Battery for camera and precautions for its use

Most digital cameras accept standard AA batteries, but you can choose which AA battery to use. Disposable batteries, rechargeable batteries and even battery packs allow the camera to take photos. Although many cameras can use alkaline batteries, they have a short life span, so whether you use a proprietary battery or a supermarket battery, rechargeable battery is the first choice. You just need to decide which battery is best for you:

*Alkaline batteries: These traditional batteries usually have a short life in digital cameras.

*Lithium battery: longer life than other types of batteries. They can also better cope with cold weather.

*Rechargeable batteries: If possible, choose NiMH rechargeable batteries because they have more power, are safer for the environment, and are technically more advantageous than other types. You can also use lithium-ion (Li-Ion) rechargeable batteries, which can usually be used hundreds of times.

1.Proprietary and ordinary batteries

Most cameras today require a certain style of battery for a particular camera. Battery style varies by manufacturer and camera model.

Search the Internet for "Nikon batteries" or "Canon batteries" and even in the manufacturer's product line, you will find many different shapes of batteries. Some types are used for point-and-shoot cameras, while others are used for DSLR cameras.

Fortunately, most digital SLR cameras from one manufacturer use the same type of battery. This equivalent is convenient when you upgrade the camera body, as you can often use the same battery in your new camera as your old camera.

Some cameras (mostly point-and-shoot cameras) continue to use common battery sizes, such as AAA or AA battery.

Some DSLR cameras can be equipped with a vertical grip accessory that can accommodate the brand's two proprietary batteries and can also accommodate common battery sizes. Check the accessory list of the camera body to see if this modification is possible.

2.Rechargeable AA and AAA

For cameras using AA or AAA batteries, use the rechargeable version. Although you can use single-use cameras, the power consumption can make it costly to use only a single-use camera if you use the camera regularly.

NiMH batteries are more efficient than older NiCd or NiCad batteries. NiMH batteries are more than twice as powerful and have no memory effect. If you charge a NiCd battery before it is fully discharged, it will reduce the maximum capacity for subsequent charging.

Carry a disposable AA lithium battery as a backup battery. They are more expensive, but they can hold three times the power and weigh about half of a standard alkaline AA battery.

3.Rechargeable Ni-MH battery

Like lithium-ion batteries, NiMH batteries can be charged hundreds of times. They are not very expensive and can be recharged in only one to two hours. However, they did not charge for a long time. NiMH batteries are safer for the environment than lithium batteries.

4.Rechargeable lithium-ion battery

Rechargeable lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are the most commonly used batteries in digital cameras, especially digital SLR cameras. Compared to NiMH batteries, they are lighter, more powerful, more compact, and immune to cold weather. Compared to other types of batteries, their power source produces a strong flash for taking bright pictures and increases the flash range.

Lithium-ion batteries can retain their charge for a long time, which is useful if you use a digital camera that requires a lot of power. Lithium-ion batteries are more expensive than nickel-metal hydride batteries。

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries have a brand-specific format. Some cameras use adapters to receive disposable lithium batteries, such as CR2.

Failure of lithium-ion batteries can cause smoke and fire on commercial flights. As a result, many airlines do not allow it in checked baggage, but only carry it in carry-on baggage.

What are the precautions for using NiMH digital cameras batteries ?

1. Pay attention to the charging temperature

This is critical. Usually we should charge the battery in an ambient temperature of 0 ° C to 40 ° C. Because charging below 0 ° C will cause the internal charging of the battery to be abnormal, causing unrecoverable performance to continue to decline. And when charging above 40 ° C, it may cause leakage. (This is why a few friends exuded a pale yellow liquid after the battery became hot after being overcharged.)

2. Try not to use trickle to charge NiMH battery

After the battery is fast-charged, it can be supplemented with a trickle of 0.033CmA to 0.05CmA (full activation of electronics). At the same time, avoid overcharging by trickle mode, which will damage the characteristics of the battery. You should use a timer to control the charging time. (Note: During the charging and discharging process of "CmA", CmA is a value that indicates the current and the rated capacity of the battery. "C" refers to the rated capacity of the battery.)

3. It is recommended not to deeply discharge the battery because of fear of memory effect

Because over-discharging will damage the characteristics of the battery, pay special attention to the power switch during the discharge process, and at the same time, avoid placing the battery in the digital camera for a long time. Otherwise, battery life will be greatly reduced. When not in use for a week, it is best to remove it from the digital camera. Regarding the storage time of high-quality rechargeable batteries, you can rest assured that the storage life is about ten years in dry and room temperature.

4. Although both are rechargeable batteries, we must pay special attention to the use of new and old batteries.

Because even if used with the same brand of old and new batteries will cause damage to themselves, the digital camera related circuit parts will also be dangerous.

5. During long-term storage, ensure that the battery is charged and discharged at least once a year (full storage, first discharge and recharge when used again). This can effectively prevent first-class battery leakage and battery self-discharge. Battery performance is degraded. (Self-discharge rate. 8% / month for lithium-ion batteries; 20% / month for lithium polymer batteries; 100% / month for nickel-metal hydride and nickel-cadmium batteries; and 1% -2% / month for lithium metal batteries)