For a photographer, there is nothing worse than the bad feeling of having missed a fantastic photo because the digital camera battery died. It is necessary to carry a spare battery with you if you plan to take a lot of pictures. There are many reviews and articles telling us how to choose a decent digital camera, but few of them explain how to choose a spare battery in a methodical and clear way. Now let’s face the important question: how to find a good replacement battery for our digital cameras?
In this article, I will show you:
1. Classification of batteries.
2. How to choose the batteries
3. Maintenance of batteries.
We must know the batteries first before choosing one. There are 3 types of batteries for digital cameras that we often use, namely: alkaline batteries, Ni-MH batteries and lithium-ion batteries.
1. Alkaline battery
Alkaline battery is the most common battery in our daily life. There are many brands of alkaline batteries, such as Duracell, Energizer, Sony, Samsung, Maxell. Unlike rechargeable batteries, we cannot use alkaline batteries in circulation. Once they are used up, you have no choice but to throw them away.
Advantage: Easy to buy, cheap (only for those who need them temporarily) and more brand choices.
Disadvantage: Irrechargeable, cost too high for frequent use. Low energy conversion efficiency.
2. Ni-MH battery
Ni-MH battery is a kind of rechargeable battery. You can find it in retail stores in AA size. Like alkaline batteries, Ni-MH batteries are not expensive either, and the voltage and performance are like standard alkaline batteries in these sizes. You may pay more than alkaline batteries when you buy Ni-MH batteries, however, the ability to recharge them 1000 times can save you a lot of money.
Advantage: Rechargeable, great compatibility
Disadvantage: Its durability is less than alkaline batteries with the same specifications. It is too expensive if used only once. The memory effect means that they hold less and less charge.
3. Lithium-ion battery
The lithium-ion battery (sometimes abbreviated to Li-ion battery) is also rechargeable. Most digital cameras today use a lithium-ion battery as a power source. It is lighter and more powerful than alkaline and Ni-MH batteries. Lithium-ion batteries do not suffer from the memory effect. They also have a low self-discharge rate of about 5% per month. (which is 30% for the Ni-MH battery).
Advantage: Rechargeable, Less weight, High energy
Disadvantage: Expensive. Its lifespan depends on the number of charge/discharge cycles and the age of its manufacture. Not as safe as other batteries in some situations.
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How to choose batteries.
For AA battery digital camera users, if you need batteries temporarily, choose alkaline batteries instead. It is cheap and quite good, you can find it in any retail store. For regular users of AA battery digital camera, choose Ni-MH rechargeable battery. Although it is more expensive than an alkaline battery, its ability to recharge will save you a lot of money.
Many people overlook battery voltage when planning to buy batteries. Let’s take two batteries as an example.
Battery A: 3.6 V * 1200 mA
Battery B: 7.2 V * 1000 mA
Most people will choose Battery A, but I suggest Battery B, even though 1200 mA is higher than 1000 mA, the voltage of Battery B is twice as high as Battery A. Ignore the electrical resistance,
P (power)=U (voltage)*I (current)
The power of Battery B is much higher than battery A.
If your digital camera uses a lithium-ion battery, the easiest thing to do is to buy another original battery from the manufacturer. Although it is expensive, the quality is guaranteed and it will be fully compatible with your digital camera.