This may seem a strange question, but does anyone know whether it is true that electronic devices slowly become more power hungry as they get older?
This is something I seem to have noticed with cameras, but I think I have experienced it with other small electronic items.
I have a Minolta Dimage Xt camera, got it in about December 2003. I started to have real problems with the battery holding charge, so replaced the battery. Now I am using the second of the replacements, a Uniros, and I can take it straight from teh charger to the camera and the camera registers only about 50% charge. A similar thing seems to be happening with my Olympus E10 using AA batteries.
It was suggested by a friend who is well experienced with digital cameras and other portable electronics, that these devices die a slow death over time as their internal contacts build up very thin layers of oxide. This increases the resistance, so requiring more juice to run the device.
I know that some would say that after five years its about time to buy something new, but, I like my little Minolta, it has been all I have wanted in a pocket size point-and-shoot, and I loath the idea that something that cost that much should be thought of as a 5-year disposable item.
Anyone have any thoughts on this?
This is something I seem to have noticed with cameras, but I think I have experienced it with other small electronic items.
I have a Minolta Dimage Xt camera, got it in about December 2003. I started to have real problems with the battery holding charge, so replaced the battery. Now I am using the second of the replacements, a Uniros, and I can take it straight from teh charger to the camera and the camera registers only about 50% charge. A similar thing seems to be happening with my Olympus E10 using AA batteries.
It was suggested by a friend who is well experienced with digital cameras and other portable electronics, that these devices die a slow death over time as their internal contacts build up very thin layers of oxide. This increases the resistance, so requiring more juice to run the device.
I know that some would say that after five years its about time to buy something new, but, I like my little Minolta, it has been all I have wanted in a pocket size point-and-shoot, and I loath the idea that something that cost that much should be thought of as a 5-year disposable item.
Anyone have any thoughts on this?