DavzRoses

Hi All
I have been using a Kodak digital for about 12 years and the reason I bought it in the first place was so many reviews raved about the battery life, not to mention ease of recharging. Sure enough that faithful Kodak will take pictures all day long without fail. Then I just sit it on the charger overnight and.... tah dah.! it's ready to go another full day.

I'm planning a trip to Europe and want a small p/s camera that takes hi-res shots ...**and**... doesn't need a backpack full of backup batteries to make it through the day.

I'm Looking at a Nikon L610 but see it takes 2xAA batteries.

Any suggestions? Thanks

Crwiwy Loc: Devon UK

Avoid AA batteries - they just dob't last long and have a nasty habit of failing just when you need them.
I had a camera that took 4 AA batteries and lost count of the number of times the batteries suddenly ran out and then found the spares had gone flat as well.
Yes, there are batteries that claim to hold their charge for a year - but I found that they were OK for tape recorders and such but no good for my camera as they couldn't supply the high current needed to write to the card.

Bugfan Loc: Toronto, Canada

I want to react to the comments regarding AAs.

I have flashes that use AA cells and I did have cameras too that used those batteries. The alkaline ones do tend to run down incredibly fast in photographic gear, that much is true. The lithium AAs do a lot better but also cost a lot more.

Nickel Metal Hydride batteries have a much better life but this depends on the capacity of the battery. If you get 2500 milliamp hour rechargeables you'll get a good life out of them though they do bleed charge if you just leave them lying around.

Then some years ago I came across the Eneloop AA batteries. These seem to have a higher life than the others and they do not bleed charge as quickly as other rechargeables. I've been using those for a number of years now though at the moment mostly in my flashes since the cameras all have their own batteries.

So if you're looking at a camera that takes AA batteries, consider those as your solution. One thing I also liked about AAs is that if my charge does run out I can always get another battery at any store. Try that with a rechargeable lithium ion battery, it can't be done.

Make your camera decisions on image quality and features and don't worry too much about what battery it uses.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

My wife has been using Eneloop for several tears and have no problems. She's able to take over 300 photos on one set.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Another vote for Eneloops. I also use rechargeable CR123As…. An extra set of eneloops is a small (weight) price to pay & should get you through any day.

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

If you are going to use any camera that uses AA batteries to power it, I suggest using Panasonic Eneloop batteries. They are rechargeable and hold a charge better that regular alkalines.

Tools Loc: Eastern Nebraska

Another :thumbup: for Eneloop here. Have worked well for me.
Can be found on-line, 4 pk w/compact charger at a reasonable price.

Don Fischer Loc: Antelope, Ore

I always change battery';s when the charge indicator on the camera read's it not full any more. These are the camera battery's that come with digital. I have a remote tracking collar for my dogs and the receiver use's AA battery's. Very short life span. When I'm using it more than a couple hours, I take along a couple spare set's of battery's. One thing it has taught me is to trash alkaline battery's and go with rechargeable. Four re-charged AA's add next to no weight at all. i wouldn't spend the money on reg AA battery's again.

marki3rd Loc: Columbus, Indiana

I use and really like Eneloop batteries. But I have fond some battery powered equipment that can not use them! Strangely, these batteries are a little bit fatter than non-rechargeable batteries and will not fit comfortably in some equipment, including some cameras. They are hard to push into some battery compartments and if you force them in, they are very very hard to get back out.

Has any other Eneloop (or other rechargeable battery) users experienced this?

mtbear

If your AA batteries go dead you can buy them anywhere including Lithiums. I use rechargeable NiMH, 2-3 sets of batteries and a charger weigh next to nothing but you may need adapters overseas.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I have used rechargeable AA batteries from both Energizer and Duracell, widely available, and I've never had trouble with any of them. Of course, they don't have as much life as proprietary batteries, but they don't cost nearly as much either.

Given a choice, I would much prefer a camera that ran off two AA batteries rather than a proprietary battery; in a pinch, you can go to almost any store under almost any circumstances and get new power (I have a small flashlight that runs off AA power for that reason).

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Of course, you'll need an adapter overseas for any type of rechargeable battery, proprietary or AA.

DavzRoses

Thank you all for easing my concern for AA batteries. Now I'll go back to shopping for a pocket point-n-shoot. Does anyone use a Nikon L610?

Earworms Loc: Sacramento, California

Yes, I too have experienced "tight" fitting rechargeable AA batteries. I located, started using some Ni-Zn (Nickel Zinc) rechargeable, which are very interesting batteries. They were slightly fatter than the usual AA alkaline and wouldn't always fit. Nickel Zinc fully charged are about 1.8 volts, which is really nice in some applications.

Earworms Loc: Sacramento, California

The original Eneloop are SANYO.