why do digital camera batteries die out fast?

Question

my camera is a kodak easyshare c310 and the batteries always die out fast. i noticed this in my moms camera as well. do i have to buy a special kind of battery? if so which ones?

Answer 1

I have the same problem, with my digital camera, the batteries run out so fast, but as long as you keep good-name brand batteries such as Energizer or Duracell, they should last a while. In my camera, Duracell batteries work the longest. Even though, it would be much easier to buy the 20 pack of batteries for $1, you're better off buying the more expensive batteries.

Answer 2

Normal alkaline batteries just don't do it for digital cameras because of the high instantaneous current required to run a digital camera. (This includes all batteries such as "Duracell" and "Super Heavy Duty" etc) These types of batteries will appear to the camera to be flat even when they aren't because they just don't have the capacity to give the camera what it wants.

Some places still sell rechargeable Nickel Cadmium Batteries (NiCd), and these batteries cannot cut it for digital cameras. There are also rechargeable alkaline batteries and these aren't great either.

The only type of rechargeable to get is Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH), and the higher capacity the better. This capacity is typically rated in milliamp hours. A medium capacity battery for a camera will have say 1600 MAH whereas a high capacity battery will have more than 2000 MAH. Some even go as high as 2600 MAH. Get the highest that you can.

One downside is that NiMH batteries go flat in the camera if you do not use them. In a camera that uses 2 batteries, this can happen in as little as a week.

My advice is get a couple of sets of high capacity NiMH rechargeable batteries (2000 MAH or higher) and use these as much as possible. Also however buy one or two sets of Lithium batteries (non rechargeable) these last a long time but are wickedly expensive. Have one set of lithiums for backup in case you need the shot but the rechargeables are all flat. Soon as you can put freshly recharged batteries in and again keep the lithiums in reserve. Unused lithium batteries will last for years.

Many cameras have a menu setting which can flatten the batteries for you prior to recharging. ONLY IF you are using NiMH batteries is this a good idea. Vendors tell you that NiMH are not prone to "memory effect" and therefore do not need to be totally flat before being recharged, but this is not true. NiMH bateries should be discharged before being recharged. If the camera can't automatically discharge them, then keep using the camera until it won't go anymore, then recharge them.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

The Kodak C310 uses AA batteries. Do not use regular alkaline AA batteries because they will not last very long when used in digital camera. Instead, use rechargeable NiMH batteries - these are available at most electronic stores and superstores such as Walmart or Target. NiMH batteries cost more but you'll save money in the long run because you can recharge them over and over again.

Answer 4

Chuckie is very correct. Also if you have a viewfinder and lcd screen use viewfinder a lot more. Lcd screen drains batteries quicker in any camera. It also seems to me Kodak Easyshare cameras do drain batteries more than most cameras. There are cameras out there where one can get 400 shots on a rechargeable NiMH AA batteries. So switch batteries.

Answer 5

You need to buy rechargeable AA batteries for you digital camera. Normal alkaline batteries will only last a few pics with the flash on, at least with my camera. You can get pack of 4 batteries and a charger for about $12 or so at Wal-Mart.

Answer 6

You probably did not charge it right. Your suppose to charge the battery right when you get it till the manuel says to remove it. Discharge the battery till it dies, use the camera till the batteries die. Then recharge it fully. Read your manuel or get a smart charge to recharge you batteries. Buy a battery.

Answer 7

OMJ I had that venture too! it is your batteries, you've the incorrect type for a digicam. seek for ones suitable below Lithium. they're designed to very last more. for sure they're extreme priced, yet are truly well worth it. i purchased mine properly over 3 months in the past and they are nevertheless operating. My previous batteries worked for like a 1/2 hour :(

Answer 8

don't charge it until it is almost empty. If you always charge it even it just use up a little bit, the battery is more easy to die. Same thing for the Cell phone.

Answer 9

if it doesnt have a rechargeable battery then i would have to say get the enegizer batters that says for digital componets. or the duracell ones that says they are for digital componets. like the liythum or titanium or E'2 they help usually last longer in digital equipment than the alkiline batterys do.

Answer 10

If the monitor part thing is on it takes more energy to power.. so then it takes away battery power. but if you leave the monitor off. then the battery should last longer..