My digital camara use's up the battrys.......?

Question

I know Digital camaras use vast amounts of batterys, but mine seems to even use them up when its not switched on.
A pair of fully charged 2200 mAH lasts about 24 hours sitting on the shelf.
Any Idea's apart from buying a new camara

Answer 1

It does depend on what type of battery they are, how they've been maintianed in the past and how often they are charged.

If there is an 'earth fault' on the camera that will cause them to drain if when not in use.

If there a Li-On batterys make sure that they are drained then try charging again, if they are ni-MH then the chances are they are buggered and new batterys are needed. However you may find cheaper to buy a new camera than just changing the cell. Always read the battery maintenacne in your manual as the advide is invaluable an WILL exted the battery lift

Answer 2

Frankly, that is not normal! I switched from using alcaline batteries, which cost a lot over time, to using rechargable NiMH batteries. I believe rechargable batteries are definitely the way to go. They last me several hundred shots between recharges. If your 2200 mAH batteries are old, that could explain it, but if they drain like that just on the shelf, I would say the batteries are bad, or the charger is not charging them properly. I would try new batteries and if it still happens, get a new charger. In the long run, you will save a bundle.

Answer 3

That appeared to happen to me too - I'd take a couple of shots, then need to buy new batteries! Turned out I was using underpowered batteries - I needed something like Duracell Ultra, rather than the slightly less powered batteries I was using. I was surprised how much of a difference it made until I noticed the price gap!

On a more positive note, when I had the right batteries, they seemed to last for ages, and in the photos, everyone was smiling.

Answer 4

There are several possibilities, some of them dependent on your specific camera model.
If you're using Lithium batteries, then they could be nearing the end of their useful lives -- they normally last about 2-3 years. If you're using NiMH batteries, they will lose their capacity after a while if you constantly top them up before they are fully discharged -- you will need to fully discharge them every month or so.
It's also possible that your camera has a fault and is consuming more power than it should. Of course your charger could be faulty too. You'll need to eliminate the possibilities, probably starting with the least expensive (the batteries, if they're NiMH)

Answer 5

You didn't mention your camera. Some specific cameras may be subject to a recall for this type of issue, thus you should check with your camera's maker. For example, some of The Canon Powershot A530 and A540 cameras are subject to an advisory recall. Seems that a small spring on the battery compartment door can short out the batteries. Canon will fix this for free, including free shipping both ways. This is regardless of the camera's warranty status. Please check the following link for more info:

http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/12/canon-a530-a540-with-short-battery-life.html

Answer 6

You have to buy the good batteries not the rechargeable they do not last. If it is draining the power take the batteries out when not in use.

Answer 7

If they're AA batteries you're after, try the Sony Cybershot batteries NH AA-2DB.

They are high capacity and cost around a fiver for 2 - they lastet ages in my camera.

Answer 8

I would suggest disposable batteries as opposed to rechargable. My camera seems to drain rechargable batteries far quicker than disposable ones. You could perhaps check if the supplier makes a specific battery for your type of camera, these tend to last longer than batteries but can be a bit pricey

Answer 9

Try Energizer LITHIUM about £5.00 for 4 AA. Should last about 7 times longer than duracells.

Answer 10

You could get a new set of rechargeable batteries, charge and change them more frequently.