Disappointed in Number of pictures taken with Nikon D5100

Jeff1966 · Oct 6, 2013

Hi. I purchased a Nikon D5100 in October 2012 (Sam's Club online), according to the manual it should take about 660 pictures on a full charge. Every since I've had this camera, I've only be able to take about 150 pictures and then I get a low battery sign. I purchased a back up battery soon after buying this camera because I was afraid the battery would ran down. It's already been sent to Nikon once and it's currently there for the 2nd time. The first time I used it after getting it back from Nikon (which they said there was nothing wrong), with the battery fully charged, I took 178 pictures, then low battery and that was it. This is my first DSLR and one of the reason for buying was for longer battery life and good quality pictures. I'm happy with the camera and the pictures it takes but I can't understand why it won't take the # of pictures mentioned in the manual or even half that amount. I basically keep it on Auto and use the eyepiece to take pictures. I'm REALLY hoping Nikon will take a closer look this time and find the problem. Other Nikon users I've talked to are like "I can't even remember the last time I charged my battery". Are you kidding me! I wouldn't even leave the house without my backup battery. Please help, I don't want to be disappointed but... and I sure can't take the chance (nor the money) and buy another Nikon and run into the same problem. Also, this happens no matter which battery I'm using or which lens, still the same problem. Thanks!

astroNikon · Oct 6, 2013

I'm not a 5100 user, but I looked up the info

Battery / Batteries EN-EL14 Lithium-ion Battery
Battery Life (shots per charge) 660 shots (CIPA)

So you are quite a bit below the 660 NIkon has identified versus your 178.
http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Pr....html#tab-ProductDetail-ProductTabs-TechSpecs

Hopefully the battery experts and 5100 users can chime in for you

CaptainNapalm · Oct 6, 2013

That's really unfortunate. The Nikon D5100 was my first DSLR camera and I was actually quite impressed with the amount of photos I was able to take on a single charge. I think I averaged in the 500-600 range before I needed to recharge. I was going to suggest it may be your settings but considering you're only getting 150 photos before the battery is done I can't imagine any setting or combination of settings causing such battery drain. I would suspect that there is something wrong with the original battery. Check how it does on your second battery and see if it's any better. If not, I would contact Nikon service again and make sure they understand exactly what's going on. You should be able to get more photos out of a single charge even if you used camera flash for every shot and had your LCD on most of the time.

SCraig · Oct 6, 2013

You may have a bad charger that isn't charging them to full capacity. If you know someone with a similar camera, or if there is a camera store near you that sells them, ask them to charge a battery for you with their charger and see if it does the same thing.

sashbar · Oct 6, 2013

It easily lasts 600 shots.

Jeff1966 · Oct 6, 2013

Thanks for the reply. I don't take a lot of pictures but when I do I would like the assurance of a fully charged battery and the ability to take lots of pictures without the worry. :wink:

Jeff1966 · Oct 6, 2013

SCraig - I tried that, I took the battery and charger to Cord Camera, they charged my battery on their charger and I still had the same problem. I don't know exactly how many pictures I took on that charge but I'm sure it was less than 100. Even after the first time it went to Nikon with battery and charger, it only took 178 pictures after I got it back from Nikon. Thanks Jill.

sleist · Oct 6, 2013

I would investigate the charger as well.

oldhippy · Oct 6, 2013

If I remember correctly, using the live view setting, runs the battery down fast. Ed

GDHLEWIS · Oct 6, 2013

What type of shots you taking? They long exposures? High ISO? You tracking subject for long periods of time?

Jeff1966 · Oct 6, 2013

GDHLEWIS said:
What type of shots you taking? They long exposures? High ISO? You tracking subject for long periods of time?

I'm basically on Auto most of the time, taking shots of family events (no sports, no long exposures, no high ISO's) I really haven't had a chance to experiment (I've only had it for a year and I don't take a lot of pictures) a whole lot because I'm a little leary to use settings that I know may shorten the battery life such as long exposures, etc. Had I known I was going to have this problem, I would have taken it out when I first got it and immediately tested out how many pictures I could take. By the time I realized there was a problem, it was too late to return to Sam's. I'm hoping Nikon will fully charge the battery and actually take pictures. Maybe they have a machine that actually snaps pictures but I'm afraid they will charge the battery and send it back.

480sparky · Oct 6, 2013

Read the manual about how they figure the number of shots per charge. I'll bet you're doing something radically different, like using LiveView 95% of the time.