In this page I will introduce some basic digital camera accessory which included:
Battery Charger
Battery Chargers can be considered one of the most important digital camera accessory on the market. Because in most cases, we need some kinds of charger to recharge our digital camera batteries.
In addition to that we also need to recondition NiCD batteries by first fully discharging them so that they have no "memory effect" problems.
Some chargers have built in circuitry that determines if the battery is NiMH, NiCd, Li Ion, or Lead Acid. A small computer inside the unit then determines the best way to charge your battery pack. As the battery is charged there is a temperature probe that the unit uses to check it's progress and
allow for maximum protection against overcharging.
Some chargers are region specific meaning they only work in certain regions. Of course universal chargers are also available.
Rechargable Batteries
Another vital digital camera accessory is the rechargable batteries. Since digital cameras consume batteries fast, most "old-fashioned" batteries can not handle the current.
Recently a new type of battery chemistry that allows for higher current draw from a battery over time has come into existence -- the NiMH batteries. This type of batteries storing energy a completely new way that allows it to be released much more quickly.
The NiMH batteries last longer than the alkaline batteries and are rechargeable 500-1000 times. Below is a comparision of NiMH batteries to various batteries on the market.
| 1800 mAH NiMH Batteries | NiCD Batteries | Ordinary Alkaline Batteries
|
| Digital Cameras | 230 Photos | 80 Photos | 30 Photos |
| PDA | 21 Hours | 8 Hours | 7 Hours |
| Game Boy | 31 Hours | 12 Hours | 7 Hours |
| CD Player | 19 Hours | 7 Hours | 6 Hours |
Most digital cameras have their own specific batteries, so when you chosing batteries for your digital camera make sure the batteries you have chosen are compatible to your camera.
Digital camera adapter
Another important digital camera accessory is the adapter. It is a viabe dicision to buy a digital camera adapter since most digital cameras are power-hungry. when chosing an adpter there are basically 4 factors need to be considered:
a) Construction: Should be very durable, fit easily into a camera bag, and it should allow for as much freedom of movement you want.
b)Voltage: The voltage must be compatible with the camera
c) Amperage: For example, the adapter of my CD player does not have as many amperes that your camera
will pull. If you use it with your digital camera it will get hot, and could be very dangerous.
d)Voltage Regulation: A steady flow of current will help digital cameras last longer.
Again, many digital camera manufacturers have their own adpters.
Digital Camera memory storage devices and memory reader/writer
The most popular digital camera accessory. Flash is a new type of memory storage card, you can use it to store MUSIC, PICTURES, MOVIES, and MORE, and it keeps them stored even when the power goes off.
There are 5 types of Flash in the market.
They are: SmartMedia, CompactFlash, Multimedia, Microdrive, and Secure Multimedia
P.S. PCMCIA PC Card. These cards are only found on high end processional digital SLR's, because of their large size they're not compact enough to be used in a "compact" digital camera.
A memory reader/writer can help you download, pictures, music or movies to your computer by connecting the reader with the computer. Some of them can read and write to all mainstream types of Flash Memory. For example, the Arestec 5 memory reader/writer can be used with virtually every MP3 player, Digital Camera, Camcorder, or Handheld PC on the market.
Last but not least other digital camera accessories you may want to consider are the Camera bag and Camera Tripods.
