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USB Battery Charging and the DPREVIEW Sony Overview

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Barry Margolius

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I really have to take issue with the way DPREVIEW views USB charging.

In the recent Top Five comparison, the reviewer makes the following comment about the Sony RX100: "What we don't like: USB charging,..." I just cannot conceive of why USB charging is a negative. At the very worst it adds $20 or so to the price of the camera to buy an external charger, and it gives the camera a wonderful (to me) extra layer of functionality.

Much like the old maxim "The best camera is the one you have with you", one might say "The best camera is the one with a charged battery". Yes, I know I should take a spare battery and a charger with me, but I don't always remember. Having the emergency backup of in-camera recharging is a wonderful thing.

I really wanted a Canon G15, but I'm skipping it because it has no in camera charging.




PS: It would really make my life easier if DPREVIEW added a "USB Charging" row to its specifications tables.




-barry
 
Barry Margolius said:
Barry Margolius wrote:

I really have to take issue with the way DPREVIEW views USB charging.

In the recent Top Five comparison, the reviewer makes the following comment about the Sony RX100: "What we don't like: USB charging,..." I just cannot conceive of why USB charging is a negative. At the very worst it adds $20 or so to the price of the camera to buy an external charger, and it gives the camera a wonderful (to me) extra layer of functionality.

-barry
Click to expand...
I'm really not wholly sure what is your real line of thought here.. you seem to disagree with the "USB charging is bad" idea.. but say you don't mind...

However - whilst I have to say that initially I do accept the USB charge arrangement of the RX100..I HAVE bought an external charger so feel happier about that aspect now... but what I DO NOT LIKE about the RX100 USB charge arrangement is this... if Sony feel that they have to "enforce" that arrangement on buyers (and it IS each owners decision to buy a charger or not...) then I do NOT like their idea of putting on the camera what really is a VERY flimsy type side door that then needs to be opened/closed umpteen times.. for those who do not have the camera.. I assure you.. it is a VERY flimsy type thin plastic door.. and on what I feel is not a particularly strong hinge arrangement. THAT is bad... (I hasten to add - ONE of the very few things I do NOT like about the camera...it being superb otherwise !!
 
Barry Margolius said:
Barry Margolius wrote:

I really have to take issue with the way DPREVIEW views USB charging.

In the recent Top Five comparison, the reviewer makes the following comment about the Sony RX100: "What we don't like: USB charging,..." I just cannot conceive of why USB charging is a negative. At the very worst it adds $20 or so to the price of the camera to buy an external charger, and it gives the camera a wonderful (to me) extra layer of functionality.

Much like the old maxim "The best camera is the one you have with you", one might say "The best camera is the one with a charged battery". Yes, I know I should take a spare battery and a charger with me, but I don't always remember. Having the emergency backup of in-camera recharging is a wonderful thing.
Click to expand...
I love USB charging, it eliminates having a multitude of batteries, of course this wouldn't have been a problem if manufacturers had standardised on a set of battery sizes and standard chargers, somewhat like the old A,C and D cells only they could be a set of standards for rectangular batteries.

Anyway what do you expect from these reviews, after a decade they are still going on about plastic battery doors and tripods mount threads.

Brian
 
All you have to do to solve your problem is fork over $20 for an external battery charger. Then you have the choice of whether to charge the battery internally (via USB) or externally (via AC plug).
Deleted1929 said:
sjgcit wrote:

Try charging a spare battery while using the camera.

The same thing applies to cameras that charge the battery in the camera.
Click to expand...
 
I apologize if I was unclear. I'll restate my opinion in the positive sense, rather than the negative: I am strongly in favor of all manufacturers including USB charging in their cameras.



ericN2 said:
ericN2 wrote:
ericN2 said:
Barry Margolius wrote:

I really have to take issue with the way DPREVIEW views USB charging.

In the recent Top Five comparison, the reviewer makes the following comment about the Sony RX100: "What we don't like: USB charging,..." I just cannot conceive of why USB charging is a negative. At the very worst it adds $20 or so to the price of the camera to buy an external charger, and it gives the camera a wonderful (to me) extra layer of functionality.

-barry
Click to expand...
I'm really not wholly sure what is your real line of thought here.. you seem to disagree with the "USB charging is bad" idea.. but say you don't mind...

However - whilst I have to say that initially I do accept the USB charge arrangement of the RX100..I HAVE bought an external charger so feel happier about that aspect now... but what I DO NOT LIKE about the RX100 USB charge arrangement is this... if Sony feel that they have to "enforce" that arrangement on buyers (and it IS each owners decision to buy a charger or not...) then I do NOT like their idea of putting on the camera what really is a VERY flimsy type side door that then needs to be opened/closed umpteen times.. for those who do not have the camera.. I assure you.. it is a VERY flimsy type thin plastic door.. and on what I feel is not a particularly strong hinge arrangement. THAT is bad... (I hasten to add - ONE of the very few things I do NOT like about the camera...it being superb otherwise !!
Click to expand...
 
USB charging is an advantage when traveling, it's easy to recharge the camera overnight when it's not in use, not carrying an AC charger eliminates one item to be packed. An AC charger is convenient at home.
 
you're entitled to your opinion but in camera charging is a negative feature in my view. I shouldn't have to pay for a charger for a battery operated device with a proprietary battery. I don't mind paying for an extra battery (that is always my first accessory purchase) but having to buy a charger AND an extra battery just to avoid having to NOT use my camera when the battery runs out is a legitimate point of critique. if a camera maker wants to have in camera charging as an option, it ought to also supply an external charger with the camera for those you prefer out of body charging.
 
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So it costs $20 extra to get in-camera charging and USB-charging and another $20 for the external charger.

So my camera and charger costs me $40 more.


And this is just do you're happy ?

A better solution is you unhappy and the majority of us happy. :-)
 
Barry Margolius wrote:
I really have to take issue with the way DPREVIEW views USB charging.
In the recent Top Five comparison, the reviewer makes the following comment about the Sony RX100: "What we don't like: USB charging,..." I just cannot conceive of why USB charging is a negative.
I can - what happens when the battery dies in the middle of a trip? You have to stop shooting and plug in the camera to charge it?
At the very worst it adds $20 or so to the price of the camera to buy an external charger, and it gives the camera a wonderful (to me) extra layer of functionality.
Much like the old maxim "The best camera is the one you have with you", one might say "The best camera is the one with a charged battery". Yes, I know I should take a spare battery and a charger with me, but I don't always remember. Having the emergency backup of in-camera recharging is a wonderful thing.
Except when you want to shoot with the spare battery and charge the dead one.

I really wanted a Canon G15, but I'm skipping it because it has no in camera charging.
The only way I would own the RX100 is by purchasing an external charger.
Mark
 
Barry Margolius wrote:
I apologize if I was unclear. I'll restate my opinion in the positive sense, rather than the negative: I am strongly in favor of all manufacturers including USB charging in their cameras.


I feel you're in the very slim minority, especially if your opinion means an external charger shouldn't be included. This is a very big negative - having to purchase an external battery charger is just as bad as having to buy a lens hood with Canon's lenses. It's something that should be included.

Mark
 
Barry Margolius said:
Barry Margolius wrote:

All you have to do to solve your problem is fork over $20 for an external battery charger. Then you have the choice of whether to charge the battery internally (via USB) or externally (via AC plug).
Click to expand...
You mean, "the choice" between a silly way to do battery charging and a sensible way?

Errr.. which are you aiming to choose, today, Barry?
 
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You pay for a charger for every camera you buy. It's just included in the price of the camera. If you prefer for camera makers to include a charger in addition to USB capability, that's fine with me.




-barry
 
No need to get snippy about this. :- )


In regards to the facts, I don't really know what it costs to add USB charging to a camera during the design process, but I suspect that it's closer to 20 cents than $20. And I believe, again just a hunch, that there are more than a few of us who would like USB charging, so you're not paying extra 'just so I'm happy'.



Deleted1929 said:
sjgcit wrote:

So it costs $20 extra to get in-camera charging and USB-charging and another $20 for the external charger.

So my camera and charger costs me $40 more.

And this is just do you're happy ?

A better solution is you unhappy and the majority of us happy. :-)

--

StephenG
Click to expand...
 
Barrie Davis said:
Barrie Davis wrote:
Barrie Davis said:
Barry Margolius wrote:

All you have to do to solve your problem is fork over $20 for an external battery charger. Then you have the choice of whether to charge the battery internally (via USB) or externally (via AC plug).
Click to expand...
You mean, "the choice" between a silly way to do battery charging and a sensible way?

Errr.. which are you aiming to choose, today, Barry?
Click to expand...
 
Member said:
Mark B. wrote:
Member said:
Barry Margolius wrote:

I really have to take issue with the way DPREVIEW views USB charging.

In the recent Top Five comparison, the reviewer makes the following comment about the Sony RX100: "What we don't like: USB charging,..." I just cannot conceive of why USB charging is a negative.
Click to expand...
I can - what happens when the battery dies in the middle of a trip? You have to stop shooting and plug in the camera to charge it?
Member said:
At the very worst it adds $20 or so to the price of the camera to buy an external charger, and it gives the camera a wonderful (to me) extra layer of functionality.

Much like the old maxim "The best camera is the one you have with you", one might say "The best camera is the one with a charged battery". Yes, I know I should take a spare battery and a charger with me, but I don't always remember. Having the emergency backup of in-camera recharging is a wonderful thing.
Click to expand...
Except when you want to shoot with the spare battery and charge the dead one.
Member said:
I really wanted a Canon G15, but I'm skipping it because it has no in camera charging.
Click to expand...
The only way I would own the RX100 is by purchasing an external charger.

Mark
Click to expand...
If you carefully read my original post, you will see that your last sentence is precisely what I am recommending. I, too, would purchase an external charger very soon after buying the camera, but I'm thrilled to be allowed the choice of internal charging or external charging.

-barry
 
Barry Margolius said:
Barry Margolius wrote:

I really have to take issue with the way DPREVIEW views USB charging.

In the recent Top Five comparison, the reviewer makes the following comment about the Sony RX100: "What we don't like: USB charging,..." I just cannot conceive of why USB charging is a negative. At the very worst it adds $20 or so to the price of the camera to buy an external charger, and it gives the camera a wonderful (to me) extra layer of functionality.

Much like the old maxim "The best camera is the one you have with you", one might say "The best camera is the one with a charged battery". Yes, I know I should take a spare battery and a charger with me, but I don't always remember. Having the emergency backup of in-camera recharging is a wonderful thing.

I really wanted a Canon G15, but I'm skipping it because it has no in camera charging.

PS: It would really make my life easier if DPREVIEW added a "USB Charging" row to its specifications tables.

-barry
Click to expand...



Completely agree.

I was driving to a place for some shooting last night, and I was really low on battery (my backup battery was already dead from a previous session), so I simply plugged it into my car's cig-lighter micro-USB charger - that I normally use for my Android phone - and manage to charge it to a decent level before I arrived.


This is a HUGE convenience. Theoretically, this means that I can leave my camera in my car at all times, and have a good camera ready for anything anywhere I went, without ever worrying about battery. You can't do this with a camera that doesn't have in-body micro-usb charging (ie most other cameras today).
 
Barry Margolius said:
Barry Margolius wrote:

I really have to take issue with the way DPREVIEW views USB charging.

In the recent Top Five comparison, the reviewer makes the following comment about the Sony RX100: "What we don't like: USB charging,..." I just cannot conceive of why USB charging is a negative. At the very worst it adds $20 or so to the price of the camera to buy an external charger, and it gives the camera a wonderful (to me) extra layer of functionality.

Much like the old maxim "The best camera is the one you have with you", one might say "The best camera is the one with a charged battery". Yes, I know I should take a spare battery and a charger with me, but I don't always remember. Having the emergency backup of in-camera recharging is a wonderful thing.

I really wanted a Canon G15, but I'm skipping it because it has no in camera charging.

PS: It would really make my life easier if DPREVIEW added a "USB Charging" row to its specifications tables.

-barry
Click to expand...
thanks barry for your post as it reflects my view about perfectly and saves me from posting almost the same.

after happily reading the g15 review and starting to plan my purchase of this fine piece i felt frustrated when i found out that canon has again missed their chance of producing the camera of my dreams again.

i simply don't like several bulky chargers when travelling light but happlily carry a small usb charger for my smartphone (thank god industry has at least found their way to accept one charger-format for phones!) that could simply be re-used.

maybe some clever company will sell compact external usb-chargers compatible with canon... let me know if such thing exists.

i personally don't think that internal charging is the single way to go suitable for all needs but as acquiring an additional external charger (together with an additional li-ion battery) is possible while internal usb-charging can't be upgraded i simply cannot understand why canon amongs many other manufacturers do not want to make double use of the already present usb-plug.

sad greetings, anti
 
Barry Margolius said:
Barry Margolius wrote:
Barry Margolius said:
Barrie Davis wrote:
Barry Margolius said:
Barry Margolius wrote:

All you have to do to solve your problem is fork over $20 for an external battery charger. Then you have the choice of whether to charge the battery internally (via USB) or externally (via AC plug).
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
I don't think anybody would deny you your fondness for USB charging. If it a convenience for you, then fine.

What is a pain in the RRs is cameras being delivered without a proper charger at all, so that they cannot be used to shoot with while a battery, or spare battery, is charging. That is a circumstance GENERATED by the manufacturers that really is NOT acceptable.

What's more, some of these USB charging cameras lose their time/date settings, and other preferences, when down-powered for the purposes of swapping to a spare battery. This makes it a seriously irksome chore to prepare continuous shooting capacity even WITH sensible pre-planning to overcome the problem of not having a charger that is seperate...

.....and THAT is a design failure of some significance, indicating that the makers have lost sight of how photography is done.

USB chargers give camera designers too much of an opportunity to do a bad job.
--
Regards,
Baz


"Ahh... But the thing is, these guys were no ORDINARY time travellers!"
 
Deleted1929 said:
sjgcit wrote:

Try charging a spare battery while using the camera
Click to expand...
I think you should buy so much batteries that you can perform a whole photoshoot.

Then you can charge battery-after-battery if you are at home, by exchanging the battery in the camera.

I never recharged a battery during a photoshoot.

The advantage of USB charging is that you do not need 3 types of chargers for 3 devices, you can use one type of USB charger for many different devices ( not only cameras ).

The disadvantage of 3.6V batteries and USB .... see my next post, #2
 
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