Nikon SLR Cameras

Nikon d3200 camera battery problem?

Becky
Becky

I have a brand new nikon d3200

I charged the battery for 1hour 30 like it said in the manual

after around 70 (if that) shots without flash 50% through viewfinder 50% through live view
the camera battery is dead? I fully charged it again yesterday morning took around 50 shots today through the viewfinder turning it off each time and now again the battery sign is flashing low?

I originally had a sony a500 dslr and the battery would last for a LOT longer I know this is a better camera but at this rate I'll need to carry quite a few spare batteries with me

does this sound like a faulty battery or is this sadly normal for the nikon d3200?
any help would be great, thanks.

BriaR
BriaR

Wow! My Canon lasts around 500 shots with no live view or flash but lots of viewing. And that is with a 3yr old battery!

Are you sure 1hr 30 is enough? Normally takes 2-4 hrs to charge fully. I would put it on charge overnight and try again. If it still dies after 50 shots then the battery or the charger is faulty.

AWBoater
AWBoater

When you charge the battery, do not do a timed charge (charging 1 1/2 hours), rather wait until the yellow LED goes from blinking to solid on. The solid on state of the LED is an indication the battery is fully charged.

Chances are that you may not be fully charging the battery - especially for the first charge. The manual states that typically 1 1/2 hours are required to charge the battery, but that is just an estimate. The manual also states to let the battery charge until the LED goes on solid.

Use the LED rather than the elapsed time to determine when the battery is fully charged.

Better yet, let it charge for 24 hours the first time. When batteries ship from the factory, they are way low on charge, so a good initial charge of a longer length if time is always recommended.

Also, most rechargeable batteries tend to gain a bit more capacity after they are charged/discharged for 10 times vs.new.

Finally, if you are using live view excessively, that tends to run the battery down.

Vinegar Taster
Vinegar Taster

A new battery should be charged over night. Then go by the light on the charger.

Andrew
Andrew

If you think the Nikon is better than the Sony you used to have, you're beyond human aid anyway.

bikinkawboy
bikinkawboy

As awboater said, charge the battery until the light stays on solid. The first time I charged the battery on my Nikon, it took over 3 hours.