Our school has brand new Canon PowerShort cameras. Something is draining the batteries very quickly. Many times only 1 photo will be taken and then the batteries are dead. Does the camera take a special kind of batteries?
I have the same problem. I keep replacing ALL the batteries and they all test fine. The camera reports them low and keeps shutting off. Sometimes after only a few pictures.
I have the same problem. I keep replacing ALL the batteries and they all test fine. The camera reports them low and keeps shutting off. Sometimes after only a few pictures.
Camera was still under warranty & I sent it back to Canon after calling them. Service was incredibly fast. They found the optical assembly inoperative & focus not operating properly. They also sent battery recommendations. I think I am going to try the rechargables. They recommend: Panasonic Alkaline Gold, Duracell Ultra, and Canon Ni-MH. Will let you know how it works out. Thanks for the help as well.
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How old are your batteries, and are they Canon brand or a cheap eBay type off brand? Most times we see this the batteries are old and won't hold a full charge or are cheap off-brand ones.
Has the camera been exposed to intense moisture or fallen into water. Water damage can drain a battery quickly.
There is a software adjustment to set the battery inhibit voltage, but you will have to take your camera to Canon as it is proprietary software only they have
The flashing low battery symbol is the way Canon film cameras showed that the camera has had an error and has stopped functioning. It can have multiple causes - but for a quick check remove the lens, turn off the camera and then turn it back on - see if the symbol stops flashing. A problem with the lens can also cause this problem (usually a failure of the aperture unit)
Without more information I'd head straight for the batteries. Some cheap rechargeable batteries don't last long and if they are old they could get to the stage of dying. Something nimh Batteries do well is die very quickly. if they are reasonably new it's possible for just one cell to die which would stop current from flowing from the others. Try a new set of high drain alkaline camera batteries and try them. if all works normally then buy a couple of sets of rechargeables. Make sure they are good quality, not cheap and nasty.
Canon actually has recalled some serial numbers for your model camera for the problem that you're experiencing. Some of The Canon Powershot A530 and A540 cameras are subject to an advisory recall. Seems that a small spring on the battery compartment door can short out the batteries. Suspect this of yours, in that you mention that your batteries aren't lasting long. If your camera is on the list, Canon should fix this for you for free, including free shipping both ways. This is regardless of your camera's warranty status. Please check this link for more info.
This sounds very much to me like a short circuit causing the batteries to drain so quickly. The most common cause would be moisture or water damage. Another likely cause could be a malfunction of the control circuits causing the unusual power drain. ie the camera may be continuously charging the flash.
It may be time to consider this camera has seen better days and find a replacement, unless of course it is still under a warranty.
I have the same problem too. It's just started happening. The camera is about 3 years old. I've cleaned the battery contact points with an eraser and ensured there's contact. All seems fine. I only get about 5 shots out of brand new AA batteries, then a black screen with message 'change the batteries'. Can anyone help?
Most likely your batteries are just not holding a charge. However, before you spend good money on new batteries, try charging them on another charger (friend or sympathetic photo shop?). Could be the charger also. Usually it's the batteries, though.
I have the same exact problem. I just now read a possible solution: try opening the battery compartment door and then closing it again to "trick" the camera into thinking it just got new batteries. There is definitely something wrong with the way the camera senses dead batteries.
I use professional $70k cameras for work and it's the same type of thing. If you're not using it, take the batteries out.
With my A75 I have some energizer 2200mpa rechargeable AA's and the seem to last about a month or so. If I happen to be "cranking" through pictures though (upwards of 300-500) in one sitting, it will suck them dry. The rechargeable batteries last longer than the Alkalines.
I was heistant with the rechargeables but for $20 I picked up a 15 minute charger and the 2200mpa AA's, now I recommend them to everyone with a digital camera. Digital cameras eat Alkaline batteries in a hurry.
I have the same problem. I keep replacing ALL the batteries and they all test fine. The camera reports them low and keeps shutting off. Sometimes after only a few pictures.
i also have the same battery problem,i have only used it 4 times *** soon *** i put freshly charged batteries the no life sign comes up.
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