I really like the PowerShot A570IS. It's a big step up from the A80 I had before it. However, I've experienced the low-battery warning problem that has been mentioned multiple times on the 'Net.

The problem manifests itself when the camera turns on the low-battery warning indicator even with a fresh set of batteries installed. It happened to me repeatedly after turning on the power only for five times with a fresh set of batteries.

I discovered I could make the warning indicator go away by simply opening and closing the battery compartment cover. After I did this, the camera would operate normally with the same set of batteries. But after 4 or 5 power-cycles, the low-battery indicator would again come on.

I expected the battery compartment cover and I believe the design of the metal electrical contacts is flawed. These acontacts re made of springy metal, but there isn't enough force to press the metal securely against the battery. Even worse, the end of each contact has a metal tab that prevents it from being bent further out to increase the tension. I believe these contacts are the cause of the low-battery warning.

I fixed my camera by inserting tiny pieces of plastic foam (i.e., spongy, like from "foam rubber" pillows) under the metal contacts. I used a small screwdriver to gently bend up each metal strip, and stuffed a small piece of foam under it. This provides enough force to keep the contact securely touching the battery. Since I made this fix, I have power-cycled the camera at least two dozen times, and never once did the low-battery warning come on. In other words, I believe the problem is fixed.


Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 130.00
This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Flexible Enough for Enthusiasts