Battery type for digital camera

[boomersmom]

I am currently looking at digital cameras. I have never owned a digital before and have narowed my search to a couple models. My problem now is deciding if I want a camera with AA batteries or a reghargeable lithium ion battery. Does anyone have opinions on which is better?

 

[YEKCIM]

I personally like using AA's as they are more readily available and less expensive, but I would not consider battery type to be the deciding factor on buying a camera. There are LOTS of other, more important, considerations.

~YEKCIM

 

[boomersmom]

I was wondering if there were advantages to one type of battery over the other. For example, how long you can use them, convenience, etc.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Since Lithium Ion are so cheap lately, I'd rather use Lithium Ion.

 

[MICKEY88]

I agree with Kelly on this one, I can use either in my new camera and I definitely will be using the Lithium Ion rather than AAs

 

[boomersmom]

What kind of camera uses both?

 

[Kelly Grannell]

my 20D and 30D I can use either BP-511 lithium ion rechargeable batteries or 6 AA batteries (be it Alkaline, rechargeable NiMH, non-rechargeable Lithium)

 

[boBQuincy]

You can buy a lot of NiMH AA batteries for the price of a factory lithium-ion battery but as one member suggested, I would place a lot more importance on other factors than battery type.


boB

 

[MICKEY88]

You can buy a lot of NiMH AA batteries for the price of a factory lithium-ion battery but as one member suggested, I would place a lot more importance on other factors than battery type.


boB

while this may be true, a non oem battery can be had for a lot less, but even going with the oem battery, you get a lot more pictures per charge ,out of one than a set of AAs so in the end the OEM is more cost effective...

 

[t-and-a]

DH and I like Lithium Ion batteries! We both have digital cameras and we have a digital camcorder and none use the same type battery; we have additional batteries for all of them and keep at least one spare charged for each. Another thing to take note of when purchasing additional batteries for these type of cameras is that the aftermarket are usually not as good. For example, Sony uses "Infolithium" which tells the user how much battery life remains; the aftermarket batteries for the Sony cameras won't do that. Some are pretty good, but you have to be careful. We bought 4 aftermarket batteries for our Nikon and one was DOA, and another caused our camera to malfunction, so now we stick with the genuine batteries from the camera manufacturer.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Just like any product, you get what you paid for. Although in the case of "genuine batteries", you do NOT get what you paid for.

The middle ground seems to be okay. Buy from known manufacturers as Sterlingtek, Power2000 and several others. Don't buy un-branded/bulk battery.

This is solely based on my personal experience.

Cheers,
Kelly

 

[MICKEY88]

Once again I agree with Kelly, I have several non oem batteries and they all work as well if not better than the oem.. I just made sure I was buying batteries made to oem specs, especially including the chip to prevent overcharging or overheating in camera...

there is oem for 40+ cheap batteries for 10, or the middle ground for 20, those are the ones I use...

 

[t-and-a]

Just like any product, you get what you paid for. Although in the case of "genuine batteries", you do NOT get what you paid for.

The middle ground seems to be okay. Buy from known manufacturers as Sterlingtek, Power2000 and several others. Don't buy un-branded/bulk battery.

This is solely based on my personal experience.

Cheers,
Kelly

Yeah,the batteries were no-name (white box) that we bought on eBay. That's probably what the problem was. We may try some of those brands you mentioned.
Thanks!

 

[eliza61]

Whatever type of batteries you get make sure you have enough for your trip.
If you go rechargeable buy an extra spare. Just got back from WDW where I had forgotten to bring extra batteries for my digital camera. Ouch!! You can't believe what they wanted to charge for a pair of Litium batteries. That's me rolling on the floor after the cast member told me the price

 

[MOmousefan]

I agree with Kelly regarding Sterlingtech. They delivered what was promised and the batteries have done as well as the OEM Canon batteries.
I am fortunate in that my S70 digital camera uses the same battery as my Elura 90 camcorder.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Whatever type of batteries you get make sure you have enough for your trip.
If you go rechargeable buy an extra spare.

Agree with addendum one and two.

How much extra? depends on your camera.

My dSLR, I can go for an two days with one battery with 50% flash usage (about 200 shots).

My daughter's point and shoot, 2 sets of 2xAA rechargeable batteries per day (and she takes 50% less pictures than I do)

DH's point and shoot, 1 set of 4xAA rechargeable batteries for 4 days (same number of shots as my daughter)