Camera Battery Buying Guide

There's nothing worse than running out of battery in the middle of shooting great photos or videos. Camera batteries work hard to power your camera, flash, and any other accessories you need so you want to make sure you have a good one. Making sure you buy good quality batteries can help power your camera for longer periods of time and help you avoid having to carry quite so many with you.

PURPOSE OF THE GUIDE

While cameras come with a battery right out of the box, these batteries die or get damaged so it's important to know how to choose the right replacement. This buying guide goes through the basics of camera batteries to help you choose your next replacement or spare.

WHAT IS A CAMERA BATTERY?

Cameras are designed to use a specific type of battery. When choosing a new battery, you need to make sure it is the correct type for your camera. Most cameras these days use rechargeable batteries like lithium-ion, but there are still some that use AA batteries or AAA batteries. Good quality digital and DSLR cameras generally use lithium batteries which provide long-lasting power. Since digital and DSLR cameras need more power, these batteries are perfect for them. Conversely, film cameras require less power consumption, and so have a much smaller battery unit. Taking proper care of your battery, no matter which type it is, will prolong its lifespan and let you get much more use out of it.

TYPES OF CAMERA BATTERIES

Most digital cameras provide a battery pack and charger as standard equipment, but users can also purchase extra battery packs to be on the safe side. Since the cameras are manufactured to use a specific type of battery, it is necessary to know the benefits and drawbacks of the different types of camera batteries. Check out the different types of camera batteries here to learn more about them.

RECHARGEABLE LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are mostly used in digital SLR cameras. These batteries are lighter and hold up to 40% more power. Since digital cameras require more power, users will find it perfect photography. As compared to other types of rechargeable batteries, lithium-ion batteries are more expensive, but for that price, you get a longer lifespan.

NICKEL-METAL HYDRIDE RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES

Nickel-metal hydride rechargeable batteries are not priced as high as the lithium-ion ones, so they are preferred the most by people on a budget. These batteries weigh more than most lithium-ion batteries and even standard battery packs. This extra weight can work against the quality of the pictures being taken especially when a long exposure time is needed. It can also increase camera shake, causing blurry images to be captured. These batteries discharge power faster and don't give as much battery power as lithium-ion batteries.

DISPOSABLE BATTERIES

Even though disposable batteries are priced at an affordable rate, it tends to become more expensive than any other type, as it drains faster. This battery is available in three basic types: lithium-ion, alkaline, and nickel-metal hydride. Alkaline batteries are not suitable for high consumption devices like digital cameras as they provide the least power. Lithium-ion batteries are the most powerful and enable photographers to get at least 40% more power than nickel-metal hydride.

The basic advantage this battery offers is that it doesn't have the overhead of charging, and so can be used by photographers in case of emergency. This is the reason that most photographers keep a set of these disposable batteries in their kit, which is perfect to serve as an emergency backup.

INCREASING LIFESPAN OF CAMERA BATTERIES

The battery of the camera needs to be taken care of just as you would take care of the camera. Even though carrying spare power supplies is preferable, there are certain other things that need to be considered to maximize the life of the battery. Basic tips to take care of the camera battery are given below.

STANDBY MODE

Photographers usually turn their cameras off whenever they are not using it. Instead, it would be better to keep it on standby or in sleep mode. It is a common notion that turning the camera on and off periodically helps in conserving power but actually, it wastes energy. The power needed to start the camera is far more than what is needed to keep it in idle mode. Photographers can easily conserve power by turning off all the components that are not needed and keeping the camera in standby or sleep mode.

LCD SCREEN

The LCD screen of the camera plays a large role in wasting battery power. You should reduce the brightness of the screen to conserve battery power. Another way would be to keep the LCD screen off and use the viewfinder, which is great to frame, compose and capture images to help conserve battery power.

REVIEWING SHOTS

When a photographer reviews already taken shots it tends to consume more battery power. It is preferable to avoid reviewing the shots after taking every photo as it takes up more power. Instead, it is better to review the captured images after the shoot is finished, as it will aid in saving battery life.

UTILITIES OF CAMERA BATTERIES

Lately, digital camera manufacturers have been designing cameras that only support one type of battery. This is because it would take excessive space to provide support for more than one battery type, making the camera more bulky than necessary. So, when choosing a particular battery, it is necessary to ensure that it is compatible with that camera. This will also ensure that the quality of the pictures is not hampered and that the battery does not drain earlier than it should.

TOP 5 MANUFACTURERS

Most camera manufacturers develop batteries based on their different camera models. Some of the leading manufacturers of camera batteries include Fuji and Canon, which are also world leaders in producing cameras. Check out the list given here that highlights the top five brands that manufacture high-quality camera batteries.

Fujifilm

Fujifilm is a well-known company that manufactures products in the imaging and photography sector. The huge range of products it provides includes color photographic films, digital cameras, photofinishing equipment, color paper, photofinishing chemicals, medical imaging equipment, graphics arts equipment, and much more.

Canon

Canon is a multinational company based in Japan that offers various products, such as cameras, camcorders, photocopiers, steppers, computer printers, camera batteries, and medical equipment. They use the latest technology in their products, ensuring that their customers get high-quality products. Canon provides users with a choice in camera batteries, depending on which camera they are using.

Delkin

Delkin is the largest manufacturer of memory cards in the United States. It provides innovative products to professionals in the photography industry. It also offers plenty of different accessories for products, such as digital SLR, point and shoot cameras, mobile phones, PCs, notebooks, music players, and gaming consoles.

Leica

Leica is one of the leading manufacturers of cameras, geo-survey equipment, and microscopes. It offers high-end cameras preferred by many photographers.

Olympus

Olympus is one of the top-most manufacturers of optics and photography products. They provide various products, including digital cameras, voice recorders, diagnostic systems, medical systems, film cameras, photo printers, microscopes, and imaging systems. Olympus is a world leader in cameras and is also known for the high-end camera batteries it manufactures.