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Note: this camera was first sold in Aug 2007. There may be newer versions available.
Sony Cybershot H3
Sony Cybershot H3
C+
HQ Grade: C+
A is outstanding and exceptional, rated in the top 10% of digital cameras.
B means they are good, with some standout features.
C means they are mediocre, and probably more trouble than they are worth.
D & F mean they are absolutely awful or old. Avoid at all costs.
  • 4 out of 5
"DSC H3 without zoom during Movie Shooting"
  • 4 out of 5
"Nice Pt and shoot"
See rating based on 83 user reviews
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Question Answered!
Michael Flowers (anthos620) 0 pts
December 10, 2007 11:37 PM
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Does anyone have a problem with the battery life on this camera?

I recently purchased this camera & love all the features of it. Specifically, I was looking for a good camera with a long zoom that didn't cost me a paycheck to get it. I haven't used it terribly much, but one thing my wife & I use it for is pictures of our son (9 mos.). We seem to not get much battery out of it, though. Is this to be expected? We'll take a few pictures & then turn the camera OFF completely (leaving the battery in). The next day when you pick it up to use it again, the battery is completely drained. Is this camera specific, model specific, or something you could expect from any Li-ION?
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Answers This question has been answered!
Larry (logcabiny) 4897 pts
December 12, 2007 1:45 AM
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This cameras battery is CIPA rated for over 300 pictures. You experience is definitely NOT to be expected with this camera. The problem could be a faulty charger, defective battery or even something awry in the camera causing it to continue to drain the battery even after being turned off. If you purchased this from a "real store" I suggest taking it back pronto. If you are "on your own" with this problem, I would begin by charging the battery overnight. On the next day take a boat load of photos with the flash on and see how long it lasts. Charge it fully again the next night. The following day just let it sit in the camera 24 hours. Next, check it for remaining charge having taken no pictures at all. If it is drained dead, then charge it fully again overnight and then take it out of the camera and let it sit for at least 24 hours. Next, put it in the camera and check it out. Hopefully, all this testing will determine whether it is the camera or the battery. It is more difficult to determine whether the charger is acting up, but if in step one the camera only managed 50 on so pictures before going off, then that points toward either battery or charger and not camera. If the battery drains dead sitting in the camera but not when sitting on the shelf, then that points toward the camera being the problem.
Good luck and Best Wishes, Larry
Best Answer
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Michael Flowers (anthos620) 0 pts
December 12, 2007 8:23 PM
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Thank you very much! Great info/tips in there!
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John Morse 0 pts
January 1, 2008 11:50 AM
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Just to add another report of exactly the same problem, i.e. brand new Coolpix L15 which reports 'battery exhausted' when camera switched on, Try several times and you get lucky, i.e. the camera then operates OK and reports full battery (i.e. no battery warning signal on the display screen). This is for alkaline batteries and with setup for alkaline battery setting of camera. Mine is an L15 purchased in France, serial number 41002489 (would others with this problem check and poset their serial numbers please: maybe we'll see this is a limited batch problem...)
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ben lunn 25 pts
January 11, 2008 3:41 PM
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i dont appear to have this problem with this camera's battery life and i have had cam's in the past that have had the same problem of which you speak i read up on it and apparently the worst thing to do is turn it off then on then off numerous amounts of times in the day as it takes more battery power to start up than to leave it on (obviously if you arent taking pictures of anything in awhile turn it off) but if you plan on taking a pic in lets say 2-3 mins leave it on.i know its been answered but hey theres my 2 pence :)

great camera by the way would recommend to anyone!
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Steve 25 pts
May 22, 2008 2:30 PM
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I had a similar problem: New L15 camera with new batteries (regular alkaline type). After a few pictures, received the "Battery Exhausted" message, even after replacing with new batteries again. Called Nikon customer service. They said that their advertising/instructions about using regular alkaline batteries was "misleading", and that the more sophisticated (and expensive) Lithium, etc., batteries should be used. I owned a Nikon 35mm camera for over 15 years and was very happy with it, but looks like you can't trust even old names any more.
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Steve 0 pts
October 25, 2008 11:27 AM
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Same problem with the Coolpix L15.
Camera came with:
* 2 x Panasonic LR6 AA Industrial Alkaline 1.5V (no longer working)
Have tried the following, which all fail:
* 2 x new Panasonic super heavy duty AA 1.5V
* 2 x new Eveready super heavy duty AA no. 1215 RGP 1.5V
* 2 x used Duracell AA MN1500 LR6 1.5V
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