Digital Camera

Battery

Digital Camera Battery Requirements

Power requirements for digital cameras are greater than ever before and they are likely to increase in the future. The images captured by these high resolution digital cameras have large file sizes often 2MB and larger.

It takes a lot of power to process and transfer these data from a camera card to your computer.

Manufacturers continue to adopt and develop power-saving digital camera battery, but a digital camera still needs a good power source because there are a lot of processes that require lots of energy.

Digital Camera Battery: Variety of functions

Variety of functions such as optical zoom with some models offering variable speed zooms, LCDs have grown bigger and offer better resolutions and movie mode, often with audio has become standard functions.

All of these features depend on the digital camera battery to operate properly.

The majority of digital cameras are designed to run on two or four AA size batteries, with several manufacturers opting for higher-capacity rechargeable lithium-ion (li-ion) as a power source.

I believe it is very important to have a back up. Your camera is a great tool but a power outage of any type can be costly and can be very annoying when it interrupts a fun time.

There are three main types: Nickel Cadmium (NiCad), Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Lithium Ion (Li-Ion).

Each type of these rechargeable batteries has different characteristics.


Nickel Cadmium (NiCad):

The most popular type but it tends to suffer from "memory effect" (see below).

It has a high rate of energy discharge, meaning that is low maintenance with high performance.

Nickel Cadmium can deliver even power until nearly all of the battery has been used.


Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH):

Is the most advanced commercial rechargeable battery.

Nickel Metal Hydride batteries last 40% longer than Nickel Cadmium batteries.

Compare to the NiCad it is an increase of the run-time with no additional bulk to weigh down your camera.

NiMH are also less prone to develop the memory effect and require less maitenance and care.

This NiMH is generally much environmentally friendly than NiCad as well.



Lithium Ion (Li-Ion):

Li-Ion has quickly become the emerging standard for portable power in consumer devices (digital cameras, camcorders, notebook).

Li-Ion batteries produce the same energy as NiMH batteries but weigh approximately 35% less.

Another reason why Li-Ion are so popular is that they don't suffer from the memory effect at all.

They are also better for the environment because they don't contain toxic materials such as Cadmium or Mercury.


Digital Camera Battery: Memory effect:

This means if a battery is continually only partially discharged before recharging, the battery "forgets" that it has a capacity to further discharge all the way down.

For example if you, on a regular basis, fully charge your battery and then use only 50% of its capacity before the next recharge, eventually the battery will become unaware of its extra 50% capacity which has remained unused.

Your battery will remain functional, but only at 50% of its original capacity. The way to avoid the memory effect is to fully charge and then fully discharge your battery at least once every two or three weeks.

Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) are great because they don't suffer from the memory effect at all.

Digital Camera Battery: Simple Guidelines

No it's not necessary. Replacement batteries will often last longer than the original that came with your digital camera.

What to look for when I buy a digital camera battery?

1. Capacity or amp-hours (AH) which is measured in milli-amperes (mAh).

   A higher AH rating is indicative of a longer lasting (higher capacity) battery and will NOT cause incompatibilities if it's higher than the original battery of your camera.
   
   

2. The voltage of the new battery should always match the voltage of the original.

• Breaking in new batteries: New batteries come in a discharged condition and must be fully charged before use. It is recommended that you fully charge and discharge your new battery two to four times to allow it to reach its maximum rated capacity.
  
  
• Preventing the memory effect: Keep your battery healthy by fully charging and then fully discharging it at least once every two to three weeks. Exceptions to the rule are Li-Ion batteries which do not suffer from the memory effect.
  
  
• Keep your battery clean: It's a good idea to clean dirty battery contacts with a cotton swab and alcohol. This heps maintain a good connection between the battery and the camera.
  
  
• Exercise your battery: Do not leave your battery dormant for long periods of time. I recommend using the battery at least once every two to three weeks. If a battery has not been used for a long period of time, perform the new battery break in procedure described above.
  
  
• Battery storage: If you don't plan on using for a month or more, I recommend storing it in a clean, dry, cool place away from heat and metal objects.

  NiCad, NiMH and Li-Ion batteries will self discharge during storage, remember to break them in before use.

The life of a rechargeable battery operating under normal conditions is generally between 500 to 800 charge-discharge cycles.

This translates into one and half to three years of battery life for the average user.

As your rechargeable battery begins to die, you will notice a decline in the running time of the battery. When your two hour battery is only supplying you with an hour's woth of use, it's time for a new one.


Should I recycle my old battery?

Nicad, NiMH and Li-Ion batteries should be recycled. Be environmentally conscious, do not throw these batteries in the trash.

Click here to get more information on digital camera battery recycling and to find your local recycling facility.



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