The immense majority of batteries actually used in digital cameras are Ion-Lithium class. It is a battery that weighs a 30 or 40% less than NI-MH for the same energy production, the discharge rate is smaller and it doesn't require of a special care. The Ion-Lithium batteries have a certain amount of degradation approximately about one year of regular use, but still work fine.

The Ion-Lithium batteries doesn't have memory effect, so it can be charged in any moment, although it is more practical and if it fits, healthier, to wait until are almost discharged and then load them. The maximum capacity will be obtained after four or five load charging cycles.

At storage it is convenient having a residual certain charge, let us say 50%, and then charge them totally before use. Conserve batteries in a fresh and dry place, and if you can, use them each two or three weeks, exercising batteries a little. The ideal thing is to have more than a battery and rotate them.

The duration of a battery will depend, obviously, on the use and on the charge that has. It is not the same thing shooting with an external flash with own energy that shooting with onboard camera flash. Focusing continually reduces the battery life. The use of VR lens consumes big amounts of energy, shortening the number of pictures by a 20%, for what is highly advisable to have a second battery.

The extreme cold is a great enemy of the batteries Ion-Lithium and there is nothing to do with it, except taking the necessary cautions, as having the batteries inside a vehicle until the precise moment to take the picture. With extreme cold they could have erratic behaviours and could generate us some problems.

Following these simple ideas can prolong batteries life and have a problems free operation and, if some times they fall, they break, they fail us, ...we can buy another one.

 

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