

[Davy]

Personally I couldn't bring myself round to even considering the SX700.... not after the way Canon has treated these folks here..... there are other cameras that will blow the SX700 out the water when it comes to battery life.

The only thing the SX700 has is a pea-sized bigger battery -  60mA/ Hr more and a extra 10x zoom!!!  Could I be excused by saying it's dearer to cover losses of the SX270/280, whats spectacular about it?

Dave

[MarioV]

Davy, I'm sorry to hear that Canon has ruined your life.

For others who are able to move on from the SX280, I have posted some info here about the SX700:

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/53437701

[UnionStation]

Lol. Canon didn't ruin our lives with the sx280. They just hurt their own reputation. I'll be the folks who dropped money on the sx280 won't be so eager to beta test the sx700. Canon's disgraceful conduct and bad-faith dealing with loyal customers throughout this sad chapter has earned a bit of skepticism.

Actually, it's very interesting that someone who's such a Canon cheerleader just coincidentally happens to lay hands on a camera that hasn't been released yet. Is everyone aware that big companies like Canon spend lots of money on 'reputation management'? That's a fancy PR industry term for willfully trying to drown out complaints with comments that favor the company.