18. Power Supply

Nikon has stayed with its usual formula; the D50 has a Li-ion EN-EL3 battery identical to the ones on its other digital SLRs. A universal charger (100-240 V) is supplied. This setup is already known for its long battery life and trouble-free operation. Naturally, it's always preferable for demanding users to acquire a second battery. At Pentax, the situation is very different. The istDL ships without a battery; it has four openings for AA batteries, either standard or rechargeable. Naturally, for anything approaching intensive use, we recommend purchasing a set or two of NiMH batteries and a quality charger (automatic, with full-charge detection). A good charger is indispensable, or your batteries' life will be shortened. NiMH batteries can't stand overcharging, which is inevitable with a simple charger.

Pentax's choice not to include a rechargeable battery may or may not appeal to you, depending on how you'll use the camera. Li-ion batteries have a much better weight and size/power ratio, but the AA slots have the undeniable advantage of accepting alkaline batteries that can be found anywhere in the world. That's an appealing feature for certain travelers. You can also use expensive but very high-performance AA lithium (not lithium ion) batteries, which last a long time and are remarkably light. These are a good solution for hiking and similar activities.

We should stress that under normal operating conditions, digital SLRs always have good battery life of around several hundred shots, unlike most compact cameras. In addition, power consumption during standby periods is very low, so battery life isn't a problem except in very specific situations.