Which non-original battery to choose for a Canon, Nikon camera. Camera batteries: review, description and types, characteristics, selection tips Which are the best rechargeable batteries to buy a camera
Denisova Ksenia Sergeevna 1367
Choosing a suitable battery and charger for a camera is a responsible and troublesome task. In order to capture the best moments of life - the smile of a baby at a matinee, the jump of dolphins during a boat trip or the wedding kiss of the newlyweds - it is important to choose reliable batteries for your camera model.
All cameras, based on the type of batteries used, are divided into two categories: with an individual battery and those powered by standard “finger” or “little finger” batteries.
In the first case, you do not need to purchase any additional batteries - everything is included in the package. However, if this battery is lost, malfunctioned or discharged, you will have to look for the same model in specialized stores. Agree, this can be extremely difficult, given that at this moment you can be anywhere: in the mountains, in the forest, in the open sea or in another place remote from civilization.
All these problems can be avoided by using cameras with classic AA or AAA batteries (HR6 or HR3). These batteries are widely used in everyday life, used in many household appliances (home radiotelephones, watches, children's toys) and are sold at almost any retail outlet. You can take any number of sets with you and, if necessary, replace dead batteries. Let us dwell in more detail on the choice of these power sources.
Rechargeable batteries of 2 types are widespread: nickel-metal hydride (NiMH, Nickel-Metal Hydride) and lithium-ion (Li-Ion, Lithium Ion). The former are environmentally friendly, have a higher specific capacity than NiCd, but have a fairly strong spontaneous discharge. The latter have almost completely no “memory effect”, but their price is 2-3 times higher than the cost of NiCd and NiMH batteries.
The main parameter that you need to pay attention to when choosing a battery is its capacity. A high-capacity battery (from 2500 to 2700 mAh) has a longer charging cycle, but also drains much more slowly. Such batteries will ensure long-term operation of your camera without recharging. To ensure the correct operation of your camera, you must read the operating instructions - it must indicate the parameters of the power sources.
The next thing you should pay attention to is the dimensions of the power supplies. Batteries from some manufacturers do not meet standards and may not fit your camera in terms of body dimensions.
It is also necessary to take into account the frequency of use of batteries. If you do not plan to use your camera several times a week, you should take a closer look at models with a reduced self-discharge current (Varta ready2use, GP ReCyko+). Such models are able to lie for a long time without use, practically without losing their capacity.
The most common brands of batteries are: Ansmann, Duracell, Energizer, GP, Philips, Sanyo, Varta. Each brand has its own advantages and disadvantages. Prices for a package of 4 batteries vary on average from 300 to 800 rubles.
Batteries should be protected from shocks and falls, and not exposed to direct sunlight, then they will last a long time, and your camera will give you thousands of unforgettable photographs.
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Every amateur photographer, at the wrong time, often in the midst of an exciting shoot, is faced with the problem of dead batteries. How many worthwhile shots are lost forever and how many times creative inspiration has suffered? It is necessary to put an end to this once and for all and thoroughly understand which batteries are best suited for the camera. Buy what you need and indulge in your favorite activity with pleasure, no longer experiencing problems from poor-quality power supplies. An undeniable advantage of using AA and AAA batteries in cameras as a power supply is the availability and relative cheapness of the products. It is very convenient to purchase and have the required number of batteries in stock, replacing the ones that run out right during shooting. The negative point is the small capacity of the battery and the abundance of low-quality products that run out after several dozen captured frames. Main types of batteries: The Russian market is saturated with batteries from well-known manufacturers, offering consumers a large selection. The best option for use in a camera is to use alkaline batteries marked Alkaline. In the operating instructions, manufacturers of well-known brands of cameras Canon, Nikon, Samsung, Olympus, Fujifilm, Sony clearly state the required parameters and the type of batteries used. When purchasing new batteries for your camera, you must strictly follow these instructions. A modern camera consumes quite a lot of energy. The use of even the best batteries does not guarantee uninterrupted operation of the camera. After shooting several hundred frames, you have to buy a new set, spending more money on them. The endless process can be interrupted by purchasing a high-quality, rechargeable set of batteries once. They can be recharged and used several hundred times. Manufacturers also support their use, recommending in their operating manuals that batteries be used as an energy source, using alkaline batteries in rare and exceptional cases. Today a large number of these products are produced, and you need to know some of the nuances so as not to make a mistake and choose a win-win option for a digital camera. Basic criteria for choosing batteries: To charge batteries, you also need to purchase a high-quality charger. Many manufacturers, simplifying the choice for consumers, offer kits that include AA batteries along with chargers. More powerful and capacious adapters are also on sale. There are several types of rechargeable AA batteries, differing in the chemical composition of the working fluid, cathode and anode material. Nickel-cadmium and lithium-ion are well-proven power sources, they are rarely used as AA batteries and are expensive. The main niche of the market, coping with its task perfectly, is occupied by nickel-metal hydride power supplies. Nickel-metal hydride (NiMh) batteries, which have a high specific energy, have long and firmly taken their place in newfangled gadgets. The ability to recharge power supplies is emphasized by the Rechargeable inscription on the product body. The battery capacity is also indicated there, measured in milliampere-hours (mAh). There is no need to try to take power supplies with the highest capacity. As practice shows, such products have an increased tendency to self-discharge. How to choose the right energy source for a specific brand?
Rivalry between batteries and rechargeable AA batteries
Which rechargeable batteries are best for a camera?
The best choice of rechargeable power source is to purchase low self-discharge nickel metal hydride (NiMh) batteries. Such products are marked with the inscription LD-NiMh. They are the ones you should choose for long and reliable operation of the camera.
It’s already 2017, but the profession of a photographer is still very relevant and profitable to this day. But what should any photographer be able to do? Just take pictures? Not at all. You need to understand and love technology, knowing a special approach to it. Every photographer has had to deal with the choice of batteries for photo and video cameras. And if such a person is a novice photographer, then he should have been asked an important question: which rechargeable batteries are best for the camera? It will be sad if an important photo shoot is unexpectedly interrupted due to low-quality batteries. This can alienate clients and tarnish the reputation of a specialist. So which batteries are best for your camera? This article will help you figure this out.
Battery types
The choice of batteries is quite diverse, there are batteries of NiMh, Li and Zn types, but since we choose only the best, we will only talk about the first.
NiMH batteries
To begin with, you need to know that energy sources of this type can also be classified:
- Ordinary NiMh. Such batteries consume charge even when the device in which they are located is at rest. Only on the first day 23-24% of the charge is consumed, and on each subsequent day - 1%.
- LD-NiMh - “low self-discharge” batteries. They can easily sit for a year while retaining 85% charge.
Are LD batteries suitable for you?
The most budget-friendly and environmentally friendly LD batteries are the familiar NiMh ones. It’s enough just to remember to charge them. But using LD-NiMh may raise a couple of questions.
The bottom line is that conventional batteries have a large capacity, approximately equal to 2700 mAh, while LD-NiMh batteries have a capacity of 2100 mAh. It may seem obvious to you that using batteries with a lower capacity is not profitable, but practice shows the opposite.
It is better to acquire a large number of charged sets using such batteries. If your memory allows you to remember about timely charging, then you should buy LD-NiMh.
Eneloop XX
This product has occupied a niche in the market since 2005 and is considered legendary. Which rechargeable batteries are best for a camera? Let's figure it out further.
Sanyo AA batteries can easily retain their charge for up to 5 years. The operation of such batteries implies 1800 cycles of complete discharge and charging.
Today, these batteries are considered the best.
Important! The problem is that they are not so easy to find. But other companies are also actively engaged in improving LD-LiMh batteries.
Panasonic batteries
There is another good option that is quite easy to find on the market. These are Panasonic batteries. They are famous for 1600 charge and discharge cycles. It is also no secret that Panasonic bought the Sanyo brand, so soon the consumer will no longer feel the difference between them.
Special attention should be paid to alkaline batteries.
Alkaline batteries or Alcaine
This is one of the most used types of batteries in everyday life. You can find them in absolutely any store, which makes them very popular. What does this have to do with? Yes, with the fact that they do not need to be charged. But this “disposability” causes a number of disadvantages.
A fairly weak current will not allow them to be used for modern cameras, so they become relevant only for watches, control panels, alarm clocks and similar devices.
Important! To eliminate all questions about this type of battery, it is worth noting that Alcaine is translated as “alkaline”. Yes, now it is not difficult to conclude that alkaline batteries, in the near future, will no longer be used in cameras at all. Do we need such batteries? No and no again.
Still haven't made a choice? Read on!
Which AA batteries are best for long-term use?
You can answer this question yourself if you familiarize yourself with the selection criteria. So, how to choose the best batteries for your camera?
High current efficiency
Batteries with high current output can give up their entire capacity to power the camera without reaching the lower voltage values. Every digital camera is equipped with a power controller that regulates the voltage on the batteries. It is he who gives the signal that the battery is low.
The controller independently determines the current level of battery discharge based on the potential difference across the element itself.
Important! In simple terms, it measures the voltage and, if it suddenly reaches the lower voltage limit (the intended nominal voltage), it immediately sends a signal that the battery needs to be replaced.
High current output helps the battery provide absolutely all of its capacity to power the device, without reaching lower voltage values. For example, if the battery has a capacity of 2500 mAh, all of this 2500 mAh will be used to power the device.
Low current output
Low current output entails a situation in which the camera cannot “get” the remaining energy from the battery and is forced to report that an urgent replacement is necessary.
Important! Don't believe me? Take out a battery with low current output when the camera “shows” discharge and insert it into the flashlight, and you will see that it still has plenty of charge.
Capacity
And only the second selection criterion is capacity. Large capacity combined with high current output will give the largest number of shots per battery charge.
Self-discharge
Well, the last criterion is self-discharge, which we talked a little about at the beginning. Batteries that quickly “self-discharge” will have to be recharged regularly, which is not very convenient and takes a lot of time, and time and comfort are extremely highly valued today
Types of batteries for cameras
A photographer must not only be able to take high-quality photographs, but also have a good knowledge of the technique he uses in his work. Therefore, any experienced photographer will tell you how important batteries are for a camera in its operation. Without batteries there simply won't be any photos. All photographers prepare for their next shoot in advance. And one of the elements of this preparation is charging the batteries for the camera. It is equally important to know what batteries are used in cameras and how they should be handled. This material will discuss the types of batteries for cameras, selection criteria and specific examples.
All camera batteries can be divided into two large groups.
- Individual. These are rechargeable batteries that, in their design, are suitable only for a specific camera model or for a series of devices from one manufacturer;
- Classic. Type AA and AAA. We know these batteries under the names finger and little finger batteries, respectively.
Camera batteries can also be divided according to their type:
- (Li─Ion);
- (Ni─MH).
You can also classify camera batteries into removable and built-in. Built-in batteries are charged directly in the camera. There are few similar models on the market, but sometimes you can find them. Of course, in practical use this is far from the best option.
Below are the different types of camera batteries.
Individual rechargeable batteries for cameras can be either Ni-MH or lithium-ion. Lithium type batteries are most often found in this design. Individual nickel-metal hydride batteries are most often simply composed of several AA elements. That is, they are a connector block that connects to the camera’s power system.
If your camera has an individual rechargeable battery, a charger must be included in the package. With its help you will regularly charge the battery. If your model uses AA and AAA batteries, then you can use universal chargers (chargers) for charging.
In the group of nickel-metal hydride batteries, we can note models with low self-discharge. Their markings usually contain the letters “LD”. It is no secret that immediately after the battery is charged, its self-discharge begins. For Ni─MH type batteries, the discharge in the first day can reach up to 20─25%. Then it decreases and is about 1% per day.
The result is the following situation. You charged the battery, and a week later, when you need the camera, the battery has already lost a third of its capacity. And, if lithium batteries can be charged at any time, then it is better not to do this with metal hydride batteries. Ni─MH batteries should be fully discharged before charging, as they have a “memory effect”.
What to consider when choosing?
When choosing a battery for a camera, there are usually two options. If you have a custom battery, you should look for exactly the same one for a specific model or series of cameras. Others simply won't fit. If you have universal “finger” or “little finger” batteries, then there is already room for maneuver. What parameters should I pay attention to?
- Capacity. The battery life of the camera depends on the size of the capacity. That is, the number of shots taken. The bigger it is, the better;
- Self-discharge. This parameter affects the rate at which the battery discharges during storage. The lower this figure, the better. Some manufacturers have achieved serious success in this direction and continue to work to reduce self-discharge;
- Voltage. Most cameras have a voltage rating of 3.7 volts. This is one can of lithium battery. Often there are models with a voltage of 7.4 volts (two banks). In the case of nickel-metal hydride batteries, the voltage will depend on the number of batteries in the assembly. The rating of one Ni─MH battery is usually 1.2 volts;
- Current output. This parameter is not as obvious as the previous two, but is also important. This value shows how capable the battery is of providing the camera with the required electrical energy at peak load;
- Charging speed. No one wants to sit and wait for days for the battery to charge. If you look at the types of batteries, lithium ones look preferable in terms of charging speed. They can withstand a charge of 1-2 amperes without consequences. As for Ni─MH, they are charged with a current of 0.1*C (0.1─0.2 amperes).
It's no secret that the productivity of a photographer depends not only on the quality of the equipment, but also on its Actually, everything is simple - no charge, no pictures. Therefore, before setting off for your next photo shoot, it would definitely be a good idea to check your professional luggage for batteries for the camera.
Moreover, modern, as well as advanced, technology is very demanding on batteries. Here, the uninterrupted operation of the flash must be ensured, and the normal brightness of the screen, and the operation of the “filling”. So you need to be especially careful when choosing batteries for your camera. Moreover, today's market offers a lot of options, as they say, for every taste and color.
So, let's try to figure out which batteries for the camera are best suited, what to pay special attention to first and how not to make a mistake with the purchase. Let's look at the main characteristics of batteries and why they are notable when it comes to photography.
Difficulty of choice
First, let's conduct a brief educational program on the types and types of batteries for the camera. On sale you can find two types of similar batteries, and they differ from each other quite significantly. The first are simple and disposable camera batteries. That is, there is no talk of any recharging of batteries here. They are ready to use right off the store shelf and are several times cheaper than their more productive counterparts.
Batteries
Camera batteries are designed to last many recharge cycles. Despite their high cost, such batteries are more practical in terms of not only efficiency, but also payback. Once purchased, they usually require charging before they can be used like regular batteries.
Non-standard batteries (branded)
There are also specific and non-standard batteries. Branded equipment is equipped with them; it is almost impossible to find an alternative to them. For example, a good half of Sony cameras have a built-in battery and are replaced only due to natural wear or damage. So here you don’t even have to think about replacing batteries.
Types of batteries
Simple and rechargeable batteries also differ in form factor. Manufacturers of photographic equipment are not particularly clever and settled on two types of power supply - AA and AAA. In common parlance, “finger” and “little finger”, respectively. There are also very tiny AAAA and 9-volt massive “Crowns”, but they are very, very rare in photographic equipment.
For beginners in this business and owners of point-and-shoot cameras, ordinary batteries are enough, and buying batteries is simply impractical. Those who are professional photographers and have serious gadgets in their arsenal need stable, powerful and capacious batteries. These are the qualities that rechargeable batteries offer. Of course, a good battery for a Canon or Nikon camera will cost a pretty penny, but they also have a corresponding return.
Chemical composition
Batteries may also differ in chemical composition. A little earlier, there were a dime a dozen varieties of chemical “filling”, but to this day only four have survived, which can boast of returns acceptable for modern technology.
Ni-Cd
Nickel-cadmium batteries are the most common batteries. They are relatively inexpensive, well resistant to sub-zero temperatures and have consistently high charging currents. This option is also starting to slowly become outdated, because the disadvantages sometimes outweigh the advantages.
The fly in the ointment here is the toxicity of the elements and the decrease in capacity with each recharge. In addition, such batteries need to be charged only after they are completely depleted. Otherwise, the operational period of the elements will be significantly reduced.
Ni-MH
Nickel-metal hydride batteries can be called an improved version of nickel-cadmium batteries. They retained all the advantages of the previous generation and practically got rid of its disadvantages. Regular recharging now has a lesser impact on the service life, and the toxicity of the batteries has also been reduced.
As for operation, the efficiency of such batteries has approximately doubled, and the voltage is stable and does not change even with a minimum charge. It is also worth noting that nickel-metal hydride batteries can have a noticeably higher capacity than conventional nickel-cadmium batteries.
Li-Ion
Lithium-ion batteries are completely devoid of the effect of capacity reduction when recharging, and are lightweight and high in density. The main advantages of batteries of this type are the lowest self-discharge and fast recharge. In addition, the battery offers a high discharge voltage.
Lithium-ion batteries are good in many ways, but they also have their own critical disadvantages, especially for a photographer working in the field. Here we are talking about high sensitivity to the environment: low, as well as high, temperatures have an extremely adverse effect on the condition and efficiency of the battery.
In addition, batteries of this type do not tolerate full charge and oversaturation. That is, you can’t leave them overnight. It is also worth noting that the cost of lithium-ion batteries is noticeably higher than the same Ni-MH batteries.
Li-Pol
They are a more advanced version of lithium-ion. They have a 20% higher charge density and are noticeably better resistant to ambient temperatures.
Almost the only drawback of lithium-polymer batteries is the high risk of fire when the charge is oversaturated or overheated. So on a hot sunny day it is better to leave them discharged and at home.
To sum it up
Professional photographers and experts in the field consider Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) batteries for cameras. They are extremely versatile, cost significantly less than lithium-ion and polymer ones, and also have sufficient capacity to service almost any serious photographic equipment.
As for manufacturers, the situation here is more or less clear. The same pros and experts recommend paying attention to proven and well-established brands, as well as series. Beginners can sometimes offer quite decent and inexpensive options, but they have to be sorted out with special care.
Among other venerable manufacturers, we can recommend the Sanyo brand, which, as they say, ate the dog in this matter. The Eneloop XX series turned out to be the most successful, and you can choose any model you like from this line without hesitation. Professionals also say a lot of warm words about the products of the Panasonic company, where almost every series is distinguished by a high-quality set of models. Well, don’t forget about the counterfeits that have flooded the domestic market, and buy batteries only in trusted offline and online stores.