- More tips on camera batteries - by travel authority Howard Hillman

camera batteries tips & insights

Camera batteries -
additional tips
& insights

Electrical outlet plugs

Your battery charger's connector plug may not fit into the electrical outlet of your next foreign hotel. Plug configurations can vary by country and, sometimes, regions.

Camera stores sell a lightweight kit with a set of converters covering most major countries. The one I purchased helpfully has country names and regions printed on the corresponding converters.

Some major hotels stock plug converters for loaning to guests. Ask the housekeeping department or front desk.

Ruined battery

Just because you have the right plug converter doesn't mean everything's okay because voltage output varies around the globe. Voltage is usually 120 volts (as in the USA) or in the 220 to 240 range (as in most parts of the world).

Warning: Do not try to use a plug converter if your camera battery charger is designed for only 120 volts and the country you're visiting uses 220 to 240 volts. The current could toast your battery and charger.

Some new battery chargers accommodate both 120 and 220-240 volts (check the manual). And, some come with multiple plugs.

How battery types differ

Alkaline - Low storage capacity. In the long run, it's cheaper to switch to one of the rechargeable batteries listed below despite the higher cost and the possible need to buy a new charger.

NiCD (Nickl Cadmium) - High storage capacity. But the traditional NiCD battery suffers from memory effect (you have to let the battery completely drain before you can fully recharge it).

NiMH (Nickle Metal Hydride) - It has more storage capacity than an alkaline, but less than that of a NiCD battery of the same size. However, a NiMH does not have the memory-effect problem - and it can be recharged more times than a NiCd in its lifetime.

Lithium-Ion - It is superior to NiCD and NiMH batteries for cameras because it holds its charge much longer, it can output several times as much voltage, and it is small (ideal for compact cameras). Unlike NiCDs, it has no memory effect. It costs more, though.

Battery storage rating

Capacity is measured in Milliamps (mAH) units. The higher the number, the more energy a battery can store.

Proprietary batteries

They cost more than regular rechargeable batteries and it's sometimes harder to find replacements when you are traveling.

However, proprietary batteries do have their advantages. They usually last longer between charges and have a longer overall lifetime. And, in most instances, they take up less space in a camera (desirable for compacts).

Removing & inserting

You could corrupt some of your camera settings and memory card contents if you remove or insert a battery while a camera is still on.

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