| Here are some answers to common
questions on powering digital cameras.
Digital cameras are high-drain devices. They will take the life
out of your battery, particularly if you take a lot of pictures in rapid succession. It is
not uncommon for some digital cameras to report a low battery after only ten minutes of
use, if you are using the flash and the LCD display at the same time.
How many types of batteries are there?
Two kinds of batteries are widely available: NiCD (Nickel
Cadmium) and NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride). There is a third type of rechargeable battery,
Lithium Ion, that is becoming increasingly popular. The advantage of a Lithium Ion battery
is that it offers better performance than the other two types. The disadvantage is that
they do not come in the standard AA battery size, so you can't use them with most cameras.
Does it matter what kind of battery I use?
Yes. It is better to have a rechargeable battery with your
camera, instead of the regular AA batteries. In fact, many manufacturers are starting to
include rechargeable batteries with their cameras because they know that it makes little
sense to use regular batteries with their cameras.
What is the difference in performance
between rechargeable vs. non-rechargeable batteries?
Rechargeable batteries perform a little differently than
non-rechargeable batteries. The voltage coming from an alkaline (non-rechargeable) battery
decreases steadily as the battery is discharged. NiMH and Li-Ion batteries have a lower
starting voltage than alkaline (typically 1.2-1.3V vs. 1.5V for alkaline), but
rechargeables maintain this level until they are almost discharged. One potential problem:
the battery life indicator of the camera may be calibrated for alkaline batteries, which
could make it somewhat inaccurate.
What sort of problems will I have with
rechargeable batteries?
Rechargeable batteries lose their charge sitting in the camera.
NiMH batteries lose between 2 and 4% of their charge a day. Since many cameras start
reporting a low battery at 80% of full charge, the batteries could be reported low in as
little as ten days. This number will vary greatly depending upon the age of the battery,
temperature, and camera.
Memory effect was a problem with older NiCD batteries. This
problem has been reduced with newer batteries and chargers, though how you use your
batteries may also impact performance. NiMH batteries do not have this problem, nor do the
Li-Ion batteries.
What is the difference between the tab
and button batteries?
Button contacts are the common ones used in spring-contact
battery holders. The tab batteries are used by amateur battery-pack builders and allows
them to solder the batteries without damaging the cells.
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