Most people replace the standard alkaline AA batteries with rechargeable NiMH AA batteries.
They last about 4 times as long as alkaline batteries.
Then you recharge them.
You can find a set of 4 NiMH batteries with charger for between $10 and $20.
NiMH batteries tend to discharge just sitting around, so you should charge them before each days usage.
You can now find PreCharged NiMH batteries that do not discharge just sitting in the camera.
So look for PreCharged NiMH batteries.
I find that all digital cameras with any type of AA batteries tend to have slower shot-to-shot times, than cameras with Lithium rechargeable batteries.
Cameras that use CMOS sensors have faster shot-to-shot times than CCD sensors.
So look for a camera with Lithium rechargeable batteries and CMOS sensors.
A word about shot-to-shot time:
When using flash, your shot-to-shot time will increase because it takes a few seconds to recharge the flash high voltage capacitor between flashes.
This is true on all digital cameras - small - big - and DSLR
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Help! I'm at a loss about what to get in a camera. I've been searching thro' the stores and internet, checking on various camera's. There are just so many different ones to choose from. I can't really afford to spend much more than about $500-600.I'm torn between getting another digital camera or a lower end SLR. At the moment I have a Canon Powershot SX130 and a Canon Powershot S5iS. Both operate on AA batteries, but I find they just eat them up, and the wait time in between shots is slow so I miss the shots I want to take. While I only take pictures for my own interests, I want something that is an all round camera, good for a variety of interests, all the way from still photo's, weddings, kids & pets, sports & action, scenery. Is there another type of battery I could use besides the AA in what I have, or another camera out there that would be better for me.

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