Battery life in video mode

[Mohamed Ellozy]

My favorite young lady, who had the good taste to be born on my (61st ) birthday, will be participating in a violin concert in a couple of weeks. Her parents are even more technologically challenged than I am, so I have been appointed "official videographer" for the event.

I am about to order a tripod from bhphotovideo.com, and have been reading my camera's manual carefully.

It seems that in WVGA mode my 8 GB card can record over an hour (1:16 according to the manual) of video, certainly longer than the program will last. Unfortunately there seems to be nothing in my camera's (Panasonic FZ28) manual about battery life for video. I have three batteries, one Panasonic, two third party, and will obviously charge them the morning of the concert. Anyone have a clue how long the batteries will last?

 

[DougPaul]

It seems that in WVGA mode my 8 GB card can record over an hour (1:16 according to the manual) of video, certainly longer than the program will last. Unfortunately there seems to be nothing in my camera's (Panasonic FZ28) manual about battery life for video. I have three batteries, one Panasonic, two third party, and will obviously charge them the morning of the concert. Anyone have a clue how long the batteries will last?

Some cameras are limited to writing 2 (2^31) or 4 (2^32) GB files. Check for this limit and to see if the camera automatically starts another file. It might just stop recording.

I suggest that you simply try it to see what happens and how long the battery lasts*. A simple scene will make smaller files, so choose a somewhat complex scene with motion. (For instance, aim the camera out the window toward a busy street or just aim it at a tv showing a program.)

* Just do it once--full discharges are hard on Lion batteries.

Doug

 

[walker]

Setting up a easy test

Two Things.....

One...The life of the battery has to do with how many "amp hour" the batteries are rated for. Somewhere on the battery you will find the volts and amp hour. Something like "7.5v 750mAh" (7.5 volts with 750 milliAmp hour which is equal to .75Amp Hours)).

The amp hours are the true indicator of how long the battery will last. The high the Amp hour, the longer the battery will last

Two...I have use this test in the past to get the info you need. Since all cameras are different, This is the best way. I set up my camera on a tripod, and film a clock. Then after the battery dies, I watch the movie to see how long the battery lasted. I also have a radio going in the back ground so the sound is recorded also.

This will give you a idea on how long everything lasts. Easy right??? And the great thing about this is you just delete the file when done.

Good luck.......Walker

PS Don't forget, battery life is also subject to temperature.

 

[DougPaul]

The amp hours are the true indicator of how long the battery will last. The high the Amp hour, the longer the battery will last

Usually correct for batteries of the same chemistry, but not always.

PS Don't forget, battery life is also subject to temperature.

And the age and degradation due to past use or abuse of the battery.

Doug