Confused- Lithium Ion Battery vs Lithium only?

[Moeluv4u7]

Okay, I am getting ready to get rechargeable AA batteries for my recently purchased Canon SX10is - I really wanted the battery that was sugegsted in teh owners manual but only avaialble by purchase online that I can tell- too much hassle and now leaving next Saturday so I need it NOW-
I looked for a good Lithium Ion rechargeable battery brand and started to read a comparison on Lithium Ion vs Lithium only- ... It says that Lithium Ion does not come in regualr cell size- such as AA, etc- Is thsi true? I can swear almost that I saw Energizer brand at Best Buy that were AA and stated as being Lithium Ion- The otnher thing it said is that Lithium only are not rechargeable- ... Can someone help me to figure out what is correct?

Thx

 

[Moeluv4u7]

Okay, I guess I need to knock my head...
Apparently my camera can not use a Lithium-Ion battery-
those type are made for cell phones, house phones, and other type stuff- basically a battery that is not your average battery ...

I am still searching now for the best rechargeable battery type AA for my Canon...

If I wasn't squeamish about ordering online I would have this done with-

Insert here>>>>

Pet Peeve: I hate retail stores that sell cameras or other products of sort, but DO NOT sell the accessories to go along with that product!! Grrrr
Okay, rant over, maybe... I guess- Only if I find a locally sold rechargeable batery w/ charger that will have long lasting power for my camera...
There- Thx guys!

 

[boBQuincy]

The term "Lithium" is tossed around a lot and not always consistently. There are two basic types of cells, primary (not rechargeable) and secondary (rechargeable). Primary lithium cells are further separated (for our purposes) into two sub-types, 3 or more Volts and 1.5 Volts. The Energizer batteries you saw were primary lithium-IRON 1.5 Volt type that can directly replace alkaline cells (btw, Energizer also has two classes of lithium cells, ultimate (best) and advanced (good).

Secondary lithium cells are usually lithium-ion and lithium-polymer, most of what we use are ion. Since most lithium cells have more than 3 Volts it is not good to use them in place of normal (alkaline) cells so the sizes are usually different. There are exceptions and we can find AA and AAA lithium-ion cells that will fit in place of alkaline cells but at over twice the voltage they will quickly destroy most devices they are installed in and may even start a fire.

Anyway, the bottom line of all this is if you need to replace 1.5 Volt alkaline AA cells: for longest life you can buy the Energizer Ulitmate lithium primary cells but it will get expensive; or you can get NiMH (nickel-metal-hydride) rechargeable cells and save a lot of $$$.

This is what happens when you pose a simple question to a forum frequented by engineers!

 

[SendLessRain]

Eneloop brand rechargables are my favorite for my Canon A series camera. They hold their charge for a long time. This is more important when I am at home and not using the camera everyday. When you are at WDW you will be using the camera everyday and will not have to worry them losing their charge. It is nice to start out with the types that don't lose their charge so that you don't have two types of batteries to keep track of.
There are similar batteries from Energizer. Just look for ones that say that they hold their charge for six months or a year.

 

[Moeluv4u7]

Thx you guys- This actually helps a lot!
The "engineer" explanation also helps with what I was trying to find out...
other sites are so gung-ho on soliciting why you should buy their batteries- I am getting lost in info and sales jargon...
This is most helpful-
SLR- thx also for putting it to me by using your experience- I do think I will end up getting Eneloop batteries - for now I need to get something strong, great, not over the top on price as I will be buying enough for 3 interchanges- Just to make sure I am covered- Thx again