Equipment

Testing of Battery Life and Recording Times of All Video Cameras

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Published March 24, 2017
Video Camera Battery Life

Here at Lensrentals.com, we have over 100,000 pieces of gear that we not only regularly rent out, but also regularly inspect, clean, and diagnose. Because of this amount of gear, we’re afforded the luxury of getting some pretty unique insight into the gear so many videographers and photographers use on a day to day basis.

In the past, we’ve put together an investigative piece showing the equipment that most frequently needs to be repaired and why. We’ve also put together hundreds of articles breaking down equipment, showing you what is inside, and how lenses and cameras work. We’ve now decided to turn our attention to videography gear, and more specifically, what you can expect from battery life, recording time and so on.

It’d be an understatement to say that the information below was comprehensive. We’ve gone through our entire stock of camera systems, and individually logged the recording time (per GB), as well as the battery life for each system. We’ve included a few tables of each category to this post, however, for the full breakdown of information (which will we try to keep updated going forward), click the link at the bottom of the page.

Note: Record Time (Minutes per GB) represents the recording time you can get out of specific media. For example, if you’re recording to a 64GB card, you multiply the number in the column to get your total amount of minutes of record time on a 64GB card.

Information On DSLR & Mirrorless Systems

ProductBatteryMemory CardCodec/ExtensionRecord Time (Minutes per GB)
Canon 5D Mark IVLP-E6NCompact Flash/SDXCMOV MJPG 4096x2160 29.97p0.25
Canon 5D Mark IVLP-E6NCompact Flash/SDXCMOV ALL-I 1080/59.94p0.73
Canon 5D Mark IVLP-E6NCompact Flash/SDXCMOV ALL-I 720/120p0.82
Canon 5D Mark IVLP-E6NCompact Flash/SDXCMP4 IPB 1080/59.94p2.21
Canon 5D Mark IIILP-E6NCompact Flash/SDXCMOV ALL-I 1080/29.97p1.57
Canon 5D Mark IILP-E6Compact FlashMOV 1080/29.97p3.77
Canon 5DSLP-E6Compact FlashMOV ALL-I 1080/29.97p1.43
Canon 5DSRLP-E6Compact FlashMOV ALL-I 1080/29.97p1.43
Canon 1DX Mark IILP-E19CFast 2.0/Compact FlashMOV MJPG 4096x2160 59.94p0.15
Canon 1DX Mark IILP-E19CFast 2.0/Compact FlashMOV ALL-I 1080/120p0.35
Canon 1DX Mark IILP-E19CFast 2.0/Compact FlashMOV ALL-I 1080/59.94p0.73
Canon 1DX Mark IILP-E19CFast 2.0/Compact FlashMP4 IPB 1080/59.94p2.2
Canon 1DXLP-E4NCompact FlashMOV ALL-I 1080/29.97p1.37
Canon 1DCLP-E4NCompact FlashMOV MJPG 4096x2160 23.98p0.25
Canon 1DCLP-E4NCompact FlashMOV ALL-I 1080/59.94p0.77
Canon 6DLP-E6SDXCMOV ALL-I 1080/29.97p1.37
Canon 7D Mark IILP-E6SDXCMOV ALL-I 1080/29.97p1.43
Canon 7D Mark IILP-E6SDXCMP4 ALL-I 1080/29.97p1.43
Canon 7DLP-E6Compact FlashMOV 1080/29.97p3.06
Canon 80DLP-E6SDXCMOV ALL-I 1080/29.97p1.45
Canon 80DLP-E6SDXCMP4 IPB 1080/59.94p2.2
Canon 70DLP-E6SDXCMOV ALL-I 1080/29.97p1.37
Canon 60DLP-E6SDXCMOV 1080/29.97p2.75
Canon T6iLP-E17SDXC1080/29.97p4.37
Canon T5iLP-E8SDXC1080/29.97p4.37
Canon SL1LP-E12SDXC1080/29.97p4.37
Canon EOS M5LP-E17SDXC1080/29.97p3.75
Sony a7S IINP-FW50SDXCXAVC S 3840/30p1.17
Sony a7S IINP-FW50SDXCXAVC S 1080/60p2.42
Sony a7S IINP-FW50SDXC/SDHCAVCHD 1080/60p5.15
Sony a7SNP-FW50SDXCXAVC S 1080/60p2.42
Sony a7SNP-FW50SDXC/SDHCAVCHD 1080/60p5.15
Sony a7R IINP-FW50SDXCXAVC S 1080/60p2.42
Sony a7R IINP-FW50SDXC/SDHCAVCHD 1080/60p5.15
Sony a7RNP-FW50SDXC/SDHCAVCHD 1080/60p5.15
Sony a7 IINP-FW50SDXCXAVC S 1080/60p2.42
Sony a7 IINP-FW50SDXC/SDHCAVCHD 1080/60p5.15
Sony a7NP-FW50SDXC/SDHCAVCHD 1080/60p5.15
Sony a6500NP-FW50SDXC/SDHCXAVC S 3840/30p1.17
Sony a6500NP-FW50SDXC/SDHCXAVC S 1080/120p1.17
Sony a6500NP-FW50SDXC/SDHCXAVC S 1080/60p2.42
Sony a6500NP-FW50SDXC/SDHCAVCHD 1080/60p5.15
Sony a6500NP-FW50SDXC/SDHCMP4 1080/60p5
Sony a6300NP-FW50SDXC/SDHCXAVC S 3840/30p1.17
Sony a6300NP-FW50SDXC/SDHCXAVC S 1080/120p1.17
Sony a6300NP-FW50SDXC/SDHCXAVC S 1080/60p2.42
Sony a6300NP-FW50SDXC/SDHCAVCHD 1080/60p5.15
Sony a6300NP-FW50SDXC/SDHCMP4 1080/60p5
Sony a6000NP-FW50SDXC/SDHCAVCHD 1080/60p4.5
Sony a5100NP-FW50SDXC/SDHCXAVC S 1080/60p2.42
Sony a5100NP-FW50SDXC/SDHCAVCHD 1080/60p5.15
Sony a5100NP-FW50SDXC/SDHCMP4 1080/60p5
Sony NEX-5TNP-FW50

Information On Digital Recorder Systems

ProductBatteryRuntimeMemory CardCodec/ExtensionRecord Time (Minutes per GB)
Atomos Ninja 2NP-F970654minSSDProRes 422 1080/29.97p0.84
Atomos Ninja 2NP-F970654minSSDDNxHD 220 1080/29.97p0.64
Atomos Ninja AssassinNP-F97098minSSDProRes 422 3840x2160 29.97p0.22
Atomos Ninja AssassinNP-F97098minSSDDNxHR HQ 3840x2160 29.97p0.16
Atomos Ninja BladeNP-F970523minSSDProRes 422 1080/29.97p0.84
Atomos Ninja BladeNP-F970523minSSDDNxHD 220 1080/29.97p0.64
Atomos Ninja FlameNP-F97098minSSDProRes 422 3840x2160 29.97p0.22
Atomos Ninja FlameNP-F97098minSSDDNxHR HQ 3840x2160 29.97p0.16
Atomos Ninja StarNP-F970588minSSDProRes 422 1080/29.97p0.84
Atomos Samurai BladeNP-F970523minSSDProRes 422 1080/29.97p0.84
Atomos Samurai BladeNP-F970523minSSDDNxHD 220 1080/29.97p0.64
Atomos ShogunNP-F97098minSSDProRes 422 4096x2160 29.97p0.17
Atomos ShogunNP-F97098minSSDProRes 422 3840x2160 29.97p0.22
Atomos ShogunNP-F97098minSSDDNxHR HQ 3840x2160 29.97p0.16
Atomos Shogun FlameNP-F97098minSSDProRes 422 4096x2160 29.97p0.17
Atomos Shogun FlameNP-F97098minSSDProRes 422 3840x2160 29.97p0.22
Atomos Shogun FlameNP-F97098minSSDDNxHR HQ 3840x2160 29.97p0.16
Atomos Shogun InfernoNP-F97098minSSDProRes 422 4096x2160 59.94p0.1
Atomos Shogun InfernoNP-F97098minSSDProRes 422 3840x2160 29.97p0.22
Atomos Shogun InfernoNP-F97098minSSDDNxHR HQ 3840x2160 29.97p0.16
Convergent Design ApolloNP-F97071minCD SSD5 Track 1080P ProRes 422 29.97p0.16
Convergent Design ApolloNP-F97071minCD SSD2 Track 4K ProRes 422 29.97p0.08
Convergent Design 7q+NP-F970108minCD SSDSony FS RAW 4096x2160 29.97p0.04
Convergent Design 7q+NP-F970108minCD SSDCanon RAW 4096x2160 29.97p0.04
Convergent Design 7q+NP-F970108minCD SSDProRes 422 4096x2160 29.97p0.17
Convergent Design 7q+NP-F970108minCD SSDProRes 422 3840x2160 29.97p0.21
Convergent Design 7q+NP-F970108minCD SSDProRes 422 1080/29.97p0.84
Convergent Design 7qNP-F970108minCD SSDSony FS RAW 4096x2160 29.97p0.04
Convergent Design 7qNP-F970108minCD SSDCanon RAW 4096x2160 29.97p0.04
Convergent Design 7qNP-F970108minCD SSDProRes 422 4096x2160 29.97p0.17
Convergent Design 7qNP-F970108minCD SSDProRes 422 3840x2160 29.97p0.21
Convergent Design 7qNP-F970108minCD SSDProRes 422 1080/29.97p0.84
Video Devices PIX 240NP-F970135minSSD/Compact FlashProRes 422 1080/29.97p0.84
Video Devices PIX 240NP-F970135minSSD/Compact FlashDNxHD 220 1080/29.97p0.64
Video Devices PIX 240iNP-F970135minSSD/Compact FlashProRes 422 1080/29.97p0.84
Video Devices PIX 240iNP-F970135minSSD/Compact FlashDNxHD 220 1080/29.97p0.64
Video Devices PIX-E5NP-F97090minSpeedDriveProRes 422 4096x2160 29.97p0.17
Video Devices PIX-E5NP-F97090minSpeedDriveProRes 422 3840x2160 29.97p0.22
Video Devices PIX-E5NP-F97090minSpeedDrive/SDXCH.264 (VBR ~ 10 Mb/s)13.3
AJA Ki Pro QuadPak512 SSDProRes 422 4096x2160 29.97p0.17
AJA Ki Pro QuadPak512 SSDProRes 422 3840x2160 29.97p0.21
AJA Ki Pro QuadPak512 SSDProRes 422 1080/29.97p0.84
Sony AXS-R5ASXMF55RAW (16-bit linear) 4K 59.94p0.046
Sony AXS-R5ASXMF55RAW (16-bit linear) 2K 59.94p0.18

 

For a Full Look Into Our Tested Recording Times & Battery Life, Click Here.

 

 

Author: Lensrentals

Articles written by the entire editorial and technical staff at LensRentals.com. These articles are for when there is more than one author for the entire post, and are written as a community effort.

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  • Leg

    I’m grateful for the information provided, but came because of the title “Testing of Battery Life” and there is no information about that. Testing of camera battery duration recording a constantly moving scene would be so so useful.

  • CheshireCat

    Very interesting, thanks. I just have to complain about the “Codec” information, as it is quite messy and incomplete. This is because of a copy&paste from each product specs, which are quite messy and incomplete in the first place as they are revised by marketing monkeys 😉

    What should be called “Recording Format” is defined by at least all of the following parameters:
    – Container: MOV, AVI, … (this has nothing to do with the codec, and is a high-level wrapper for metadata, indexes, codecs, et cetera).
    – Codec: MJPEG, MP4, H.264 (aka MP4-AVC), H.265, … (in order of efficiency in terms of bits).
    – Frame types: All-I, IP, IBP, … (an All-I codec is simpler and less efficient in terms of bits).
    – Frame dimensions: 720p (aka HD), 1080p (aka Full-HD), 4k…
    – Frame rate: 30, 60, … (frames per second).
    – Bitrate: Bits per second, this defines the “Record Time” in the table. Every lossy codec can be adjusted to match a bitrate at the cost of quality. The most efficient a codec, the less bits are required for the same quality. For example, MJPEG is an obsolete codec with low efficiency and it takes a lot more space for the same quality than better codecs.

    All these parameters are very important when comparing recording quality of different devices. Don’t fall for the common misconception that “more MB per second means better” quality, because many other parameters need to be taken into account (including sensor output quality !).

  • Currently true, but the new Panasonic GH5 (no Panasonics listed for whatever reason) has no record limits.

  • Derek

    Also all dslr cameras runtime is maxed out at 29:59, I imagine some could be less but I doubt it. External recorders max out based on media capacity

  • Mario H.

    Good job on providing this information.
    One concern though, was there a reason why the Amount Sony camera’s weren’t included?
    I see other systems are included as some have already mentioned but just wanted to ask about the A-mount system as well.

  • Samuel H

    Thanks, I see some interesting info in there. Having the DSLR/mirrorless data regarding battery life would be interesting (all the other stuff, I can find it on the manufacturers web page; actual battery life is the bit only LensRentals can provide!)

  • Athanasius Kirchner

    That sounds fantastic, thank you for going to such lengths to satisfy y(our) inner geek(s)!

  • The battery field is currently more helpful on the full spreadsheet linked below the tables. We have the info filled in for more traditional video cameras, but the numbers are a lot harder to pin down for DSLR/mirrorless video use. We do plan to update the list when we get more concrete battery life information.

  • We don’t have the battery data for DSLRs yet, unfortunately. Manufacturers don’t provide very good battery life numbers (if any) for video use. Getting those numbers will require setting a timer and exhausting the battery which will be a pretty time intensive task. We do hope to fill that info in but felt there was enough info here to provide a valuable resource until we can.

  • Samuel H

    I was going to say the same thing: there’s data rate information in the table, as well as battery type information, bot nothing regarding battery life, at least for internal recording (the table for external recorders does show a “runtime” column).

  • Carleton Foxx

    Mother of Heaven! You guys are tireless! Thanks for doing all this work.

  • David Bateman

    Interesting subject, but looking into the file only the full data for the Canon M5 is provided. I am glad to see my Panasonic GM5 listed, as some time in the future the data will be provided. However since the stock batteries are only 640mAh, I usually use 3rd party 1000mAh to get more life. So that other variable maybe needed to let people know what battery was tested.

  • Jochen Römling

    Sorry if I misunderstand something here, but what you did was testing the file sizes for the DSLRs, not the battery life, right? I can’t find any information on how long I can record with a single charge on, say, a 5D IV. The headline of this post suggests that.

  • We’re trying folks but we’ve sort of out run our coverage. The last time I did that, several years ago, it took me about 60 hours of going through spreadsheets. We’re three times larger now and I don’t have the time to do it scientifically, nor am I willing to ‘give impressions’ on something so important.

    We’re computerizing all of the repair information and will be back to giving those reports when we can have the computers spit out all of the data.

  • Sony, Canon, Panasonic, Blackmagic, JVC, and Digital Recorders are all in the Spreadsheet (Be sure to click the link to the full spreadsheet containing all the info). We’re hoping to add Fuji and Nikon really soon.

  • We’re still piecing together some of the information, but runtime can be found in the ‘Record Time (Minutes per GB)’ column. For example –

    If you have a 64GB card, and the camera has a runtime of .65, then you use the formula 64 x .65 = 41.6. So the camera will fill the card at 41.6 minutes (41 minutes and ~35 seconds)

  • You seem to have only Canon and Sony data. What about Nikon, Panasonic or Fuji?

  • Athanasius Kirchner

    This is a good resource, but I don’t see information on the runtime of cameras, which would be very useful. Sorry to sound like an ingrate ^_^

  • Athanasius Kirchner

    Totally seconded! I miss those articles.

  • l_d_allan

    LR >> In the past, we’ve put together an investigative piece showing the equipment that most frequently needs to be repaired and why.

    Sorry to be off-topic, but I’d be interested and appreciative of an update of the repair data for closer to the 2017 time frame.

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