Everywhere I hear people using NiMH rechargable batteries.

Why not use Lithium batteries? Doesn't the charge last longer?

I noticed that the new coolpix 990 is capable of using Lithium batteries.

Any words of wisdom as to the Pros/Cons of using Lithium?

Thanks,

Haskell:)

-- Haskell (haskell@squareusa.com), March 23, 2000

Answers

The 990 will work with Lithium AA batteries. These are 1.5 V like an alkaline AA.

YOU SHOULD NEVER RECHARGE A LITHIUM AA BATTERY.

The Lithium (Li) batteries in the Palm are rechargeable.

The Li batteries that you may use in a camera (such as a DL-123/CR- 123 or CR-2 etc. (3-3.6 volts) are not rechargeable.

Michael

-- Mike Rubin, Product Marketing Manager, Nikon Inc. (web@imaging-resource.com), March 23, 2000.

Lithium batteries are disposable, you're not meant to re-charge them (though some people do, a dangerous practice). Secondly the cell voltage is 3v not 1.5 or 1.2 like Alkalines or NiMH, so you can't just slot a Lithium cell in the place of a standard AA or AAA cell.

-- Pete Andrews (p.l.andrews@bham.ac.uk), March 23, 2000.

Followup Question:

If Lithium batteries are not mean't to be recharged, then why do they use them in the new Palm Pilots. The palm pilot I have, has a built in Lithium rechargable battery - it's great!. Will there be rechargable Lithiums on the market for Digital Camera's? Thanks, Haskell:)

-- Haskell (haskell@squareusa.com), March 23, 2000.

Guys, you're talking about two different types of lithium batteries, with what I imagine to be quite different cell chemistries.

One type is a disposable/non rechargeable "lithium" cell meant to replace alkaline AA's in instances where a long shelf life of (I seem to recall?) 10 years or so is desirable. I'm not sure they have as high a power density as claimed, though.

The other type is commonly referred to as a Lithium Ion rechargable battery and puts out a nominal 3.6V per cell. (3.7V according to my PDR-M5's battery...) You often see them in laptops with 10.8V packs (3cells x 3.6V).

I think the Lithium-ion rechargables have the advantage in size/weight/power density over NiMH's, but frankly they cost a LOT more and aren't nearly as convenient in terms of carrying an extra set of charged NiMHs. For instance, the Li battery for my PDR-M5 costs $40 or more depending on where you buy it, and a set of Nexcell NiMHs can be had for around $10. You do the math. Worse yet, according to my manual the L-Ion batteries can be recharged at least 300 times! Big deal, my NiMHs are supposedly rated for 500-1000 cycles depending on how fast they're charged and they cost 1/4 of the price.

That's the price you pay for more and more camera packed into smaller and smaller packages.

-- Gerald M. Payne (gmp@francomm.com), March 23, 2000.