PREPARATION OF BATTERIES
Use the supplied (or sold separately) AA nickel metal hydride batteries to power the digital
camera. You can also use AA Ni-Cd batteries, but they will not last as long as the AA nickel metal
hydride rechargeable batteries. However, if you do not have access to these batteries, you may
use alkaline batteries and capture images using the viewfinder (see page 56). Also note that the
duration of operation provided by the alkaline batteries will be very short.
CAUTION
œManganese batteries cannot be used, as they have an extremely short battery life and may
overheat and damage the digital camera.
œFor your safety, read “Concerning the Batteries” on page 5 and “Concerning the Supplied
Battery Charger” on page 7 before handling the batteries.

Recharging Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries

Make sure to completely recharge the supplied nickel metal hydride batteries before use. Use only
the supplied battery charger to recharge the batteries. This battery charger can be used for both
the nickel metal hydride batteries (HR-3US or HR-3U, supplied with the digital camera or sold
separately) and the Ni-Cd batteries (N-3US or N-3U, sold separately). Before using the batteries
for the first time or when the batteries remaining charge is low (see “REMAINING BATTERY
CHARGE INDICATION” on page 44), follow the steps below to recharge them.
1Insert the batteries into the battery charger.
œMake sure the polarity ((+), (–)) of the batteries is as
indicated on the charger.
œMake sure that the batteries are properly inserted all the
way into the battery charger and not sticking up.
œYou can charge from one to four batteries at the same
time.
2Insert the power cord into the socket on the battery
charger.
3Plug the power cord into a power outlet (AC 100 to
240 V).
œRecharge will start automatically.
œDuring recharge, the recharge indicator on the battery
charger will light.
Recharge time of the supplied nickel metal hydride batteries:
Model NC-LC03WSA: approx. 110 minutes for one or two
batteries, and approx. 210 minutes for three or four batteries.
Model VAR-NC1: approx. 120 minutes for one or two
batteries, and approx. 240 minutes for three or four batteries.
NOTE
œThe recommended ambient temperature when recharging is between 10°C and 35°C. If the
temperature is less than 10°C, the batteries may be unable to be fully recharged.