The following Canon T3i / 600D / Kiss X5 battery life numbers (how many photos can be taken before power from the Canon LP-E8 7.2V, 1120mAh Lithium Ion battery pack runs out) is extracted from the Canon T3i Manual and the Canon T3i 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:
- One fully-charged Canon LP-E8.
- 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:
- Temperature 23°C / 73°F, Autoexposure only (no flash used): 550
- Temperature 23°C / 73°F, Autoexposure 50%, Internal flash activated and used 50%: 440
- Temperature 0°C / 32°F, Autoexposure only (no flash used): 200
- Temperature 0°C / 32°F, Autoexposure 50%, Internal flash activated and used 50%: 180
Two LP-E8 batteries, with an attached battery grip:
- Temperature 23°C / 73°F, Autoexposure only (no flash used): 1100
- Temperature 23°C / 73°F, Autoexposure 50%, Internal flash activated and used 50%: 880
- Temperature 0°C / 32°F, Autoexposure only (no flash used): 940
- Temperature 0°C / 32°F, Autoexposure 50%, Internal flash activated and used 50%: 800
Six AA-sized batteries, with an attached battery grip:
- Temperature 23°C / 73°F, Autoexposure only (no flash used): 470
- Temperature 23°C / 73°F, Autoexposure 50%, Internal flash activated and used 50%: 270
- Temperature 0°C / 32°F, Autoexposure only (no flash used): 130
- Temperature 0°C / 32°F, Autoexposure 50%, Internal flash activated and used 50%: 80
Live View Shooting — Approximate Number of Shots
Two LP-E8 batteries, with an attached battery grip:
- Temperature 23°C / 73°F, Autoexposure only (no flash used): 400
- Temperature 23°C / 73°F, Autoexposure 50%, Internal flash activated and used 50%: 360
- Temperature 0°C / 32°F, Autoexposure only (no flash used): 340
- Temperature 0°C / 32°F, Autoexposure 50%, Internal flash activated and used 50%: 300
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.
Movie Shooting Time
With a fully-charged LP-E8 battery pack, Canon quotes the following approximate durations:
- Temperature 23°C / 73°F: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Temperature 0°C / 32°F: 1 hour 20 minutes
Other Battery Life Factors
In the T3i 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.
Related
Canon T3i / 600D / Kiss X5 – Main page