Will 1.2V rechargeable batteries work in a camera that requires 4.5V?

I own a Philips digital camera that calls for 4.5V. It works fine (although drains quickly) with alkaline batteries (1.5V). I have fully charged my Engergizer batteries (1.2V) and my camera would only turn on for a few seconds before shutting off.

It turns of quickly because it senses the voltage on your re-chargables as being low and the batteries in need of a charge, so it shuts down the camers.

This is why nearly all electronics devices that use batteries have a warning to use only Alkaline batteries. The combined voltage of your rechargeable batteries (3.6v) would be far too low to sustain power to your camera. Most devices fail to work when the voltage supply is less than 90% of normal operating voltage (probably around 4.1v in your case). If using re-chargeable batteries with a digital camera, you would be best to go with NiMH type 1.5v cells. Here we go.

Your Camera probably recomends what kind of rechargeable batteries to use.

Under general use most batteries are equal.

When using a flash i believe a survey produced results that leaned towards Duracell. Using a flash requires more power in short time whch is harder on a battery than lets say flashlight. Little power over long time.

Re chargeable batteries will work quite well if they are new and correctly charged. But you should only expect 80% of the power every time they are charged. They slowly lose the abillity to hold a charge.

Now then lithium are damed good but expensive .. unless the manufacturer advises not to. Lets clarify something. When your camera says that it requires 4.5volts it is referring to an the external power source if your plugging in the charger either for direct power or charging batteries regardles of the voltage of the batteries.