Why does my digital camera drain batteries, and how can I solve it?

Question

Hey, lately, my digital camera has been draining batteries. It is an HP Photosmart M415 and on the batteries it says: 700mAh Ni-Cd Rechargeable. It is very annoying to have to put the batteries in the recharger for fourteen hours just to take two pictures so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Oh, I do want to use rechargeable batteries.

And another thing: could you tell me what should be on the case of new batteries if I have to buy them. Please not brand-specific, as I'll probably won't be able to find a specific brand.

Yes, I do have an optical viewfinder but even then it surely is not normal to have drained the battery after only two pictures (no, that was not exaggerated). In fact, I know it is not normal as when the camera was just new the batteries worked just fine. Many people seem to suggest "Energizer" batteries, I hope you can find them in The Netherlands...

Answer 1

Several people suggest using higher power batteries, so that sound like a good place to start. But...

Do you have an optical viewfinder? Turn off the monitor and use it if you do. LCD monitors are battery hungry devices. The longer you leave it on, the quicker the batteries will drain. If you MUST use it, set it to turn off after the minimum time offered, such as 5 or 10 seconds. Don't spend too much time reviewing your pictures on your camera. Save that for the computer when you can use a card reader and not drain your camera batteries.

If you do not use rechargeable batteries, get Energizer e2 LITHIUM batteries (or the Duracell equivalent) and you will get much better battery performance.

Answer 2

In the interest of not being "too" technical...it's a matter of how strong your batteries are. When I say how strong, I'm talking "mAh", or how much power the battery holds or produces. Most regular batteries only range in the 800mAh-1000mAh category. But there are batteries, mostly rechargeable batteries, that have a higher mAh. In my camera I use rechargeable Energizer batteries with 2500mAh. Usually I can get 75-100 photos just out of one charge, depending on if use the flash or not.

Answer 3

The Nickel Cadmium are good because they're rechargeable. Get some of the Energizer e2 Lithium Ion. I've been using them in my digital camera for years. They're the best I have found yet. Also I'm not a brand partial person. I just have found these to work the best for this situation.

Answer 4

Get the energizer lithium E2 battery's the last 10 times longer.Or buy high milla amp rechargables.I had the same problem with this camera now i use the energizer e2 and every thing is fine.You can solve this problem by turning the lcd off when not needed or keep it off and use the veiwfinder instead.The lcd is what takes up all the power.

Answer 5

It sounds like your battery is dying. They don't last forever, unfortunately. Buy a new battery and see if that fixes the problem. If it doesn't fix it, then there's something wrong with your camera.

Answer 6

the problem might be your battery.
try replacing the battery with new one.
rechargeble battery normally will become dead and don't keep charge for approximately 100 charges.

Answer 7

go for 2000MAh batteries. 700mAh is very less i used to have same experiance but i can get only few snaps.

2000mAh batteres better.

All Digital cameras are like that.

Answer 8

hi sweetie, same problem! a friend told me to use energizer e lithium, wow problem solved! 3 months later , same batteries!. good luck and GOD BLESS.