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Batteries 93

3.10 BATTERIES
Some salient points about the
battery:
 The camera rigidly enforces
the use of the NP-FM500H
battery. You cannot use
older model batteries that
look similar (such as the
FM55 battery used in the
A100).
 They charge fully within 4
hours. (Longer than charging
your cell phone, but then Figure 3-19: A discharge curve for a
again the battery holds a LOT Lithium-ion battery. That sharp
more energy!) downturn near the right (straight red
line) is the point where the battery can
 Carrying a spare battery (and no longer power the camera. In the
a spare memory card) with olden days the camera had a poor idea of
you is considered wise, just how close to the right the battery was
like the off-roaders always getting, and so it would often show “Full”
carry a spare gallon of gas. until very near the end. InfoLithium™
rd
 3 party batteries may be batteries have a “dead reckoning”
tempting due to their lower feature which tracks how much energy
price. A popular one on ebay has been used and can estimate how
now is Phottix brand, which much remains.
seems to have the same
capacity as the Sony version but lacks the computer chip which
communicates remaining battery life to the camera. (Subsequently you
won’t see the % remaining charge amount in the display.) But they
seem to work well.) Another is from a company named Wasabi and
you can read their amazon description here: http://amzn.to/1FMv0sh .
 The “Charge remaining” function may not be accurate in extreme
temperatures. (May not matter… as the battery itself starts to fail at
very cold temperatures.)