Camera batteries are a precious piece of the equipment. In fact, they are the mitochondria of the camera and every shutterbug knows that. So, it is important to take good care of them.
One of the steps in that maintenance process occurs every time you charge the battery. So, you must know how long to charge a camera battery so that it gets just the right amount of juice. Let’s take you through that with different brands.
It takes most camera batteries about two hours to reach their full capacity if they are being charged with an adapter. But if you are using a USB cable that is attached to a computer it takes double that time—four hours. This is applicable under normal room temperatures. When the weather is cold, it will take longer.
There’s more than just numbers to this because some of the specifics change depending on the model of the camera, battery and charger. We’ll fill you in on all those details today. Let’s go.
How long does a camera battery take to charge?
Typically, the camera battery charging time of a completely exhausted camera battery takes about two hours to fully charge. This is when it is charged at room temperature that is approximately 73 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are recharging the battery in lower temperatures, say, 43 degrees Fahrenheit to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, it can take as long as four hours for the battery to reach full capacity.
Now, these figures are subject to change depending, of course, on the temperature but also based on the battery’s capacity. What does that mean? Well, when you have used a battery for a long time, there is bound to be some wear and tear, right? That factors in over a period of time. Sometimes, when there have been mishaps like overcharging, a battery loses its capacity to recharge to a 100 percent capacity. So, those variables must be factored in.
You must also remember that the same wear and tear logic applies to the battery charger. Then there is the thing about originals and duplicates. If you are not using the charger or cables issued by the manufacturer when you bought the camera, that might have an impact too. Now let’s look at some manufacturers and their specifics.
How Long Does A Sony Battery Take To Charge?
This is one of the best-known companies to manufacture cameras among other electronics. The minimum approximate time it takes to charge a dead battery varies depending on the mechanism used to do so.
If you are using the AC adapter NP-FV50, it takes about 155 minutes which is about 2.5 hours. If you are using the NP-FV70, it will take 195 minutes which is about 3.5 hours and if you’re using the NP-FV100, it takes about 390 minutes which is about 6.5 hours. Which one you use depends on the camera you have.
In case you are using the built-in USB cable, prepare for the exercise to last a lot longer. With NP-FV50, it will take about 315 minutes, which is about 5.5 hours. With NP-F60, it will take about 600 minutes, which is about 10 hours, and with the NP-FV100, it will take 1050 minutes, which is about 17 and a half hours.
These numbers are for a camcorder that is being charged under the operating conditions of 77 degrees Fahrenheit, room temperature. But anywhere between 50 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended. If you are charging a battery pack with the adapter, it will take about 210 to 270 minutes which is about 3.5 to 3.6 hours.
Once again, these numbers are subject to the physical condition of the battery and the charger along with environmental factors. In cold weather, it will take longer.
How Long Does A Canon Battery Take To Charge?
Canon is a very well-known manufacturer of cameras. You could say it is either this one or the ‘other guy’ (who we will get to in a minute) that is most popular among photography enthusiasts. A typical Canon battery takes about two hours to fully charge from zero percent. It needs to be charged at 73 degrees Fahrenheit. And in lower temperatures, it will take four hours.
Now, when you first buy the camera, the battery will most likely not be fully charged. It is recommended that you do so before you start using the camera. Ideally, do it a day before you get started. When a Canon battery is left unused, it tends to drain itself and lose power.
So, you must check and recharge it even if you don’t use it for a long time. It also reduces the lifespan of the battery. And for those reasons, you might want to remove the battery from the camera and store it in a cool, dry place till you need it again. Keep it in the protective cover that comes with it when you buy the camera.
And here’s a helpful tip. After you charge the battery and disconnect the power plug of the charger, don’t touch the pins for about five seconds. The battery pack LP-E10 is perfect for Canon cameras. Resist the temptation to use any other.
How Long Does A Fujifilm Battery Take To Charge?
The battery for these cameras does not come charged when you first receive them. So, charge it with the adapter you receive. Most of these cameras use NP-W126 rechargeable batteries and they take about 150 minutes or 2.5 hours to charge to their full capacity. Follow the instructions in the user manual to do it the right way.
You will receive an AC cord along with the charger which is the only one to be used when charging a Fujifilm camera battery. Plug in the charger into a power outlet and check the indicator light. The light is off in two scenarios.
When the battery is not inserted or when it is fully charged. It is on when the battery is charging and it blinks when there is a problem with the battery. In that case, you must remove the battery and unplug the charger.
You should also unplug the charger when you are not using it for the sake of safety. Clean the terminals of the battery often with a dry cloth. Otherwise, your battery might not charge efficiently. And the amount of time it takes to charge this battery is also subject to the same environmental conditions as mentioned before.
How Long Does A Polaroid Battery Take To Charge?
Let’s consider the OneStep 2 for this example. This is another case where the battery does not come fully charged when you purchase it. So, keep the camera battery tradition alive and charge it to 100 percent before you start using the camera. If you are using a smartphone adapter plugged into a wall socket, it will take about two hours to charge fully. If you are connecting it to a computer, it will take up to four hours for the same.
You can use the USB charging cable on the back panel of the camera to do so. The cable must be plugged into a 5-volt, 1-amp charger. You will see a red LED light flash once the battery starts charging and it will turn off on its own once the job is done.
How Long Does A Nikon Battery Take To Charge?
Now let’s talk about the other guy (Nikon users will say this is ‘the guy’) also tremendously popular for their cameras. The charging time for these cameras sometimes changes depending on the model.
So, let’s take one example to understand how it works. If you are using the D3400, it takes about 1.5 to two hours to get the battery to its 100 percent when the battery is low (not dead). And you will easily be able to use the camera for about three hours with full charge whether it is pictures or videos.
If you want to make it last longer, you want to reduce the amount of video you’re shooting and settle for pictures only. But if you have to shoot a video, count on the battery to last for 50 to 90 minutes.
The Nikon STK/SterlingTek 3400 charger is an excellent portable charger when you are on the move. It also has a car adapter. The EN-EL14A battery is a good one to have as a spare.
How Long Does a Camera Battery Last?
A camera’s battery life depends on the make and model of camera, as well as the type of battery. Typically, a camera battery will last for between 200 and 500 photos, or for between 2 and 3 hours of video filming.
It’s always a good idea to have a spare battery handy, especially if you’re shooting video or taking photos in low light conditions, which can drain the battery more quickly. You can also help to extend the life of your camera battery by turning off the LCD screen when you’re not using it, and by avoiding extreme temperatures (both high and low).
