Camcorder Batteries
Choosing what works for you.
Camcorders have come a long way from the big bulky machines that
required an advanced degree to operate them. Now camcorders make
you think of a hand held trendy accessory that can easily be
brought to any event to capture the moment. As with all handheld
appliances, the element that keeps them going is the battery.
For every brand of camcorder, there is a specific type of
battery and a varying amount of battery life.
For each brand and model of camcorder, there is a specific
battery designed for that camcorder by the manufacturer. In
order to purchase additional batteries, you must know the make
and model number, as brands like Sony have dozens of models of
camcorders.
Camcorders typically use NiCD or NiMH batteries. Newer Lithium
Ion batteries are on the market for camcorders as well. They are
more ideal for camcorders because they must run multiple
applications which uses lots of battery power. To accommodate
this, traditional NiCD and NiMH batteries can be extremely large
and heavy, whereas Li-Ion batteries weigh much less and provide
the same amount of power.
Depending on the type of battery, whether it be NiCD, NiMH, or
the new Li-Ion battery, the type of camcorder charger needed will be very different. All
these batteries use different technologies and therefore charge
using different technologies. Many camcorder charger
manufactures have helped to overcome this problem by creating
universal chargers that charge all types of batteries in one
docking station. Another option is rapid chargers, which charge
batteries in a fraction of the time it takes traditional
chargers. For convenience, some chargers are also equipped with
a battery tester to measure the battery and avoid over charging.
Camcorders use lots of battery power, so it is important to
consider how it will be used before purchasing a camcorder
battery. Remember to take into account weight and frequency
of use to get the most for your money.