Sony DSC-P41 thinks battery is low

[Rezei]

Hi,

I recently got this camera gifted, which sort of spurted my general interest for vintage tech into the camera realm now, and I have been trying to get this thing fixed up.

2 problems:

1. The LCD screen sometimes shows nothing but lines and noise, giving the frame some taps usually fixes that though, I assume it's a loose ribbon cable on the inside.

2. The more pressing/confusing issue... I insterted two brand new Amazon basics AA batteries and the camera turned right off after the setup of time, showing the battery is empty. I kept turning it on and on and eventually managed to snap some pics quickly until it turned off again. Repeating this for a while eventually gave me a battery icon that showed the battery being half full, but only for a few seconds till it showed the low icon again and shut off.

On a old forum post from 2005 or so I have read that this has to do something with a battery sync or whatever? And that putting the camera into a endless slideshow mode would recalibrate the battery meter. I did that and it did last about 3 hours without turning off, repeating the pictures I took before.
When it did give out finally I checked if it would last with a new pair of batteries but, sadly no luck. It just keeps turning off after a few second sof working and showing the low battery icon.

I know it is probably not worth the hassle for a old still camera like this but would anyone perhaps know where to start?

Thanks and kind regards

 

[koraks]

Welcome to Photrio @Rezei!

The display problem does sound like a connection issue. With a camera of this type and age, I expect a ribbon cable to have come partly loose, corroded contacts or breaking conductors in a cable. It may be feasible to open up the unit and have a look inside. Keep in mind it takes some skill to work on these kinds of devices with high-density electronics and fine mechanics & optics around.

The battery problem sounds just like that - an unfortunate combination between batteries that lack oomph and a camera that may very well draw disadvantageous peak currents. I'd recommend getting a pair of good-quality rechargeable NiMH batteries and try the camera with those. Hey, it's more friendly on the planet than disposable batteries, and from a technical viewpoint, rechargeable NiMH's are superior in virtually every way to disposable alkalines anyway.

 

[Bushcat]

The DSC-P41 doesn't work well with alkalines, despite being supplied with alkalines in the box: the manual warns against the issues you are seeing. It needs Ni-MH.

 

[abruzzi]

yeah, I was going to suggest lithium if you're ok with disposable batteries (probably easier to find at the local market for quick testing) or Ni-MH if you want rechargable.