What is "power draw" and how does it affect my digital camera?

What is "power draw" and how does it affect my digital camera?

Mark Comon (Vice President, Paul's Photo, Torrance, CA) gives expert video advice on: Why would I use the "image stabilizer" feature?; How do various image stabilizers differ?; What shutter speed range do I need for my digital camera? and more...

Power draw on your digital camera relates to how long the battery life is. With today's digital camera technology, they've really got the technology, the cameras are good enough so that the power draw or power drain isn't an issue any more for most people. This is due to a combination of efficiency in the electronics of the camera and also the efficiency in the batteries. The batteries in digital cameras are so much better today than they were three years ago. Most digital cameras can get between one hundred and four hundred pictures on an average battery charge. So, to me, power draw is a non-issue today.