Battery for SX50HS: I used my new SX50HS a lot on a recent 2-week trip and was really disappointed in the battery life. I wasn't expecting that. So now I need to buy extra batteries...

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I used my new SX50HS a lot on a recent 2-week trip and was really disappointed in the battery life. I wasn't expecting that. So now I need to buy extra batteries for my next expedition. Canon says they're out of stock. I see other brands of the same battery available for about 1/5 the price of the Canon, but I need to know if they're actually OK to use. If anyone has EXPERIENCE with other batteries, I'd like to hear from you. What about the ones at Batteries Plus? And I'm told that Best Buy sells a Vivitar battery for the SX50HS. These are local stores so I can just walk out with them, but they're about $25.00 ea. Online I see them for $10 and $15. I need these to arrive before the 25th, so ordering needs to be done NOW.

THANKS!

jvance Loc: Granbury, Texas

AzPicLady wrote:

I used my new SX50HS a lot on a recent 2-week trip... (show quote)

I use other brand batteries and have had no problems.

Kanonmeister Loc: Los Angeles

AzPicLady wrote:

I used my new SX50HS a lot on a recent 2-week trip... (show quote)

I've purchased batteries for the SX50 from Amazon with no problems.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Yep, the "no name" at amazon are just fine and seem to last equally as long as the Canon.

One way to extend the battery life is to not spend a lot of time viewing your images on the LCD (and use the viewfinder to shoot). Also, someone suggested leaving the batteries in the charger a few hours longer after the green light says they're charged.

(edit - after reading haroldross's comments below, just wanted to say my Canon charger works fine on all :) )

haroldross Loc: Walthill, Nebraska

I have used generic batteries as backup batteries for my SX50. The only problem with many of the generic batteries is that you will need a different charger for them. The Canon charger will not charge many generic batteries. I would be careful about the cheap $10.00 batteries from China- you are taking a chance on getting a quality battery.

The Vivitar branded batteries are okay but you may need to buy their charger. The genuine Canon batteries are still the best.

FrumCA

AzPicLady wrote:

I used my new SX50HS a lot on a recent 2-week trip... (show quote)

Like many others, I have used after market batteries with no problems. In fact I'm using a Digipower battery in my SX50 right now that I think I bought at Batteries Plus. The spare battery for my Canon EOS 7D is a Delkin Devices brand that I bought at Best Buy. Just remember to take your charger and extra battery or batteries with you on all extended trips. I forgot to do it once and I really missed some good photo opportunities.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

FrumCA wrote:

Like many others, I have used after market batteries with no problems. In fact I'm using a Digipower battery in my SX50 right now that I think I bought at Batteries Plus. The spare battery for my Canon EOS 7D is a Delkin Devices brand that I bought at Best Buy. Just remember to take your charger and extra battery or batteries with you on all extended trips. I forgot to do it once and I really missed some good photo opportunities.

So does the one you bought at Batteries Plus charge in the Canon charger?

FrumCA

AzPicLady wrote:

So does the one you bought at Batteries Plus charge in the Canon charger?

Yes. I'm charging it right now.

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

The SX50 can be a battery pig, as mentioned by others. I purchased some cheap no names for about $17.00 on Amazon. they had a higher MH rating, came two to order with there own charger that will work with the Canon battery Charger or the new one. So I know have two chargers. .

As Linda mentioned, leave the Live off and it will go a lot father.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

Linda From Maine wrote:

Yep, the "no name" at amazon are just fine and seem to last equally as long as the Canon.

One way to extend the battery life is to not spend a lot of time viewing your images on the LCD (and use the viewfinder to shoot). Also, someone suggested leaving the batteries in the charger a few hours longer after the green light says they're charged.

(edit - after reading haroldross's comments below, just wanted to say my Canon charger works fine on all :) )

I have had the same experience with the "no-name" batteries and they all have basically the same capacity and results. I can either use my Canon or my "no name" charger with equal results on all of my batteries. I purchased my extras from eBay.

"Most" of the time I just use my 'no name' charger because it can be used either on AC power, or it can also be plugged into a car's accessory (lighter) socket.

Ugly Jake Loc: Sub-Rural Vermont

Linda From Maine wrote:

Yep, the "no name" at amazon are just fine and seem to last equally as long as the Canon.

One way to extend the battery life is to not spend a lot of time viewing your images on the LCD (and use the viewfinder to shoot). Also, someone suggested leaving the batteries in the charger a few hours longer after the green light says they're charged.

(edit - after reading haroldross's comments below, just wanted to say my Canon charger works fine on all :) )

I second all of these.

RicknJude Loc: Quebec, Canada

AzPicLady wrote:

I used my new SX50HS a lot on a recent 2-week trip... (show quote)

I have 2 original Canon and 2 ebay cheapos. Neither the charger nor the camera cares. There is no noticeable difference in how long they last. Go for the cheap ones.

Jim Plogger Loc: East Tennessee

AzPicLady wrote:

I used my new SX50HS a lot on a recent 2-week trip... (show quote)

Purchased a Flashpoint NB-10L from Adorama for $9.95. Works fine......and it charges in the Canon charger with no problems. Lasts just as long as the Canon battery.

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

Hi Azpixlady, I use the Energiser equivalent they are just as good if not better than the original one, they are not cheap but cost much less than the genuine one,
John

Dlevon Loc: New Jersey

AzPicLady wrote:

I used my new SX50HS a lot on a recent 2-week trip... (show quote)

Any batteries will do they all work fine with the SX 50. And fit the charger. One of the reasons your battery life might be shorter, is that you do a lot of in and out zooming. With the long focal length available on the SX50, it's very easy to do, and shorten your battery life. Also use of the LCD screen as a finder. That shortens battery life. I once try just using the EVF and I got over 600 pics. It all depends on how you use the camera.