Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

I just purchased a Canon 5D Mark IV. I have noticed that the Canon batteries drain quickly. I did not have this problem with my Mark II. I believe it is because of the touch sensitive LED Screen. I keep my camera on most of the time.
Are there other users with this problem?
Would it be best to keep the camera off?
Should I use my battery grip?

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

It's probably the GPS. Disable it if you are not using it. If the GPS is enabled it will not only deplete the battery when the camera is on, but even when the camera is turned off. This was a big issue for the Canon 7D Mark II.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Thank you very much. As I said, I recently purchased this beautiful machine also known as the Canon 5D Mark IV. The other camera that I was crazy in love was the Canon AE-1. Thanks again and happy New Year!

Brokenland

In this instance and if one can manage, a grip would be suggested.

Chris

I watched and read a lot before I purchased the IV and they all said if you leave GPS and WIFI on batteries drain fast

wireloose

I rarely use the wifi and never the GPS and have seen no difference in battery life from the 5Diii. Wish my Sony’s lasted half as long.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

The 5DIV has an option in the menu that will allow the GPS to shut off when the camera is shut off. Earlier models did not have that option. If you use the GPS function on a regular basis you may find that option handy.
How quickly does your battery drain? I found out (the hard way) that if left on constantly it will drain the battery overnight. That was with one of the older models. I'm sure the 5DIV would do the same if it were left on. If it takes longer for it to drain then it may be something else. Do you leave the touch screen on when shooting? That will also drain the battery quickly.

johnst1001a Loc: West Chester, Ohio

I had this problem when I first got the 5d4. It would drain the battery in about 1/2 hour. I tried shutting the camera off, which solved the problem, but the left the camera switch in the on position again and this time the battery did not drain. In between I did put the battery on the charger overnight, so my guess is the battery was not very much charged when it was orginally shipped. have not had any issues with battery lif since, even using different batteries. I do keep Wifi off, and do not have gps.

bajadreamer Loc: Baja California Sur

I have a 5D4 and have the GPS and WiFi turned off. I do use a battery grip with 2 batteries but I can keep the camera on all day (12 hours), shoot 1500 shots, "chimp" frequently, and still my batteries show 1/2-3/4 charge remaining at the end of the day. When I am on a trip I do charge my batteries every night but have occasionally been forced to shoot for 2 days without charging. No problem, but I did get warning "low battery" blinkies at the end of the 2nd day.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Under Menu, go to the "wrench icon", fourth from the left, item 4 "GPS Settings" on your Canon 5DIV menu screen. Your options are "Disable, Mode 1, and Mode 2". Read the options carefully as Mode 1 uses the GPS EVEN WHEN THE CAMERA IS OFF. Mode 2 also updates your location. The difference is that you select the periodicity. I have my Canon 5DIV set to disable. If I use the GPS function I always carry a spare battery. Right below the "GPS Settings" is the "Communication" settings for "Built-In wireless settings". If this is enabled it is searching for Wi-Fi service & is using energy. Disable this function except for when you prefer to use it. With both the GPS & Wi-Fi disabled I can shoot all day long with my 5DIV literally shooting hundreds of pics while using the touch screen, deleting questionable photos and "Chimping" to my little heart's desire. Grin. If you are on travel and wish to use the GPS function, by all means, use it, but always carry a spare battery. If you do use these functions, just remember to TURN OFF both the GPS/WiFI functions and/or remove the battery (i.e. for charging) at the end of each day. Note: Similar instruction settings are available for the Canon 6D under the 6D Menu, 2nd, and 3rd Wrenches respectively. Enjoy your Canon 5DIV, I do. JimmyT Sends.

BradJP Loc: Omaha, NE

You may also want to check to make sure any Canon branded batteries purchased separately aren't counterfeit. Menu>Battery Info>Info will display a random number (ex. a1541e65). If you see bca8a8d or something similar it is counterfeit and will function but will drain quickly.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Just one question, why do you keep the camera on at all the times? It does not give you any advantage in speed (being ready), or anything like that, so what would be the reason? I always turn my cameras off when I'm done, never had any battery issues!

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

In this particular case I think it's pretty clear though that the GPS is the culprit. While I, like you, turn my camera off when I'm not using it, leaving it on shouldn't have much of an effect on the battery when his camera is in sleep mode, certainly not enough to drain it as quickly as he is implying.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

I understand perfectly, but it leaves it always at risk, because just any handling can drain valuable battery power, even when stored in a bag!

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

There are a lot of things you can do to save battery power.

Set the camera to go to sleep after as short a time as possible. DSLRs "wake up" quickly now, almost instantly.... so this isn't a problem while out shooting.

Turn off "image review" with every image. Any unnecessary use of the rear LCD monitor drains the batteries faster. Minimize use of Live View, too, for this reason.

Long exposures use more power, too... it's a constant draw on the battery when the mirror is being held up and the shutter held open. If you make a lot of long exposures, carry extra batteries. And if you use Long Exposure Noise Reduction, keep in mind that for any shots of 1 second or longer it actually makes two exposures of the same duration (one "regular" shot... the 2nd a "blank" shot of same duration with the shutter closed, which is used to identify noise to subtract from the first image.... also, if the 2nd shot is cancelled before it's completed by turning off the camera, both images are "thrown away").

Disable wifi and GPS whenever you're not using them. I seem to recall, on some cameras (not sure about 5DIV), they might even remain active and draw on the battery when the camera is turned off!

5DIV doesn't have a built in flash, but on cameras that do, that's another heavy consumer of battery power (plus is really wimpy, an accessory flash is sooooo much better in ssoooo many ways).

I shoot many extended sessions.... sometimes 6 or 8 hours... where I have cameras' AF systems and lens image stabilization running a lot. I'm always surprised how little power those draw. Using the above, I regularly get double or more the CIPA rated shots with my cameras (those are the shots-per-charge ratings the manufacturers cite).