Battery Exhausted
Sony Camera
Severity: MinorWhat Does This Error Mean?
Battery Exhausted simply means the battery is fully depleted and needs charging. If it appears after a short time, the battery is old, it's cold outside, or power-hungry settings are draining it quickly.
Affected Models
- Sony A7 IV
- Sony A7C II
- Sony A6700
- Sony ZV-E10 II
- Sony ZV-1 II
- Sony RX100 VII
Common Causes
- Battery genuinely fully discharged
- Old battery no longer holding charge (after 300+ cycles)
- Cold weather reducing battery capacity by 30–50%
- Image stabilisation, continuous AF, and electronic viewfinder all consuming power simultaneously
- Charging from USB at a lower wattage than the camera requires
How to Fix It
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Charge the battery fully.
Use the genuine Sony BC-QZ1 charger for NP-FZ100 batteries, or charge in-camera via USB-C. A full charge takes approximately 150 minutes from empty.
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Check battery health in the camera menu.
Sony cameras show battery health as a percentage. Settings → Battery Info → Battery Health. Below 70% health, the battery should be replaced.
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Turn off IBIS when not needed.
In-body image stabilisation (SteadyShot) consumes significant power. Turn it off in Menu → Camera Settings when shooting on a tripod or in situations where movement isn't an issue.
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Use the LCD screen instead of the viewfinder.
The OLED electronic viewfinder uses significantly more power than the LCD screen. Set the camera to LCD-only mode in situations where viewfinder is not needed.
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Carry spare batteries for long shoots.
Sony NP-FZ100 batteries give approximately 500–800 shots per charge. For event or wedding photography, two or three batteries is standard practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I charge a Sony camera via USB while shooting?
Yes — Sony A7 IV and A7C II support USB-C charging while the camera is in use. Use a 45W or higher USB-C charger for the best results. A low-wattage charger (5W phone charger) may only slow the battery drain rather than charge it.