The Best Types of Batteries for Digital Cameras

Consumer Reports puts it best in Best Bets in AA Batteries when they say "No one wants a camera to conk out at a holiday gathering" or other important memory-making event. The most common type of batteries used in a digital camera are size AA. Below are a few tips to keep in mind when shopping. It is all about getting the most bang-for-your-buck, or in this case pictures-for-your-pennies, by choosing the right brand or looking for the right features.

Lithium is Better
According to the study Lithium batteries preformed better than all of the rest of the batteries. They last longer and took more pictures than the rest of the batteries that are touted as "long-lasting."

Rechargeables are Best
Though Lithium did preform better than rechargeables, for one use, it is still a better investment to buy ones that you can reuse. It is not only the best for the environment, but the best for your pocket book as well as they will out preform any other type in the long run. All it takes is the small inconvenience of having to recharge them in-between uses. The simple solution to that is to buy a few and always have extra ones, that are pre-charged, on hand.

Don't Dismiss Store Brands
If you are just looking for a cheap disposal alternative, do not dismiss lesser known store brand batteries for a digital camera. One of the surprising things about the consumer reports test that is mentioned above is that "The Panasonic Evolta took 237 shots, more than any other alkaline. Almost as good and far less expensive is the Kirkland Signature, sold at Costco and only in a 48-pack"

Additional Tips for Making the Batteries Last Longer in Your Digital Camera

Turn it off in between taking pictures.

Do not scroll through all of your pictures right after you take them. In other words, take a bunch of pictures, even of the same shot, instead of taking one and then looking at it, erasing or saving it and taking another one. This sucks down the battery power. Wait to look through all of them until you are done for the day or you risk running out of power.