How can you maximize the life of your digital camera's battery?  

I have this problem and we had to buy another battery so we don't run out. When I want to take pictures I usually charge both batteries.

Thanks to all these great tips Ronimas I will be able to make my batteries last even longer.

Also in regards to the actual charging of the battery, make sure you run your battery down till it dies before you recharge, it will prolong its life. What kind of camera do you have? That seems really odd that your battery would give out after 30 frames.

I would add some tips to the good ones you posted:

1. Avoid moving the zoom more than strictly necesary: think before on what kind of plan you want (first pla, middle pla, freat plan...) and the move the zoom just once to that point, don't be trying approaching and going back again many times, the motorized zoom is one of the most battery consumming and I never recommend to use the digital zoom since you just loose quality, but anyways it also consums a lot.

2. Avoid the automatic tracking as far as you can: try to input manually the white balance (think if you are using interior light or sun light and input that option in your menu) and if you have some fotographic knowaledge and a semi-professional or professional camera try also to manually input the obturaion and iris values. Any automatic settings makes the camera consumming more recourses.

3. Turn off any additional gadget of your cammera, like sounds, recording lights...

There are also some unprofessional tricks that sometimes work, but it is just a chance thing: taking the batteries out of the camera for a while, or putting them in the refrigerator. But use this lasts at your own risk :P.

Those are great tips, and they're easy to use. I do try to think about images I want before turning on the camera, but I will try the others too. There's nothing worse than being in a situation where there are many pictures you want to take, but your battery runs out.

Thanks.

Thanks for sharing your tips! It seems like I'm always going through so many batteries with my camera. I think I'm guilty of turning on the camera, taking a shot, then turning it off, over and over like you mentioned. I guess I should start planning ahead more with my pictures!