Digital cameras use a lot of power and, if you take a lot of photographs, the cost of your batteries will soon mount up.
If you want to save money on batteries there are several ways of going about it, depending on what type your camera uses.
Your camera will either accept standard size cells (usually AA or AAA) or have a rechargeable battery unique to that manufacturer (or possibly your specific camera).
Specialised digital camera batteries
These cells are designed specifically for your camera (and maybe a few others from the same maker). It is always a very good idea to have at least one spare battery and your camera manufacturer will make one, but you might be surprised at just how much they can cost.
If you go on photographic assignments you will need quite a few spare batteries and the cost will be significant.
Where to buy
The shop that sold you the camera should also be able to sell you spare batteries but it is always worthwhile shopping around for a better price, especially on the Internet.
A search for the model number of your battery or camera should lead you to several
places that sell your battery. It is quite common to find a 10-
It is important to distinguish these from illegal counterfeit goods. They are not pretending to be an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) product, just its equivalent (or sometimes better). Made by established companies and sold by reputable agents, these can be as much as 75% cheaper that the OEM version.
Your camera maker will probably frown at using anything other than their branded product in their equipment. In the unlikely event that another make of battery damaged your camera they would probably not honour any warranty. If you are the sort of person who would not like to step outside the comfort zone of a manufacturer’s guarantee, then these are not for you.
On the other hand, most of the companies that make these things are well known battery manufacturers with a reputation for high quality products. Because all batteries generate heat when working, a badly made battery can be a hazard but the biggest recent case of this happening was not from an independent maker but the Sony Corporation.
Battery types
Few people are likely to consider the type of battery a camera uses but the different type are suited to different ways of using digital cameras.
Standard cells lend themselves to most circumstances especially if you have the option of using rechargeables. But because they tend to be less powerful than specialised or dedicated types you may need rather a lot if you intend continuously shooting for hours on end.
On the other hand, specialised batteries are not so good for those who don’t use their cameras for months on end. They are also possibly not the best choice for those that undertake long photographic trips to places that have no guarantee of recharging facilities.
Another thought for those who wish to keep their camera for a long time is that if (when) the camera becomes obsolete, its dedicated battery may quickly follow suit.
Save money on Batteries