A standard 1.5v AA battery.
Digital cameras can be powered by a number of differently constructed power cells, using different metals to store their charge. Due to the high power drain of digital cameras, many batteries will struggle to provide performance and value.
Alkaline Batteries
Two alkaline AA batteries in a digital camera.
Disposable alkaline batteries are designed to deliver full capacity to devices that consume power slowly. Digital cameras use high-drain components such as flash units and LCD screens, which consume power at a much faster rate than these batteries were designed for. Often batteries that appear depleted from use in a digital camera will continue to function in devices that use less power.
Lithium Batteries
A 1.5v CR3 lithium battery.
Unlike alkalines, lithium batteries function much better in digital cameras as they are able to deliver high volumes of power over a longer duration. This type of battery can be expensive in comparison to alkalines, and no lithium batteries support recharging. Lithium batteries are not the same as lithium-ion rechargeables found in many digital SLR cameras and MP3 players.
Rechargeable Batteries
A battery charger used for NiMH and NiCd cells.
There are two common types of rechargeable AA cell batteries: nickel metal hydride (NiMH) and nickel-cadmium (NiCd). NiMH batteries--if left unused--will discharge over time, so it is always best to charge these immediately before use. NiCd batteries suffer from a "memory effect," which requires them to be fully discharged before recharging to ensure they retain their maximum capacity.
Prevention
A digital camera with an LCD screen.
The greatest source of power drain on a digital camera is the LCD screen. To prolong battery life, digital cameras often allow a user to disable image review features so that this element is used as little as possible. With the LCD screen disabled, it is possible to take up to five times more photos before replacing or recharging your batteries.
Warning
A variety of 1.5v AA batteries.
It is always important to remove disposable alkaline batteries before storing a device for a prolonged period to reduce the chance of leakage. Lithium, NiCD and NiMH cells no not suffer from this problem, but these too should always be safely disposed of or recycled.
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