Which battery does the Canon SX500 take?
The Canon PowerShot SX500 IS is a digital compact camera that features a 15.9MP sensor. It is powered by the Canon NB-6L, which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery pack. Lithium-Ion batteries offer a high energy density and low self-discharge, and are nowadays found in many portable electronic devices.
The NB-6L operates at a voltage of 3.7V and has a capacity of 1000mAh. It can be charged from a standard electrical outlet via the Canon CB-2LY charger (that can be purchased separately, for example, at amazon). The battery pack measures 38 mm in width, 5 mm in height, and 35 mm in depth. It weighs 18 g. The Canon NB-6L has been on the market since August 2009 and sells at good camera retailers, such as amazon, for about $60. Canon provides the NB-6L in a gray outer finish. Generic alternatives (see below) that are compatible with the Canon PowerShot SX500 IS can be obtained at substantially lower cost.
Find a generic replacement for the Canon NB-6L at:
What is the difference between the Canon NB-6L and the NB-6LH?
The NB-6L was replaced as a battery pack for digital cameras by the NB-6LH. Both types operate at a similar voltage and are fully interchangeable, so that the NB-6LH can also be used with the Canon SX500. The main difference between the two packs is their capacity. The Canon NB-6L has a 6 percent lower mAh value (1000 vs 1060 mAh) and, hence, somewhat weaker performance (6 percent fewer shots per battery charge) than the NB-6LH.
How many shots can I take with a fully charged ?
The number of shots that one can get out of a battery pack depends heavily on the style and imaging practice of the photographer. For example, the extended use of the LCD screen for framing or reviewing will result in reduced battery performance.
The Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) has established guidelines that manufacturers are supposed to respect when reporting the battery life of their cameras. According to this CIPA-rating, the Canon SX500 can take 195 images on a single charge. Given the relatively demanding energy usage of the CIPA procedures, this rated number should be achievable or be surpassed in most practical situations. However, if the environment is cold, the LCD screen is used heavily, or the camera is turned on and off frequently, battery mileage might drop towards or even below the rating. Also, as the battery pack ages, its performance will tend to deteriorate.
What about generic battery packs?
Canon sells the original NB-6L battery pack at quite a steep price. This premium pricing strategy has left room in the market for third party suppliers to offer fully compatible battery packs at much lower prices. Savings from buying generic replacement batteries can amount up to 70 percent of the price of the genuine battery pack.
Canon NB-6L Specifications
- Battery type: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack
- Compatibility: Canon SX500 & other selected Canon cameras
- Voltage: 3.7V DC
- Capacity: 1000mAh
- Number of shots (CIPA) with the Canon SX500: 195
Indeed, one can often find a variety of competitively-priced NB-6L replacements from different vendors at major online platforms (see, for example, here on ebay). All these generic alternatives should work fine with your Canon SX500. So why would anybody then buy the more expensive original battery? Well, below are some arguments in favor of the genuine Canon NB-6L, which can perhaps be summarized as "peace of mind":
- Assurance that the warranty of the camera will not be rendered void if a battery-related failure occurs;
- Assurance that the battery pack will indeed have the stated capacity;
- Assurance that the battery will have low self-discharge rates and, thus, will hold its charge even when not in use;
- Assurance that the power unit will not trigger any warning messages on the camera and can be effectively charged with the standard charger;
- Assurance that the manufacturing process has respected the safety guidelines for Lithium-Ion batteries;
If you can live without these assurances, then you are in for some nice savings from buying generic replacements for the Canon NB-6L. Unfortunately, the market for generic battery packs is rather fluid, with new trade names popping up regularly while others disappear. Hence it is difficult to keep track of all the suppliers and the quality of their products. That said, in North America, battery packs from Wasabi have gained a good reputation, while in Europe, replacement power packs from Patona have received many favorable reviews. In any case, the existing comparisons tend to find that the cheapest of the generic replacement packs score worse in terms of achieving their rated capacity, holding their charge over time, or allowing for a large number of charge-discharge cycles than somewhat pricier battery packs (or the genuine Canon offer). Thus, the old adage, "If the price sounds too low to be true, it probably is" has some merit with respect to camera batteries also. You can check the current offers and prices for the original Canon NB-6L and its clones by using the buttons below.
Find a generic replacement for the Canon NB-6L at:
Which other cameras use the Canon NB-6L or the NB-6LH?
The SX500 is not alone in using the Canon NB-6L or the NB-6LH. Several other cameras from Canon are powered by the same type of lithium-ion pack. The adjacent table lists some of them along with a selection of their headline specifications.
Camera Model | Battery (name) | Battery life (CIPA) | Sensor Size (type) | Resolution (MP) | Weight (g) | Camera Launch | Launch Price (USD) | Street Price (USD) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Canon IXUS 85 | Canon NB-6L | 300 | 1/2.3 | 10.0 | 170 | Aug 2008 | 229 | ebay.com |
2 | Canon IXUS 95 | Canon NB-6L | 260 | 1/2.3 | 10.0 | 260 | Feb 2009 | 229 | ebay.com |
3 | Canon IXUS 105 | Canon NB-6L | 240 | 1/2.3 | 12.0 | 140 | Feb 2010 | 179 | ebay.com |
4 | Canon IXUS 200 | Canon NB-6L | 240 | 1/2.3 | 12.0 | 150 | Aug 2009 | 329 | ebay.com |
5 | Canon IXUS 210 | Canon NB-6L | 220 | 1/2.3 | 14.0 | 160 | Feb 2010 | 329 | ebay.com |
6 | Canon IXUS 300 | Canon NB-6L | 250 | 1/2.3 | 10.0 | 175 | May 2010 | 349 | ebay.com |
7 | Canon S90 | Canon NB-6L | 220 | 1/2.3 | 10.0 | 195 | Aug 2009 | 429 | ebay.com |
8 | Canon S95 | Canon NB-6L | 200 | 1/2.3 | 10.0 | 195 | Aug 2010 | 399 | ebay.com |
9 | Canon S120 | Canon NB-6LH | 230 | 1/1.7 | 12.0 | 217 | Aug 2013 | 449 | ebay.com |
10 | Canon SD770 | Canon NB-6L | 300 | 1/2.3 | 10.0 | 170 | Aug 2008 | 229 | ebay.com |
11 | Canon SD980 | Canon NB-6L | 240 | 1/2.3 | 12.0 | 150 | Aug 2009 | 329 | ebay.com |
12 | Canon SD1200 | Canon NB-6L | 260 | 1/2.3 | 10.0 | 260 | Feb 2009 | 229 | ebay.com |
13 | Canon SD1300 | Canon NB-6L | 240 | 1/2.3 | 12.0 | 140 | Feb 2010 | 179 | ebay.com |
14 | Canon SD3500 | Canon NB-6L | 220 | 1/2.3 | 14.0 | 160 | Feb 2010 | 329 | ebay.com |
15 | Canon SD4000 | Canon NB-6L | 250 | 1/2.3 | 10.0 | 175 | May 2010 | 349 | ebay.com |
16 | Canon SX170 | Canon NB-6LH | 300 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 251 | Aug 2013 | 179 | ebay.com |
17 | Canon SX240 | Canon NB-6L | 230 | 1/2.3 | 12.0 | 224 | Feb 2012 | 339 | ebay.com |
18 | Canon SX260 | Canon NB-6L | 230 | 1/2.3 | 12.0 | 231 | Feb 2012 | 349 | ebay.com |
19 | Canon SX270 | Canon NB-6L | 210 | 1/2.3 | 12.0 | 233 | Mar 2013 | 269 | ebay.com |
20 | Canon SX280 | Canon NB-6L | 210 | 1/2.3 | 12.0 | 233 | Mar 2013 | 279 | ebay.com |
21 | Canon SX500 | Canon NB-6L | 195 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 341 | Aug 2012 | 329 | ebay.com |
22 | Canon SX510 | Canon NB-6LH | 250 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 349 | Aug 2013 | 249 | ebay.com |
23 | Canon SX520 | Canon NB-6LH | 210 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 441 | Jul 2014 | 399 | ebay.com |
24 | Canon SX530 | Canon NB-6LH | 210 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 442 | Jan 2015 | 429 | ebay.com |
25 | Canon SX540 | Canon NB-6LH | 205 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 442 | Jan 2016 | 399 | ebay.com |
26 | Canon SX600 | Canon NB-6LH | 290 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 188 | Jan 2014 | 249 | ebay.com |
27 | Canon SX610 | Canon NB-6LH | 270 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 191 | Jan 2015 | 249 | ebay.com |
28 | Canon SX700 | Canon NB-6LH | 250 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 269 | Feb 2014 | 349 | ebay.com |
29 | Canon SX710 | Canon NB-6LH | 230 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 269 | Jan 2015 | 349 | ebay.com |
Canon NB-6L FAQ
The Canon NB-6L is the standard power source for the SX500. As such it is an indispensable camera accessory. Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular aspects of the battery pack and Lithium-Ion power units more generally.
Is there a car charger available for the NB-6L?
Canon does not offer a travel charger, but third party suppliers might do (see here on ebay).
Can I use the NB-6L in any of my other electronic devices?
No, the battery is specifically designed for use in the Canon SX500 and other selected cameras from Canon.
How should the NB-6L be stored?
Lithium-ion batteries can hold a charge for a long time. However, these battery packs have a safety mechanism built-in that disables any re-charge if the voltage drops below a certain minimum level. To avoid this safety-trigger to be activated, the battery pack should be charged at least once every few months.
How should I discard my old Canon NB-6L battery pack?
The contents of Lithium-Ion batteries is under pressure and the packs can explode if exposed to extreme heat. Lithium-Ion battery units should therefore never be incinerated and should not be thrown into the household trash, but put into the recycling stream. Most places that sell camera batteries will also accept them back for recycling.
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