battery life for Pentax KP

panonski · 06-08-2018, 02:39 AM

Battery life for Pentax KP is not well documented.
I'm searching for LIve View performance, and also the performance with flash . If someone here tried just that mode, to see how much shoots can be done, it would be nice to compare.
Mine is still in phase 1, where the batteries must come to their full capacity, after 3-5 firts charges.

All I can found is 390 shots in CIPA standard and with Optical VF, but for Live View performance, there is no data. ( or it is ? )

I presume , that Live View with flash ON ( lets say, 1/32 power ) , and with little ongoing looking through LCD without shooting, cannot last longer then 390 shots.

My new KP came with 2 batteries. One original, one replacement. It's my usual procedure to have 2 batteries right from the start.

I have a feeling, the KP could be the first camera which forced me to buy another one spare battery, to have at least 3 of them, because I have a filing every time I turn on LIve View, it would run out of the juice every minute. Not particular good feeling.

Last edited by panonski; 08-17-2018 at 06:09 PM.

LensBeginner · 06-08-2018, 03:33 AM

There was a thread not long ago here, where a forum user was complaining of the shorter battery life of the K-1II compared to the K-1, and he talked about the KP as well.
The thing was that the KP had the image processor as well, but battery life with a D-Li90 (in the grip, if I understood it correctly, since it normally uses D-Li109) was very good, better than can't remeber which K-3 variant.

With the D-Li109 things are bound to be worse, I believe.
I have a K-30, and since before I was shooting with a K-01 I can feel the difference.
I think Pentax shouldn't have ever released that battery model... weight savings don't justify its abysmal performance...

Edit:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/190-pentax-k-1/366733-pentax-k-1-mk2-bat...ion-rates.html
but no LV/flash data... I remebered there were some unusual at play, but it was long (60s) exposures (posts #18 and #20 in that thread)

MJKoski · 06-08-2018, 03:49 AM

Ya! D-li90 is superb option with KP. Much recommended if grip is not an issue. Live view performance will be extended to well over an hour in constant use.

panonski · 06-08-2018, 04:04 AM

If I was wanted the grip, I would not bought KP

Thing is, Live View is a battery eater. With OVF and LCD off, I can handle much more shots, and I'm not in any worry, but with LV on, I would certainly must buy one more battery.

MJKoski · 06-08-2018, 04:08 AM - **2 Likes**

It is not that simple. If you go shooting in subzero temp the default battery fails in an instant and live view is not even required for that to happen. The grip is a requirement in cold conditions, not an option.

LensBeginner · 06-08-2018, 04:10 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by panonski

If I was wanted the grip, I would not bought KP

Thing is, Live View is a battery eater. With OVF and LCD off, I can handle much more shots, and I'm not in any worry, but with LV on, I would certainly must buy one more battery.

If yer wanted battery life, yer should not of bought KP

Don't know about DLSRs, but last year I managed 463 shots in a single day on a single charge with my K-01.
LV only, of course. Battery? a two-and-a-half old D-Li90, the one that came with the camera, and the only one I ever used.

panonski · 06-08-2018, 04:14 AM

Originally posted by MJKoski

It is not that simple. If you go shooting in subzero temp the default battery fails in an instant and live view is not even required for that to happen. The grip is a requirement in cold conditions, not an option.

mmmm that's very promising.

I know battery in subzero can last shorter then expected, but your statement is really discouraging

Sandy Hancock · 06-08-2018, 04:16 AM - **3 Likes**

I bought the KP for compactness. A spare D-Li109 doesn't take up much space.

Now I'm planning to take it as my backup/telephoto option in Antarctica, so I've just bought the battery grip where the D-Li90 will be ideal for long days in cold temperatures.

It's nice to have both options.

panonski · 06-08-2018, 04:21 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by LensBeginner

If yer wanted battery life, yer should not of bought KP

hear hear

YES, YOU'RE RIGHT!

That mistake I would never do again.

Quote:

Don't know about DLSRs, but last year I managed 463 shots in a single day on a single charge with my K-01.
LV only, of course. Battery? a two-and-a-half old D-Li90, the one that came with the camera, and the only one I ever used.

Hmmm.... Finally some numbers at last

That battery is good enough, but shortter than that is just a pain.

I do believe, Pentax should implement some "battery saving" features ... But knowning them, and their development in firmware releases, it would never happened

LensBeginner · 06-08-2018, 04:24 AM

Originally posted by panonski

Hmmm.... Finally some numbers at last

That battery is good enough, but shortter than that is just a pain.

I do believe, Pentax should implement some "battery saving" features ... But knowning them, and their development in firmware releases, it would never happened

That's for the D-Li90 though... I don't get much battery life on the K-30 (but both batteries are from the previous owner... one Pentax and one Patona), and I believe numbers could be off... the K-30 does mirror down-up-shoot-down-up when shooting from LV, I believe the KP just keeps the mirror up? That could be a factor when comparing battery life.
Also, the K-01 has no mirror to move, even if only to get in LV, just the shutter.

MJKoski · 06-08-2018, 04:30 AM - **1 Like**

I found that -5C is a limit after which the d-li109 battery voltage starts dropping quickly and camera reports low battery quite soon. If one then warms up the battery and reinserts in the camera the charge goes up for a short while and then plummets again.

For fun: Take fully charged d-li109 to -20C and watch charge drop to 0 in 10 minutes without taking a single picture.

D-li90 has far larger capacity and takes -30C like a champ.

panonski · 06-08-2018, 04:31 AM

Originally posted by LensBeginner

I believe the KP just keeps the mirror up? That could be a factor when comparing battery life.
Also, the K-01 has no mirror to move, even if only to get in LV, just the shutter.

really don't know that for KP, I must checked that, I think I was reading for K3 that mirror is UP all the time in LV, and thet could be the true for KP also.

MJKoski · 06-08-2018, 04:34 AM - **1 Like**

KP has a physical switch which activates "mirrorless" mode. The camera then stays in live view right from the start. Constant M-UP.

panonski · 06-08-2018, 04:37 AM

Originally posted by MJKoski

I found that -5C is a limit after which the d-li109 battery voltage starts dropping quickly and camera reports low battery quite soon. If one then warms up the battery and reinserts in the camera the charge goes up for a short while and then plummets again.

LOL, KP NEEDS A BLANKET

Quote:

For fun: Take fully charged d-li109 to -20C and watch charge drop to 0 in 10 minutes without taking a single picture.

D-li90 has far larger capacity and takes -30C like a champ.

PENTAXXXXX !!!

I love true experiance, instead of marketing claims.

Pentax is WR camera, and they advertise it like it could be used in cca -10 Celsius. If the battery could not match at least 50 pics, in such temperature, that's just false claims.

photoptimist · 06-08-2018, 04:47 AM - **3 Likes**

A KP + 2 spare batteries is both lighter and has longer total battery life than a K-3 with no spare batteries. And it seems like the grip adds as much weight as 4 spare batteries.

06-08-2018, 04:37 AM	#14
panonski Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Zagreb Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 624 Original Poster	Originally posted by MJKoski I found that -5C is a limit after which the d-li109 battery voltage starts dropping quickly and camera reports low battery quite soon. If one then warms up the battery and reinserts in the camera the charge goes up for a short while and then plummets again. LOL, KP NEEDS A BLANKET Quote: For fun: Take fully charged d-li109 to -20C and watch charge drop to 0 in 10 minutes without taking a single picture. D-li90 has far larger capacity and takes -30C like a champ. PENTAXXXXX !!! I love true experiance, instead of marketing claims. Pentax is WR camera, and they advertise it like it could be used in cca -10 Celsius. If the battery could not match at least 50 pics, in such temperature, that's just false claims. Last edited by BigMackCam; 06-10-2018 at 02:19 AM. Reason: Brand-bashing

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06-08-2018, 02:39 AM	#1
panonski Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Zagreb Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 624	battery life for Pentax KP Battery life for Pentax KP is not well documented. I'm searching for LIve View performance, and also the performance with flash . If someone here tried just that mode, to see how much shoots can be done, it would be nice to compare. Mine is still in phase 1, where the batteries must come to their full capacity, after 3-5 firts charges. All I can found is 390 shots in CIPA standard and with Optical VF, but for Live View performance, there is no data. ( or it is ? ) I presume , that Live View with flash ON ( lets say, 1/32 power ) , and with little ongoing looking through LCD without shooting, cannot last longer then 390 shots. My new KP came with 2 batteries. One original, one replacement. It's my usual procedure to have 2 batteries right from the start. I have a feeling, the KP could be the first camera which forced me to buy another one spare battery, to have at least 3 of them, because I have a filing every time I turn on LIve View, it would run out of the juice every minute. Not particular good feeling. Last edited by panonski; 08-17-2018 at 06:09 PM.

06-08-2018, 03:33 AM	#2
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	There was a thread not long ago here, where a forum user was complaining of the shorter battery life of the K-1II compared to the K-1, and he talked about the KP as well. The thing was that the KP had the image processor as well, but battery life with a D-Li90 (in the grip, if I understood it correctly, since it normally uses D-Li109) was very good, better than can't remeber which K-3 variant. With the D-Li109 things are bound to be worse, I believe. I have a K-30, and since before I was shooting with a K-01 I can feel the difference. I think Pentax shouldn't have ever released that battery model... weight savings don't justify its abysmal performance... Edit: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/190-pentax-k-1/366733-pentax-k-1-mk2-bat...ion-rates.html but no LV/flash data... I remebered there were some unusual at play, but it was long (60s) exposures (posts #18 and #20 in that thread)

06-08-2018, 03:49 AM	#3
MJKoski Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 1,784	Ya! D-li90 is superb option with KP. Much recommended if grip is not an issue. Live view performance will be extended to well over an hour in constant use.

06-08-2018, 04:04 AM	#4
panonski Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Zagreb Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 624 Original Poster	If I was wanted the grip, I would not bought KP Thing is, Live View is a battery eater. With OVF and LCD off, I can handle much more shots, and I'm not in any worry, but with LV on, I would certainly must buy one more battery.

06-08-2018, 04:08 AM - 2 Likes	#5
MJKoski Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 1,784	It is not that simple. If you go shooting in subzero temp the default battery fails in an instant and live view is not even required for that to happen. The grip is a requirement in cold conditions, not an option.

06-08-2018, 04:10 AM - 1 Like	#6
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	Originally posted by panonski If I was wanted the grip, I would not bought KP Thing is, Live View is a battery eater. With OVF and LCD off, I can handle much more shots, and I'm not in any worry, but with LV on, I would certainly must buy one more battery. If yer wanted battery life, yer should not of bought KP Don't know about DLSRs, but last year I managed 463 shots in a single day on a single charge with my K-01. LV only, of course. Battery? a two-and-a-half old D-Li90, the one that came with the camera, and the only one I ever used.

06-08-2018, 04:14 AM	#7
panonski Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Zagreb Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 624 Original Poster	Originally posted by MJKoski It is not that simple. If you go shooting in subzero temp the default battery fails in an instant and live view is not even required for that to happen. The grip is a requirement in cold conditions, not an option. mmmm that's very promising. I know battery in subzero can last shorter then expected, but your statement is really discouraging

06-08-2018, 04:16 AM - 3 Likes	#8
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	I bought the KP for compactness. A spare D-Li109 doesn't take up much space. Now I'm planning to take it as my backup/telephoto option in Antarctica, so I've just bought the battery grip where the D-Li90 will be ideal for long days in cold temperatures. It's nice to have both options.

06-08-2018, 04:21 AM - 1 Like	#9
panonski Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Zagreb Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 624 Original Poster	Originally posted by LensBeginner If yer wanted battery life, yer should not of bought KP hear hear YES, YOU'RE RIGHT! That mistake I would never do again. Quote: Don't know about DLSRs, but last year I managed 463 shots in a single day on a single charge with my K-01. LV only, of course. Battery? a two-and-a-half old D-Li90, the one that came with the camera, and the only one I ever used. Hmmm.... Finally some numbers at last That battery is good enough, but shortter than that is just a pain. I do believe, Pentax should implement some "battery saving" features ... But knowning them, and their development in firmware releases, it would never happened

06-08-2018, 04:24 AM	#10
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	Originally posted by panonski Hmmm.... Finally some numbers at last That battery is good enough, but shortter than that is just a pain. I do believe, Pentax should implement some "battery saving" features ... But knowning them, and their development in firmware releases, it would never happened That's for the D-Li90 though... I don't get much battery life on the K-30 (but both batteries are from the previous owner... one Pentax and one Patona), and I believe numbers could be off... the K-30 does mirror down-up-shoot-down-up when shooting from LV, I believe the KP just keeps the mirror up? That could be a factor when comparing battery life. Also, the K-01 has no mirror to move, even if only to get in LV, just the shutter.

06-08-2018, 04:30 AM - 1 Like	#11
MJKoski Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 1,784	I found that -5C is a limit after which the d-li109 battery voltage starts dropping quickly and camera reports low battery quite soon. If one then warms up the battery and reinserts in the camera the charge goes up for a short while and then plummets again. For fun: Take fully charged d-li109 to -20C and watch charge drop to 0 in 10 minutes without taking a single picture. D-li90 has far larger capacity and takes -30C like a champ.

06-08-2018, 04:31 AM	#12
panonski Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Zagreb Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 624 Original Poster	Originally posted by LensBeginner I believe the KP just keeps the mirror up? That could be a factor when comparing battery life. Also, the K-01 has no mirror to move, even if only to get in LV, just the shutter. really don't know that for KP, I must checked that, I think I was reading for K3 that mirror is UP all the time in LV, and thet could be the true for KP also.

06-08-2018, 04:34 AM - 1 Like	#13
MJKoski Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 1,784	KP has a physical switch which activates "mirrorless" mode. The camera then stays in live view right from the start. Constant M-UP.

06-08-2018, 04:47 AM - 3 Likes	#15
photoptimist Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,126	A KP + 2 spare batteries is both lighter and has longer total battery life than a K-3 with no spare batteries. And it seems like the grip adds as much weight as 4 spare batteries.