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]

Davy,

Ha. Perhaps those models have a special UK firmware, version 1.0.0.UK!

[Davy]

Yeah, makes it sound like a firmware issue doesn't it, thanks for that RCJ.

Wouldn't mind if it were a £ or $ or two, the price they're asking you'd expect things to be right first off, you don't want be having hastel with it straight out of box.

I use the Canon A650, pity they stopped that production..... nothing wrong with AAA cells, at least you can get em' anywhere,  I certainly don't mind scarficing size and weight for AAA cells.

Thanks again, happy snapping.... Dave

[videophan]

I went to amazon.co.uk and found this in the reviews for the SX280.Note the first reviewer's updated comment:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B00BYOY9DK/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

He is not a verified amazon.co.uk purchaser and  may not have bought it in the UK.  You do have to make at least one purchase at amazon.uk.co to review an item but not necessarily the item you review...similar to the requirements at amazon.com.

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@Davy wrote:

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

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[UnionStation]

Has anyone from the UK experienced this battery issue? I remember seeing some talk about this problem from users in Australia, so I doubt it's strictly limited to the U.S. models. Sad, though, that Canon customer service in the United Kingdom would be unaware of this issue.

[videophan]

Gordon Laing, who authored an SX280 review that identified the battery level indicator issue in his review, is from Queenstown, New Zealand. When the review appeared, Canon contacted him and asked him to return the camera for a firmware update that will fix the issue. He is still waiting. It isn't just a Canon USA issue.

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@UnionStation wrote:

Has anyone from the UK experienced this battery issue? I remember seeing some talk about this problem from users in Australia, so I doubt it's strictly limited to the U.S. models. Sad, though, that Canon customer service in the United Kingdom would be unaware of this issue.

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[smith]

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@mcasale16 wrote:
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.

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You are the first to document a return for repair.  Please do post the outcome when you receive your fixed camera.  I will continue to use mine under normal circumstances- not neurotically testing the battery performance by video recording or previewing shots and playing with settings which undoubtedly drains the battery, but rather snapping a few still shots and video clips here and there.  I think once I learn that Canon can in fact repair the low battery indicator issue and the camera functions well under normal usage situations I will be satisfied with my purchase.  Looking forward to using my compact, high zoom, HD video, all-in-one camera that I was so excited about when I purchased it!  Big bummer to have to deal with this bug, but hope the ultimate outcome good.

[filipb]

Hi all,

I live in Belgium and received my SX280 this morning and after a quick check with battery as it was (no charge), the problem seemed to be there, but also the battery ran down quite quickly with all the zooming, flash en video tests.  So I am charging the battery now and will do some more tests.

Concerning remote firmware update, there is a canon hackers site where the (unofficial) procedure is documented:

[Mod note: Link hidden - please see FORUM GUIDELINES.]

And a page where there is evidence that this method works for the sx260 (which should be very close to the sx280):

[Mod note: Link hidden - please see FORUM GUIDELINES.] (search for File System Support and notice the wording "When using the firmware update method ...")

It seems highly unlikely that "most of the camera's out there don't have the problem", unless of course the bug was introduced in a recent firmware update ...

I also have the feeling that besides the indication problem, the battery is a bit lightweight for the task - so who knows in the longer run they will release a more powerful battery.

I have 30 days return policy (with bol.com webshop) and so I will thoroughly test it during that period and hopefully have the firmware update in that timeframe ...

Regards,

Filip.

[dim]

I have this problem and I'm from Czech Republic. It is the second Canon SX280, and both have the same defect.

[MarioV]

Yes, the problem is here in Australia as well.   I have firmware version 1.0.1.0 but dont know if that means anything. Maybe the extra 1 means I get 1 more second of video.

Its a nice camera, but we shouldnt have to be beta testers sorting out something which shouldnt have happened in the first place.

Considering this is Canon's first move into >24p video, they must be complete novices at how to make it work properly. 

I purchased the extra warranty so I'm in my rights to either get a refund, replace the camera or exchange for something else, at any time within the 3 years.

I will wait for another month to see if a firmware file is ready for download to update over the CameraWindow software.

Other options:

The Panasonic TZ40 is nice and compact which means there's little excuse not to take it everywhere with you.. however, I just cant get excited over it and its IQ seems meh.

The Nikon S9500 with its 22x zoom seems good, but it doesnt do 1080p60 video.

The Olympus SZ31 seems quite good.  I've had the SZ30 which was quite the pocketful.

I'm considering the Sony HX50.  720mm of reach in the (tight) pocket.  Resized down, the images are quite good. And at least Sony are smart when it comes to video.  I'm not sure, maybe Sony 60p video isnt as detailed as Canon 60p video, but at least you can shoot more of it without the ridiculous hassle.

Mario

[Davy]

Sooooo it does to me look like Canon UK is pulling a fast one.... funny how everyone is having this problems, not just USA but 'over the globe'. This just doesn't make sense at all!

Are Canon UK trying to pull wool over my eyes?  Come on Canon speak up, surely they must be reading these complaints,  I did send Canon UK the link........silence speak  volumes!

Think I'll hang fire on the SX280 and look elsewhere, sorry to the people who are having this trouble... it is no fun and certainly not funny!

The way to resolve this is for Canon to publicly acknowledge the problem - will they, won't they?

Dave