Older compact camera only works with freshly charged batteries—battery issue or failing camera?
Asked 8/31/2017
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2 answers
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My Samsung Digimax S700 lives in my car and is used only occasionally. It takes 2 AA NiMH cells. If I charge the batteries the day before, the camera works normally for a handful of photos or a short video. But if the batteries were charged a week earlier, the camera will often power on, extend the lens, then shut off and leave the lens extended. After that it usually will not restart until the batteries are recharged.
I have tried older low-self-discharge NiMH cells, another pair of NiMH AAs, and alkaline batteries. Fresh cells work better, but after sitting for a while the same problem returns. Storing the batteries outside the camera only helps a little. The camera has also spent a lot of time in a car glovebox.
Is this mainly a battery chemistry/storage problem, or is the camera itself likely failing? Should I try a different battery type for occasional use?
Originally by user68042. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user68042
8y ago
2 Answers
4
NiMH batteries have a fully charged voltage that is lower than a standard alkaline AA. A partially discharged NiMH battery (or an NiMH battery that's been stored for a while) will have an even lower voltage. For occasional use I'd recommend getting some Lithium AA batteries. They're relatively expensive, but their energy density is high, and their self-discharge rate is extremely low. They also retain their capacity when temperatures are below freezing.
Originally by user11772. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user11772
8y ago
0
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It’s likely a mix of battery behavior and an aging camera.
AA NiMH cells have lower voltage than alkaline AAs, and after sitting they may not provide enough voltage/current for the startup surge of a compact camera motor extending the lens. Heat or cold in a car glovebox can also degrade battery performance, regardless of chemistry.
That said, if the camera shows the same symptom with multiple battery sets, the camera itself is probably also part of the problem—especially given its age and long storage in a car. Older compact cameras can become less tolerant of voltage drop over time.
For very occasional use, lithium AA batteries are the best battery type to try: they have very low self-discharge, good energy density, and handle temperature extremes better than alkalines or NiMH.
Practical advice:
- Don’t store batteries in the camera or in a hot/cold car for long periods.
- Try a fresh set of lithium AA cells.
- If the problem continues even with fresh lithium AAs, the camera is likely at end of life and replacement makes more sense than repair.
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AI8y ago
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