Get the lowdown on camera batteries
We’ve come a long way since the early days of digital cameras when AA batteries were the norm and you were lucky to get more than 50 shots from each new set. Today, rechargeable lithium ion batteries have replaced all the previous types because they accept more charge, hold their charge longer and provide more accurate information about how much power they retain. It’s also safe to recharge them when they’re partially discharged.
How a camera uses power depends on the type of camera and its components. All cameras use battery power for their electronic displays as well as operations like opening and closing the mechanical shutter, metering exposures and driving the autofocus motor(s) and stabilisation mechanisms in the camera and/or lens.
In mirrorless cameras, much of the power is used by the electronic viewfinder, which means battery capacities tend to be lower for mirrorless and compact cameras than DSLRs with optical viewfinders. Batteries may also be smaller in mirrorless cameras to make them more compact and
