DSC-H1 battery life problems

[jules816]

I purchased a DSC-H1 last year and it is the first camera I have had in a while that uses AA batteries. I am having an awful time with it. At this point, I can barely take 20 photos with it before it just shuts down - and not very gracefully at that. It just loses power immediately, without even retracting the lens. I have tried a bunch of different types of batteries, but when I read the review on this forum, it states that even using regular AA batteries can get you through the day if necessary. I am finding this to not be even close. Regular batteries in my camera and I am lucky to be able to take even 1 photo.

Is this common or is it the kind of batteries or charger, or is it possible that the camera is defective?

Thanks for any help anyone can offer
~julie

[Speed2]

Not sure if this helps. I owned that Camera a while back and the first thing i did was get rid of all those beeps. All others i left at default. I shot most of my shots without flash and movie mode shouldn't have even bin available in this camera, hence i never used it. Good batteries are a must, i had 8. Energizer NiMH 2500 mAh probably the best. 2500 mAh is the key, the higher the longer its gonna last. I wasn't happy with battery life either and recharge time was slow with flash goin but the Camera took good pics, and its a better Camera compared to the new dsch's. Can't swear by this but i think i got about 25-30
hi res pics from one set of battery's depending on uses of flash.

[David Metsky]

If you're using alkaline batteries, get some NiMH and see how things work. I suspect it'll be night and day, these cameras may limp by with alkalines but they're not designed to do so.