Why does my digital camera drain batteries so quickly?

I just bought a Vivitar Digital Camera and I got Energizer batteries to put inside of it. Well each time the batteries I put in died in 3 minutes. Some even died in 20 seconds. This is the same with all batteries. Why is my camera doing this? (The batteries that came with the camera also died in like 7 minutes)

Digital cameras are power hogs. Some of the problem comes from wanting to view the photos right after making the image. The smalll LCD screen really is a power hog. I would suggest getting rechargeables (two sets) and a small trickle charger.

http://www.thomas-distributing.com/index...

They have a variety of batteries and chargers. They are selling the 2700 mAh batteries on this page. I've had good luck with them.

If you use these and they drain in three minutes there is a short someplace in the camera. Does it get really warm when you turn it on? This is something that signals a big problem. If it's under warranty take it back for a replacement.

Good Luck Defective camera. Take it back Digital cameras are notorious for draining batteries. Do you mean that the batteries are dead after 3 minutes of constant use? Or they die after you put them in, and let the camera sit, turned on but unused for 3 minutes?

If it's the first, go buy several sets of rechargable batteries - NiMH if possible, and at least 2500 mAh (milliamp hours), otherwise NiCads. You'll still get only a short time using these batteries, but at least you can recharge them, instead of throwing them away and buying new ones all the time.