NiMh vs NiCAD vs Li-Ion rechargable batteries for A720IS?

[003]

I just got my A720 IS and it's great but I want to get rechargeable batteries for it. I know there are a bunch of different kinds of rechargeable batteries, including NiMh, NiCAD, Li-Ion and maybe even more. Which kind of rechargeable AA 1.5v batteries will be the best for use in the A720 IS?

I know there is a section for batteries but it looks like it's dead.

[David Metsky]

NiCads don't work well. Just drop those.

NiMH are the standard use batteries for cameras. LiIons will work better in very cold temps, but otherwise are more expensive then NiMH without a lot of additional benefits.

[003]

So Li-Ion would be better, and the only bad thing is that they are more expensive?

[Glasstream15]

LiIon rechargeables are not suitable for that camera. Go with name brand AA NiMH rechargeables. The best thing on the market right now is the Sanyo Eneloop which are "Low Self Discharge" batteries. Normal NiMHs lose a lot of charge sitting on the shelf and have to be recharged frequently. "LSD"s do not lose that charge, and even though they say they are lower maximum capacity than others, they will give as many shots and they are always ready to go. The other LSD batteries are the RayOVac Hybrids, available about everywhere and Imedion from Thomas Distributing. I have a bunch of standard NiMH, Panasonic, Energizer and Ultra, and they are all good but they lose their charge quickly sitting in the battery box. So now I'm stocking up on Eneloops from Costco and Hybrids from Target. Not that expensive and work great.

The Energizer e2 Lithium Primary AAs will give you great life, but they are not rechargeable. They do work great if you are in a situation where you are not going to want to swap out batteries for awhile. But I still prefer rechargeables at all times. Just make sure they're topped off when you start out for a day and use Eneloops for when you aren't going out to shoot but want the camera always ready.

YMMV

[David Metsky]

Hrmm, I thought the Li-Ion rechargeables would work in most current cameras, but I defer to others. But really, there's no reason to get anything but NiMH. Lithium AAs (the non-rechargeables) are still useful for extreme cold temps, but it really needs to be below zero for NiMH to start having trouble.

Get the NiMH (either type) and don't worry about it again.

[AndyfromVA]

Are Li-Ion rechargeable batteries usable in cameras like the Canon A720 that require AA's? I didn't think Li-Ions came in the AA configuration.

[David Metsky]

http://batteryjunction.com/li14reaasi38.html

But clearly, they are not for digital cameras. I wasn't clear on that before. NiMH is the only type that makes any sense.

[Glasstream15]

You put those AA Lithium rechargeables that David Metsky linked in any camera and you have an expensive paperweight.

As everybody has said, just get some good NiMHs. Well proved technology.

[reppans]

The best thing on the market right now is the Sanyo Eneloop which are "Low Self Discharge" batteries. Normal NiMHs lose a lot of charge sitting on the shelf and have to be recharged frequently.

+1.... low self discharge NiMh Eneloops are the best, unless you tend to shoot over 200 pix per week, then I'd go with Sanyo high capacity 2700s.

[003]

Are the high capacity ones also low self discharge? If not, would it be possible to get low discharge, high capacity nimh batteries?

Also what would be the best charger to get for these batteries? And do nimh have problems if you charge them before they are fully drained?