in my Sony DSC-P43.

2.5-3 years ago, when the camera was new, I could take about 200 pics on fully charged batteries, and the batteries that came with the camera worked really well for 2 years without loss of power between charges.

About a year ago, the camera started consuming too much power. Fully charged batteries (the same original pair) would take 20-30 pics and would die.

So I bought a new pair of Sanyos. Same problem.

After several months taking pics like that, I bought another pair, Energizers, but still same problem. Then I wondered if it was the charger that had somehow gotten old and was not working properly. Went to buy a new charger, but the salesman said it is probably not the charger.

He said I should get my camera checked.

So what could be the cause of this, and how could I find out?

Batteries: No (batteries are new and good)
Charger: Maybe? If so, I can get a new one.
Camera: Maybe? If so, what is the solution?

5/1/2007 6:19:39 AM

try it with alkaline batteries to see if its the camera

5/1/2007 9:06:41 AM

NiMH batteries suffer from self-discharge over time. Some are worse than others. I have a set of 16 batteries from Duracell, all the same type. 4 of them cannot hold charge for more than a day, the rest are holding on reasonably well, keeping a decent amount of charge when unused for weeks at a time. My best set of NiMH is an old set of Kodak 1800mAh, which can usually hold better than these 2650mAh duracells.

From what I've read, the new Eneloop-brand NiMH's were made specifically to address the problem of self-discharge. I have not bought any to try them. I did get a digital battery charger that helps tell which of my batteries can hold charge and which cannot. Google for the LaCrosse BC-900 for more info.

5/1/2007 9:55:20 AM

have you tried the panasonic oxyride batteries?

they aren't rechargeable, BUT they last a hell of a long time in digital cameras that use lots of juice.

cheap too. there are lots of coupons about.

kerr drug sells them locally.

[Edited on May 1, 2007 at 1:18 PM. Reason : my new sony 2500 mah AA's suck, but the older 1700mah still work great. it's the newer chemisty.]

[Edited on May 1, 2007 at 1:18 PM. Reason : a better/smarter charger is necessary to pack the most energy back in.]

5/1/2007 1:17:40 PM

i can vouch for the Duracell NiMH batteries sucking wang. I had a set of energizers that were fantastic. They'd sit in my wireless keyboard for months at a time, no problem. These duracells barely last a week. lame.

5/1/2007 2:25:51 PM