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Which battery does the Canon D60 take?

The Canon EOS-D60 is a digital DSLR that features a 6.3MP sensor. It is powered by the Canon BP-511, 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.

Battery Pack

The BP-511 operates at a voltage of 7.4V and has a capacity of 1100mAh. It can be charged from a standard electrical outlet via the Canon CB-5L charger (that can be purchased separately, for example, at amazon). The battery pack measures 39 mm in width, 21 mm in height, and 55 mm in depth. It weighs 80 g. The Canon BP-511 has been on the market since May 2000 and sells at good camera retailers, such as amazon, for about $90. Canon provides the BP-511 in a black outer finish. Generic alternatives (see below) that are compatible with the Canon EOS-D60 can be obtained at substantially lower cost.


Find a generic replacement for the Canon BP-511 at:

 
amazon.com
 
 
ebay.com
 


What is the difference between the Canon BP-511 and the BP-511A?

The BP-511 was replaced as a battery pack for digital cameras by the BP-511A. Both types operate at a similar voltage and are fully interchangeable, so that the BP-511A can also be used with the Canon D60. The main difference between the two packs is their capacity. The Canon BP-511 has a 26.4 percent lower mAh value (1100 vs 1390 mAh) and, hence, somewhat weaker performance (26.4 percent fewer shots per battery charge) than the BP-511A.

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.

Canon BP-511

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 D60 can take 620 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.

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What about generic battery packs?

Canon sells the original BP-511 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 BP-511 Specifications

  • Battery type: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack
  • Compatibility: Canon D60 & other selected Canon cameras
  • Voltage: 7.4V DC
  • Capacity: 1100mAh
  • Number of shots (CIPA) with the Canon D60: 620

Indeed, one can often find a variety of competitively-priced BP-511 replacements from different vendors at major online platforms (see, for example, here on ebay). All these generic alternatives should work fine with your Canon D60. So why would anybody then buy the more expensive original battery? Well, below are some arguments in favor of the genuine Canon BP-511, 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 BP-511. 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 BP-511 and its clones by using the buttons below.


Find a generic replacement for the Canon BP-511 at:

 
amazon.com
 
 
ebay.com
 


Which other cameras use the Canon BP-511 or the BP-511A?

The D60 is not alone in using the Canon BP-511 or the BP-511A. 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.

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Cameras using the Canon BP-511 or the BP-511A
  Camera
Model
Battery
(name)
Battery life
(CIPA)
Sensor Size
(type)
Resolution
(MP)
Weight
(g)
Camera
Launch
Launch Price
(USD)
Street Price
(USD)
1Canon 5DCanon BP-511A400Full Frame12.7895Aug 20053,299ebay.com
2Canon 10DCanon BP-511500APS-C6.3850Feb 20031,999ebay.com
3Canon 20DCanon BP-511A700APS-C8.2770Aug 20041,499ebay.com
4Canon 30DCanon BP-511A750APS-C8.2785Feb 20061,399ebay.com
5Canon 40DCanon BP-511A750APS-C10.1822Aug 20071,299ebay.com
6Canon 50DCanon BP-511A800APS-C15.1822Aug 20081,299ebay.com
7Canon 300DCanon BP-511400APS-C6.3649Aug 2003899ebay.com
8Canon D30Canon BP-511540APS-C3.1750May 20002,999ebay.com
9Canon D60Canon BP-511620APS-C6.3855Feb 20022,999ebay.com
10Canon RebelCanon BP-511400APS-C6.3649Aug 2003899ebay.com

Canon BP-511 FAQ

The Canon BP-511 is the standard power source for the D60. 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 BP-511?

Canon does not offer a travel charger, but third party suppliers might do (see here on ebay).

Can I use the BP-511 in any of my other electronic devices?

No, the battery is specifically designed for use in the Canon D60 and other selected cameras from Canon.

How should the BP-511 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 BP-511 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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