Battery tips
Always carry a spare battery with your camera, it’s much better to have one and not need it than not have one when the time comes.
Cold temperatures make batteries less efficient so keep the spare in your pocket when out in the cold.
If you have several sets of rechargeable cells it’s worth numbering them and using them in sequence. That way they will all get equal use.
Dirty contacts can stop a battery working but usually all that’s needed is a wipe with a soft dry cloth to remedy the situation
Conclusions
If you are buying standard alkali batteries and use your camera a lot then you are almost certainly spending a great deal more than you need to. So, what can you do?
1. Specialist suppliers on the Internet may sell you the same battery at a better price, especially if you buy in bulk.
2. You may find high power alkali or lithium batteries at the same price. These are better value because they last longer.
3. NiCad batteries are better and cheaper than they used to be, if you already have a NiCad charger, these could save you money.
4. NiMH battery and charger kits are probably the best value for those that use their camera a lot. The cheapest ones are designed only for the cells that come with them. Make sure any extra cells you buy are the same capacity and type. This is especially true of “fast” chargers because it is very dangerous to charge a battery any faster than it was designed for.
5. You will be saving the environment as well as your money if you replace more of your household batteries with rechargeables. An intelligent charger is worth more because it can cope safely with all types of rechargeable cell.
6. If your camera uses a non standard battery, the best prices for these are usually to be found on the Internet
7. You may also find a replacement or compatible cell at a quarter of the price. Where these are made by reputable battery makers, they should work just as well as one with your camera maker’s name on it.
8. When comparing prices of digital camera batteries, always compare like with like i.e. the same type and the same capacity in miliAmpere hours (mAh).
9. Over the life of your camera, the cheapest way to fulfil your battery requirements will depend on how frequently you use your camera. The more you use it, the more cost effective rechargeable batteries become.
Once you have decided on the type and performance of the batteries you require, you can go to our battery suppliers page to discover where to find them for the best price.
Save money on Batteries