Canon T2i / 550D / Kiss X4 Battery Life

First published on: Wednesday, 8 September 2010

Canon T2i / 550D plus LP-E8 -- Battery Life

The following Canon T2i battery life numbers (how many photos can be taken before the battery power runs out) is extracted from the Canon T2i / 550D Manual and the Canon T2i 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 one of the following power supply conditions:


  1. One fully-charged Canon LP-E8 7.2 V, 1120 mAh Lithium Ion battery pack.

  2. With the Battery Grip BG-E8 attached, you get the option of using one or two fully-charged Canon LP-E8 battery packs, or six AA-sized batteries.

Viewfinder Shooting — Approximate Number of Shots
One LP-E8 battery, with or without the battery grip attached:


  1. Temperature 23°C / 73°F, Autoexposure only (no flash used): 550

  2. Temperature 23°C / 73°F, Autoexposure 50%, Internal flash activated and used 50%: 440

  3. Temperature 0°C / 32°F, Autoexposure only (no flash used): 470

  4. Temperature 0°C / 32°F, Autoexposure 50%, Internal flash activated and used 50%: 400

Two LP-E8 batteries, with an attached battery grip:


  1. Temperature 23°C / 73°F, Autoexposure only (no flash used): 1100

  2. Temperature 23°C / 73°F, Autoexposure 50%, Internal flash activated and used 50%: 880

  3. Temperature 0°C / 32°F, Autoexposure only (no flash used): 940

  4. Temperature 0°C / 32°F, Autoexposure 50%, Internal flash activated and used 50%: 800

Six AA-sized batteries used, with an attached battery grip (no figures provided for temperature at 0°C / 32°F):


  1. Temperature 23°C / 73°F, Autoexposure only (no flash used): 470

  2. Temperature 23°C / 73°F, Autoexposure 50%, Internal flash activated and used 50%: 270

Live View Shooting — Approximate Number of Shots
One LP-E8 battery, with or without the battery grip attached:


  1. Temperature 23°C / 73°F, Autoexposure only (no flash used): 200

  2. Temperature 23°C / 73°F, Autoexposure 50%, Internal flash activated and used 50%: 180

  3. Temperature 0°C / 32°F, Autoexposure only (no flash used): 170

  4. Temperature 0°C / 32°F, Autoexposure 50%, Internal flash activated and used 50%: 150

At 23°C / 73°F, the Live View mode can stay switched on for a duration of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, assuming a single LP-E8 battery pack is used.

Canon did not provide figures for Live View shooting battery life with six AA-sized batteries (battery grip attached) used.

Other Battery Life Factors
In the T2i Manual, Canon advised that the battery life and number of shots decreases when:


  1. The shutter button is pressed halfway for a prolonged period.

  2. Autofocus is frequently activated without taking a picture.

  3. The LCD Monitor is used a lot.

  4. 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.

Related

Canon T2i / 550D / Kiss X4 – Main page

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