curiousgeorgie
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I'm an amateur photographer looking to buy a digital camera. If all other aspects are equal, is it better to have a camera with rechargeable or disposable batteries?
Which is better? Rechargeable or disposable batteries for digital camera?
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I don't quite know what you are asking in that you can buy rechargeable batteries for every camera that I know about so it shouldn't be a problem. If you mean a camera only with built in rechargeable batteries (i.e you can't change the batteries but can only recharge the camera) I wouldn't recommend it. If you are using a camera U/W you need to be sure before a dive the the batteries are going to last for the dive - this might not be possible if you have to recharge the camera - then it's better to have seperate sets of rechargeable batteries to swop into the camera as you need to.
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I have tried rechargeable batteries and regular batteries and I go with the rechargables. I have had them for a year (at times I use them a lot) and they are still going strong. I recharge them pretty much every day. When I take them off the charger I know I have a fresh set every time and can get pictures and view them from the four dives I do a day.
When I tried the regular kind:
In the Camera: lasted for 1 dive
In the strobe: Lasted 3 dives
When I tried the regular kind:
In the Camera: lasted for 1 dive
In the strobe: Lasted 3 dives
Digital cameras are hard on batteries so it gets expensive over the long run to use disposable batteries. My Oly 5050 uses a set about every other dive. You will most likely want a strobe and it will need batteries as well. My personal feeling is that not only must my camera have rechargable and replacable (meaning that they do not have to be recharged while inside the camera) but the batteries must be of a common type, AA or AAA for example. Custom batteries are expensive, sometimes hard to find and will be even harder to find in a few years. It makes camera selection a bit harder but I feel it's worth it.
If you are using AA batteries then rechargeable hands down. Go for 2300's. MY 2100's will last for 2+ dives with monitor on; each dive 60 minutes plus.
Go for recharchable. The disposal ones very often lay too long in the shop and - at least my Oly - even didn't want to start.
Mania
Mania
RonFrank
Contributor
I'm not sure if you are asking if you should make a camera with a built-in rechargable battery and recharger a priority in purchase, or if you are asking if you purchase a camera that takes AA's if you should then buy rechargable batteries?
For most consumer grade digitals, IMO stick to a camera with a standard battery if possible. Purchase NiMH rechargable batteries. Get a couple set's so you can have a fresh set ready to go.
For higher end camera's like most ANY DSLR, they are going to likely have a proprietary battery. My D1x does, the D70/D100/D2h (Nikon) do as well. There is no option with most DLSR's. Canon 1Ds/1DMarkII/1D/10D also use their own battery, not sure about the D300.
The batteries for the DSLR's are mostly great stuff. The D70 can get 1000+ shots in RAW mode on one charge based on LCD usage.
The consumer models that come with built in Propriatary batteries IMO should be a last choice. The batteries tend to be VERY expensive vs. a standard set of NiMH AA's or AAA's, and the batter life is generally no better than standard solutions. Also one may be forced to charge the battery in camera which makes the camera rather useless when one is charging the battery. If the charger goes bad, it's expensive to replace, and in fact may be a problem that results in the camera going into service for those camera's with built in charge systems. Some models charge using a base, which means one has to run around with a base to charge the dern thing.
IMO this is a major factor in digital camera purchase as a camera with dead batteries is useless, and forgetting a base, or the extra battery can really impact the ability to shoot at will.
With standard batteries, one can have a depleated set charging, and the camera remains in use with a fresh set. If the charger or battery goes south, just replace with the best thing available (or cheapest) at the time.
The new NiMH 2400 powerex cells are very good. Make sure you get a good charger as the battery charge, and life will be impacted by how well a charger charges and maintains the battery.
Hope this answers your question.
Ron
For most consumer grade digitals, IMO stick to a camera with a standard battery if possible. Purchase NiMH rechargable batteries. Get a couple set's so you can have a fresh set ready to go.
For higher end camera's like most ANY DSLR, they are going to likely have a proprietary battery. My D1x does, the D70/D100/D2h (Nikon) do as well. There is no option with most DLSR's. Canon 1Ds/1DMarkII/1D/10D also use their own battery, not sure about the D300.
The batteries for the DSLR's are mostly great stuff. The D70 can get 1000+ shots in RAW mode on one charge based on LCD usage.
The consumer models that come with built in Propriatary batteries IMO should be a last choice. The batteries tend to be VERY expensive vs. a standard set of NiMH AA's or AAA's, and the batter life is generally no better than standard solutions. Also one may be forced to charge the battery in camera which makes the camera rather useless when one is charging the battery. If the charger goes bad, it's expensive to replace, and in fact may be a problem that results in the camera going into service for those camera's with built in charge systems. Some models charge using a base, which means one has to run around with a base to charge the dern thing.
IMO this is a major factor in digital camera purchase as a camera with dead batteries is useless, and forgetting a base, or the extra battery can really impact the ability to shoot at will.
With standard batteries, one can have a depleated set charging, and the camera remains in use with a fresh set. If the charger or battery goes south, just replace with the best thing available (or cheapest) at the time.
The new NiMH 2400 powerex cells are very good. Make sure you get a good charger as the battery charge, and life will be impacted by how well a charger charges and maintains the battery.
Hope this answers your question.
Ron
curiousgeorgie:
DeepDog
Contributor
I"m gonna have to go with Captain Planet on this one. Rechargeable always.
Far_X
Contributor
Rechargeable hands down. It would have cost me a fortune otherwise and the sooner I find rechargeable C batteries I will be moving my lights over to them also. With rechargeable, you know that you have got fresh batteries when you start using them and even though they don't last as long as non rechargeable in one usage, you get more than one usage out of them. I have two rechargers filled with rechargeable batteries. If you are going to travel abroad, check the acceptable input voltage for your recharger as some foriegn systems could blow it!!
btw, the D300 does have its own specialised battery pack and I have a spare one of those on hand when I go out shooting pics.
Don't tell Captn Planet how much I am spending recharging these batteries - probably a big drain on some landfill!!
btw, the D300 does have its own specialised battery pack and I have a spare one of those on hand when I go out shooting pics.
Don't tell Captn Planet how much I am spending recharging these batteries - probably a big drain on some landfill!!
AmyJ
Contributor
recharge!! 
Here is a link with just tons of info....
http://www.imaging-resource.com/ACCS/BATTS/BATTS.HTM
I got ummm.... (SO ordered!)... something that was at the top of his list as well as the charger recommended and I have been amazed at the amount of time I get on these batteries! There is a link somewhere in there about the chargers that is worth looking at...... So... good luck!
Here is a link with just tons of info....
http://www.imaging-resource.com/ACCS/BATTS/BATTS.HTM
I got ummm.... (SO ordered!)... something that was at the top of his list as well as the charger recommended and I have been amazed at the amount of time I get on these batteries! There is a link somewhere in there about the chargers that is worth looking at...... So... good luck!
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