Canon Powershot Advice? :-)?

Question

Ok, so I have a canon powershot 410 or something along those lines.
Only problem is I have two problems with it:

1. my rechargeable batteries run out WAY too fast....like in less than a week when used very minimally. (to take maybe 20 pics).

and number 2..i have a 16mb memory card. it doesn't hold anything. I'm going on a weeklong cruise and I want to make sure my camera is juiced up and ready to take hundreds of pictures.

Does anybody have any advice? It would be so appreciated!!!

Answer 1

Buy some new NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) rechargeable batteries. They're not too expensive and will save you a bundle. Your old batteries may just be worn out. If it's the A410 it uses AA batteries, and the newer ones have much larger current holding capacity than older batteries. Look for the mAh (milli Ampere hours) rating. Older batteries may be in the 1500 mAh range, and newer ones run from 2000 mAh up to 2600 or maybe a little more.

That 16MB memory card that Canon gives you with the camera is way too small. Pick up a new larger card. If you look around, you can easily get a 512MB for under $20.

Answer 2

Depending on the batteries they usually don't retain power for more than a week carry an extra set of batteries separately, because I found batteries once installed loose charge faster that the spares packed safely. I carry a leather coin purse that holds batteries so they don't touch each others contacts. You will need a four cell recharger always and recharge the ones in the camera each night and install the spare ones rotate every time batteries get low and keep a rotation ongoing.
Carry several memory cards at least 1gig which hold about 5oo pic or 1 hr video so more gigs in a card the better off you are. Prices are dropping on these last I saw 1 gig going for was $60, online less because cards are getting more gigs to card

Answer 3

I don't know about your battery problem. My son has a Powershot A620 and he uses Energizer's e2 lithium batteries. They last for-freaking-ever. There may be something wrong with your rechargeable batteries or maybe they are "just" AA batteries without the right power output curve for a camera.

As far as a card, your camera is a 3 MP camera and probably only makes files of about 2 MB or less - usually way less. A 16 MB card would only hold 16 pictures, even if the file size was down to 1 MB per picture. I'd get at least a 512 MB card, but they are so cheap any more, that you may as well get a 1 GB card. I just saw a 1 GB Sandisk Ultra II in a Circuit City flyer for $34.99 after rebate, with free shipping. If you get this card and end up upgrading your camera, it is suitable for use in almost anything new on the market.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/SanDisk-1GB-Ultra-II-SD-trade-Card-SDSDH-1024-901/sem/rpsm/oid/116849/catOid/-13067/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Besides, I see the 512 MB card is $30, so why bother???

Answer 4

Not sure how much use you get out of 2 AA-size batteries. I have a Canon Powershot S1 IS that holds 4 AA size and a Canon SD400 that uses an NB 4L Battery pack.

The S1 SI runs out quicker than the Canon SD400, however I can always put in regular AA size batteries if they 'die'. If the NB 4L battery runs empty that is it, as I don't carry my charger with constant + I need power.

So carry some AA size Duracell with you and purchase a bigger card. I use a 512MB and it holds (good quality) 400+ pictures.

Answer 5

i work with digital cameras so let me see if i can help.. as far as the 16mb memory, you need to buy a SD card... they come in 126mb, 256mb, 512mb, 1gig and a 2gig... now depending on your megapixels depends on the amount of pictures you will get!!! the store associate should be able to help you with that and let you know as to how many pics you can get with the different size cards.. remember it is called a SD CARD.. and as far as the batteries go, get some name brand batteries. NON ALKALINE... litheium or recharables... and make sure that the batteries are fully charged.. you may have just bought a bad set of batteries...