Sony A6500 Battery Life: I recently purchased a Sony A6500. I like the camera a lot. However, it seems to eat batteries. I went out with my grandkids yesterday for 2 hours (part...

BillA

I recently purchased a Sony A6500. I like the camera a lot. However, it seems to eat batteries. I went out with my grandkids yesterday for 2 hours (part outdoor/part indoor a few with flash) and took only 69 photos. The battery (that Sony supplied with the camera) went from 97% to 37%. I purchased 2 recommended (this forum) non manufacturer batteries and they seem to drop just about as fast. I do keep the power on the entire time I am shooting (used to Nikon's superb life). Do others have this same experience?

rpena2860

Can't speak specifically to the a6500, but the a6000 is no superstar as it relates to battery life. My experience is similar to yours, however. Mirror-less cameras just don't seem to compare to DSLR's when it comes to battery life -- no matter the brand. Battery life aside, I do love the Sony and the things it brings to the party -- especially the EVF.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Generally mirrorless camera batteries are smaller and run a lot of electronic functions. There are ways to conserve power but when I had my Sony a6000 I just accepted the limitation and bought more batteries. Fuji and Panasonic batteries last longer but none compare with DSLRs.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

suntouched wrote:

Generally mirrorless camera batteries are smaller and run a lot of electronic functions. There are ways to conserve power but when I had my Sony a6000 I just accepted the limitation and bought more batteries. Seems that I got about 200 images before having to change the battery- sounds like you are getting half that. Fuji and Panasonic batteries last longer but none compare with DSLRs.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

BillA wrote:

I recently purchased a Sony A6500. I like the came... (show quote)

Sony cameras are notorious for poor battery performance. That is the number 1 complaint from everyone I see who trades their sonys off on other cameras.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

MT Shooter wrote:

Sony cameras are notorious for poor battery performance. That is the number 1 complaint from everyone I see who trades their sonys off on other cameras.

Agreed. That was one of my considerations when I replaced my Sony a6000 with another brand.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

BillA wrote:

I recently purchased a Sony A6500. I like the came... (show quote)

That seems to be a thing with Sony. You know how when you look through the viewfinder the LCD turns off? The viewfinder uses more current than the LCD. Strange.

I got two batteries and a dual charger for $30.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JG54F3C/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Getting more battery life -
http://www.diyphotography.net/6-tips-for-getting-more-battery-life-from-your-sony-mirrorless-camera/

Two million similar articles -
https://www.google.com/search?q=extending+sony+battery+life&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS716US717&oq=extending+sony+battery+life&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l2.5623j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#q=extending+sony+camera++battery+life

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

suntouched wrote:

Agreed. That was one of my considerations when I replaced my Sony a6000 with another brand.

And what was the replacement?

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

jerryc41 wrote:

And what was the replacement?

Fuji X-T2
Battery life and ergonomics are better

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

suntouched wrote:

Fuji X-T2
Battery life and ergonomics are better

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind.

EDIT: I'll stick with my A6000. $550 with lens vs $1,600 without.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

jerryc41 wrote:

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind.

EDIT: I'll stick with my A6000. $550 with lens vs $1,600 without.

Yeah I know :)

But if you were thinking of upgrading to the Sony a6500 then it might be worth considering the Fuji in its place. There was nothing like the Sony a6000 in its price range when it was released and so I accepted the shortcomings. But 2 upgrades later and double + in price and those shortcomings remain...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

suntouched wrote:

Yeah I know :)

But if you were thinking of upgrading to the Sony a6500 then it might be worth considering the Fuji in its place. There was nothing like the Sony a6000 in its price range when it was released and so I accepted the shortcomings. But 2 upgrades later and double + in price and those shortcomings remain...

From what I've read, I don't see the A6300 or A6500 as upgrades to what I have. For me, it's just right. I got a good camera at a good price.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

When I had the a6000 I noted the signifigant battery drain when camera was "off." The drain was nearly 100% reduced after I set the Airplane mode to "On." Evidently, per my reasoning, the camera wi-fi remained "on" to be able to receive signals. Following is my 'then' battery drain data plot.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

John_F wrote:

When I had the a6000 I noted the signifigant battery drain when camera was "off." The drain was nearly 100% reduced after I set the Airplane mode to "On." Evidently, per my reasoning, the camera wi-fi remained "on" to be able to receive signals. Following is my 'then' battery drain data plot.

Yes, that is one of the common tips. With Airplane mode turned on, it doesn't keep looking for a Wi-Fi signal.

Nice graph.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Same with your iPhone/Pad or Samsung Galaxy. When WiFi is turned on and there is no connectivity, the radio goes bonkers trying to find something to connect to.