Sony RXR1 iii - dead battery or camera

I just had the new RXR1 iii delivered - I stuck the battery in the camera correctly and turned on the camera but the camera did not start up. I am now charging the battery in camera and the charging light is on. I do not recall getting a camera in the past where the new battery was completely drained. Have others had this issue?

Thanks

Wade

wade maney said:

I just had the new RXR1 iii delivered - I stuck the battery in the camera correctly and turned on the camera but the camera did not start up. I am now charging the battery in camera and the charging light is on. I do not recall getting a camera in the past where the new battery was completely drained. Have others had this issue?
Thanks

Wade

Click to expand...

It's not uncommon. They lose charge over time on their own, so if you got a battery that has been sitting around for a time it will have less of a charge. There's some countries/regions that might require batteries to be shipped that way as well.

wade maney said:

I just had the new RXR1 iii delivered - I stuck the battery in the camera correctly and turned on the camera but the camera did not start up. I am now charging the battery in camera and the charging light is on. I do not recall getting a camera in the past where the new battery was completely drained. Have others had this issue?
Thanks

Wade

Click to expand...

I got my camera a few days ago, and the battery from the box was totally flat. Charged it in camera and everything worked fine.

wade maney said:

I just had the new RXR1 iii delivered - I stuck the battery in the camera correctly and turned on the camera but the camera did not start up. I am now charging the battery in camera and the charging light is on. I do not recall getting a camera in the past where the new battery was completely drained. Have others had this issue?
Thanks

Click to expand...

It’s normal with Sony cameras.

Thanks pixelpunch - still charging.

Good to know - thanks DN.

wade maney said:

I just had the new RXR1 iii delivered - I stuck the battery in the camera correctly and turned on the camera but the camera did not start up. I am now charging the battery in camera and the charging light is on.

Click to expand...

That's what you're supposed to do. It's in the manual.


'Charge the battery pack (supplied) before using the product for the first time.'

Although ChatGPT is often wrong or misleading, despite that I use it for these odd questions to see what happens...

I asked about why new cameras are delivered with flat batteries and this is what I got.....

New cameras (and other electronics) are usually shipped with batteries that are almost empty for a few practical and safety reasons:

1. Safety in transport
   • Lithium-ion batteries can be a fire risk if fully charged and damaged in transit.
   • International air freight regulations (IATA Dangerous Goods rules) limit the state of charge for Li-ion batteries in shipment to around 30%. This reduces the risk of overheating or thermal runaway.
2. Long shelf life without damage
   • Batteries lose charge slowly over time, even when unused.
   • A battery stored at full charge for months in a warehouse will age faster and lose capacity sooner.
   • Storing it at 30–50% charge is the “sweet spot” for longevity.
3. Regulatory compliance
   • Many countries require manufacturers to ship devices with minimal stored energy for safety certification and customs.
4. Encourages initial charging cycle
   • Manufacturers expect the customer to charge the battery before first use, ensuring they start with a fresh full charge and proper battery gauge calibration.

In short:
Your new camera isn’t faulty—the battery is deliberately shipped low so it’s safe, stable in storage, and compliant with international shipping rules.

If you’d like, I can tell you exactly how much charge camera makers usually put in batteries at the factory. That figure might surprise you.

So said "yes tell me".....

Most new lithium-ion camera batteries leave the factory at about 25–40% state of charge — often close to 30%.

That’s because:

• 30% is low enough to meet IATA air transport safety rules.
• It’s also the optimal “storage charge” that slows chemical aging inside the cells.
• It gives just enough power for a factory quality-control test and maybe a quick “power on” by the customer, but not enough for extended use.

For example:

• Canon typically ships LP-E6 and LP-E17 batteries around 32% charged.
• Sony ships NP-FW50 / NP-FZ100 cells around 28–35%.
• Nikon EN-EL15 batteries are usually 30–35% when new.

If a camera has sat in a warehouse or on a store shelf for months, self-discharge can drop that to nearly zero, which is why some new cameras arrive with a completely flat battery.

Now we all know that everything is normal The batteries arrive nearly flat.

Thank you all for your informative responses - letting the battery full charge worked.

First cat pics:

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Wade

Digital Nigel said:

wade maney said:

I just had the new RXR1 iii delivered - I stuck the battery in the camera correctly and turned on the camera but the camera did not start up. I am now charging the battery in camera and the charging light is on. I do not recall getting a camera in the past where the new battery was completely drained. Have others had this issue?
Thanks

Click to expand...

It’s normal with Sony cameras.

Click to expand...

I've owned 13 Sony cameras since 2007 and never had one that had a dead battery when I first bought it. Generally they had about 1/2 a charge. The last one I bought was my RX100VII in 2021.

Tbcass - That has been my experience as well - so I was a little concerned when it arrived and the camera did not start up. . But charging it worked. So for users like us, I consider the information a PSA.


Wade