Digital Camera: Battery Eater (Page 3): John you are correct. Lithium ion batteries have a very low internal impedance compared to many other battery types. That means a very low...

aphelps Loc: Central Ohio

John_F wrote:

So far as I have been able to discover, all modern digital cameras use Lithium-ion batteries. All batteries of whatever design all have their own unique internal impediance which, in part, determines current flow. The camera electronics has its own internal impediance which sets a current requirement based on design voltage. Maybe an electronic engineer reader here might explain how these relate.

John you are correct. Lithium ion batteries have a very low internal impedance compared to many other battery types. That means a very low voltage drop at the terminals when the camera is on. The camera's internal impedance is much higher and subject to change during the photo taking and image processing in the camera's electronics. This means the current draw on the battery will vary with the camera functions in use. That is one reason that lithium ion batteries are attractive. Another is their high energy storage capacity (energy density) necessary to run power- hungry digital cameras. Hope this helps.

Quinn 4

Are not all lithium battery dangers to use? overheating, cause fire, and ect. ?

Bill_de Loc: US

Quinn 4 wrote:

Are not all lithium battery dangers to use? overheating, cause fire, and ect. ?

There is a risk. However it is very small. There are millions, more likely billions, in use all over the world in computers, cameras, watches, cell phones, etc..

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aphelps Loc: Central Ohio

Quinn 4 wrote:

Are not all lithium battery dangers to use? overheating, cause fire, and ect. ?

No, only the cheap one without protective circuits for over/under charging and improperly high charge rates. If proper charging and usage rules are followed the risks are extremely low. Name brand batteries and specific chargers are rarely, if ever, a problem. I haven't heard of any camera batteries catching fire. However, ANY lithium cell will burn if heated excessively. Short circuiting the terminals, puncturing the cell, external fires will cause lithium ion cells to burn. The reported fires in electric vehicles have been traced to crashes (puncturing), excessive current draw (electrical load malfunction) and other external causes.

The early hoverboard fires were the result of cheap batteries, excessive discharge protection and overcurrent charging with no peak shutoff.

Today, lithium cells usually have protective circuits in the cell or in the charger to properly control charge/discharge cycles. Chargers must be for the intended battery ONLY. Universal chargers should not be used unless you are starting a bonfire!

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

Bipod wrote:

Each type of battery produes a different open-circuit voltage. NiMH are slightly lower voltage than
rechargable lithium, so check to make sure the camera says it can use them.

Your use of the word 'slightly' is a bit suspect. NiMH batteries have 1.2 volts, rechargeable lithium are 3.6 volts. I would've used terms like 1/3rd or substantial etc rather than slightly. There are no devices that I am aware of that allow replacement of one for the other (other than certain torches which will allow the use of AA or 14450 batteries).
It is a pity that cameras use lithium ion batteries (3.6 volts) instead of the safer lithium phosphate chemistry (3.2 volts). The phosphate chemistry allows a higher number of recharges, are safer in the way they operate and can allow a higher current drain.

sloscheider Loc: Minnesota

The very first digital camera I bought was an elcheapo HP brand that yielded about 15 shots from 4 AA batteries!!! What a joke. Then I got a Canon A10 and it got around 250 shots to a set of 4 AA batteries. I later had a Canon S3is and it got around 350 shots to a set of 4 AA batteries, that camera was produced around 10 years ago. The A10 was maybe 15 years ago. I don't think either of those ate batteries too fast.

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

4 x AA is 6v. 4 x rechargeable NiMH is 4.8v. Hence is was very marginal as to whether you used alkaline cells or rechargeable NiMH (or NiCd). Alkaline cells can provide an amazing amount of current often a lot more than the rechargeables. And have an extremely good shelf life. But rechargeables had the other feature of multiple use so a bit of a lottery which was the most useful. I still use alkalines in my flashes as they last longer and give a more consistent light output.
Lithium ion batteries in cameras use 2 cells to produce 7.2v. Voltage is king followed by available current. (See the movements in cordless power tools going from 6v up to monsters using 54v).
So it didn't take much to decide to move from AAs to Lithium ion as the lithium batteries also hold more charge per weight.

DBQ49er Loc: Dubuque, IA

sloscheider wrote:

The very first digital camera I bought was an elcheapo HP brand that yielded about 15 shots from 4 AA batteries!!! What a joke. Then I got a Canon A10 and it got around 250 shots to a set of 4 AA batteries. I later had a Canon S3is and it got around 350 shots to a set of 4 AA batteries, that camera was produced around 10 years ago. The A10 was maybe 15 years ago. I don't think either of those ate batteries too fast.

I first used a Sony Mavica camera that stored pics on a 1.4 meg plastic floppys, it only stored 8 pics. It had an LCD screen. My D5300 has liveview, GPS and WIFI. I use the viewfinder and shut off the GPS and WIFI. I get weeks and months on my battery because I am a hobby user. I use envelopes in my flash and they store energy well. How you use your camera dictates how long your batteries will last. Good luck on your educational journey.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

BuckeyeBilly wrote:

I'm sorry but I cannot let this go without saying something. You need to re-read your post(s) and make corrections before hitting the "send" button. Your English usage and spelling is horrible.
Regarding the battery issue, do you have a manual for the camera? If not, try to find one because the manufacturers will oftentimes explain how you can extend the battery life.

Bill_de Loc: US

chrissybabe wrote:

4 x AA is 6v. 4 x rechargeable NiMH is 4.8v. Hence... (show quote)

For the battery grips Nikon says AA Alkaline should be used as a last resort due to limited capacity.

In the SB-5000 flash manual it provides this information:

1.5v AA Alkaline / minimum recycle time 2.6s / number of flashes 150 w-2.6 to 30s recycle

1.2v AA Ni-MH rechargeable / minimum recycle time 1.8s / number of flashes 190 w 1.8 to 30s recycle

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Bill P

I suspect that those who have short battery life experiences suffer from too much chimping and too little time shooting.

TomV Loc: Annapolis, Maryland

chrissybabe wrote:

Your use of the word 'slightly' is a bit suspect. ... (show quote)

1.2 volts is the open circuit voltage of a single NiMHcell. A NiMH battery pack in this case would be comprised of 3 cells, thus 3.6 volts.
3.7 volts is the open circuit voltage of a typical Lithium-ion single cell.
This is what poster was comparing.

johnblenko Loc: Pittsburgh

cameraf4 wrote:

Call me Mr. Cautious but I only use Original Manufacturer Batteries in my $3000.00 cameras. However, I have noticed that the EN-EL15 battery I have left from my old Nikon D800 works but does not last as long in my D850 as do the EN-EL15a batteries.

Yes, the EN-EL15a battery is touted as “a longer life EN-EL15.” Subjectively it seems to me that it does last longer, but I can’t give you a figure.

johnblenko Loc: Pittsburgh

cameraf4 wrote:

Call me Mr. Cautious but I only use Original Manufacturer Batteries in my $3000.00 cameras. However, I have noticed that the EN-EL15 battery I have left from my old Nikon D800 works but does not last as long in my D850 as do the EN-EL15a batteries.

The 15a is touted as having a longer live than the 15. I think this is true but cannot give you a percentage.

Bill_de Loc: US

johnblenko wrote:

Yes, the EN-EL15a battery is touted as “a longer life EN-EL15.” Subjectively it seems to me that it does last longer, but I can’t give you a figure.

Could it be that it is because all the 'a' batteries are newer. I don't know if it is true, but there was talk on a woodworking forum that said Lithium batteries begin a slow death the day they are manufactured, more so than other types.

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