Canon SD1200 real world battery life? Could someone please provide some info on the SD1200's real world battery life?I'm considering purchasing the Canon SD1200, but this would be my first digital camera with a proprietery battery. I'm concerned about battery life. My previous digital cameras have been Canons that use rechargeable AA's, which have great battery life and are very convienent. I carried spares and never had to worry about running out of juice.I'll be away from the charger for a few hundred photos at a time, so I would probably go ahead and purchase a spare battery to be safe.I'm just curious how the battery life is working out for current owners. Thanks! Canon SD1200 real world battery life? Could someone please provide some info on the SD1200's real world battery life?I'm considering purchasing the Canon SD1200, but this would... » Read More Canon SD1200 real world battery life? Could someone please provide some info on the SD1200's real world battery life?I'm considering purchasing the Canon SD1200, but this would be my first digital camera with a proprietery battery. I'm concerned about battery life. My previous digital cameras have been Canons that use rechargeable AA's, which have great battery life and are very convienent. I carried spares and never had to worry about running out of juice.I'll be away from the charger for a few hundred photos at a time, so I would probably go ahead and purchase a spare battery to be safe.I'm just curious how the battery life is working out for current owners. Thanks! « Show Less
2014311
Thanks CAMPJEEP.Most of my photos will be outside, so it sounds like I should be able to expect well over the stated 260 shots (CIPA standards).I'll purchase a backup battery to be safe. Probably the Maximal after market battery listed here on Amazon. Only $3.45 and the reviewers say that it lasts as long as Canon's.Thanks again.
2014312
I have an SD1000 and just returned from Vegas where I took over 400 pics. Filled a 1G card and still had battery left. I find that the battery lasts longer with the image screen off. Don't know if the 1200 can do this. Cannot see the screen in daylight anyway. The 1200 has a nice viewfinder and the image is bigger than the viewfinder image, a good feature when cropping at home.
229792
at our state fair i took 450 pictures and 8 short movies on 1 battery charge, some with flash in barns and in early morning.this was good but you still need that extra battery. good luck.
1248198
Elizabeth., I think the Canon SD1200 camera uses a slightly larger battery. I believe it's the NB-6L. This one might work- Nixxell Battery for Canon NB-6L/6LH, CB-2LY and Canon PowerShot D10, D20, S90, S95, S120, SD770 IS, SD980 IS, SD1200 IS, SD1300 IS, SD3500 IS, SD4000 IS, SX170 IS, SX240 HS, SX260 HS, SX270 HS, SX280 HS, SX500 IS, SX510 HS, ELPH 500 HS (Fully Decoded)Check out several listings before buying. Try to find a battery rated at over 750mAh at the lowest price possible. I believe the one above fits the bill. Cheers! Elizabeth., I think the Canon SD1200 camera uses a slightly larger battery. I believe it's the NB-6L. This one might work- Nixxell Battery for Canon NB-6L/6LH, CB-2LY and Canon PowerShot D10, D20, S90, S95, S120, SD770 IS, SD980 IS, SD1200 IS, SD1300 IS, SD3500 IS, SD4000 IS, SX170 IS, SX240 HS, SX260 HS, SX270 HS, SX280 HS, SX500 IS, SX510 HS, ELPH 500 HS (Fully Decoded)Check out several listings before buying. Try to find a battery rated at over 750mAh at the lowest price possible. I believe the one above fits the... » Read More Elizabeth., I think the Canon SD1200 camera uses a slightly larger battery. I believe it's the NB-6L. This one might work- Nixxell Battery for Canon NB-6L/6LH, CB-2LY and Canon PowerShot D10, D20, S90, S95, S120, SD770 IS, SD980 IS, SD1200 IS, SD1300 IS, SD3500 IS, SD4000 IS, SX170 IS, SX240 HS, SX260 HS, SX270 HS, SX280 HS, SX500 IS, SX510 HS, ELPH 500 HS (Fully Decoded)Check out several listings before buying. Try to find a battery rated at over 750mAh at the lowest price possible. I believe the one above fits the bill. Cheers! « Show Less
1759296
There is no simple answer to your questions. I've found that it lasts an adequate amount of time. However, I try to re-charge as often as possible and I carry spares (also recharged) as back-ups. Their small size makes toting extras easy. It also depends on how often you use the camera, how often you use a flash, whether you are using the camera's power saving options (e.g., auto shut-off), etc.
1817708
I've never timed it, but I went for an extended horseback ride with friends, shooting video every few minutes, for sometimes a few minutes at a time, and never ran down the battery. Did probably a dozen little vids, and still pics, too. I've never run out of battery, but after I've used the camera quite a bit, I put it in the nifty wall charger, so that I don't get out there and find a dead battery. Hate that! Love my camera!
743671
I haven't taken enough pictures to run the battery down yet. I'm sure the next time we go on a trip, I will find out. According to the manual: Shooting still images using the LCD screen the battery life is approx 225 min. and approx 450 pictures; using the viewfinder is approx 245 min and approx 490 pictures. Shooting movies using the LCD screen the battery life is approx 120 min and using the viewfinder is appox 130 min. Viewing still images on your camera the battery life is approx 290 min and approx 5800 pictures. I regret I can't tell you first hand, but I hope you'll find this information helpful. I haven't taken enough pictures to run the battery down yet. I'm sure the next time we go on a trip, I will find out. According to the manual: Shooting still images using the LCD screen the battery life is approx 225 min. and approx 450 pictures; using the viewfinder is approx 245 min and approx 490 pictures. Shooting movies using the LCD screen the battery life is approx 120 min and using the viewfinder is appox 130 min. Viewing still images on your camera the battery life is approx 290 min and approx 5800 pictures. I regret I can't tell you first hand, but I hope you'll find this... » Read More I haven't taken enough pictures to run the battery down yet. I'm sure the next time we go on a trip, I will find out. According to the manual: Shooting still images using the LCD screen the battery life is approx 225 min. and approx 450 pictures; using the viewfinder is approx 245 min and approx 490 pictures. Shooting movies using the LCD screen the battery life is approx 120 min and using the viewfinder is appox 130 min. Viewing still images on your camera the battery life is approx 290 min and approx 5800 pictures. I regret I can't tell you first hand, but I hope you'll find this information helpful. « Show Less
440532
This camera has an internal battery but only lasts a few seconds for me. I assume so it will continue to operate if there is a short momentary lapse in power? I see other users are getting much longer battery life.
1062462
My daughter & I both have that camera. When I purchased my camera from Amazon I also got a Canon charger for that type of battery. When my daughter lost her charger I got her another one on Amazon another from a different manufacturer as well as some more rechargeable batteries. With that much zoom your wear down your battery faster so I'm glad I now carry extra charged batteries.
806863
It depends on a few things. If you are videotaping it will use the battery quicker. Also as the battery gets older you will not get as much "juice" power and the battery will lose power quicker. You will be able to tell when you get to "know" the camera. You can buy generic batteries that are just as good as canon but a lot cheaper. I can tell you later which ones I get for mine that are comparable to Canon batteries but only 14 bucks instead of 40 dollars. I love this camera and have only used Canon cameras for over 30 yrs now. This camera is awesome as it has many settings that even the most novice person can take great shots. I get lots of compliments with pix I take especially with the zoom. Best camera I swear.
1531012
I had the same experience as A. Powell. Battery life from the start wasn't great, but it was acceptable. It seems that this has gotten progressively worse. Now, even with freshly recharged new batteries, it is good for only a few pictures before it shuts down. Kodak says you must use Kodak batteries. That is ridiculous. When it was new, the non-Kodak batteries worked OK. It is too bad that Kodak is selling such a poorly executed product. Kodak is doomed, since they are now in a hyper-competitive market, and they will never make it by selling inferior cameras. Good bye Kodak, it was nice knowing you. I had the same experience as A. Powell. Battery life from the start wasn't great, but it was acceptable. It seems that this has gotten progressively worse. Now, even with freshly recharged new batteries, it is good for only a few pictures before it shuts down. Kodak says you must use Kodak batteries. That is ridiculous. When it was new, the non-Kodak batteries worked OK. It is too bad that Kodak is selling such a poorly executed product. Kodak is doomed, since they are now in a hyper-competitive market, and they will never make it by selling inferior cameras. Good bye Kodak, it was nice... » Read More I had the same experience as A. Powell. Battery life from the start wasn't great, but it was acceptable. It seems that this has gotten progressively worse. Now, even with freshly recharged new batteries, it is good for only a few pictures before it shuts down. Kodak says you must use Kodak batteries. That is ridiculous. When it was new, the non-Kodak batteries worked OK. It is too bad that Kodak is selling such a poorly executed product. Kodak is doomed, since they are now in a hyper-competitive market, and they will never make it by selling inferior cameras. Good bye Kodak, it was nice knowing you. « Show Less
102658
So far, the battery has held a pretty good charge. I get about 150 pics if I use a lot of the special filters and zoom continuously. If I just take regular pics using just the zoom and no filters, I get about 200. It also holds a charge for a few days if you don't use the camera and have it turned off. That's what I usually get with any Fuji camera, whether they use a propriatary battery or AA batteries. I bought a second battery from Amazon, and keep both charged. It's a pretty spectacular little camera. I've used other pocket compacts and none of them even come close to this little guy in picture quality and features. So far, the battery has held a pretty good charge. I get about 150 pics if I use a lot of the special filters and zoom continuously. If I just take regular pics using just the zoom and no filters, I get about 200. It also holds a charge for a few days if you don't use the camera and have it turned off. That's what I usually get with any Fuji camera, whether they use a propriatary battery or AA batteries. I bought a second battery from Amazon, and keep both charged. It's a pretty spectacular little camera. I've used other pocket compacts and none of them even come close to this little guy in... » Read More So far, the battery has held a pretty good charge. I get about 150 pics if I use a lot of the special filters and zoom continuously. If I just take regular pics using just the zoom and no filters, I get about 200. It also holds a charge for a few days if you don't use the camera and have it turned off. That's what I usually get with any Fuji camera, whether they use a propriatary battery or AA batteries. I bought a second battery from Amazon, and keep both charged. It's a pretty spectacular little camera. I've used other pocket compacts and none of them even come close to this little guy in picture quality and features. « Show Less
1514822
Yes i have the same camera. To make a long story as short as possible upper end cameras like this one just flat out require stronger batteries. No question. I bucked up and bought Lithium batteries and they last very long. At first I didn't like the expense, but when you think of how many pictures you can take and how long they last and what that $ amount averages out to it is a good deal for a good camera. I bought a pack of 12 8x Lithium from a store for 20.99. That averaged 1.75 per. I can get at least 600 shots and some video shots as well at the lower end HD video setting which still gives great video. The batteries have a shelf like of 15 years fully charged. 10 years for the 6x Lithium. I take about 200 pictures per month on average (give or take) so two batteries lasts me about 3 months for my use. That averages about 1.00 per month for the best battery. Not bad. This camera will die after 20-40 shots with a standard cheap-0 Alkaline battery. IF you want to use a cheaper battery then you should buy a cheaper camera that does not require as much power. That is the bottom line. I looked at Cannon, Sony, and several other cameras and they all had the same problem if you bought their upper end camera that used replaceable batteries....Hope this helps.....
1591878
1) Battery life from the included battery ~800maH is about 50 minutes shooting at 720p at 60fps. I believe it is a little longer when you shoot at slower frame rates like 30fps. I bought a 1200 maH after market battery which took it to nearly 60 min at 60fps. 2) I usually use the camera in more or less bright sunlight outdoors at a pool. So optical and digital zoom is pretty good under those conditions which are generally optimal conditions for most videocams. I have not tried in lower light situations. 3) It saves in mp4 format which is perfect for most applications. I have a SDHC slot on my Mac and it's easy to copy from the SDHC card to my computer and do whatever I want, share or burn DVD. 1) Battery life from the included battery ~800maH is about 50 minutes shooting at 720p at 60fps. I believe it is a little longer when you shoot at slower frame rates like 30fps. I bought a 1200 maH after market battery which took it to nearly 60 min at 60fps. 2) I usually use the camera in more or less bright sunlight outdoors at a pool. So optical and digital zoom is pretty good under those conditions which are generally optimal conditions for most videocams. I have not tried in lower light situations. 3) It saves in mp4 format which is perfect for most applications. I have a SDHC slot on... » Read More 1) Battery life from the included battery ~800maH is about 50 minutes shooting at 720p at 60fps. I believe it is a little longer when you shoot at slower frame rates like 30fps. I bought a 1200 maH after market battery which took it to nearly 60 min at 60fps. 2) I usually use the camera in more or less bright sunlight outdoors at a pool. So optical and digital zoom is pretty good under those conditions which are generally optimal conditions for most videocams. I have not tried in lower light situations. 3) It saves in mp4 format which is perfect for most applications. I have a SDHC slot on my Mac and it's easy to copy from the SDHC card to my computer and do whatever I want, share or burn DVD. « Show Less
1451157
Having purchased this battery, I reviewed it based on the fact that when I used it in my camera, occasionally during the shoot, the camera simply wouldn't fire. I'd then turn the camera off and then back on, shoot a few more frames, then same thing. I've since acquired another Canon brand battery, and retired this one to use as a "backup backup backup." After all, you never know, and if you truly run out all of your batteries and still need to shoot, having an unreliable battery is still better than having no battery at all. How long does the battery last? Can't say. . . got too frustrated with its unreliability to keep using it until it died. Sorry. Having purchased this battery, I reviewed it based on the fact that when I used it in my camera, occasionally during the shoot, the camera simply wouldn't fire. I'd then turn the camera off and then back on, shoot a few more frames, then same thing. I've since acquired another Canon brand battery, and retired this one to use as a "backup backup backup." After all, you never know, and if you truly run out all of your batteries and still need to shoot, having an unreliable battery is still better than having no battery at all. How long does the battery last? Can't say. . . got too... » Read More Having purchased this battery, I reviewed it based on the fact that when I used it in my camera, occasionally during the shoot, the camera simply wouldn't fire. I'd then turn the camera off and then back on, shoot a few more frames, then same thing. I've since acquired another Canon brand battery, and retired this one to use as a "backup backup backup." After all, you never know, and if you truly run out all of your batteries and still need to shoot, having an unreliable battery is still better than having no battery at all. How long does the battery last? Can't say. . . got too frustrated with its unreliability to keep using it until it died. Sorry. « Show Less
368854
The camera uses it's own rechargeable battery. Battery life has been really good for me, which is a surprise because most that come with their own batteries tend to die quickly. Of course, I do shoot quite a bit thru the viewfinder. I also purchased some off-brand replacement batteries for spare swaps off Amazon and they were very affordable and work well.
1063881
Right up front, I haven't tried these models yet, but am researching the 'next' camera. However, having had three different digital cameras and using others at work, I will tell you that in my opinion the AA battery is not the way to go. They just don't last very long & requires spares to be carried around. My most recent camera, a Fuji Finepix F30, has a proprietary battery and I have yet to run it down, even when taking 200+ photos in a given day (it's rumored to last up to 500). I believe these Canon batteries are supposed to come in around 230 which is quite good too. Also, and perhaps more to your point regarding flash recycle time, double-check Canon's site, as it looks like the 850 has a 10 second recycle time for the flash as well (maximum). Good luck ! At any rate, just wanted to throw that out there as I would most definitely 'sacrifice' AA for flash recycle time if in fact the flash recycle time is faster.
324001
Great! We have used the camera for over 100 pictures over a few hours all in one charge. I usually charge it after an event just out of habit, but so far the battery has not been dead to need it. I bought an extra battery but have not used it. Hope this helps.
324000
It's been very good - maybe a bit better than other cameras I've had. I did buy a back up battery just to be on the safe side (very inexpensive and offered by Amazon when you buy the camera). Just so that if I'm on vacation I will have a back up battery. I can't give you specifics as so far I've not been on a vacation for example, where I might use it all the time. But I've taken hundreds of fall photos and some special occasions and think I haven't charged the camera more than 2 or 3 times in the 2 months I've had it. I've used it almost daily as I take it with me on walks with the dog. Hope this helps. It is the nicest camera I've had. Really delighted with it. It's been very good - maybe a bit better than other cameras I've had. I did buy a back up battery just to be on the safe side (very inexpensive and offered by Amazon when you buy the camera). Just so that if I'm on vacation I will have a back up battery. I can't give you specifics as so far I've not been on a vacation for example, where I might use it all the time. But I've taken hundreds of fall photos and some special occasions and think I haven't charged the camera more than 2 or 3 times in the 2 months I've had it. I've used it almost daily as I take it with me on walks with the dog.... » Read More It's been very good - maybe a bit better than other cameras I've had. I did buy a back up battery just to be on the safe side (very inexpensive and offered by Amazon when you buy the camera). Just so that if I'm on vacation I will have a back up battery. I can't give you specifics as so far I've not been on a vacation for example, where I might use it all the time. But I've taken hundreds of fall photos and some special occasions and think I haven't charged the camera more than 2 or 3 times in the 2 months I've had it. I've used it almost daily as I take it with me on walks with the dog. Hope this helps. It is the nicest camera I've had. Really delighted with it. « Show Less