Robert’s Photography Blog

Any photographer using a Canon Speedlite flash or equivalent knows the importance of battery performance! The Canon EOS 20D is capable of shooting 5 frames/sec for up to 23 consecutive frames! A Canon Speedlite flash with (4) AA alkaline or NiMH rechargeable batteries struggles to keep up. Practically speaking a photographer would rarely if ever want to shoot 23 consecutive frames. Still, at flash intensive events such as weddings and fashion shows most professional photographers can be seen using external power packs. An external power pack prevents the flash from ’skipping’ during bursts of 3-5 shots.

The newer Canon Speedlites (580EX and 430EX) recycle faster and more efficiently than earlier models. Around the same time, new higher capacity NiMH batteries came on the market. The combination greatly reduced flash skipping without the use of an external power pack. In my experience, the Sanyo 2500 NiMH batteries greatly reduced flash skipping in the Canon Speedlite 580EX even during heavy flash use.

Last November, Sanyo announced the development of AA size 2700 mAh (typical) NiMH rechargeable batteries. These new batteries are scheduled to go on sale worldwide this spring. I recently received several sets of (4) for evaluation (see photo). Preliminary results are superb! I am finding it more difficult to force my Speedlite 580EX to skip using these batteries. I will post additional feedback when I have had a chance to test the batteries further.