Canon Powershot A650 battery life dilema

Big · 07-10-2009, 11:52 AM

I have a Canon Powershot A650 that I bought 1 year ago. I had Energizer rechargeable batteries in it from my previous camera until recently because I thought the batteries were just getting weak from all the charges. So...I got brand new rechargeable batteries and I still seem to have the same problem. It goes through batteries like crazy. Probably 20-25 shots on a full charge. I used to get close to 200-250 when I first bought it as well as when I had my A630 before this one. Could it be the camera itself? I wouldn't think there would be a way it would be the camera but now with new batteries, it does the same thing. The batteries are good for hundreds of pics on one charge, so I'm lost. Any advice?
Thanks, Ryan

Garbz · 07-10-2009, 05:37 PM

Could be your charger too. Rechargeable NiMha batteries are very easy to ruin by overcharging. A charger which charges for a certain amount of time is not really suitable.

**KmH** · 07-10-2009, 06:41 PM

Have you cleaned the battery contacts in the camera recently?

Big · 07-10-2009, 08:33 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Garbz

Could be your charger too. Rechargeable NiMha batteries are very easy to ruin by overcharging. A charger which charges for a certain amount of time is not really suitable.

I use an Energizer 15 minute charger which came with batteries when I bought it. It worked great for the last 2 years until now. So... I found some Duracell rechargeable batteries which are also made for 15 minute charging. I got Duracell because in order to get Energizer AA batteries, you have to buy the charger too (which is BS) The charger lights up after 15 minutes and I have never left them in for longer than that. Plus the new batteries were charged, used for about 20-30 shots and now my camera says their dead...I also tried using normal non-rechargeable batteries before I got the new ones and it was the same deal.

Quote: Originally Posted by KmH

Have you cleaned the battery contacts in the camera recently?

I'll try anything but my guess is it's something more although I hope not...

Garbz · 07-11-2009, 02:50 AM

Easy way to test is go and buy a set of Energizer Lithiums. If you don't get 250 shots out of them than maybe your camera has a fault.

If the flash storage capacitor is leaking then the flash would infinitely charge. That would cause you to not get much life out of it. But that is a continuous thing. So try turning on the camera and not taking any picture with a flash at all. If it dies after a short time then it could be a viable problem.

Big · 07-11-2009, 08:58 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Garbz

Easy way to test is go and buy a set of Energizer Lithiums. If you don't get 250 shots out of them than maybe your camera has a fault.

If the flash storage capacitor is leaking then the flash would infinitely charge. That would cause you to not get much life out of it. But that is a continuous thing. So try turning on the camera and not taking any picture with a flash at all. If it dies after a short time then it could be a viable problem.

Hmmm...I actually don't take many pictures with flash on. I usually have it in manual mode and barely use auto. I am not crazy about point and shoot flashes unless I am just being quick or taking night shots.

Garbz · 07-11-2009, 06:03 PM

No but on many point and shoot cameras the flash automatically charges even when it's turned off. If the storage capacitor is leaking power, then this charge cycle is somewhat continuous and your camera drains the batteries continuously.

But the point is the same. If you can't get a decent number of shots out of brand new Energizer lithium batteries then there's something wrong with the camera.

Big · 07-24-2009, 07:49 PM

I just found this (strange) site that has someone with the same problem as me. He had it for 14 months (same exact time as I have). Should I try to email Canon? I don't know how good the customer service is but I might give it a try. I looked at the contacts and they are perfect. Kind of aggravating when you want to use the camera and it has "dead" batteries and shuts off on you.

kixter · 09-25-2009, 12:14 PM

This site fixed my A720 frequent low battery warning.. thanks!

Low-Battery Warning Problem Fix - Canon PowerShot A570 IS Digital Camera - Epinions.com

07-10-2009, 11:52 AM	#1
Big TPF Junkie! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 1,053 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Canon Powershot A650 battery life dilema I have a Canon Powershot A650 that I bought 1 year ago. I had Energizer rechargeable batteries in it from my previous camera until recently because I thought the batteries were just getting weak from all the charges. So...I got brand new rechargeable batteries and I still seem to have the same problem. It goes through batteries like crazy. Probably 20-25 shots on a full charge. I used to get close to 200-250 when I first bought it as well as when I had my A630 before this one. Could it be the camera itself? I wouldn't think there would be a way it would be the camera but now with new batteries, it does the same thing. The batteries are good for hundreds of pics on one charge, so I'm lost. Any advice? Thanks, Ryan __________________ Canon 50D ~ 17-85mm f/4-5.6 ~ 70-300mm f/4-5.6 ~ 100mm f/2.8 macro ~ 50mm f/1.4 ~ Canon Speedlite 430EXII http://www.coffmanimages.webs.com

07-10-2009, 05:37 PM	#2
Garbz TPF Junkie! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 7,476 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 82 Times in 78 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Could be your charger too. Rechargeable NiMha batteries are very easy to ruin by overcharging. A charger which charges for a certain amount of time is not really suitable. __________________ "I am always satisfied with the best." -Oscar Wilde Larger versions always on flickr Best photos in my gallery Proud Supporter of The Pact

07-10-2009, 06:41 PM	#3
KmH Image Maker Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 4,885 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 212 Times in 203 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Have you cleaned the battery contacts in the camera recently? __________________ » » » » » » » » » » Price Update 3/14/10: Nikon D60 w/grip « « « « « « « « « « « « « Sale ends 3/21/10 - price updated 3/14/10: Nikon AF-S 70-300 mm VR G » » » Keith. . . .NAPP member - referral link: https://www.photoshopuser.com/signup/?aid=luhgxq&code=friend

07-10-2009, 08:33 PM	#4
Big TPF Junkie! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 1,053 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by Garbz Could be your charger too. Rechargeable NiMha batteries are very easy to ruin by overcharging. A charger which charges for a certain amount of time is not really suitable. I use an Energizer 15 minute charger which came with batteries when I bought it. It worked great for the last 2 years until now. So... I found some Duracell rechargeable batteries which are also made for 15 minute charging. I got Duracell because in order to get Energizer AA batteries, you have to buy the charger too (which is BS) The charger lights up after 15 minutes and I have never left them in for longer than that. Plus the new batteries were charged, used for about 20-30 shots and now my camera says their dead...I also tried using normal non-rechargeable batteries before I got the new ones and it was the same deal. Quote: Originally Posted by KmH Have you cleaned the battery contacts in the camera recently? I'll try anything but my guess is it's something more although I hope not... __________________ Canon 50D ~ 17-85mm f/4-5.6 ~ 70-300mm f/4-5.6 ~ 100mm f/2.8 macro ~ 50mm f/1.4 ~ Canon Speedlite 430EXII http://www.coffmanimages.webs.com

07-11-2009, 02:50 AM	#5
Garbz TPF Junkie! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 7,476 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 82 Times in 78 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Easy way to test is go and buy a set of Energizer Lithiums. If you don't get 250 shots out of them than maybe your camera has a fault. If the flash storage capacitor is leaking then the flash would infinitely charge. That would cause you to not get much life out of it. But that is a continuous thing. So try turning on the camera and not taking any picture with a flash at all. If it dies after a short time then it could be a viable problem. __________________ "I am always satisfied with the best." -Oscar Wilde Larger versions always on flickr Best photos in my gallery Proud Supporter of The Pact

07-11-2009, 08:58 AM	#6
Big TPF Junkie! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 1,053 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by Garbz Easy way to test is go and buy a set of Energizer Lithiums. If you don't get 250 shots out of them than maybe your camera has a fault. If the flash storage capacitor is leaking then the flash would infinitely charge. That would cause you to not get much life out of it. But that is a continuous thing. So try turning on the camera and not taking any picture with a flash at all. If it dies after a short time then it could be a viable problem. Hmmm...I actually don't take many pictures with flash on. I usually have it in manual mode and barely use auto. I am not crazy about point and shoot flashes unless I am just being quick or taking night shots. __________________ Canon 50D ~ 17-85mm f/4-5.6 ~ 70-300mm f/4-5.6 ~ 100mm f/2.8 macro ~ 50mm f/1.4 ~ Canon Speedlite 430EXII http://www.coffmanimages.webs.com

07-11-2009, 06:03 PM	#7
Garbz TPF Junkie! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 7,476 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 82 Times in 78 Posts My Gallery: (0)	No but on many point and shoot cameras the flash automatically charges even when it's turned off. If the storage capacitor is leaking power, then this charge cycle is somewhat continuous and your camera drains the batteries continuously. But the point is the same. If you can't get a decent number of shots out of brand new Energizer lithium batteries then there's something wrong with the camera. __________________ "I am always satisfied with the best." -Oscar Wilde Larger versions always on flickr Best photos in my gallery Proud Supporter of The Pact

07-24-2009, 07:49 PM	#8
Big TPF Junkie! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 1,053 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts My Gallery: (0)	I just found this (strange) site that has someone with the same problem as me. He had it for 14 months (same exact time as I have). Should I try to email Canon? I don't know how good the customer service is but I might give it a try. I looked at the contacts and they are perfect. Kind of aggravating when you want to use the camera and it has "dead" batteries and shuts off on you. __________________ Canon 50D ~ 17-85mm f/4-5.6 ~ 70-300mm f/4-5.6 ~ 100mm f/2.8 macro ~ 50mm f/1.4 ~ Canon Speedlite 430EXII http://www.coffmanimages.webs.com

09-25-2009, 12:14 PM	#9
kixter TPF Noob! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Philippines Posts: 1 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Fixed Battery problem This site fixed my A720 frequent low battery warning.. thanks! Low-Battery Warning Problem Fix - Canon PowerShot A570 IS Digital Camera - Epinions.com

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