The first thing a new digicam owner quickly realizes is that those AA alkaline batteries included with their camera are next to worthless. I've gotten many emails from folks who wondered if their cameras were defective because they only got 20 or so shots before the batteries crapped out.
Today's digital cameras are extremely high-drain devices. The batteries must power a color LCD, a motorized zoom lens, an autofocus system, the multi-megapixel imager and the associated processing hardware.
The answer is simple ... use high power NiMH rechargeable batteries.
Over the last couple of years we've seen higher capacity NiMH batteries hit the market, especially in the popular AA size which is what most of the digicams use. The first cells were only 800-900mAh capacity but now we have a wide choice of cells ranging from 1500 to 2700mAh. As expected, the higher the capacity - the longer the run time.
Got some old rechargeable batteries? Instead of tossing them in the garbage, go to this web page and find out where to recycle them in your area!
Jump to
NiMH Chargers
Jump to
CR-V3 Li-ion Rechargeables
NiMH Rechargeable Batteries
(Actual prices may be lower than shown below)
2700mAh now that's what I call power!
If you're still using two year old (or older) NiMH batteries - throw them away and replace them with a new set of 2400mAh or 2500mAh cells - you won't believe the difference in power and stamina with the newer technology cells!
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Accupower 2900mAh AA batteries $6.57 per 2 pack
Accupower 2300mAh AA batteries $7.97 per 4 pack
Accupower 2100mAh AA batteries $2.99 per 2 pack
Ansmann Batteries
2700mAh AA batteries $12.97 per 4
2600mAh AA batteries $11.97 per 4
2500mAh AA batteries $8.97 per 4
2300mAh AA batteries $7.97 per 4
2200mAh AA batteries $6.97 per 4
900mAh AAA batteries $3.97 per 2
250mAh 9V batteries $12.90 ea.
CTA 2400mAh AA high-capacity batteries $7.97 per 4
Delkin 2500mAh AA high-capacity batteries $16.97 per 8 w/8-cell tote case
Delkin 2500mAh AA high-capacity batteries $7.97 per 4
Delkin 2300mAh AA high-capacity batteries $6.97 per 4
Energizer NiMH 2500mAh AA $8.97 per 4-pack w/battery holder
Energizer NiMH 2500mAh AA $17.77 per 8-pack w/ 2 battery holders
Energizer NiMH 2100mAh AA $6.97 per 4-pack w/battery holder
iPowerUS 2500mAh AA NiMH $7.97 for 4-pack w/battery holder
iPowerUS 2300mAh AA NiMH $6.97 for 4-pack w/battery holder
Kodak MAX 2500mAh NiMH AA $8.97 for a four pack
Kodak PhotoLife 2300mAh NiMH AA $7.97 for a four pack
Kodak PhotoLife 2100mAh NiMH AA $6.97 for a four pack
Lenmar Pro 2500mAh NiMH AA 7.97 per 4 + battery holder
Lenmar Pro 2000mAh NiMH AA 4.97 per 4 + battery holder
Maha/Powerex are priced at:
AA 2500mAh $8.97 per 4 or $17.97/8 or $35.97/16
AA 2300mAh $7.97 per 4
AA 2000mAh $5.97 per 4
and include this carrying case.
Nexcell NiMH AA 2200mAh priced at $5.97 for 4 cells
Nexcell NiMH AA 2100mAh priced at $5.97 for 4 cells
Sanyo NiMH AA 2700mAh priced at $11.97 for 4 cells
Sanyo NiMH AA 2500mAh priced at $8.97 for 4 cells
(Note: These are industrial grade AA cells with the Sanyo label, highest capacity available and feature the lowest self-discharge rate of any NiMH cell.)
Sanyo NiMH AAA 900mAh priced at $8.97 for 4 green-label cells
Sony 2300mAh AA NiMH $3.97 for 2-pack
See the Sony LCD Charger and battery kit below.
Ultralast NiMH AA 2600mAh priced at $8.97 for 4 cells
Want to know technically how these batteries rate?
Check out the very thorough and scientific
Great Battery Shootout
review from our friends at Imaging-Resource.
NiMH/ NiCd Chargers
Chargers for AA or AAA size cells
The LaCrosse BC-900 Advanced Charger Charges one, two, three or four AA or AAA size NiMH or older NiCd type cells. Individual LCD data displays for each of the cells being charged. Comes bundled with four 2000mAh AA and four 700mAh NiMH cells, deluxe padded carrying case, 4 C- and D-size cell adapters.
You can visually see each cell's charging current (settable from 200 to 1800mAh), voltage, charging time, accumulated capacity and discharge current. You can have four different rates of charging current going at the same time if desired. Refresh older batteries with an automatic charge/discharge up to 20 cycles or until battery is refreshed to full capacity. Test mode will help identify "bad" cells. Uses both voltage and temperature to protect against over-charging and goes into safe trickle mode to maintain full power after charging cycle is completed.
Click here to see a diagram of LCD displays and modes
$43.97 with four AA and four AAA NiMH batteries.
(includes carrying case, 4 C-cell and 4 D-cell adapters)
The Advanced MH-C801D Deluxe Professional Charger - World Travel Conditioning Battery Charger and Recovery System. Features 8 Independent Charging Circuits - Charges any combination of 1 to 8 batteries. Mix and charge AA/ AAA rechargeable batteries all at the same time. Normal Charge time of about 1 hr regardless of the number of AA or AAA batteries. Soft charge mode recharges in about 2hrs regardless of the number of AA or AAA batteries. LCD Display - shows charging and conditioning status of each battery independently. English Display showing “CONDITION”, “CHARGE”, and “DONE”. Built-In Deep Battery Conditioning System - Cycle charges, discharges, and then recharges batteries without requiring several repeat cycles. Restores batteries to their optimal performance level. Reduces any memory effect. Selectable Soft and Rapid Charge Modes - Soft charge option for highest battery life, or choose the Rapid charge option for the shortest charge time. Recharges your batteries correctly each and every time. No over charge, no under charge. Just the right charge each and every time. Heavy Duty International AC Adapter - Universal auto-ranging switching adapter assures Worldwide voltage compatibility.
The Maha C-801D Charger sells for $69.97 plus free travel case and battery tester.
The Maha Advanced MH-C808M Deluxe Ultimate Professional Maha Battery Charger Eight Independent Charging Circuits - Charges any combination of 1 to 8 rechargeable batteries. Mix and charge AA/ AAA/ C/ or D rechargeable batteries all at the same time. Normal Charge time of about 1 hr regardless of the number of AA/ AAA or 2 to 5 hrs for C and D rechargeable batteries with the Maha MH-C808M charger. Soft charge mode recharges in about 2hrs regardless of the number of AA or AAA batteries. LCD Display shows charging and conditioning status of each rechargeable battery independently. English Display showing “CONDITION”, “CHARGE”, and “DONE”. Cycle charges, discharges, and then recharges rechargeable batteries without requiring several repeat cycles. Restores rechargeable batteries to their optimal performance level. Reduces any memory effect. Soft charge option for highest battery life, or choose the Rapid charge option for the shortest charge time. Recharges your batteries correctly each and every time. No over charge, no under charge. Just the right charge each and every time. Heavy Duty International AC Adapter, universal auto-ranging switching adapter assures Worldwide voltage compatibility. Integrated Safety Protection Device - Battery Polarity Reversal Protection - Alkaline battery Protection - Short circuited Battery Protection
The Maha C-808M Charger sells for $89.97 plus a free travel bag and battery tester.
The Sony BCG-34HRMD Super Quick Charger for 2 or 4 AA or AAA NiMH cells. As you can see, it has an LCD display on the front to show the state of the charge of each of the cells being charged. It's bundled with four Sony 2300mAh NiMH AA cells and will recharge two/four cells in 135/270 minutes. It can charge two/four 800mAh AAA size cells in 70/140 minutes. The refresh cycle takes 4.5 hours for 1-4 2300mAh AA cells. This charger uses voltage monitoring with a safety timer and temperature monitoring function. It runs worldwide on 100 - 240V AC with a builtin power supply and an interchangeable AC cord.
The charger is $34.97 with four Sony 2300mAh and four Maha 2000mAh NiMH batteries.
(Comes with U.S. 2-prong power cord, other cords optional)
The Maha PowerEx MH-C204W One Hour Worldwide charger can be used internationally without the need of a power brick. An integrated 100-240V 50/60Hz worldwide switching adapter is built into the charger and comes with an interchangeable AC cord. The MH-C204W has an integrated battery conditioner to rescue old and degraded NiMH batteries by applying high current pulses. The MH-C204W can reach a 98% charge level in the batteries when the lights turn green, without the risk of undercharging or overcharging! It has four unique charging phases: startup charge, rapid charge, top-off charge and maintenance charge. The startup charge delivers a smooth ramp-up of current when the batteries are inserted. The top-off charge is applied for two hours after the completion of the charge to ensure that batteries are topped off to their maximum capacity. The low rate pulse maintenance charge ensures that batteries are not overcharged when left in the charger for extended periods of time and are always ready to use. Finally, the microprocessor driven negative Delta V, Zero Delta V and the temperature termination system ensure complete charging.
The charger is $29.97 plus free travel case and battery tester.
(Comes with a U.S. two-prong power cord, other cords/adapters optional)
The 1.5 hour
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