New Camcorder - Battery Life

Hi. I just wondered what Digital Camcorder you are currently using?
What make and model? And I also wonder how long the standard battery
is lasting before you have to recharge?

I am going to be getting a new MiniDV Camcorder in the new year
probably around for my birthday or just after in January and would
definitely like something with a better battery life.

At present I have the Canon ZR. I have had it for about 5 years now.
It is an NTSC camcorder I got from the States. It is not shaped like a
regular camcorder but like a Camera. It has served me very well.
Never had any problems with it, never needed servicing. Only needed to
use a tape cleaner once or twice, that's it.

The only criticism I have had is that the battery life with the
standard battery was very poor. The battery it came with was rated at
750mAh. It is supposed to last around 55 minutes before it needs
recharging but I have found it lasts a lot less than that, perhaps 15
minutes if you're lucky. Even getting a newer battery rated at
1200mAh still doesn't last that long perhaps for 20 or 25 minutes at
best.

Usually if you are recording a few minutes of video, then stopping,
moving to a new angle, recording a few more minutes, before you know
it, the battery is almost flat, and you haven't got that much video
before needing to change. Also the battery is always constantly
draining when left in the Camcorder that is switched off anyway as it
is keeping the internal battery topped up which keeps the date and
time data etc accurate.

I don't know about anyone else but I often use a lot of film
especially if I am at a Zoo, Wildlife Park, or at an attraction or on
holiday somewhere scenic. I have always had to take three batteries
with me, and often use all the power from all of them up during the
day.

Have you had any power issues with your camcorder and had to take a
lot of spare topped up batteries with you? What current MiniDV
camcorders have reasonable battery life?

John


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