Batteries and Digital Cameras
Apr 19 '02 (Updated Sep 21 '07)
The Bottom Line For flexibility, buy a camera that takes standard batteries. Get 3 sets of NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) batteries and a charger.
Update: When I wrote this article, these batteries were hard to find. Now they have displaced NiCd batteries completely in the rechargeable market, and they are still worth the extra price.
New Technology: There is a new NiMH battery that is starting to appear that contains an extra ion barrier to prevent the charge leakage that causes these batteries to lose their charge over time. These new batteries last as long as alkalines while still being nearly infinitely rechargeable. One of the brands is Rayovac Hybrid, but the other battery companies have variations as well. These are currently hard to find, but you can get the Rayovac version at Wal-Mart.
The lithium batteries that are packaged with many digital cameras pack a lot of punch, but what do you do when they run out of juice? You have to wait for the battery to recharge before you can use the camera again. Alternatively, you can buy a spare battery, but these are expensive and often hard to get. They also tend to be proprietary, so if you purchase a different camera, you also have to purchase a different battery.
I prefer cameras that take standard "AA" batteries, then I can choose the brand and technology that I want to use. Most of these cameras take 4 "AA" batteries, and they tend to use them up really quick. If you are a serious photographer, then you will go through a set of top alkaline batteries is just one day. This can get expensive, unless you get rechargeable batteries.
The best type of standard, "AA" size battery for a digital camera is Nickel Metal Hydride, or NiMH. Standard-sized, rechargeable lithium batteries are probably being worked on in some corporate laboratories, but are far from showing up on your store shelves just yet.
Invest in at least three sets of NiMH rechargeable batteries and a charger. They're expensive, but with a digital camera, they pay for themselves really fast. These will be the last batteries that you every buy for the camera. NiMH's carry twice as much charge as NiCad (Nickel-Cadmium), they don't have the memory problem, and they won't wear out like NiCads or rechargeable alkalines. Don't bother with rechargeable alkalines for a digital camera. These wear out even faster than NiCad's.
The memory problem with NiCad batteries means that will only charge to the point of discharge. That is, if you place a half-discharged NiCad into a charger, it will effectively charge only halfway, no matter how long you leave it in there. Also, NiCad's have a limited life span, and accept less-and-less charge every time they are recharged. Be aware that NiCad's are also considered hazardous waste, since cadmium is very poisonous.
These problems don't exist at all with NiMH batteries. When you stick NiMH batteries into a charger, fully discharged or not, they will always charge to full capacity. Most corporations put a limit of "1000 charges" on these batteries, but this is only a guess, since it hasn't really been tested. In theory, NiMH's can withstand an infinite number of charge cycles without losing any capacity.
I recommend getting three or more sets because you can keep one set in the camera, the other set on you, and the third in the charger. Get more if you want to keep more sets on you. You can get battery carriers made just for this purpose.
There is one downside to NiMH's that they share with NiCad's -- they do not stay charged and will lose power if they sit around, week after week. Always keep one set in the charger. They also don't have quite as much capacity as the top alkaline batteries, but they're close.
Make sure to only use a charger that is made for NiMH batteries. NiCad chargers will work, but aren't healthy for NiMH batteries. Only use a charger that says it is made for NiMH. I like the Rayovac 4-AA charger. It's small, holds one set of batteries, and will recharge anything that I put into it (except standard, non-rechargeable alkalines). I have the small, 4-AA model that hangs off of a wall socket. The plug folds in so it can be packed for travel. There is even a newer model that will quick-charge in 1 hour.
Be aware that the older Rayovac chargers are not made for NiMH batteries. If you have one a Rayovac charger, look on the back. Under one of the warnings, it will expressly state that it is for use with Nickel Metal Hydride batteries. If not, or it says "Rechargeable Alkaline" on the front, then it is an older model and should not be used for NiMH batteries.
Other Battery Advice
I don't just use NiMH batteries. I also use the rechargeable alkalines and standard alkalines, depending on the device they are going into. NiMH batteries are best for high-drain devices such as digital cameras, portable CD players, and remote control cars. They're also good for devices that are charged often, such as portable telephones. Usually you have to buy a special battery pack for those, though.
Regular alkalines are best for low-drain devices such as clocks and remote controls and for critical devices such as smoke detectors and clock backup circuits. These devices usually last about a year on a set of batteries, and it's not worth putting rechargeables in these types of devices.
Rechargeable alkalines are great for normal-drain devices such as radios, flashlights, and film cameras. Once you notice them just starting to get low, it's time to recharge them. This extends their life for as long as possible.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
gsearle
|
 - Top 1000 |
|
Member: Greg Searle
Location: Nashua, NH
Reviews written: 27
Trusted by: 10 members
About Me:
Computer graphics designer and software developer with interests in technology, home improvement, and family life.
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.