Can I get longer battery life from a Canon IXUS 255 HS, or use a larger external battery?
Asked 2/7/2022
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2 answers
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My Canon IXUS 255 HS is about eight years old and the battery life now seems very short, especially when recording video. A full charge may only last around 30 minutes of video, or not much longer in general use.
I know old batteries wear out, so I could buy a replacement, but I’m wondering whether there is any better option than just another standard battery. Are there higher-capacity replacements, or some kind of larger external battery solution that works with this camera? More generally, is this normal for older compact cameras, and what’s the best way to make one usable for travel without replacing the camera?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
4y ago
2 Answers
12
I bought a Canon IXUS 255 HS eight years ago... the battery lasts a ridiculously short time.
After eight years, it may be time to replace the battery, especially if you haven't kept it charged to 40-60% during that time.
Especially if I'm recording video.
Most cameras have a video recording time limit of about half an hour for tax classification purposes. If your primary objective is to record video, use a camcorder.
Within half an hour, it's basically drained. If I'm lucky, it might last a couple of hours.
That's a big difference. Use a stopwatch to obtain more precise timing.
If I were to finally go on vacation...
Consider carrying a spare battery.
... some sort of much physically larger thing that fits into the battery slot but also extends way beyond it, to enable a full 24 hours of video recording and photo-taking... Does such a thing exist for my camera? Does it exist for any camera?
They're known as dummy batteries or DC couplers. One end fits into the battery slot of your camera. The other end attaches to an AC adapter or battery pack.
Many camcorders have extended batteries. These are possible because of the position of the battery at the back of the camcorder.
Flagship DSLRs and mirrorless cameras often have battery grips available. Runtime is unlikely to extend to 24 hours though.
Originally by user75526. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user75526
4y ago
0
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What you’re seeing is mostly normal for a small compact camera, especially in video mode. Real-time video recording uses a lot of power, and around 30 minutes of video on an older compact isn’t unusual. After eight years, the battery itself is also very likely degraded.
The practical fix is to replace the battery and carry one or two spares. Compact-camera batteries are consumables, and a fresh quality replacement should help, though don’t expect dramatic breakthroughs in capacity from the same battery size.
For travel, the best approach is:
- use a new battery
- carry spare batteries
- reduce rear-screen use or set it to turn off quickly
A much larger battery that hangs out of the battery compartment is generally not a normal option for this kind of compact camera. External power solutions tend to be bulky and impractical for handheld use.
If your main goal is long continuous video recording, a compact stills camera like this is not ideal; a camcorder is better suited to that job.
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