SX30 IS Battery Life - How Many Batteries

Hi,

I been searching the web for weeks hoping someone would have asked the question before.

The SX30 IS switchs to NB-7L Li-Ion batterys, so whats the battery life like.

I read CIPA 370 shots using LCD and CIPA 400 using LCD.

But CIPA is flash for every second shot, and lots of zoom, both of which I dont use alot.

My shooting habbits are usually with LCD off, I play with the zoom (33%), but the flash is not that common (5%)

I have a S5 IS, with 2100mAh Ni-MH, getting approx 500 shots out of a set.

On busy days I can take approx 2000 photo's during a 12 hour period, never been more then 2100. I can do that with about 4 sets of 2100mAh AA's

Now, to maintain the same amount of shots, how many NB-7L will I need?

As a side note, my AA's are on 15min chargers, a pair taking 15min, a set taking 30min. Those NB-7L take 1.5 to 2hrs to charge. Wish there was a quicker charger.

So, how many shots are people getting out of a full charge SX30 NB-7L. Let me know such thing like LCD/EVF on/off, zooming, and if its a Canon NB-7L or clone NB-7L. If you shot video also specify, but I don't really use it.

This should be a useful thread for people thinking how many batteries they need.

Thanks

On a warm day (30C) 370 shots took me to 56% battery on the Canon battery, no flash.
Christmas day with flash I got about 220 or so.
On a cool day in the rain I used 1 and about half a battery for 500 or so shots.

It really just depends. I bought 5 batteries off ebay. Different "brands" and up to this point i have not noticed a huge difference. Priced from $5 to $15.

I would never buy a Canon battery for this camera. You don't really gain anything and "brand name" ones off Ebay are decent quality.

It does take some time to recharge them, it's just how long this type take. You can't fast charge LiOn's in a safe manner. You can't trickle charge them either.

I did notice a huge slow down with the flash after quite a few shots. enough for me to buy an external flash.

The camera will (as it should) switch off at about 35% left to protect the batteries.
You can get more with CHDK but you really dont want to run them really low

2000 pic a day! Geeze, I thought I was a busy photog shooting a few hundred. I probably average 150 a day. I haven't counted shots, but I typically get a few days use from a charge. My shooting "habit" is similar to yours only rarely using the LCD or flash. 33% is probably about right for zoom. I almost always have it at max so each time I power-up I zoom out. I frequently put the camera down and leave it powered ON. The EVF times out and goes dark after a few minutes (I forget exact setting), but the lens does not retract.

Just yesterday I decided to let a battery drain until shut down. I was surprised at how long it lasted after the red change battery warning appeared. In fact I got impatient shooting pics and waiting so set it down in slide show playback mode and I think it ran for at least 15 minutes and then was still good for a few more shots.

You didn't mention playback. I'm not sure how much that impacts power use, but I instantly review thru the EVF most of my shots and every so often use play mode to see a series. I rarely delete rejects in camera. I usually do that when moving pics from the SD card (using a reader) to the PC.

I bought two extra after market batteries (abt $7 ea) when I got the SX30. For my usual retired guy's stay at home and around the neighborhood use I would only have needed one spare. For me I think three batteries would easily cover me for a three day photo shooting holiday ... unless I was covering a Hawaiian Tropics bikini event or a Hooter's wet T-shirt contest. Subjects of that sort might even motivate me to shoot some video.

Oh, for extended time away from AC power I have a small 150 watt 12 volt inverter that ought to let me use the stock charger in the car. I had a bad experience years ago with a low cost/quality after market automotive Li-on camcorder battery charger. It overheated to a scary temperature which made me shy of buying anything else like it.

Would I be rude asking what you find to shoot so many pictures of?

Mark
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Hi,

Thanks for your feedback.

I too an looking for eBay clones, in Australia the real thing is approx $60-$80, well out of my price range if I intend to buy half a dozen or so.

I will probably get a random amount of batteries from different eBay sellers and test them out before getting more. Can you provide more info on the sellers that have good quality batteries, or a resonable price? PM if you want.

Most of my shooting is are at the higher temps, 25~40C

Generally only use CHDK for my loooong exposure shots or video, to check the battery and special use with min shutter values. Glad to see development for the SX30!

If anyone else can provide their battery life that would be most useful. I know there are many users of the SX30

Thanks

Hi,

Thanks for the feedback.

Pictures are of archaeological sites and/or museums or travel photography, the last being hundreds, not thousands.

Anyone else willing to share their SX30's battery life....come-on, there are stacks of owner's here! ;-)

Thanks

Stacks of owners but few who really use it.

I'm happy with the "Phottix" brand batteries.

I'm also an Aussie and bought the whole kit OS from Ebay

It seems the sx30 battery is quite capable for taking pictures. Does anyone know how long will it work when shooting video?