news.com has an Article New, cheap battery outshines alkalines. The article indicates in high usage devices like digital cameras these batteries last much longer than alkalines.

quote:

The final score: Regular alkalines, 354 shots; premium alkalines, 566; Panasonic Oxyrides, 844. That's not exactly twice the longevity of premium alkalines, as Panasonic promises (and as PC World magazine found in its own Oxyride battery tests). But it's 2.4 times the life of regular alkalines, for the same price.

I did find this interesting

quote:

Now, even Panasonic admits that Oxyrides aren't the most economical, environmentally friendly, powerful batteries you can buy. That honor goes to rechargeable nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, which cost under $15 including charger. You can recharge NiMH batteries hundreds of times, and each charge lasts longer than Oxyride or any sort of alkaline.

So it looks like I made a good choice when I purchased the NiMH batteries and charger a couple of years ago.

Oh yea, the article says Panasonic indicated they should be available in this country by June.

How are we sure that the claim by Panasonic is true as the chemistry details have not been revealed to the industry. We need to wait for the launch of this battery world wide and assess the potential