If you use rechargeable batteries, you will need to add another piece of equipment to your standard camera bag — a battery recharger.

When buying your digicam with proprietary batteries, find out if it comes with a battery charger. The newest battery chargers rely on micro-processor technology to provide rapid charge to your batteries in about one to three hours. (Otherwise, it can take up to twelve hours to recharge batteries.) Another advantage of a battery charger with microprocessor control is that it can determine when a battery is fully charged. Then it will either begin trickle charging or shut off completely. This prevents overcharging of batteries. Some cameras will recharge the battery in the camera, when the digicam is plugged into an AC wall outlet. If you want a separate recharger, you will have to buy one.

If you decide to buy AA rechargeable batteries, find out if the AA recharger can trickle charge the batteries. Once the batteries have been fully charged, trickle chargers continue to supply a small charge to them. There are differing opinions on the effectiveness of trickle charging. Some battery manufacturers do not recommend it. The best battery chargers send only an occasional pulse charge, rather than a continuous low rate of charge, to a battery that is already charged. Excessive trickle charging tends to dry out the electrolyte that makes a battery work, thereby ruining the battery.

Here are some things to consider when choosing a battery charger: