Jargon Buster – Batteries Explained

Confused by some of the terms and technical details? You’re not alone. Here Digi-Quick.co.uk shed some light on the science of batteries.

There are loads of different kinds of battery – help!

Alkaline
The everyday non-rechargeable battery. Commonly used in electronics applications requiring heavy currents for long periods of time. Sizes: AAA, AA, C, D.

Nickel Cadmium (NiCd)
Historically one of the most popular and reliable rechargeable batteries. Contains cadmium, now superseded by non-toxic Nickel Metal Hydride.

Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMh)
Interchangeable with most NiCd batteries, nickel metal hydride (NiMh) batteries are more powerful and more environmentally friendly than NiCd since they do not contain cadmium. It is best to charge NiMh batteries with a smart battery charger to avoid overcharging. They come in the same sizes as alkaline batteries.

Lithium
A non-rechargeable battery commonly used in pre-digital cameras and camcorders. Lithium batteries work well in cold temperatures and can have a shelf life of up to ten years.

Lithium-ion (Li-ion)
Lithium-ion are the batteries of choice in most current digital cameras, camcorders and mobile phones. They are quick to charge, relatively light in weight, and deliver long-lasting power. They can be charged many times without losing power, and suffer less from memory effect.

InfoLithium®

Produced only by Sony, InfoLithium® is a lithium-ion battery pack which can exchange data with compatible video equipment. Details such as battery consumption or remaining battery life can be seen in the LCD display or viewfinder.

What is ‘memory effect’?

If you regularly recharge nickel-based batteries before they are completely flat, they eventually "memorise" this and become a “shorter life” battery. Lithium-ion batteries are far less susceptible to memory effect, so can be safely recharged before becoming completely drained.

What is mAh?

mAh stands for milliamp-hour, a technical term for the amount of electricity a battery can deliver. Batteries with higher mAh values will in theory last longer between charges, which in turn should mean they have a longer working life before performance deteriorates.

Only use sets of batteries with matching mAh values; otherwise, it is possible that one lesser mAh battery will drain before the others, causing extra strain on the remaining batteries or causing your digital camera to not work until all batteries are replaced.

What is voltage?

Voltage is a unit of measuring electrical pressure - all batteries are rated in volts. Consult the product user guide to find the correct battery voltage required for your camera.

Rechargeable or alkaline batteries?

If your digital camera supports alkaline batteries, read the manual and check to see if it is compatible with NiMh. These batteries tend to last much longer than most standard alkaline batteries - plus, they are rechargeable, so they can be re-used again and again. The initial cost of rechargeable batteries and a charger is more expensive than alkaline batteries, but will work out much cheaper in the long run, and it’s better for the environment.