My camera came with two NiMH rechargeable batteries and that is the recommended type per the manual. Recognizing that they are rated for 1.2V, one has to assume that the manufacturer (Sony, in this case) expects it to work and provide the specified number of pictures per charge. What I have learned is that is there is a big loss in performance if the camera sits unused for quite a while. When that is the case I always recharge the installed and spare batteries before using. MLD