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Digital Diary
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Digital Cameras Use Lots of Battery Power
Digital cameras are battery drainers. As the various sets of features have escalated, and LCD monitor viewing has become standard, the demands for portable battery power have grown significantly. When camera manufacturers recommend batteries for their digital cameras they recommend two ways to go--high drain batteries and rechargeables. They don't want users upset that their digital camera drains a set of batteries even before it fills the camera's memory card.
One would think that digital camera users would naturally gravitate to either high-drain or rechargeable batteries--if they understood the economic benefits and convenience of each type of battery. After all, no one wants to have to buy dozens of batteries before going on vacation, nor, worse yet, pay a premium for buying more batteries while on vacation. We also hope that camera manufacturers would also wise up and deliver more efficient systems that would be less power consuming. To date, in most cases, they haven't. In the end, the job of keeping digital cameras going has fallen to the battery manufacturers. And, we're pleased to report that in virtually every case, they have risen to the task. The High Drain Game 
Imagine a professional wedding photographer showing up at a job with power for only 25 shots on his or her flash. You'd think that was crazy and, if you were the lucky couple, you'd get very angry if you had to wait around while the pro swapped batteries after every roll of film. That's pretty much what happens with most digicams using standard AAs today. According to Roger Reece, who works for the Energizer battery manufacturer, the digital camera's monitor is pretty much to blame.
The LCD monitor has become standard in even lower-end digital cameras today, explained Reece. The consumer sees the monitor as a must-have feature. But in terms of battery power consumption, the monitor is the biggest culprit. But who can blame us for possibly over-utilizing a feature that may have been the very thing that attracted us to a digicam in the first place? The idea of seeing a picture right after it's made is what drove the instant photography business for years, and it still is a great hook. In addition to using the monitor's viewer, you run up monitor time, as menu options offer a variety of viewing functions and tricks before downloading the photos into your computer. Indeed, in order to access any functions we usually have to use that monitor for longer times and for multiple tasks. But the all-important monitor isn't the only culprit. Expanded zoom ranges (which requires power for driving the lens) and more powerful on-board flash features also drain batteries. In sum, digicams don't appear to be evolving toward more power-efficiency. 
The key to solving the power problem is twofold--education, and new technology that will keep those digicams running longer. Joe Carcone of GE/Sanyo says, The person using a digital camera is usually more sophisticated and aware of battery technology, so their choice of the right battery solution should be more evident. But Carcone also foresees greater demands on battery power in the near future. These cameras will make more use of monitors, provide more information and have greater feature sets. With the coming cross-pollination of still and video cameras (with digital camcorders that can capture still images and digital cameras that can capture 30 or 60 seconds of moving images) those demands will become even greater.
Doesn't this mean that we should look to rechargeable batteries as the principal digicam power source? Carcone alluded to the camcorder and phone market for the answer. There is virtually no primary cell use in the those areas of use today--it's all rechargeables, he said. The point Carcone makes is well taken, but digicam users tend to follow the camera paradigm rather than the video one--that is, they still see the camera as the home for primary batteries (use once, then discard) rather than rechargeable battery power. Perhaps plain old economics, and some good information, could make a difference. Energizer's Roger Reece maintains that one of the keys is education. If digital camera users don't know what the battery will deliver, they very well may be disappointed in the performance of the camera. So whenever you use your digital camera it's time to start talking power supply. Understand your options and alternatives. Energy Options 
Of course, there are alkalines, but today's alkalines produced for the high-drain device are a different breed than might be used for a clock or portable radio. Then there are lithiums, NiCds (nickel-cadmium) and the newest kid on the block: NiMh (nickel metal hydride.) Just how does one pick one (or sometimes two) to suggest?
According to Joe Carcone of GE/Sanyo, like everything else, it's a price/benefits issue. The user should look at the total package--the camera and the battery--and how it will be used. Undoubtedly, the cheapest initial cost would be to use standard alkalines. But when viewed as a package, and in the long run, that's undoubtedly the most expensive way to go. Notes Carcone: "True, standard alkalines are cheap, available everywhere, and appeal to the throwaway mentality. But if you have viewed the charts of drain and shots-per-set you could not, in good conscience, recommend standard alkalines." So, skipping over standard AA alkalines, let's begin with those alkalines specifically made for high-drain devices like our voracious digicams. Industry sources reveal that these type of cells now account for almost 20% of AA and AAA battery buying, and will grow to over 30% in that format share in the next few years. Conventional camera users, especially those who use a high number of flashes per roll and particularly digital camera users of all stripes should definitely head for these high-drain targeted alkalines. Our next option is Lithium AAs, which Energizer's Lou Martire described as "A great technology that's finally found a home." What Martire was referring to is the fact that lithium AAs have been around for some time (initial intro: 1992), and were for a time the best kept secret among professional photographers. Being in the AA format, they fit many SLRs and portable flashes, and when standard alkalines were the only game in town, lithiums provided much longer run times, and much improved performance in cold weather conditions. They were (and are) pricier than standard alkalines, so only those who truly understood their value made them their choice. Now that digicams have arrived, the AA lithium has new life. Said Martire, Now, more and more digicam users are asking for AA lithiums. They also have a long shelf life, about 10 years. We've worked with the AA lithiums and can certainly attest to their performance. Rechargeable Batteries 
Leaving the sphere of primary cells (those you use and throw away) let's take a look at what most agree is the most efficient long-term buy for high-volume users of high-drain devices--rechargeables. There is a time and a place for both primary and rechargeables and, hopefully, the decision to buy one or the other will be made rationally.
One of the raps on rechargeables was the Memory Loss effect of NiCd batteries. In short, that meant that if you didn't completely drain the battery (discharge it) prior to recharging, the battery would "remember" what you considered a no-power state and only charge to that level. The result: Shorter and shorter run times for those who failed to do the proper battery "housekeeping" which required that you use the battery until it was completely depleted before you recharge. Well, smart chargers and improved formulations have largely ridden rechargeables of that problem, so the Memory effect in modern batteries is, pardon us, just a memory. There are certainly numerous NiCd systems available today, but we think it makes more sense to consider the latest rechargeable technology--NiMh (nickel metal hydride.) According to Energizer's Roger Reece, "For cost effective power, there's no better way to go than NiMh." Not to take the bloom off the rose, but there is, as always, a tradeoff in everything. NiCds charge faster than NiMh, have similar charge cycles and are less expensive to purchase. And rechargeable NiCd alkalines can be stored for longer periods without losing power, although they can sustain significantly fewer recharge cycles. But NiMh certainly wins out with power, and staying power. So, despite the tradeoff, for now, NiMh is the poster child for the high-drain, rechargeable market. But technology marches on--it has to, as high-drain devices will become even more demanding. While battery makers certainly work closely with equipment manufacturers to define the parameters of equipment needs and what batteries can deliver, each drives the other to more efficient, cost-effective solutions. If, for example, a manufacturer builds a camera that does everything (instant e-mail of pictures via satellite with global positioning, etc.) and no battery maker could deliver a product that would yield more than three shots per battery load, then there's a good chance that the camera might not make it on the open market. Thus, what we expect to see is a measured march toward new and innovative features, with concomitant advances in battery technology. Conversely, any advances in portable power and run time will drive the ability of camera manufacturers to create product with even greater feature sets. This dialectic is what drives technology. What's next? GE/Sanyo's Joe Carcone reminds us that innovation is the name of the game, and sees new technology coming to the camera market. His bet? Lithium ion, which offers the best performance, lightest weight and smallest size. When will we see this technology kick into our market in a big way? Within 3 years said Carcone. Don't Ignore the AC Adapter In closing, we offer one more reminder. When you're downloading photos, editing images in the camera, or working indoors, it makes sense to use the AC Adapter that came with your camera. What's that you say? You didn't get an adapter when you purchased you camera? That's a bone we have to pick with some manufacturers. We had warned a friend of ours about battery drain, but he bought a costly best-selling digicam model from a well known photographic name. Guess what? The AC Adapter is an extra-$79 extra! That's an outrage. In today's wireless world, we're loathe to be tethered to anything. But when it comes to getting the most out of your digicam, using the AC Adapter when you can makes good sense. |
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