Batteries have come a long way. But I notice that not everyone knows this.

Modern cameras overwhelmingly use Lithium Ion batteries:

They are recognisable by the word “LiIon” on the battery.

These batteries are fundamentally better than Nickel Cadmium (NiCad) or Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries, all of which suffer to some extent from what we call the “memory effect”: if you do not discharge them fully at regular intervals, their capacity diminishes.

LiIon batteries, on the other hand, like to be kept charged. You can charge them daily and this does not harm them or diminish their capacity. So every day when you get home, charge your camera’s battery, so that you have a full charge when you leave the next day.

(And you always have a spare at hand, too – right?)

LiIon batteries also have a low rate of self-discharge: they keep their charge for a longer time without running down by themselves.

This is why I call them “betteries”.