Stay Action Ready With Camcorder Batteries

Camcorder batteries include a myriad of configurations, mounts, and series types, to ensure compatibility with a wide selection of video gear. Having an additional battery on hand to power your video camera ensures you're ready to capture every moment. Explore battery and charger kits, or mounting plates that add even further versatility to your camera equipment.

Are All Camcorder Batteries the Same?

Whether you're a professional filmmaker or a casual home-movie buff, several elements factor into which camera batteries are best for you.

Think about the chemistry behind the power supply, as well as the mount or series type, to ensure that the battery will work for your camera. Take note of the energy density of the battery, which tells you how long your camera will run before needing a recharge or battery replacement. Other key elements include battery capacity and life cycle durability that'll determine the cost-effectiveness of the power supply. Typically, the current or milliampere hour (mAh) rating suggests how long a charge lasts—the higher the mAh, the better.

Decide whether you require a camera battery only, or if a battery and charger kit is the best option.

Chemistry Behind Camcorder Batteries

Explore the following four chemistry types to help determine the ideal solution to meet your videography demands, and to figure out what will work with your particular equipment.

Nickel Cadmium (NiCd)

Professional videographers often opt for nickel-cadmium batteries due to their superior life cycle and high discharge rate. NiCd batteries maintain voltage and hold their charge even when not in use. The most significant drawbacks of NiCd batteries are that they aren't environmentally friendly, as they contain toxic metals, and they're prone to "memory effect." Memory effect is the process of lowering the capacity of the battery when continuously recharging a partially charged battery.

Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries (Ni-MH)

Ni-MH batteries use nickel oxide hydroxide at the positive electrodes, similar to NiCd batteries, but they use a hydrogen-absorbing alloy instead of cadmium at the negative electrodes. This chemistry makes it a more environmentally friendly alternative. This kind of battery chemistry is less prone to memory effect and can often offer a higher capacity than NiCd batteries of the same size.

Lithium-ion Batteries (Li-ion)

Lithium-ion batteries are the most popular type of rechargeable battery, and a top choice for consumer electronics, including video cameras. They are lightweight, not susceptible to memory effect, and typically offer higher power retention than other types of chemistry

Lead-Acid

Lead-acid batteries are capable of providing a high current, making them ideal for larger applications and professional cameras. They offer an economical option when weight is not a concern.

Discover the range of camcorder batteries at B&H Photo and Video. You'll find multiple styles of mounts including gold-mount batteries and V-mount batteries, among other cells, batteries and power solutions.