Lithium ion batteries for digital cameras

[echua]

I hope someone can advise me on lithum ion batteries for digital cameras:

1) What is the life span of these batteries i.e. normal usage?

2) Are they easily available from the camera manufacturer? I intend to purchase a good digital camera and keep it for sometime.

3) Is it worthwhile buying a spare battery? Any idea how much e.g. for Olumpus UZ 765?

Thank you for any useful feedback.


Eugene

[Firefly]

In my opinion, digital cameras are for short term. The techonology changes so fast that anything now may end it's lifespan within half a decade.

Take the Smart Media memory card(SM). It's now no longer in production and any camera using it may be without a media. Same will be for the battries. certain models use proprietary batteries.

Back to the batteries, I heard that Li-on battries have a recharging lifespan of about 7000 charges.

So it may be wise to buy a camera which uses AA or AAA batteries. These will surely be around for a long time :D

[KelvC]

This is not related to the digital cameras however I would like to share my experience my recent car break-in few months ago and as a result laptop stolen from the car boot.

Upon logging my case report, the officer-in-charge has told me these days thieves uses a scanner to scan for laptop, pda and mobile phone batteries (I'm not sure whether this is possible but since it came from a police officer, I suppose it has some credit/merit).

Conclusion: Since most of these devices is equipped with lithium ion batteries therefore the scanners must be scanning for lithium ion.

Word of advice (painful and expensive advise): Don't leave any mobilephones, pdas, cameras, etc in the car glove compartment or laptops in the car boot. You never know anyone walking by or riding a bike scanning for more loot.

[pcyeoh]

Don't believe in what the police is telling you. Unless your car is made of wood, I who is in the IT line, have not come across an equipment that can scan for specifically Li-on batteries which are normally used in electroic equipment. Those who lose their notebooks this way always blame it on this scanning devices the same way a girl blaming the loss of her virginity to a kiss. It is the scanning eyes and not device that resulted in their losses. They never accept the fact their follies of moving their notebooks from their car seats to the boots in full view of everybody including the thieves with scanning eyes. I have seen these high tech thieves camping in areas where PriceWatehouseCooper, KPMG and E & Y are and not forgeting IT companies too where their staff are provided with notebooks. They will trail them home on their bikes. If along the way home they stop to ta pau or pick up their laundry or exercise at Ffitness First, their notebooks will be finished first.

[fRaNkY]

I hope someone can advise me on lithum ion batteries for digital cameras:
1) What is the life span of these batteries i.e. normal usage?
2) Are they easily available from the camera manufacturer? I intend to purchase a good digital camera and keep it for sometime.
3) Is it worthwhile buying a spare battery? Any idea how much e.g. for Olumpus UZ 765?
Thank you for any useful feedback.
Eugene

Buy a camera that uses AA batteries and not the unusual size/shape batteries. Incase the camera manufacturer chap lap (bankrupt) you can still get the batteries. Same also if you go overseas, you can easily get AA rechargable batteries.

You can get 4 rechargable AA batteries (1700mAH) and charger (SONY) for Rm60 which can last you 2 years or more, as long as you use the batter until flat before you recharge.

[fRaNkY]

[QUOTE=KelvC]This is not related to the digital cameras however I would like to share my experience my recent car break-in few months ago and as a result laptop stolen from the car boot.

Upon logging my case report, the officer-in-charge has told me these days thieves uses a scanner to scan for laptop, pda and mobile phone batteries QUOTE]

The most common place are , Damansara Uptown, Kelana Park View, Hotels, etc.

It is not the battery that they scan but strong magnetic field created by these equipment or electronics. I heard the same story but have not seen it before.Believe me, they can open your boot and take the whole nb within 1 minute!

[echua]

Thanks for the suggestions. Looks like AA/AAA batteries is the way to go for digital cameras.

[Pets=Friends]

but digicams with AA batteries are bulky and not very stylish. Don't you want small and slim, baru canggih mah dude :rolleyes:

[fRaNkY]

but digicams with AA batteries are bulky and not very stylish. Don't you want small and slim, baru canggih mah dude :rolleyes:

HA! but our friend here looking for digital cameras :D

Echua, however for digital SLR cameras you have no choice but the expensive RM250++ battery and big in size

[jadewhite]

In my opinion, digital cameras are for short term. The techonology changes so fast that anything now may end it's lifespan within half a decade.

Take the Smart Media memory card(SM). It's now no longer in production and any camera using it may be without a media. Same will be for the battries. certain models use proprietary batteries.

Back to the batteries, I heard that Li-on battries have a recharging lifespan of about 7000 charges.

So it may be wise to buy a camera which uses AA or AAA batteries. These will surely be around for a long time :D

Firefly, How much you are charging?

[Dreamer]

Buy a camera that uses AA batteries and not the unusual size/shape batteries. Incase the camera manufacturer chap lap (bankrupt) you can still get the batteries. Same also if you go overseas, you can easily get AA rechargable batteries.

You can get 4 rechargable AA batteries (1700mAH) and charger (SONY) for Rm60 which can last you 2 years or more, as long as you use the batter until flat before you recharge.

Agree with franky on this. But, it all depends on what camera you want. Like what pet=friends said, do you want a stylish or a bulky camera? I believe if you get a camera from the big names like Nikon, Canon, Olympus etc, they are very unlikely to close down la. It might happen if you get some not so branded ones. For me, I would go for the compact(small/slim/stylish)camera that uses lithium ion battery for convenience. Small and easy to slip into pockets. Good if you want to carry your camera with you most of the time(like me.. :D ).

[fRaNkY]

Back to the batteries, I heard that Li-on battries have a recharging lifespan of about 7000 charges.

I dont believe about Li-On batteries's lifespan of about 7000 charges, as the manufacturer claimed. I have handphones that uses Li-On and it didnt even last 2 years eventhough I charged it after it drain off completely. Even if I charge it every day, 365 X 2, its not even 1000 charges. Problem goes with my notebook battery. :mad:

Dreamer: Thanks for your support.

[echua]

Some info to share. On my query on the lithium battery at a camera shop I went to in Sungei Wang Plaza, the repy that there is no guarantee that I can get the lithium battery for a digital camera when it is out of production later. This so even for well known brands unless the same type of battery is still in use by other models.

My choice will still be an AA battery camera, although it won't be slim but it will have "staying" power in the long run.

Any suggestions for a camera? AA, >3x digital, wide number of functions, non SLR, 3-4MP

2 AA 2300 now available at RM35.

[fRaNkY]

Though some might not like or agree with my suggestion. I suggest Canon A400.

I bought a canon A400 for RM699 with 4 sony battery and charger for my friend 2 weeks ago at midvalley. I had bought about 5 units so far for my friends recently. So far no complaints.

Another popular brand is Nikon Coolpix, my friends had bought 4 recently. 3200, 4100, 5X00. Also no complaints.

Any digital camera will do. As long as reputable brand.Canon, Nikon or the more expensive Sony

echua: 2 AA 2300 now available at RM35.? Without charger right? It is cheaper to buy 4 batteries with charger. 4 AA 1700 with charger is about RM60.

[Dreamer]

Some info to share. On my query on the lithium battery at a camera shop I went to in Sungei Wang Plaza, the repy that there is no guarantee that I can get the lithium battery for a digital camera when it is out of production later. This so even for well known brands unless the same type of battery is still in use by other models.

My choice will still be an AA battery camera, although it won't be slim but it will have "staying" power in the long run.

Any suggestions for a camera? AA, >3x digital, wide number of functions, non SLR, 3-4MP
2 AA 2300 now available at RM35.

I guess your choice would be Canon A75/85/95. Or you might want to consider the Fuji E series (E500/510/550). If you want a prosumer that uses AA batts, try the Konica Minolta Z3(4mp). :)

[willi]

undefined" It is cheaper to buy 4 batteries with charger. 4 AA 1700 with charger is about RM60. "
Guys - if I am not wrong, this above charger takes min 7 hours to charge.

Why don't you get the GP Rapid charger at Carrefour - It is on offer now at $99. Comes with 4 pc AA 1800 mAh. Charging Time: Approx 2 hours

I bought one recently - so far so good. Carrefour used to sell it at $129 :D

[Dreamer]

Though some might not like or agree with my suggestion. I suggest Canon A400.

I bought a canon A400 for RM699 with 4 sony battery and charger for my friend 2 weeks ago at midvalley. I had bought about 5 units so far for my friends recently. So far no complaints.

Another popular brand is Nikon Coolpix, my friends had bought 4 recently. 3200, 4100, 5X00. Also no complaints.

Any digital camera will do. As long as reputable brand.Canon, Nikon or the more expensive Sony

echua: 2 AA 2300 now available at RM35.? Without charger right? It is cheaper to buy 4 batteries with charger. 4 AA 1700 with charger is about RM60.

A400 is value-for-$$$ digicam. If you are on a budget, the A400 should suit you well. If you want to consider the Coolpix series, bare in mind that some of the Coolpix series(Coolpix 2200, 3200, 3700, 4100, 5100) does not hv manual control over the ISO. Meaning that if you like to take night shots, you pics will come out quite noisy cause the camera will bump up the ISO automatically. I hv the Coolpix 3700 and I don't use it for night shots. Am planning to sell it to get a Ixus 40(cool man... :D )

[fRaNkY]

A400 is a 3.2mp camera for begginers, if I forgot to mention. For people who knows how to point and shoot :D Suitable for family use and first time buyer.

Though Rapid charger charges rapidly, the battery is not conditioned properly, something like not completely charged and can drain faster, according to some battery manufacturer I talk to some time ago. They urge me to use the regular charger, that goes for my hand phone also. You also have to pay more for a Rapid charger. I think, my sony charger that comes free with it, charges about 3 hours but usually I let it charge over night, ready to use by the morning.

[bslee]

For those wanting to buy NiMh AA size batteries, there's a forumer (I believe he's a staff for the website) at www.lowyat.net (presently down cos I heard the site has been hacked) selling Sanyo AA (Made in Japan) 2100-2300mAh batteries only for as little as RM8/pc (min 2pcs). This is certainly much cheaper and superior than GP batteries available at store shelves. I've bought from this fella before and these batteries are good!..much better than the GP batteries which are in my opinion of inferior and not all that cheap.
I'm presently using the Sanyo's in my Canon A70. So far so good!. The GP's (2000mAH) are a miserable lot and can't last long hours. It's been now doing service in my clock, calculator and less power hungry appliances.

Note:..I've dealt with this person before and am not promoting his items. I'm just sharing the "jalan". He resides in OUG. :D

[willi]

for rechargeable batteries, it is important to ensure that it is properly & fully charged in order to get the maximum usage.

there is 2 types of charger in the market:-

a.) Timer Charger
Example: Some charger needs 16 hours to charge 1600 batteries. After 16 hours, it will cut off & will be on trickle charge mode (charging at lower current as to maintain the charge level). Therefore, if you use the charger to charge any thing higher than 1600, the batteries would definately be under charged.

b.) Smart Charger
It charges the batteries according to the capacities (1600 - 2500). The cut off is based on temperature sensor.

so guys ... in order to maximise the usage & value for many, pls check the type of charger & batteries you are using. Obviously, if the battery is not 100% charged, you will not get 100% potential la :D

[mysticalangel]

Dreamer, my digital cam finally arrived yesterday & everything is intact. :) Its very sleek leh! When u wanna ajar me to take good pix ah?

Li-on battery on mobile phone can last about a year lah (the max) for original ones. My last phone's battery did, so when it died I didn't bother getting another one so I tukar my phone...ehehe...now got more canggih batteries mah:)

[CS Chua]

As I remember it, the top 4 brands for digital cameras are Kodak, Sony, Canon and Nikon (in no particular order as different models have different popularity.) Personally I prefer Kodak. I have bought 4 Kodak cameras thus far as I have been extremely pleased with them. The prints are very good and the colors are fantastic. My current model is a DX6440 and uses AA battery. What they wrote about the AA battery is true. Get a camera with AA battery as it is versatile. Get the biggest memory size card you can afford too. When you go sight seeing in other countries, you will appreciate that.

[CCY]

Anyone wants to understand all about batteries ...Read part 1 ,2 ,3 at www.batteryuniversity.com

[orchipalar]

Err...hopes Dear Chang would correct header to...'Lithium...' :)

Thanks Orchi, the typo has been corrected from Lithum to Lithium" - kwchang

[cskok8]

I don't know about you people but my handphone battery (Nokia 5210) has been in use for the past 2 1/2 years. Hardly ever been switched off, charged every night and still working well. I took a peek today, it is Lithium ion and made in China.

[echua]

Though some might not like or agree with my suggestion. I suggest Canon A400.

I bought a canon A400 for RM699 with 4 sony battery and charger for my friend 2 weeks ago at midvalley. I had bought about 5 units so far for my friends recently. So far no complaints.

Another popular brand is Nikon Coolpix, my friends had bought 4 recently. 3200, 4100, 5X00. Also no complaints.

Any digital camera will do. As long as reputable brand.Canon, Nikon or the more expensive Sony

echua: 2 AA 2300 now available at RM35.? Without charger right? It is cheaper to buy 4 batteries with charger. 4 AA 1700 with charger is about RM60.

Thanks for the suggestions.

As for the batteries RM60 for 4 AA + charger is cheap. But you may want to look at the AA 2300 since I think they last a lot longer than than 1700. Price difference due to longer power storage. The charger type may need to be considered i.e. slow or fast charger.