What is the best battery for video cameras?

Nickel-cadmium batteries continue to power a large percentage of professional cameras. This battery provides reliable service and performs well at low temperature. Nickel-cadmium is one of the most enduring batteries in terms of service life but has only moderate energy density and needs a periodic full discharge.

The need for longer runtimes is causing a switch to nickel-metal-hydride batteries. This battery offers up to 50% more energy than the nickel-cadmium battery. However, the high current spikes drawn by digital cameras have a negative effect and the nickel-metal-hydride battery suffers from short service life.

There is a trend toward using lithium-ion batteries for video cameras. Among rechargeable batteries, this chemistry has the highest energy density and is lightweight. A steep price tag and the inability to provide high currents are drawbacks.

The 18650 cylindrical lithium-ion battery offers the most economical power source. “18″ defines the battery’s diameter in millimeters and “650″ defines the length. No other lithium-ion battery, including prismatic or polymer types, offers a similar low cost-per-watt ratio.

For additional information, visit www.batterygiant.com