Canon · Film cameras

Canon A-1 battery

1 × 6V alkaline cell

The Canon A-1 takes one 6V photographic cell. Canon’s museum listing names a 4G-13 mercury oxide cell or 4LR44 alkaline; modern buyers use 4LR44 or PX28 / 4SR44 in that form factor. Same 6V family as the AE-1 / AE-1 Program — not a PX625 button cell.

Based on: Canon documentation
Last checked: 8 October 2026
Size: 13 × 25.2 mm
Voltage: 6 V
Battery powers: Shutter & electronics — Electronic shutter, meter and viewfinder LEDs need a live 6V cell
Works without battery: No — Camera will not function correctly without a battery
Replacement notes: Chemistry-sensitive · Multiple cell options
Rechargeable: Not supported

How to replace it

Compartment	Battery chamber under the finger grip on the front of the body
How to open	Open the battery chamber cover; insert one 6V 4LR44-family cell matching polarity.
Orientation	Follow polarity marks
Low battery indicator	Battery check button with blinking LED on top of the camera (rate indicates condition)
Notes	Same 6V photographic cell class as the AE-1 — not a PX625 mercury button cell.
Access	Tool-free

Important

Takes one 6V photographic cell (4LR44 alkaline per Canon Museum; PX28 / 4SR44 silver oxide also commonly listed).
Original docs allowed a 4G-13 mercury oxide cell — obsolete; use a modern 6V equivalent.
Not a 1.35V PX625 mercury meter cell.
Keep cells away from children.

Sources

Last checked 8 October 2026

Canon Camera Museum — A-1 power source: one 4G-13 6V mercury oxide or 4LR44 alkaline
Manufacturer support · global.canon
Canon A-1 specifications (MIR) — 6V silver oxide (544 / PX28 / 4G13) or alkaline equivalents
Specialist reference · mir.com.my

Find more Canon manuals →How we check sources

Need a 4LR44?

Canon A-1 uses 1 × 4LR44.

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Buy links go to Amazon (Associates where tagged) or other affiliate programmes when available. They never change the battery answer.

Helpful for this device

Optional tools for opening, testing or charging — separate from the battery answer.

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Fluke 101 Digital Multimeter
Accurate open-circuit voltage and basic electrical checks
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Klein Tools MM400 Multimeter
General DC voltage checks including battery terminals
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Digital multimeter
Measure open-circuit voltage and general electronics checks
Voltage alone does not establish usable capacity, especially for rechargeables.
Tester vs multimeter Buy on Amazon

Buy links are optional and separate from the battery answer.

New battery but still not working?

A fresh 1 × 4LR44 should restore Canon A-1 if the battery was the problem. Work through the checks below before replacing the device.

Check orientation
Confirm the cell is seated correctly: Follow polarity marks
Check the battery type
This device needs 1 × 4LR44 (alkaline). Rechargeable cells are not supported for this device. Same size does not always mean the same battery.
Check known model-specific issues
Takes one 6V photographic cell (4LR44 alkaline per Canon Museum; PX28 / 4SR44 silver oxide also commonly listed). Original docs allowed a 4G-13 mercury oxide cell — obsolete; use a modern 6V equivalent. Not a 1.35V PX625 mercury meter cell.
Confirm the battery itself
Try a known-good fresh cell of the exact code listed above.
Still not responding?
If a correct, fresh battery installed properly does not restore the device, the fault may be elsewhere — the device may need service or replacement.

These checks follow this device’s orientation, battery type, and important notes from the maker.

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