Canon's recomendations on use of batteries

[A95_sucka]

I have just bought the A95 today and am worried by a very practical concern - batteries (in toying around, I've already spent the included batteries! Shame on you, Canon!). :)

Rechargable batteries would seem to be a wise choice, but the recomendations Canon makes in the manual have got me perplexed. Can you use ANY rechargable NiMH batteries or, as stated, am I restricted to "Canon AA-size NiMH" for use only in a CBK4-200 charger kit?

The manual suggests that using anything other than rechargable Canon products will cause problems. Is this just a lame marketing technique or should I be genuinely concerned?


On a side note, I would also like to ask about battery types. What other AA battery types are there out there apart from alkaline? I have a large number of cheap generic batteries sitting beside me labled "mignon,um3" and am debating whether or not to use them...

[antiqueworks]

I have been researching the answer to your question tonight because I, too, just bought the A95 and read the warning to use only Canon accessories to prevent damage to my photos or the camera. I also want to use a power adapter, NiMh batteries, and a battery charger with my new camera but wondered if they absolutely had to be Canon products. With my old Olympus D-620L digital, the same warning was in the instruction booklet--use only Olympus accessories. However, I've used a generic power adapter, generic NiMh batteries, and a Panasonic charger for years with no problems. I was hoping to use the same accessories with the A95 because the adapter is the right size for the new camera and the charger works with any NiMh batteries. Hope someone out there can give us some good advice!

[FAUguy]

I've had the A95 for 3 weeks now and have been using the Rayovac IC3. No problems so far.

[A95_sucka]

Well, thanks so far. I'm starting to suspect the "use Canon only" thing is just a money-making venture. Still, I have a slightly more specific question on the subject.

Would using batteries other than alkaline or NiMH have any adverse effects? For example, I have nickle-cadmium rechargables and a charger. If I can make do with this, I won't need to fork out more money.

[Newbie]

A95 can use NiMH, NiCD, Alkaline, rechargeable alkaline and lithium AA batteries, BUT I would advise against a few of those.

First of all, I recommend using NiMH batteries because they will last longer and be rechargeable so they will do less harm to the environnement.

NiCD batteries are mostly crap, very damaging for environnement and not lasting too long.

Rechargeable alkaline are also crap in digital cameras because they drain so much power that those batteries just don't last.

That leaves us with 2 types of non-rechargeable batteries, both which I suggest to ONLY use as backup, because of their disposable function. Regular Alkaline won't last very long as you could probably see, but consider them to be useful life saver when all your rechargeables batteries died(prepare yourself well and it shouldn't happen). The Lithium batteries last longer than Alkaline(tho I've never tried them) and yield better results in cold temperature, but they cost more. So it makes them some very useful batteries for certain conditions where NiMH may not be that good(very cold temperature) or as a backup.

[A95_sucka]

Thanks to those who replied, I think I have a handle on the whole battery thing.. :)

I just have one more question at the moment: Can NiMH batteries be recharged in a NiCD charger?

[David Metsky]

I just have one more question at the moment: Can NiMH batteries be recharged in a NiCD charger?
I know I can charge NiCDs in my NiMH charger, but don't know if the reverse is true. I suspect not, but will wait for others who actually know to respond.

[A95_sucka]

Meh, in the end I just bought 4 decent NiMHs with a charger. I now think something would definately be amiss if they damaged my A95... I highly doubt anything other than Canon products are detrimental to a Canon camera.

Canon should be ashamed for monopolizing on power products via taking advantage of one's ignorance of them! Other than that, it's a great camera... :D

[Newbie]

Yes you can charge NiCD batteries in a NiMH batteries, tho I wouldn't even recommend in using NiCD batteries.

If you got a NiCD charger, just get rid of it, it can surely charge your NiMH BUT in a VERY incomplete manner, probably damaging them. You are better off with an intelligent NiMH charger that doesn't heat the batteries too much, so if you can don't go below 1 hour charger.