Digital camera battery life?

[likesbikes]

Evening gang

Got a tidy digital compact (Olympus FE-170) for christmas. I'm very pleased with it apart from its 'fuel consumption'. After the usual new camera pictures of the living room/garden/unwilling missus in the bath etc (probably 50 or 60 at the most) and the associated deleting its now nearing the end of its 2nd set of batteries. Is this normal?

My old 35mm SLR does much better than this and was probably cheaper to run even allowing for the costs of film/processing?

Anyway, does anyone know if I need to go back to the shop? I'll be going anyway, just need to know whether I need to speak to the man about a possible fault or just to buy a set of rechargables?

Cheers,
Darren

[richb]

Mine consumed batteries at the rate of about 1 x set per use. I got rechargables but still need to ensure they are fully charged before each outing...

[likesbikes]

ah, mine would seem normal then? What's particularly worrying is that I've hardly used the zoom!

[Platinum]

My first digital camera (1.3mp, no zoom etc) consumed its 2x AA batteries very quickly.

I bought a Minolta Z2 with zoom. That used 4x AA batteries, and on rechargeables I was able to get 150+ shots from one charge.

You could try turning instant preview off to save some power.

I think rechargeable batteries last longer than single use ones(?) I used one of those dinky energizer chargers, and the same brand batteries (one set in use + a spare set.) This 'setup' would always last for day trips; I think I even got a whole weeks use out of the two sets on one holiday (<250 shots + viewing + deleting.)

[agent006]

Depends what capacity batteries you're using too. Standard AA are rarely the longest lasting available.

[rich 36]

Ah good,
not just me then
I had a 'brick' of Kodak on my first excurion into dig/graphy
I thought this was a greedy bit of kit battery wise,

I've now got a Nikon half the physical size but still have to carry a spare pair of AA in the pocket just in case

[likesbikes]

agent006 said:

Depends what capacity batteries you're using too. Standard AA are rarely the longest lasting available.

Don't know about capacity, just common alkaline AA's. It would seem its just something you learn to live with then?

[monkeyhanger]

It's usually the LCD screen that uses most juice on a compact.

[Ian_H]

Get your self a couple of sets of high MAH rechargeable batteries, they will last much longer than single use batteries, 7 day shop have sets of 2800mah nimh batteries for £4.49

www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_3&products_id=101842

[likesbikes]

Ian_H said:

Get your self a couple of sets of high MAH rechargeable batteries, they will last much longer than single use batteries, 7 day shop have sets of 2800mah nimh batteries for £4.49

www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_3&products_id=101842

Excellent, I'll try a set of those. Cheers mate.

[puggit]

You need to buy lithium AA's if you're going the disposable battery use. Should last for 100-150 photos depending on how you use the camera

Regular alkalines will only last for a day of average holiday use if you are lucky!

[likesbikes]

puggit said:

You need to buy lithium AA's if you're going the disposable battery use. Should last for 100-150 photos depending on how you use the camera

Was looking at those, 2 pairs for 1 in argos. Got 2 sets of 2700mah
rechargeables with charger today. might get some lithiums in to keep with it for emergencies.

Thanks all, very helpful as always.

Darren