Lithium vs NiMh

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

"Dave C." <c9ar9dar9elli@9c4.n9et> writes:

> I own a Fuji 3800 SLR that uses AA batteries. Because of its size, I am
> looking for a compact type that I can carry in my shirt pocket for some
> applications such as family travel.
>
> Well, with a proprietary battery like a lithium type, buying a backup
> battery adds another $50 or so to the price. Would one think twice about a
> lithium battery camera because of this....vs. the AA's which I have many?
> It appears that the lithium cameras are thinner than those cameras using
> AA's which is an advantage.

Most people don't think twice. Most people don't get the second
battery, either. Remember, it's not especially beneficial to run down
the lithium-ion rechargeables before recharging. So if the capacity
is good enough for one solid day of shooting for you, you may actually
not need a second battery. Also, NiMH has a high self-discharge rate,
so it doesn't sit around very well.

I, personally, have so far avoided buying any digital camera that I
can't run in NiMH AAs, though.

> Also, some cameras have no optical view finder and therefore are dependent
> of using the back display of the camera to line up the shot. It seems
> cumbersome to me especially in direct sunlight.

It's a lot *less* cumbersome for me; one of the drawbacks of my Fuji
S2 DSLR is that I can't shoot using the LCD. You're right about
direct sunlight, though. Some companies make little stick-on hoods
that help a lot with that, but then there's this big fragile box on
the back of your camera, and that's not so convenient either.

> I am overwhelmed at the number of these compact cameras that are available.
> Between Olympus and Fujifilm, I know I'll find one. I have been going
> through www.dpreview.com, and excellent resource sifting through the
> specs......and I am still on the steep part of the learning curve.

I'd be looking primarily at Canon for compact digital cameras, myself.
--
David Dyer-Bennet, <mailtod-b@dd-b.net>, <http://www.dd-b.net/dd-b/>
RKBA: <http://noguns-nomoney.com/> <http://www.dd-b.net/carry/>
Pics: <http://dd-b.lighthunters.net/> <http://www.dd-b.net/dd-b/SnapshotAlbum/>
Dragaera/Steven Brust: <http://dragaera.info/>

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Dave C. wrote:
> I own a Fuji 3800 SLR that uses AA batteries. Because of its size, I
> am looking for a compact type that I can carry in my shirt pocket for
> some applications such as family travel.
>
> Well, with a proprietary battery like a lithium type, buying a backup
> battery adds another $50 or so to the price. Would one think twice
> about a lithium battery camera because of this....vs. the AA's which
> I have many? It appears that the lithium cameras are thinner than
> those cameras using AA's which is an advantage.
>
> Also, some cameras have no optical view finder and therefore are
> dependent of using the back display of the camera to line up the
> shot. It seems cumbersome to me especially in direct sunlight.
>
> I am overwhelmed at the number of these compact cameras that are
> available. Between Olympus and Fujifilm, I know I'll find one. I
> have been going through www.dpreview.com, and excellent resource
> sifting through the specs......and I am still on the steep part of
> the learning curve.
> Any guidance would be very heplful.
>
> Regards
>
>
> Dave C.
>
> c9ar9dar9elli@9c4.n9et
>
> Remove the five 9's (leave the 4) for email.

first, as other says, you must decide whether you want small, compact camera
or not necesarilly. Also decide if you want quality or just some
point-and-shoot dummy's camera. Lithiums are small, have bigger capacity,
they doesnt' have memory effect. True, you don't have to empty them before
recharge, but note that every charging, even if you just plug it for a
couple of hours just "in case" counts as complete charge cycle. And
lithitums have only limited charge count. Also they are expensive. Also,
when it happens (and it will one day) that your lithium is flat, all you can
do is watch and curse...while using AA's, you jump into nearest shop, buy a
set of alkaline AA's and go...
not to mention their big price...also lithiums are rarely equipped with so
big capacity as AA's....like 2300 or even 2500 mAh...because when one
decides to install lithium into certain camera, one will count to be small,
and as a result one will build-in low capacity lithium in order to keep
camera small...

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Dave C. wrote:
> I own a Fuji 3800 SLR that uses AA batteries. Because of its size, I am
> looking for a compact type that I can carry in my shirt pocket for some
> applications such as family travel.
>
> Well, with a proprietary battery like a lithium type, buying a backup
> battery adds another $50 or so to the price. Would one think twice about a
> lithium battery camera because of this....vs. the AA's which I have many?
> It appears that the lithium cameras are thinner than those cameras using
> AA's which is an advantage.
>
> Also, some cameras have no optical view finder and therefore are dependent
> of using the back display of the camera to line up the shot. It seems
> cumbersome to me especially in direct sunlight.
>
> I am overwhelmed at the number of these compact cameras that are available.
> Between Olympus and Fujifilm, I know I'll find one. I have been going
> through www.dpreview.com, and excellent resource sifting through the
> specs......and I am still on the steep part of the learning curve.
>
> Any guidance would be very heplful.
>
> Regards
>
>
> Dave C.
>
> c9ar9dar9elli@9c4.n9et
>
> Remove the five 9's (leave the 4) for email.
>
>
>
First suggestion: Don't limit your search to just two manufacturers.
Don't disregard a camera just because it doesn't fit the battery type,
or the flash card type you have in mind. These aren't really 'show
stoppers', and have little bearing on how well the camera will serve
your needs.
Look for flexibility, and picture quality, and don't take the reviewer's
word for it, LOOK at the examples!


--
Ron Hunter rphunter@charter.net

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

"Dave C." <c9ar9dar9elli@9c4.n9et> wrote in message
news:42bb7083.0@paperboy.c4.net...
>I own a Fuji 3800 SLR that uses AA batteries. Because of its size, I am
>looking for a compact type that I can carry in my shirt pocket for some
>applications such as family travel.
>
> Well, with a proprietary battery like a lithium type, buying a backup
> battery adds another $50 or so to the price. Would one think twice about
> a lithium battery camera because of this....vs. the AA's which I have
> many? It appears that the lithium cameras are thinner than those cameras
> using AA's which is an advantage.
>
> Also, some cameras have no optical view finder and therefore are dependent
> of using the back display of the camera to line up the shot. It seems
> cumbersome to me especially in direct sunlight.
>
> I am overwhelmed at the number of these compact cameras that are
> available. Between Olympus and Fujifilm, I know I'll find one. I have
> been going through www.dpreview.com, and excellent resource sifting
> through the specs......and I am still on the steep part of the learning
> curve.
>
> Any guidance would be very heplful.
>
> Regards
>
>
> Dave C.
>

Lithiums generally offer more feedback to the user than NiMh. While AA
batteries are very convenient, that's what I have in my point and shoot,
lithium batteries can often tell you how much time is left, or at least
offer a set of bars running down or something.

It's always a compromise of some kind. Look at user comments at Amazon, or
someplace like that, and just make a decision. Keep in mind that they can
make cameras that use lithium batteries quite small, while cameras that use
AA batteries can't be any smaller than the battery. AAA batteries don't
offer much in the way of power reserve.

Some of my clients have those tiny Optio cameras and I've never heard a
complaint about battery life. I have an Optio that uses AA's and it seems
to be okay, but I carry an extra set with me. My D70 never seems to run out
of juice. Not sure how they do it.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Ron Hunter <rphunter@charter.net> writes:

> First suggestion: Don't limit your search to just two manufacturers.

Good advice. Especially since he didn't include the most prolific
manufacturer of digital camera models.

> Don't disregard a camera just because it doesn't fit the battery type,
> or the flash card type you have in mind. These aren't really 'show
> stoppers', and have little bearing on how well the camera will serve
> your needs.

They're show-stoppers for me. Worrying about multiple chargers and
battery types and card types on a trip is just not on. Also,
duplicating my power system and my collection of memory cards would
add a considerable increment to the cost of any new camera that
required different types.
--
David Dyer-Bennet, <mailtod-b@dd-b.net>, <http://www.dd-b.net/dd-b/>
RKBA: <http://noguns-nomoney.com/> <http://www.dd-b.net/carry/>
Pics: <http://dd-b.lighthunters.net/> <http://www.dd-b.net/dd-b/SnapshotAlbum/>
Dragaera/Steven Brust: <http://dragaera.info/>

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Thanks for all the replies......all with great personal opinions. It gives
me a lot to look at, L-ion for size vs. the AAs for the other reasons.

Grateful for the help. Went to Best Buy to view and handle their many
cameras on the display. I'll take my time. I am going on a trip in a month
or so, and will make a decision by then.

Regards,
--
Dave C.

c9ar9dar9elli@9c4.n9et

Remove the five 9's (leave the 4) for email.


"Dave C." <c9ar9dar9elli@9c4.n9et> wrote in message
news:42bb7083.0@paperboy.c4.net...
>I own a Fuji 3800 SLR that uses AA batteries. Because of its size, I am
>looking for a compact type that I can carry in my shirt pocket for some
>applications such as family travel.
>
> Well, with a proprietary battery like a lithium type, buying a backup
> battery adds another $50 or so to the price. Would one think twice about
> a lithium battery camera because of this....vs. the AA's which I have
> many? It appears that the lithium cameras are thinner than those cameras
> using AA's which is an advantage.
>
> Also, some cameras have no optical view finder and therefore are dependent
> of using the back display of the camera to line up the shot. It seems
> cumbersome to me especially in direct sunlight.
>
> I am overwhelmed at the number of these compact cameras that are
> available. Between Olympus and Fujifilm, I know I'll find one. I have
> been going through www.dpreview.com, and excellent resource sifting
> through the specs......and I am still on the steep part of the learning
> curve.
>
> Any guidance would be very heplful.
>
> Regards
>
>
> Dave C.
>
> c9ar9dar9elli@9c4.n9et
>
> Remove the five 9's (leave the 4) for email.
>
>
>