Li On batteries in cameras

[gumboil]

I'm seriously considering purchasing a 18x plus zoom compact digital camera. I've no particular make in mind right now, but I've noticed that many compact and bridge cameras nowadays are powered by 2 or 4 AA batteries. However, I always understood that it was better to buy a camera with a rechargeable battery pack installed (Li On nowadays).
Are there any drawbacks nowadays to purchasing a camera that is powered by AA batteries or their rechargeable equivalent over a Li On battery pack? What would AB users recommend? After all, all DSLR cameras seemed to be powered by Li On packs.

Thank you.

[Andyvon]

I bought my wife a Fujifilm compact camera about three years ago. When I asked the store assistant about the AA-powered cameras he told me to avoid them as they "eat batteries" and I would have to walk around with pockets full of batteries and they would cost a fortune! He said some people only get 6-10 shots from a set of batteries! I've heard several people with AA powered cameras complaining their "batteries have run out again".

I bought a camera with a Li-on battery and it's very good indeed. The battery lasts my wife all day when we go away. We carry a couple of spares and they are about £5 each on-line.

[douglas9401]

I have a fairly basic Sony compact digital camera with motorised zoom. It used to run on alkaline AA batteries and they'd last no time at all. I invested in a four pack of Energiser 2000mah AA rechargeables and was astonished at the difference in battery life.
The four cost more or less the same as a twelve pack of Duracell disposable ones but the performance is far better and pennies to recharge.
With the four rechargeables you can point, shoot, zoom, switch on and off all day and not be caught out with a dead camera when something presents itself late in the day.
I'd recommend this option if your chosen camera accepts these batteries.

[jno]

I've got a Panasonic 24x zoom that's powered with lithium batteries. I take about 350-400 shots before the battery needs recharging (the zooming uses a fair bit of the power), and that's 2-3 days' worth of photography even in the most picturesque places on the planet. I've had past cameras 3-4 years and never needed to completely replace the battery. I'd say they're fine.

[Answerprancer]

When I've been researching a camera that I can afford, the camera's performance has taken precedence in my choice over battery type.
In my experience AA batteries vary and are fiddly and bulky. On the other hand LiIon batteries can be unnecessarily expensive and you need to keep at least two on the go for anything more than light use.
If you can find a source of unbranded LiIons for a camera that takes them, go for it. I bought a couple of non-Panasonic* ones from Dealextreme for my Lumix FZ38 and they were fine.

*(£5 as opposed to £20)

[jno]

AP's point about the cost of Li batteries is all too true. I've usually kept the one that comes with the camera and bought an unofficial but compatible one to use as backup, as they cost only £10-15. But the unofficial one I've got at the moment isn't entirely successful - it works but it doesn't tell the camera when it's running low, just suddenly cuts out.

All the same, as I said, the official ones have lasted 3-4 years without ever failing, and I think over that period they'd probably work out cheaper than AA batteries and be less fiddly/cumbersome.

[DrFilth]

i agree with andyvon's post my old digital camera use to eat batteries and unless they were the expensive ones would only get about 6 or 7 shots.
even the expensive ones would drain quickly

i now use a fuji finepic and have no problems with the rechargable battery that came with the camera