The following Canon 5D Mark 2 battery life numbers (how many photos can be taken before the battery power runs out) is extracted from the Canon 5D Mark II Manual and the Canon 5D MKII Specifications page.
All figures are calculated based on CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) testing standards (see the section titled “Standard Procedure for Measuring Digital Still Camera Battery Consumption” for more information), and assuming the following power supply condition:
- One fully-charged Canon LP-E6 7.2V, 1800mAh Lithium Ion battery pack.
Viewfinder Shooting — Approximate Number of Shots
One LP-E6 battery, with or without the battery grip attached:
- Temperature 23°C / 73°F: 850
- Temperature 0°C / 32°F: 750
Live View Shooting — Approximate Number of Shots
One LP-E6 battery, with or without the battery grip attached:
- Temperature 23°C / 73°F: 200
- Temperature 0°C / 32°F: 180
Assuming a single LP-E6 battery pack is used, the Live View mode can stay switched on for a duration of approximately:
- 2 hours at 23°C / 73°F
- 1 hour 50 minutes at 0°C / 32°F
Assuming a single LP-E6 battery pack is used, the maximum movie shooting time is approximately:
- 1 hour 30 minutes at 23°C / 73°F
- 1 hour 20 minutes at 0°C / 32°F
Other Battery Life Factors
In the 5D Mk2 Manual, Canon advised that the battery life and number of shots decreases when:
- The shutter button is pressed halfway for a prolonged period.
- Autofocus is frequently activated without taking a picture.
- The LCD Monitor is used a lot.
- IS (Image Stabilization) on the lens is activated.
Some lenses draw more power from the camera’s battery during operation due to their physical (heavy lens elements that need more power to move) and electronic (type and technology of the IS employed) properties.
Expect to obtain approximately double the battery life if you pair the camera with the Battery Grip BG-E6 and have two fully-charged Canon LP-E6 battery packs in the battery chamber. Although the BG-E6 grip also lets you use six AA-sized batteries, the number of possible shots is far less than what you’d get with a single LP-E6 battery.