Digital Camera Batteries

More power means more pictures

One of the first things a new digital camera user learns is that their super, high-tech digital camera eats up batteries awfully fast. After all, an electronic device such as a camera is a complex device and must power a motorized lens, the flash, a high powered imaging chip and the memory recording device.

That takes a lot of juice!

Luckily, there are a number of options for the savvy consumer to consider when choosing the right type of digital camera battery. Digital camera batteries come in two general types: disposable and rechargeable.

Disposable batteries are typically the store brand we use on television remotes and portable CD players. These batteries, while they will power high-drain devices, are best used for devices that don't have strenuous power requirements.

Disposable batteries are good for digital camera use, however, as emergency backups when a rechargeable just isn't quite charged enough.

Rechargeable batteries, on the other hand, are a much more efficient option for powering a digital camera. Not only do they supply a longer lasting charge to the device, the reusability makes them a more economical choice as well.

These battery cells are becoming more and more common in a standard AA size for easy replacement of the disposable alkaline batteries that are supplied with digital cameras.

There are three popular types of rechargeable battery cells:

Li-ion (Lithium Ion) - Li-ion is the newest cell type available. It is gaining favorable support due to its lighter, smaller construction and its ability to deliver more power than other cell types. Though more efficient, engineering costs drive the price of these batteries higher.

NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) - This cell type is the most commonly used cell type in high power drain devices, such as digital cameras and notebook computers. NiMH batteries have a "memory" which causes the overall charge capacity to diminish over time if it is constantly being recharged.

NiCAD (Nickel Cadmium) - The NiCAD cell is one of the oldest rechargeable cells available, still favored for its ability to handle higher loads. This cell is commonly found in cordless power tools that require a lot of power to perform correctly. NiCad batteries, however, also suffer from the memory effect and require good care to ensure a proper life span. 

It is generally recommended that NiCad and NiMH batteries be fully conditioned (charged and discharged) at least three consecutive times to activate the batteries full capacity. This will reduce the memory effect that plagues these cell types.

If rechargeable batteries are used, a quick recharge station is necessary. These stations often come with the battery cells and can be used to charge one set of batteries while the digital camera is using another.

After paying hundreds of dollars for a new camera, batteries seem like a superfluous extra. However, the rule, where digital camera batteries are concerned, is that more power means more pictures.

More information on digital cameras