K-r and battary life

awo425 · 03-15-2011, 09:41 PM

I treated myself to white K-r a few days ago, still learning it, but I noticed one thing about this camera that I've never experience with my previous Pentax or Canon DSLRs.
Fully charged standard Pentax 1050 mAh Li-ion battery lasted under 200 shots without flash. Out of these shots approximately 20 were taken with LV.
Now this is a little disappointing, my 5D Mark 2 can take over 600 easily, Pentax K10D was about the same, and even cameras as ancient as istD* or K100D were able to take well over 200 on Eneloops.

Did anybody tried Eneloops in K-r? Are they any better then standard square battery?
Are there any third party rechargeables with better capacity available of Fleebay?

Thanks.

Last edited by awo425; 03-16-2011 at 04:29 AM.

Jessesdad · 03-15-2011, 11:13 PM

I've used eneloops and the standard battery and have had excellent battery life with both. You may have an issue.

DSims · 03-16-2011, 12:12 AM

As I recall, LV was quite draining on my K-x (I now have K-5). I wouldn't be surprised if this is still an issue on the K-r, though I don't know for sure. But Eneloops or Energizer Lithiums are all I used in my K-x or K200D. I'd try the Energizer Lithiums first, since they'd typically last around 2200 shots for me on my K-x (I usually had minimal flash or LV use). Also, they are great in flashes and battery grips as well (I buy mine at Sam's Club). And you can pick up a third party battery adapter cheaply.

GrinMode · 03-16-2011, 12:58 AM

The battery pack requires several cycles of charging (~5 I think) before it gets its optimal capacity.

I never have experienced running out of juice. But I rarely use live view, and I got picky with my shots

. I do chimp a lot though.

Verglace · 03-16-2011, 01:37 AM

I think they could have packed more power into the battery, theres certainly room to add more cells in the area where the last AA battery goes in. I wonder why they didnt just make the lithium ion batteries in the shape of a filled AA adaptor to increase the capacity.

I've never actually managed to run out of battery before. I use the camera, get home and always charge the battery even if it never runs out (read How to prolong lithium-based batteries for why I do this). The most pictures I've taken on a single photo session was about 400.

Penumbra · 03-16-2011, 02:46 AM

Try another set of rechargeables. Are these you used now new? Also, as you probably know, in cold/colder temp the rechargebles can drain very quickly.

I'm sure it's nothing to worry about, you'll figure it out.

awo425 · 03-16-2011, 03:47 AM

Originally posted by Penumbra

Try another set of rechargeables. Are these you used now new? Also, as you probably know, in cold/colder temp the rechargebles can drain very quickly.

I'm sure it's nothing to worry about, you'll figure it out.

I am not referring to rechargeables, I get under 200 shots on a standard square Pentax 1050 mAh Li-ion battery that is sold with K-r

Last edited by awo425; 03-16-2011 at 04:27 AM.

slpslee · 03-16-2011, 03:56 AM

Battery life has been surprisingly good compared to what I was expecting. I use Live View fairly regularly since it's a great tool paired with the manual lenses. I bought the adapter and filled it with Eneloops, but I've never run out of power with the lithium yet, so it's really untested. I've never felt the need to keep a count of total pictures, so I don't know how many I'm getting. I don't do any event shooting any more, so maybe I just don't take as many shots at one time...

AstraNine · 03-16-2011, 03:57 AM

Im finding the same, battery life is not very good. Admittedly it is only two charging cycles in so hopefully things will improve.

ovim · 03-16-2011, 04:13 AM

I haven't done any real comparisons but I think the Li-Ion doesn't last as nearly long as a set of eneloops. But I have bought two cheap Chinese Li-Ions and a battery adapter (and got plenty of eneloops for it) so I think I'm not going run out of power any time soon.

ccd333 · 03-16-2011, 05:35 AM

Reading some of the reviews on various sites, it was made a point that the Li-Ion battery brick is smaller than comparable cameras due to the sizing constraints caused by the flexibility of using AA's with the adapter. Is it smaller?

loco · 03-16-2011, 05:36 AM

I agree. The more you charge, the better it gets. My first charge lasted one day and I wasn't taking many pictures, just fooling around in the menu, changing settings and learning the camera. I was very disappointed. Second charge was much much better.

Coming from a camera that didn't have an optical viewfinder (Fuji S100fs), I was very used to using LiveView. I hardly ever use it now and I think that really helps save the battery. I do like to use it for certain situations, though.

I think you will notice a big improvement, the more you use the battery and the more charge cycles.

robroy · 03-16-2011, 06:42 AM

I have also experienced quite bad battery life with K-r. It got little better after several charges, but isn't still great. I haven taken about 500 images and have had to charge the battery at least 6 or 7 times. Not many pictures have been taken with the flash. Hopefully, battery life still improves.

abcdave · 03-16-2011, 07:44 AM

I never take more than 100 photos at a time and I recharge between shoots, so I have never depleted my battery.

<troll> Therefore, the capacity is just fine and there is no such thing as a battery capacity problem. Sure, someone could come up with some crazy scenario to force their battery to run out of juice early, but that isn't real-world battery usage. I also bought a second battery and use it if I plan to shoot more than 200 photos at a time. People who think there is a problem are imagining things and just looking for something to complain about. </troll>

geru2000 · 03-16-2011, 09:38 AM

I have found that even after more than 5 charges I got less battery life than I expected also. It is up from when I first got it but still less than 500.

I bought the AA battery holder and inserted the same batteries (Energizer Rechargeable) I used in my K200D and so far I have over 300 shots and the battery display is still green.

I bought the holder because I didn't like the recharge time and I wanted to ensure I wouldn't be without power. I use the Li-on for back up.

03-15-2011, 09:41 PM	#1
awo425 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NYC, USA Posts: 481	K-r and battary life I treated myself to white K-r a few days ago, still learning it, but I noticed one thing about this camera that I've never experience with my previous Pentax or Canon DSLRs. Fully charged standard Pentax 1050 mAh Li-ion battery lasted under 200 shots without flash. Out of these shots approximately 20 were taken with LV. Now this is a little disappointing, my 5D Mark 2 can take over 600 easily, Pentax K10D was about the same, and even cameras as ancient as istD* or K100D were able to take well over 200 on Eneloops. Did anybody tried Eneloops in K-r? Are they any better then standard square battery? Are there any third party rechargeables with better capacity available of Fleebay? Thanks. Last edited by awo425; 03-16-2011 at 04:29 AM.

03-16-2011, 12:12 AM	#3
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	As I recall, LV was quite draining on my K-x (I now have K-5). I wouldn't be surprised if this is still an issue on the K-r, though I don't know for sure. But Eneloops or Energizer Lithiums are all I used in my K-x or K200D. I'd try the Energizer Lithiums first, since they'd typically last around 2200 shots for me on my K-x (I usually had minimal flash or LV use). Also, they are great in flashes and battery grips as well (I buy mine at Sam's Club). And you can pick up a third party battery adapter cheaply. Last edited by DSims; 03-16-2011 at 12:19 AM.

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03-15-2011, 11:13 PM	#2
Jessesdad Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Blackwood Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 359	I've used eneloops and the standard battery and have had excellent battery life with both. You may have an issue.

03-16-2011, 12:58 AM	#4
GrinMode Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 249	The battery pack requires several cycles of charging (~5 I think) before it gets its optimal capacity. I never have experienced running out of juice. But I rarely use live view, and I got picky with my shots . I do chimp a lot though.

03-16-2011, 01:37 AM	#5
Verglace Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 468	I think they could have packed more power into the battery, theres certainly room to add more cells in the area where the last AA battery goes in. I wonder why they didnt just make the lithium ion batteries in the shape of a filled AA adaptor to increase the capacity. I've never actually managed to run out of battery before. I use the camera, get home and always charge the battery even if it never runs out (read How to prolong lithium-based batteries for why I do this). The most pictures I've taken on a single photo session was about 400.

03-16-2011, 02:46 AM	#6
Penumbra Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Suceava, Romania Photos: Albums Posts: 139	Try another set of rechargeables. Are these you used now new? Also, as you probably know, in cold/colder temp the rechargebles can drain very quickly. I'm sure it's nothing to worry about, you'll figure it out.

03-16-2011, 03:47 AM	#7
awo425 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NYC, USA Posts: 481 Original Poster	Originally posted by Penumbra Try another set of rechargeables. Are these you used now new? Also, as you probably know, in cold/colder temp the rechargebles can drain very quickly. I'm sure it's nothing to worry about, you'll figure it out. I am not referring to rechargeables, I get under 200 shots on a standard square Pentax 1050 mAh Li-ion battery that is sold with K-r Last edited by awo425; 03-16-2011 at 04:27 AM.

03-16-2011, 03:56 AM	#8
slpslee Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Midwest US Photos: Albums Posts: 27	Battery life has been surprisingly good compared to what I was expecting. I use Live View fairly regularly since it's a great tool paired with the manual lenses. I bought the adapter and filled it with Eneloops, but I've never run out of power with the lithium yet, so it's really untested. I've never felt the need to keep a count of total pictures, so I don't know how many I'm getting. I don't do any event shooting any more, so maybe I just don't take as many shots at one time...

03-16-2011, 03:57 AM	#9
AstraNine Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Portsmouth Posts: 45	Im finding the same, battery life is not very good. Admittedly it is only two charging cycles in so hopefully things will improve.

03-16-2011, 04:13 AM	#10
ovim Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tre, Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,229	I haven't done any real comparisons but I think the Li-Ion doesn't last as nearly long as a set of eneloops. But I have bought two cheap Chinese Li-Ions and a battery adapter (and got plenty of eneloops for it) so I think I'm not going run out of power any time soon.

03-16-2011, 05:35 AM	#11
ccd333 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Windsor, Colorado Posts: 196	Reading some of the reviews on various sites, it was made a point that the Li-Ion battery brick is smaller than comparable cameras due to the sizing constraints caused by the flexibility of using AA's with the adapter. Is it smaller?

03-16-2011, 05:36 AM	#12
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846	I agree. The more you charge, the better it gets. My first charge lasted one day and I wasn't taking many pictures, just fooling around in the menu, changing settings and learning the camera. I was very disappointed. Second charge was much much better. Coming from a camera that didn't have an optical viewfinder (Fuji S100fs), I was very used to using LiveView. I hardly ever use it now and I think that really helps save the battery. I do like to use it for certain situations, though. I think you will notice a big improvement, the more you use the battery and the more charge cycles.

03-16-2011, 06:42 AM	#13
robroy Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 34	I have also experienced quite bad battery life with K-r. It got little better after several charges, but isn't still great. I haven taken about 500 images and have had to charge the battery at least 6 or 7 times. Not many pictures have been taken with the flash. Hopefully, battery life still improves.

03-16-2011, 07:44 AM	#14
abcdave Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Bartlesville, OK Posts: 57	I never take more than 100 photos at a time and I recharge between shoots, so I have never depleted my battery. <troll> Therefore, the capacity is just fine and there is no such thing as a battery capacity problem. Sure, someone could come up with some crazy scenario to force their battery to run out of juice early, but that isn't real-world battery usage. I also bought a second battery and use it if I plan to shoot more than 200 photos at a time. People who think there is a problem are imagining things and just looking for something to complain about. </troll>

03-16-2011, 09:38 AM	#15
geru2000 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Watertown, NY Posts: 267	I have found that even after more than 5 charges I got less battery life than I expected also. It is up from when I first got it but still less than 500. I bought the AA battery holder and inserted the same batteries (Energizer Rechargeable) I used in my K200D and so far I have over 300 shots and the battery display is still green. I bought the holder because I didn't like the recharge time and I wanted to ensure I wouldn't be without power. I use the Li-on for back up.