Batteries and Chargers

Figuring out which battery a camera needs is usually not a problem. Often it is indicated in the battery compartment of the camera or it is, without doubt, set out in the camera instructions. And of course it can be found here in on the Camera Battery pages found on the Menu on the right.

Figuring out which charger a particular battery uses is sometimes not so easy. So I am listing here all of the battery and charger combinations I can find, organized by battery name in alphabetical order.

Canon batteries are expensive but in my opinion they are worth the extra money. And the corresponding charger is built for the characteristics of their battery. I think this results in longer battery life and a more reliable source of power. I have tried ‘after market’ batteries and I have not had good luck with them. I know some reviewers speak highly of some brands and it is possible there are good brands other than Canon out there and I have just not found them. But, be careful and do your reserch before you order batteries from other manufacturers.

There are also after market chargers for some battery models but I have no experience with them. Again, be careful and do your research before you buy.

Most, if not all, Canon battery chargers have power supplies that can accept 110 (North American Standard) or 240 volts (European Standard). That means that it is not necessary to use a voltage converter. Just plug it in. On the back of the charger look for the “Input:” and it will tell you the voltages that are acceptable for the unit. If it says “AC100-240V 50/60Hz” that tells you that you can use the charger on any power source that has a voltage of 110, 220 or 240 volts and alternates at between 50 and 60 cycles per second. Very handy if you are travelling in Europe or North America.

There are warnings on the back of the unit that should be noted. Battery chargers are not water proof and 

probably not water resistant. They should be used indoors in a dry environment. The charger should only be used with the battery it is designed for. Batteries have design parameters that must be met or they may be damaged and could possibly catch fire or explode otherwise.

Generally the chargers have cicuitry to protect the battery once it is fully charged but it is not a good idea to leave the battery in the charger longer than necessary to obtain a full charge. It is a simple safety precaution and with electrical equipment one cannot be too cautious.

A word of caution: it is important that you never allow any metal to short out the battery contacts on the charger while it is plugged in. This can damage the charger, often beyond repair. In fact, make a habit of never allowing anything metalic to make contact with the charger, inside or out.