Overview
ISO 20087:2016 - Photography - Digital still cameras - Battery life measurement - specifies a standardized measurement method for determining battery life (number of shots) of consumer digital still cameras (DSC). Based on the CIPA measurement procedure, ISO 20087:2016 gives laboratories, manufacturers and reviewers a repeatable test sequence and reporting rules so battery life results are comparable and reproducible across devices and test sites.
Key Topics and Requirements
- Scope: Applies to consumer-use digital still cameras (DSC).
- Reported result: Only the number of shots (possible number of recordable pictures) shall be reported as battery life.
- Battery handling:
- Primary (non‑rechargeable): use a new battery.
- Secondary (rechargeable): battery must be fully charged; battery model/type must be reported.
- Environmental conditions: Tests conducted at (23 ± 2) °C and relative humidity (50 ± 20) %.
- Camera settings: Use factory shipping modes for image quality and pixel count unless otherwise stated; non-specified parameters should be set to typical user settings and reported.
- Shooting sequence:
- First shot 30 seconds after power-on; thereafter one picture every 30 seconds (or when camera is ready).
- Flash: full flash used on one of every two shots (alternate full/off).
- Motor-driven optical zoom: move between TELE and WIDE before every picture.
- Picture monitor: kept on as the electronic viewfinder during the test; if the monitor has illumination/backlight, it remains lit.
- Power cycling: power is turned off after every 10th picture and allowed sufficient off time that does not affect battery life.
- End-of-test criteria: Test ends at the first low-battery shutdown or when a still-photography function stops working (with reactivation rules defined).
- Reporting: Include battery identification, recording media identification, and any function settings that differ from factory defaults.
Applications and Users
- Camera manufacturers use ISO 20087:2016 for product validation and to publish comparable battery life claims.
- Independent test labs and certification bodies adopt the standard to provide consistent, repeatable measurements.
- Reviewers and retailers use results to compare models and inform consumers.
- Regulators and standards committees reference the method for harmonized performance metrics.
Practical benefits: consistent benchmarking, validated product specifications, and improved consumer confidence in battery-life claims.
Related Standards
- CIPA “Procedure for Measuring Digital Still Camera Battery Consumption” - the CIPA procedure underpins ISO 20087.
- ISO/TC 42 (Photography) publications and referenced bibliography for related measurement practices.
Keywords: ISO 20087:2016, battery life measurement, digital still cameras, DSC, camera battery testing, CIPA.