There are Digital cameras that use AA-size batteries and those that are powered by lithium-ion batteries that only work with a particular type, make or brand of camera. If you travel, particularly if you enjoy remote or rustic locations, choose a camera with AA batteries.

Why?

When a camera that uses proprietary batteries runs out of power, you have no choice but to plug the battery into a power outlet to recharge it. This requires an available outlet, a battery charger, and, if you’re in a foreign country, a power converter. If access to an outlet is ever in doubt, or if you don’t want the hassle of carrying cords and chargers, then the limitations of this system are obvious.

You have the option to purchase the proprietary battery pack your camera uses – but they can be expensive and how many will you need?

If you use a camera that uses AA-size batteries when batteries run out of power on a trip, you can simply throw out the old batteries and drop in a new set of high-performance AAs like the Energizer E2 Lithium line. Two or three sets of such batteries can usually take you through a 10-day trip. If you’re out of high-performance batteries, you also have the option of using standard alkaline batteries, which are available anywhere in the world, and make a cheap and convenient source of backup power (though they only offer a fraction of the life of high performance batteries).

Before you buy check. Get a camera that uses AA batteries if you travel. My Canon PowerShot is one such camera.

Canon PowerShot SX40 HS 12.1 MP Digital Camera - Black US $345.00 End Date: Sunday May-20-2012 16:07:43 PDT

3 CANON PC1469 POWERSHOT ELPH SD1300 IS 12.1MP DIGITAL CAMERA AS-IS US $79.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday May-20-2012 16:07:55 PDT

Canon ELPH US $150.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday May-20-2012 16:10:47 PDT

Canon PowerShot ELPH 100 HS 12 MP Digital Camera 4X Optical Zoom ORANGE US $79.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Sunday May-20-2012 16:13:04 PDT

Canon SX40 HS 12.1MP Digital Camera with 35x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch Vari-Angle Wide LCD Too low to display Order Now

Canon PowerShot A2400IS 16MP Pink Digital Camera USD $139.00 Buy Now

cpinc40 posted a photo:

One of the better runners in the Cleveland Marathon is in the homestretch. He was doing very well, but still was more than 30 minutes behind the winner. Much better than I could do, though ... I would be more than two hours behind the winner. May 20, 2012.