# Camera batteries won't hold a charge **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 8, 2013, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/camera-batteries-wont-hold-a-charge/660474 "2013-06-08T15:10:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2013, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/camera-batteries-wont-hold-a-charge/660474/21 "2013-06-10T02:57:22Z")
> [@astro](#): > > It’s a circuit defect in the camera. You have no good options other than replacing the camera for mobile use. The camera could still be very useful if you get a [power supply](http://www.ebay.com/itm/AC-Adapter-DC-Charger-For-Canon-Powershot-S100-SX110-A470-A560-A570-A710-A720-IS-/350586187947?pt=US_Power_Supplies&hash=item51a090b0ab) for it and use it for indoor or ebay items or other close up shots. Thank you – excellent suggestion. A lot of what I do is around the house. (I started this thread yesterday after throwing batteries in the camera long enough to take a few shots of a knitting project I wanted to post in the Crafty Dopers thread.) ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2013, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/camera-batteries-wont-hold-a-charge/660474/22 "2013-06-10T03:01:04Z")
I have the same problem. The camera (Canon) seems to drain bats even when off. I solve the problem by removing them when not in use and always carrying spares (alkalines, I hate rechargeables). If they are nearly exhausted after a photo shoot, I just remove them and toss. That way, I always start with a fresh set. I use a ton of AAs for many devices. The camera is the only one that drains them when off, and has a very high current drain when in use. (no GPS) ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2013, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/camera-batteries-wont-hold-a-charge/660474/23 "2013-06-10T18:33:47Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > Thanks, **JR** Is this something it might be worth going to a camera store about, if I could find such an emporium? Hey neighbor, PM sent with some good local camera stores. aka P Parker ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2013, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/camera-batteries-wont-hold-a-charge/660474/24 "2013-06-10T18:47:38Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > No, really, they shouldn’t. This is why you don’t use alkalines for digital cameras. The chemistry isn’t right to produce power in the form you need it. That used to be true because early digital cameras used a lot of power, and rechargeable batteries last longer under high current draw. I’m not sure if that’s true anymore with modern digital cameras. Although it’s becoming a moot point anyway - almost all digital cameras sold today use proprietary rechargeable batteries. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2013, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/camera-batteries-wont-hold-a-charge/660474/25 "2013-06-10T19:46:01Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > Hey neighbor, PM sent with some good local camera stores. > aka P Parker Thanks, Spidey! (Have we met IRL? If so, I apologize for not remembering that fact.) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2013, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/camera-batteries-wont-hold-a-charge/660474/26 "2013-06-10T19:55:30Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > That used to be true because early digital cameras used a lot of power, and rechargeable batteries last longer under high current draw. I’m not sure if that’s true anymore with modern digital cameras. I suppose it depends on “modern,” but the cameras I’ve used through about 2010 that allow AAs, the NiMH have been several times (2-4) longer lasting than alkaline. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/camera-batteries-wont-hold-a-charge/660474/27 "2013-06-11T07:05:15Z")
Have you checked all the settings? Some settings can really affect battery life. For example, most cameras allow you to adjust how long they will stay on between shots before powering down - if this gets set so the camera never powers down you may not get very many shots between charges, especially if you take a long time between shots. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/camera-batteries-wont-hold-a-charge/660474/28 "2013-06-11T07:28:44Z")
Can you measure current drain when the camera is off, using a multimeter? I think the easiest solution is to stick a piece of plastic between the battery and contact when not using the camera. You can pull it out to use the camera, like a new clock/electronic device. It’ll reset your camera clock, though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/camera-batteries-wont-hold-a-charge/660474.md?page=1)