digital camera ?

Hi!

Seems all the old posts about digital cameras don't mention anything about a voltage difference; I will be shopping for a US one to take over with me, and was just wondering if I should be looking for anything special (like a 90 to 260V notice) on the power source or anything.  This will be my first digital camera (I know, I know...I'm a cavewoman), and I'm a bit clueless about what might need to be "converted" (although I read SD memory cards are fine).  Any help much appreciated! 

Mine just takes AA batteries! 

Hi there

You'll not have any issues - almost all electronic's nowadays come with a transformer/power supply with a range covering 110-240v. More than likely though, you'll need an adaptor that will accept the US plug on the 'gadget' side and plugs into a UK socket on the 'power' side. These are very cheaply and widely available here.

Have a look at the US sites such as ebuyer.com, amazon, ecost.com, overstock.com etc to bag the best price for your chosen camera over there. Some electronics nowadays aren't much cheaper in the US as compared to here - but if you shop around you can 'maximise' the savings, plus with the US exchange rate anything bought there will have just that little more 'value' to it.

Get as big as a memory card as you can - 2GB cards are very very cheap nowadays and work in alot of electronic gadgets besides digi cameras. Any larger capacity ones, although cheap - use a newer technology which isn't as widespread in use at the moment althugh it's getting better.

Have a quick search for the camera forums where you'll get good reviews and advice - take that knowledge to the shops and get yourself a good performing model - even if it costs a little more!

Hope this helps!

cheers! DtM! West London & Slough UK!

Ditto, I just use the photo lithium batteries in my camera ... I never bought or needed the camera dock. FYI: The photo lithium batteries last *much* longer than AA batteries and are worth the cost -- stock up on them in the U.S., as they cost twice as much in the UK!

Thanks for the tips!  The model I was looking at used lithium batteries.  Groovy_yank: so you've never had to re-charge yours?  I thought I'd have to plug it in at some point even with lithium...but maybe not. 

Thanks for the tips!  The model I was looking at used lithium batteries.  Groovy_yank: so you've never had to re-charge yours?  I thought I'd have to plug it in at some point even with lithium...but maybe not. 

Nope, I never plug it in to recharge. I think they sell rechargeable photo lithium batteries, but you could use that with a transformer, or just by buying a UK recharger. I've never liked rechargeable batteries, though, as it seems like they never last as long when you recharge them as new batteries would. I've never tried it with lithium. I don't think rechargeables are that much of an economizer. At Wal-Mart and Best Buy you can get a two-pack of lithium photo batteries for under $20, and each battery will last *at least* a year with moderate use and if you remember to turn the camera off when not in use! If you make little mpg videos every day, yes, it will probably die much sooner. But I make an mpg maybe 5 or 6 times a year and snap at least 200-300 pics a year -- and the battery I've got now has been in for 1 1/2 years and still going strong. Also, I rarely use the LCD screen, instead framing pictures in the viewfinder. This also saves on the battery.

Hi there

You'll not have any issues - almost all electronic's nowadays come with a transformer/power supply with a range covering 110-240v. More than likely though, you'll need an adaptor that will accept the US plug on the 'gadget' side and plugs into a UK socket on the 'power' side. These are very cheaply and widely available here.

I was actually going to post a question about exactly this! How funny! My digital camera uses a weird little squarish battery, and the charger is labeled "110-240V", so that is good news that I will just have to buy the adapter when I get to the UK. Thanks Dennis!

Be careful about assuming that a new power unit will work on 120 or 240 volts.   While many of the latest units will, it can't be guaranteed.   Quite a number of accessories still come with power supplies which are single voltage, so check the labeling.   A 120V unit on 240V results in all the "magic smoke" which makes it work being released.   

Chargers for all the standard size batteries are easily obtainable, for example:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/search.aspx?MenuNo=12642&MenuName=Battery+Chargers&worldid=7&FromMenu=y