Buy a new dig camera instead of replacing the battery?
By besweet
@besweet (9862)
Ireland
September 21, 2012 10:52am CST
I have an old digital camera with 7.1 Mpixel and a li-ion battery. I use it all the time and it's my favourite digital camera! I take it to all my trips, when I go out with my friends or when I travel abroad!
It has been used and recharged a lot of times so I was searching for a new battery to replace the old one that doesn't last long enough any more.
The problem is that, I found out that a new original battery costs more than the camera itself! I will have to pay around 50 euros for a new rechargeable battery, and I can find a new camera with 14 Mpixels quality for 80 euros. How can it be possible?
So now I can't decide what should I do! I like my old camera and it reminds me of all the nice memories and trips, but I don't know if it's better to buy a new one with higher quality, warranty and all the latest technology!
7 responses
@Mickie30 (2626)
•
21 Sep 12
I would hold on to your favourite digital camera, if you take it with you to all of your trips, then you will probably never be happy with another one. You have obviously got attached to the camera. A new battery to replace the old one is probably your best bet. Even though the new original battery costs more, you may never use that new camera because you are always thinking of the old one.
@besweet (9862)
• Ireland
21 Sep 12
No, I just checked with my local store and they said that I should search online to see what's best to do! They are the ones that proposed that I might spend a bit more and buy a new one, I didn't have that in mind at all. I'll check ebay for sure but I don't know any price comparison sites about digital cameras and accessories! Do you have anything in mind to propose?
Thanks in advance! 
@besweet (9862)
• Ireland
21 Sep 12
I am not sure if I am ready to get a new one yet! If there was a problem with the lens or it just stopped working it would be different, but now it's just the battery performance! I am very satisfied with my old camera in all other aspects. I like the colours and I've learned how to use it for every moment, it would take time to adjust with a new model! I am one of the people that want to keep the things that satisfies them and I won't change for new ones if I am not ready!!
@mikyung (2232)
• Philippines
21 Sep 12
I think, it really good to have a new one. You only need to reconsider a lot of factors. But if you have enough budget to have a new one, go for it. For me, I just purchased a new one, becasue a battery will be like, just almost 50 percent in addition if you buy a brand new one. That's why I saved and have a new one. Good luck on your decision. Thanks1 person likes this
@besweet (9862)
• Ireland
21 Sep 12
I haven't planned the expenses of a new camera in my budget plan and it will definitely be an extra buy that I'll have to add so I am not planning to spend a lot on whatever I decide! So even if I buy a new one it has to be a good combination of price and quality because I'll go with the cheapest solution. I don't know if I am ready to buy a new camera, I am pretty satisfied with the old model, but I might check for the advanced models of the one that I have. Even if I look for a new one, I'd like it to be similar in the functions and options.
@youless (112123)
• Guangzhou, China
21 Sep 12
80 euros for a digital camera is very cheap. So I doubt whether this digital camera is good enough. Have a bigger pixels doesn't mean it will be a good digital camera. I always prefer to have a DSLR. Although it is heavy and big, but it takes great and professional photos. I think your old digital camera may be a good one. So I may just buy the battery instead.
@besweet (9862)
• Ireland
21 Sep 12
The one that I already have is good and I am really satisfied so far! The new one that I was looking is Sony but I don't really know how to check the specifications except from the Mpixels and the optical zoom!
I always wanted a camera like yours but they are expensive for me and I have no experience in professional photography. I would like to take some classes sometime and the buy a professional camera, it would be exciting!
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
21 Sep 12
Wow, that really is a lot to replace the battery that you already had in your camera. However, I actually think that a part of the reason that replacement parts are for older cameras and electronics is actually because of the fact that when technology advances, they tend to quit mass producing the parts for the older electronics. I had a camera that quit working and it was just a point and shoot camera. It was a 3.1 mp camera and was several years old. I found a very nice Nikon point and shoot on clearance for under 100 dollars and replaced my old point and shoot with that.
When you get your new camera, go ahead and buy an extra battery for it now instead of waiting until the original battery is dying. It will cost you more up front but will save you money in the long run.
1 person likes this
@besweet (9862)
• Ireland
21 Sep 12
Yes that's true with all electronic devices! But I really can't accept that I'll have to pay more than half the price of a new camera just to buy the battery!
Thank you for your great advice, I haven't decided yet, I will search online for cheaper solutions. But if I finally buy a new model I will ask for an extra battery and see how much it costs!
@KOSTAS499 (1624)
• Greece
21 Sep 12
I was a salesman in Public stores for 5 years. I'll tell you what you can do.
First of all, battery importers in Greece are crazy. They make too much profit out of batteries. You can find an original battery on Ebay, from China or Japan.
That is if you are still satisfied with the quality and it works perfectly. I would also suggest you to send it to the importer for a check up/service. It will cost but they will clean the camera.
You have an old and low quality camera. That is the only reason to change it.
New cameras with low prices are of low picture quality. Low quality chips and lenses.
If you want a new one, I would advise you to spend 150 euros or more.
I bought mine (14mp Panasonic) 3 years ago for 200 euros and it is still great.
You can send me a private message for more info :)
1 person likes this
@besweet (9862)
• Ireland
21 Sep 12
I can see that you have experience on digital cameras! I bought mine from dubai and it has been really good for my needs, the quality is satisfying for me so far but I see higher and higher qualities coming out all the time and I don't really know what's the ideal and can work well for me without spending a lot! Will 14 Mpixels have a big difference in picture quality comparing to 7? I just use it for my personal pics from trips etc and I don't know if that difference is actually visible on the screen. Plus, I don't want to spend a lot on a digital camera right now.
My problem is that I can't understand when the camera has a low quality lens as you said, they all look the same to me!
They say that you get what you pay for, but sometimes we also pay the brand and I don't have the expert knowledge on cameras to decide if it's worth the money!
About the battery, do you suggest to check for compatible batteries or the original ones? The original battery is also made in China! haha :)
I will try ebay or amazon, thanks for the advice! I am interested in your opinion on this, if I finally decide to get a new camera I'll send you a pm!
@BigMoney25 (1286)
• Philippines
22 Sep 12
If you want to be wise with your money you should consider just buying a battery replacement. If you want to upgrade then you may do so just sell your old camera and if you really want to be able to save some serious bucks wait for the camera model that you want to buy as a replacement to your old one to drop its price, maybe wait for 3 to 4 months and you'll be able to see its price drop considerably.
@purplemandy (54)
•
21 Sep 12
Look into the different cameras you can get, and their specifications. If you find one that is not much more than a new battery, consider getting it. There may even be a newer version of the one you have now, so it wouldn't be totally different to what you like. However, if you really don't want any other camera, get a new battery.
1 person likes this
