johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

I have just bought a used Lumix GX7, I already have an Olympus EM10 which is very similar but I wanted an extra camera with a different lens to save swapping lenses when out and about.
The Lumix is excellent in nearly every respect, lovely to handle, quite light and produces beautiful images.
I am very pleased with the Lumix except for one thing, the battery life is awful, yesterday I managed 68 shots on a full battery, however I had done nothing to help the battery last, such as turning the LCD off or shutting the camera down earlier. Today I set the Economy mode to maximum power savings wherever I could, I inserted a fully charged battery only to discover the camera had only 114 shots available!.
As stated earlier it was a used camera so it could be 5-6 years old, so it could be the battery is on it's way out.
Do any UHH members have any suggestions about improving this battery problem.

Kuzano

Still shooting film. New rolls in 24 or 36 shots. Getting great battery life however. One battery in my A2E Canon lasts about two years.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Buy two new batteries. Keep a charged one handy to swap out when the battery in the camera runs ourt of juice.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

I would guess that the battery is old and has lost capacity.

I have a "retired" Lumix, replaced with my OM-D. I think the battery life was slightly better on the Lumix. While the Lumix battery life was never equal to that of a DSLR it would go for most of a day of shooting on a charged battery, way more than 114 images.

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

It will have a Lithium ion battery. Depending on lots of different criteria they will last anywhere from 3 to 8 years. At 5-6 years old I would buy a couple of new ones. The lithium batteries aren't too happy if they are uncharged when stored (or allowed to discharge with time). I have had batteries fail after only a few months but others (my ipad for example) is close to 10 years now.
If you must store a battery then aim for a charge to 60% of full capacity (not sure how you would do this with a camera battery but maybe flatten and time a full recharge and next time only charge for 1/2 that time). Give it a full recharge when taking it out of storage. Only giving it a partial charge is supposedly better for long term storage.

Peterfiore Loc: Where DR goes south

I use the GX7 and other panasonic cameras yhat use the same battery. I get 300 images easily.
Did you purchase new batteries. If not you should.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

Using the viewfinder instead of the monitor will reduce the number of shots by about 20%.
Number of shots will depend on how much you use the monitor/VF apart from when shooting. I carry two spare batteries, and could not wish for a better camera than my GX7. I also keep a small inverter (£8) in my car.

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

Thanks Delderby, I always have a second camera to my Olympus EM10, but my previous G3 would only work on Auto so I decided to replace it with a used GX7.
I am getting used to but I am getting there gradually, also I have taken your advice a bought an extra battery.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

Yes - the G3 was the smallest of the G series - wonderful back up camera - but the GX7 is special with it's unique features. I bought a full GX7 manual on-line - recommended - well worth £6 - 380 A5 pages.
Have fun
Del.

hj Loc: Florida

I may be confused but you say using the viewfinder will reduce the number of shots available. I always thought using the monitor screen would use more power. Am I wrong?

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

I also was surprised - it may be peculiar to the GX7?
According to the manual - Monitor 320 shots, EVF 280 shots. Number of shots for either varies with lens, but percentage difference remains the same. Could it be down to the greater number of pixels in the EVF?