Camera Batteries: I use a Canon 70D and during a Birding outing I keep the camera turned on. After several hours the battery is often almost out of charge. My original Canon batteries...

L Smith

I use a Canon 70D and during a Birding outing I keep the camera turned on. After several hours the battery is often almost out of charge. My original Canon batteries didn’t lose their charge as fast. I have tried two generic batteries that were cheaper with poor results. Should I buy Canon batteries instead. They are quite a bit more expensive. Could the camera or the settings be draining the batteries?

AirWalter Loc: Tipp City, Ohio

Your camera was expensive, and worth the best battery.

NJFrank Loc: New Jersey

I think you answered your own question. The generic batteries gave you poor results. You get what you pay. And why leave the camera on. A flick of a switch would turn it on as you track a bird, saving battery life.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

L Smith wrote:

I use a Canon 70D and during a Birding outing I keep the camera turned on. After several hours the battery is often almost out of charge. My original Canon batteries didn’t lose their charge as fast. I have tried two generic batteries that were cheaper with poor results. Should I buy Canon batteries instead. They are quite a bit more expensive. Could the camera or the settings be draining the batteries?

The batteries could just be old, or, you could have, over time, activated settings that cause the batteries to drain faster. Many people, including myself, have used after market batteries with no problems. After market parts of any kind run the gamut from excellent to crappy. There are a number of excellent batteries available. My Watson and Power2000 batteries have performed as well as any of my Canon batteries and outlasted some of them. There are also other brands where you can expect the same results. Just stay away from the super cheap "deals".
BTW, Canon's batteries are made by Panasonic, but, you cannot buy them direct from Panasonic. For all any of us know, Panasonic may be the source of some of the after market brands.
So, double check your camera settings. Use your camera to check the recharge performance of the batteries. It's only a basic test but it can indicate if the battery is getting old. Think about how you currently use your camera. Has that changed over time? Lastly, don't be afraid of good quality after market batteries.

Tomfl101 Loc: Mount Airy, MD

Some off-brand batteries are great. Some stink. I have a set of “Powerextra” batteries that perform as well as the new Canon LP6NH type on my R5. I also have a set of “BM” batteries that are crappy (pun intended). I get around half as many shots from them. Both off-brand offerings cost about 1/4 the price of the Canon’s though. So they are still worth it in my view.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

L Smith wrote:

I use a Canon 70D and during a Birding outing I keep the camera turned on. After several hours the battery is often almost out of charge. My original Canon batteries didn’t lose their charge as fast. I have tried two generic batteries that were cheaper with poor results. Should I buy Canon batteries instead. They are quite a bit more expensive. Could the camera or the settings be draining the batteries?

I set my camera in to stand by mode after two minutes of non use. As soon as I push slightly on the shutter button the camera comes alive once again.
I believe you can also set this on your camera, it would be in your manual on google it.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Up to you whether you get OEM or third party.
I have one OEM and five third party (two manufacturers).
I don't pay attention to how long each <brand> lasts, I just use them.
However if I had to guess, I'll guess that the OEM might last longer.

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

L Smith wrote:

I use a Canon 70D and during a Birding outing I keep the camera turned on. After several hours the battery is often almost out of charge. My original Canon batteries didn’t lose their charge as fast. I have tried two generic batteries that were cheaper with poor results. Should I buy Canon batteries instead. They are quite a bit more expensive. Could the camera or the settings be draining the batteries?

I think you answered your own question.

leftj Loc: Texas

NJFrank wrote:

I think you answered your own question. The generic batteries gave you poor results. You get what you pay. And why leave the camera on. A flick of a switch would turn it on as you track a bird, saving battery life.

The camera goes to sleep after a couple of minutes. Turning it off and on repeatedly leads to excessive wear on the on/off switch.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

leftj wrote:

... Turning it off and on repeatedly leads to excessive wear on the on/off switch.

Switches for lights in the house?
Car ignition switches?
I'll bet they don't rate the concern.

When I check all my batteries each month the camera switch is on and off six times.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Are you leaving the back display on, or on for a long time after each photo? I have never had any problems with generic batteries. I generally turn my camera off when not in the act of taking a photo unless there is a lot of action.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

L Smith wrote:

I use a Canon 70D and during a Birding outing I keep the camera turned on. After several hours the battery is often almost out of charge. My original Canon batteries didn’t lose their charge as fast. I have tried two generic batteries that were cheaper with poor results. Should I buy Canon batteries instead. They are quite a bit more expensive. Could the camera or the settings be draining the batteries?

I'm not familiar with the Canon 70D. A google search says that the Canon EOS 70D does have GPS/WIFI capability.
If it does have GPS/WIFI like my Canon 6D, and the camera is on it is continuously searching for and updating your location.
Until you turn off these features you will continue to experience a VERY Short battery life.
Smile,
JimmyT Sends

Quixdraw Loc: x

L Smith wrote:

I use a Canon 70D and during a Birding outing I keep the camera turned on. After several hours the battery is often almost out of charge. My original Canon batteries didn’t lose their charge as fast. I have tried two generic batteries that were cheaper with poor results. Should I buy Canon batteries instead. They are quite a bit more expensive. Could the camera or the settings be draining the batteries?

IMO, This is a photography "article of faith" issue. Use only OEM Batteries or be open to After market. Only you can determine which "true path" works for you.

For me, both types in combination have functioned perfectly for the sixteen or so years I have been using a variety of sophisticated digital cameras. Best of luck on the journey of discovery,

leftj Loc: Texas

Longshadow wrote:

Switches for lights in the house?
Car ignition switches?
I'll bet they don't rate the concern.

When I check all my batteries each month the camera switch is on and off six times.

What was that about?

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

L Smith wrote:

I use a Canon 70D and during a Birding outing I keep the camera turned on. After several hours the battery is often almost out of charge. My original Canon batteries didn’t lose their charge as fast. I have tried two generic batteries that were cheaper with poor results. Should I buy Canon batteries instead. They are quite a bit more expensive. Could the camera or the settings be draining the batteries?

In many instances the camera body is NOT the power-hog that eats batteries. You make no mention of the lens or lenses you are using. If your lens is non-IS your batteries will not be adversely effected. Any lens requiring power to operate will eat batteries no matter the battery make. Batteries marketed and sold by Canon will give you as much power as any other. One final thought: AF, especially with IS is what uses battery power. How much focusing are you doing without actually making the photo? Using good batteries and proper AF methods can extend your battery's shooting life considerably.