So my 11 year-old Canon SX120 is no longer retaining its memory and I fear its time is now limited.

Looking a AA battery powered camera. I want the battery powered version because, no matter where in the world I go, AA batteries will be available as opposed to a useable power source for recharging an internal battery. (The 120 was purchased in part to a three month deployment to Iraq to trading their aid force.)

For an insight on my camera skills, I could make a semi descent living as a photographer but then, it wouldn't be much fun for me. (And, I still have my Canon T90 with a 1.4 lens which.)

So short of doing the same thing I've been doing the past few weeks (my Google-fu is strong), what say thee for recommendations and, why?

TIA (thanks in advance )

I went through a similar exercise not too long ago...wanted a AA camera for similar reasons. I wound up buying an older, 'Like new/unused' Canon slightly upgraded from your 120...an SX160 or similar IIRC, off the Bay. There just aren't much in the way of AA cameras these days.

If you have a camera shop in your area that deals with used models, you might them a try.

Boss

Would this be worth consideration? EBay link

Edit to add: Why not AAA? My local Target shows to have a Polaroid brand waterproof 16MP using 2 AAA for $39 bucks. Link. Walmart shows to have the same camera

One alternative would be to get a modern camera and an extra rechargeable battery, even if it's a cheaper aftermarket. Today's cameras have really long battery life.

No "good" camera of recent design would run off of AA batteries. The power density just isn't there to power the sensor and processor required in a good camera.

So, two options:

A) Buy a camera that can charge its battery internally through a usb cord. 5v USB power can be found pretty much everywhere. You can even charge from a portable battery bank + solar charger.

B) Slight variation on the above. Buy a camera with a lithium power pack that can be removed. Buy a second battery and a USB charger for said battery. Recharge second battery from a portable battery bank or directly from solar. No downtime on the camera, you can swap batteries to keep shooting.

Also, a cheap DSLR will have enough charge for many hundreds/a thousand pictures. How much power do you really need?

I can't imagine a circumstance where I would opt for an AA powered point and shoot. Modern cell phone cameras are pretty amazing. I typically opt for a real DSLR when taking photos, but if its not around, the smartphone will do.

My employer utilizes several point and shoot cameras that are powered by AA batteries and the results are less than impressive.

I’ll second the suggestion for one that can charge internally via a USB cable and power bank. If that isn’t an option, there is an option for AA powered, but it won’t be a small cheap camera.

Many DSLR cameras can use an attached battery grip that will hold a tray of 6 AA batteries. Here is one example for use with a Canon 70D or 80D camera.

https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-...s=electronics&sr=1-3

Have you changed the backup battery?

^^ Yep, probably start with this secondary battery as well as new memory card first.

There are still some of 'old(er-ish)' guys that still prefer to have an independent, stand-alone
point/shoot camera for various reasons. And some of us that work in the field, sometimes in remote locations, and take LOTS of pictures, prefer being able to swap out AA batteries (I've been using re-chargeables for years). Are these cameras as good as the latest and greatest uber megapixel units? No, but they work just fine 99+% of the time...if you need professional/laboratory-quality photos, you go another route.

$.02 worth.

Boss

I dunno, an 11 year old 10mp CCD point and shoot is ancient.

Like, I get needing a cheap point and shoot. But something of recent design would probably make his job simpler--better low light performance, dynamic range, autofocus. Yes, I understand not needing "pro" photos, but you can't argue that getting a decent picture the first time you try isn't going to speed things along.

I get why AA batteries were a thing. Rechargeable batteries sucked in the NiMH days. Back then, the NiMH batteries weren't even Low Self Discharge, so everytime you picked up the camera is was likely dead. And when you needed to charge, you needed to find the stupid adapter with the right barrel connector.

But lithium batteries have been here for a while. They have virtually no self discharge, so the battery stays full between uses. Most cameras will charge internally through a USB port now, so you can start each project with a full battery and top off from your car or cell phone charger wherever. Batteries, even on the smallest point and shoots, can give you a hundred+ photos between charges. Spare batteries are cheap and plentiful if you go with non-OEM marked batteries.

I see no benefit to a digital camera that runs on AA batteries.

quote:

Originally posted by cparktd:
Have you changed the backup battery?

Ooh snap!!!

Never knew about or considered that.

THANKS!!

I have a Canon Powershot A620 that is basically brand new, sitting on a shelf. Email me if you can't fix yours.
https://www.usa.canon.com/inte...eries/powershot-a620

The620 was great. I’m sad that mine died from alkaleaks.