One of the most frustrating things about using a digital camera is that it always drains the battery at the worst possible time. What's the best way to boost battery power? We have some solutions.
There are many reasons why your camera battery may drain faster than usual. Aging rechargeable batteries lose their charm over time. Features like auto-flash and LCD screen require a lot of power. Or it could be operator error (you forgot to charge).
Try some of these tips to extend the life of your camera battery between charges.
Replace old batteries. Over time, rechargeable batteries lose their ability to hold a full charge. If your battery is a few years old, you may need to replace it.
Check for corrosion. Corrosion often occurs when batteries are stored inside a camera for weeks without use, especially in humid environments. Corroded batteries have green or brown stains on their metal connectors. Remove any buildup or the battery may not charge properly.
Make sure there are no deep scratches or other stains on the metal contacts of the battery or the metal contacts inside the battery compartment. Anything that prevents the metal contacts from connecting tightly can result in below-average battery performance.
Use the viewfinder. If your camera has a viewfinder, use it to frame your view and turn off the LCD screen, which can cause a lot of battery drain. If you prefer LCD, turning down the brightness can help save battery.
Also, avoid scrolling excessively through stored photos or cycling through your camera's menus to save battery life.
Turn on power saving mode. If your camera has a power saving feature, use it. It will power off the camera after a period of inactivity, which is helpful if you forget to turn it off manually.
You can find this feature in your camera's settings. If you can't find a specific model, check the manual.
Stop shooting in RAW format. RAW image files capture the most information when taking a photo, which provides more options when post-processing the image. This format requires higher resolution, which drains battery power faster.
If you're taking photos of kids playing in the park, you probably don't need RAW files. Save this format for large events or situations where you know you'll be doing a lot of editing after shooting.
Avoid extreme temperatures. Using the camera in cold weather may cause the battery to perform less than its expected lifespan. If stored in a cold place, it will not be fully charged.
If you must shoot in cold conditions, keep the battery in a pocket close to your body. Body temperature keeps it warmer than inside the camera. This helps it stay fully charged for a longer period of time.
Pick up an extra battery. Carrying extra equipment is the best way to ensure you have enough power to complete your project.
Since most digital cameras contain rechargeable batteries that are only suitable for one specific model, you can't easily swap the battery from another camera to your current one, so you have to buy a second battery.
