On average, a camera battery lasts around 800—1,000 shots. If you’re constantly using the camera and taking plenty of shots in a short timeframe, this might give you a few hours of use. You can stretch this out to 8 to 10 hours if you take more time between shots.
I’m Caleb, and I have five years of photography experience. I specialize in sports and have shot college and semi-pro games for several teams and competitions.
In this article, I’ll discuss how long a camera battery typically lasts and which factors can impact that. If you’re unsure whether you should bring an extra battery, keep reading for a simple explanation.
Contents
Digital Camera Battery Life
Most camera batteries will last around 800–1,000 shots before recharging, which tends to be enough for a few hours of continuous use.
However, the exact amount of battery life depends on the model in question. Often, this comes down to the brand of camera you use. Canon, Nikon, Sony, and others make their own batteries for their cameras.
However, some companies also make generic brand batteries, which can have a similar or greater performance than the official ones.
If battery life is a concern, you should research the camera’s battery before buying it. You can usually find information online explaining how good or bad the battery life is for that model.
What Can Decrease Battery Life?
Did you know that you can use power without actually taking pictures? Certain other functions of your camera also draw power from the battery.
For example, if you’re using a zoom lens, it takes a bit of power to spin up the motor and move the lens each time you turn the zoom ring. While this only requires negligible power, it can add up, especially if you’re already low.
Autofocus also uses power. For example, when shooting a moving subject in continuous autofocus mode, your camera must constantly refocus. If you’re trying to conserve battery, consider using a different mode than this one.
Even the temperature can have an impact. Batteries perform worse in the cold, so if you’re planning some cold-weather shooting, you may want to bring a spare battery.
FAQs
Here are some other frequently asked questions about camera batteries.
How Long Does a Fully Charged Nikon Battery Last?
The Nikon D3500 has a notably longer battery life than most cameras and is claimed to last around 1,500 shots per charge. However, different Nikon models use different batteries, and some have much worse performance than this.
How Long Does A Security Camera Battery Last?
Security camera batteries are designed to last longer without requiring charging. As such, you can go weeks, or sometimes months, without having to touch the battery.
How Long Does a Canon Battery Last?
The average Canon battery usually lasts around 850 shots. However, depending on the specific model, this number may be higher or lower.
Conclusion
You can expect to get between 800 and 1,000 shots out of most cameras before you need a recharge. However, you should always check the battery life of your specific camera and battery model, as many models fall outside this range.
Do you prefer using batteries from the manufacturer, or do you like third-party options? Let us know in the comments!
