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Can digital cameras use regular AA bateries?


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AhrenBa's Avatar
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01-Oct-2006, 11:22 AM #1
Can digital cameras use regular AA bateries?
Hey everyone,

I have an old Kodak DX3600 and I have always used the rechargeable batteries for the camera (AA size). I was wondering if the camera will take regular old AA batteries (one time use) also? What voltage batteries do most cameras use? 1.5v per battery?

Oh, what does the mAh mean on a battery? I notice them just on the rechargeable.

Thanks!
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01-Oct-2006, 11:46 AM #2
if it takes rechargeable's, it will take the normal kind.
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01-Oct-2006, 12:40 PM #3
http://www.kodak.com/global/en/servi...&camera=DX3600

Quote:
We recommend that you do not use alkaline batteries in EasyShare cameras because they may cause unexpected shutdowns and loss of pictures.
EASYSHARE DX3600 Camera
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01-Oct-2006, 12:56 PM #4
Thanks for the link.

What is the difference between an alkaline and Ni-Mh battery? Don't they have the same voltage? Isn't the only difference is that the Nickel one can be recharged?
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01-Oct-2006, 01:34 PM #5
my samsung requires rechargable lithium ion batteries. I've never used those in them, as they are somewhat cost prohibitive at the first. Instead, I use duracell AA, and have been for nigh on 5 years, no probs. I think when tehy say that they may cause unexpected shutdown, what they are stating is that they will run out of juice, and therefore won't work.

But that's just me. By all means you should follow your instruction manual.
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01-Oct-2006, 01:37 PM #6
Ok, cool, thank you for your help and response. Why is it that some cameras "require" lithium or nickel batteries? Is it just because they can be recharged and they last longer?

What does the nMh mean on the batteries? My rechargables say "2500 nMH". What does this signify? The higher the number, longer the battery life?
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01-Oct-2006, 01:46 PM #7
either should work but there is a trade off with both
alkaline will hold its charge for a long time when not being used but will discharge fast while under load (in use)
niMH (nickel metal hydride) will discharge slowly while under load but the charge will dissipate fairly fast when just sitting there unused (this makes them good for high drain devices like cameras)
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01-Oct-2006, 01:49 PM #8
Quote:
Originally Posted by DarqueMist
either should work but there is a trade off with both
alkaline will hold its charge for a long time when not being used but will discharge fast while under load (in use)
niMH (nickel metal hydride) will discharge slowly while under load but the charge will dissipate fairly fast when just sitting there unused (this makes them good for high drain devices like cameras)
Ahhhh! I see. That makes sense. So the only difference is the length of charge? No differences in voltage, correct? That is good to know.

Sorry to post this again, but what does the number such as "2500 mAh" on the Ni-Mh batteries mean? Thanks!
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01-Oct-2006, 02:05 PM #9
mAh is the abreviation for milli-ampere hours and is used to show the capacity of the battery
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01-Oct-2006, 02:22 PM #10
Quote:
Originally Posted by DarqueMist
mAh is the abreviation for milli-ampere hours and is used to show the capacity of the battery
Ok, cool, thanks, so obviously the higher the number, the longer the battery will last, correct? What is a good rating?
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01-Oct-2006, 03:04 PM #11
yes, the larger the mAh rating the longer it should last.
I think a 2300 mAh is about the highest available in AA batteries now (I could be wrong there though)
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01-Oct-2006, 03:16 PM #12
ni-mh usually stands for nickel metal hydride.

**edit. as darquemist already mentioned**
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01-Oct-2006, 03:18 PM #13
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01-Oct-2006, 03:23 PM #14
Alkaline batteries have a voltage of ~ 1,5v, which decreases nearly linearly as they go flat.
Rechargeable NiMh have a voltage ~ 1.2v which is mostly maintained until the very end.

Cameras are quite tolerant of the voltage difference, but the Alkaline batteries are unable to supply the huge "gulps" of power needed by the camera for long, their voltage will sag at these times and the camera will sense that the battery is flat and shut down (even though the battery is not really "flat").

As an indication, on a 2000 mAh battery I can get 200 shots, on Alkaline I can get about 40 shots. Yet a good Alkaline is rated at 2800 mAh, but it is unable to deliver that capacity in the large chunks needed.

I like the ability of a camera to use both however, as it means you can get by if your rechargeables run down when travelling.
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01-Oct-2006, 03:26 PM #15
Quote:
Originally Posted by kiwiguy
I like the ability of a camera to use both however, as it means you can get by if your rechargeables run down when travelling.
I agree, and because of their long shelf life I usually carry emergency backup alkaline ones
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