How are mirrorless cameras typically charged, and can you use them while charging?

Asked 3/23/2015

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I’m new to cameras and considering a mirrorless/compact system camera. Do these cameras usually use proprietary rechargeable batteries, and is charging normally done in the camera over USB or with a separate charger? If a model takes several hours to recharge, is that typical, and are there common ways to avoid the downtime? Also, can a mirrorless camera usually be used while it is charging, for example for Wi-Fi image transfer, or does it generally need to be turned off?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

11y ago

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A CSC, or (more commonly) mirrorless camera is actually quite a bit NOT "like a point and shoot, only larger." You really want to do a bit more research, as these cameras are significantly more expensive to own than a fixed-lens compact because of the interchangeable lens mount, which means that the "camera" (body) is really only half the camera. The other half are your lenses, and they can be significantly more expensive than the camera itself.

Most of these cameras only take rechargeable proprietary battery packs. How long it takes to recharge varies, but it will typically be measured in hours. Most shooters get around this issue by purchasing an additional battery, keeping that battery in the charger, and then simply swapping batteries when the in-camera one runs down, so there is always at least one fully-charged battery ready for use. If you see heavy use of the camera, then multiple rechargers and batteries may be the solution.

In addition, many shooters use a card reader to do image transfers from the memory card to the computer, rather than using a USB cable or Wi-Fi with the camera. In many cases this can be quite a bit faster, and does not run down the battery in the camera.

Originally by user27440. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user27440

11y ago

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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

Most mirrorless cameras use proprietary rechargeable battery packs rather than disposable batteries. Charge times of several hours are normal, whether charging is done in-camera over USB or with an external charger.

The usual workaround is to buy at least one spare battery and keep one charging while you use the other, so you can swap batteries instead of waiting for the camera to recharge.

Whether the camera can operate while charging depends on the specific model. Many cameras require the camera to be off while charging, especially with basic USB charging, while some models may allow limited powered operation depending on their USB power features. If this matters to you, check the manual for that exact camera.

Also note that a mirrorless camera is not just a bigger point-and-shoot: because it uses interchangeable lenses, the body is only part of the system, and lenses can add significant cost.

UniqueBot

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11y ago

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