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Which battery does the Canon SD790 take?

The Canon Powershot SD790 IS is a digital compact camera that features a 10MP sensor. It is powered by the Canon NB-5L, which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery pack. Lithium-Ion batteries offer a high energy density and low self-discharge, and are nowadays found in many portable electronic devices.

Battery Pack

The NB-5L operates at a voltage of 3.7V and has a capacity of 1120mAh. It can be charged from a standard electrical outlet via the Canon CB-2LX charger (that can be purchased separately, for example, at amazon). The battery pack measures 32mm in width, 8mm in height, and 45mm in depth. It weighs 24g. The NB-5L has been on the market since February 2006 and sells at good camera retailers, such as amazon, for about $50. Generic alternatives (see below) that are compatible with the Canon Powershot SD790 IS can be obtained at substantially lower cost.


Find generic replacement for the Canon NB-5L at:

 
amazon.com
 
 
ebay.com
 


How many shots can I take with a fully charged NB-5L?

The number of shots that one can get out of a battery pack depends heavily on the style and imaging practice of the photographer. For example, the extended use of the LCD screen for framing or reviewing will result in reduced battery performance.

NB-5L

The Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) has established guidelines that manufacturers are supposed to respect when reporting the battery life of their cameras. According to this CIPA-rating, the Canon SD790 can take 330 images on a single charge. Given the relatively demanding energy usage of the CIPA procedures, this rated number should be achievable or be surpassed in most practical situations. However, if the environment is cold, the LCD screen is used heavily, or the camera is turned on and off frequently, battery mileage might drop below the rating. Also, as the battery pack ages, its performance will tend to deteriorate.

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What about generic battery packs?

Canon sells the original NB-5L pack at quite a steep price. This premium pricing strategy has left room in the market for third party suppliers to offer fully compatible battery packs at much lower prices. Savings from buying generic replacement batteries can amount up to 70 percent of the price of the genuine battery pack.

Canon NB-5L Specifications

  • Battery type: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack
  • Compatibility: Canon SD790 & other selected Canon cameras
  • Voltage: 3.7V DC
  • Capacity: 1120mAh
  • Number of shots (CIPA) with the Canon SD790: 330

Indeed, one can easily find a variety of competitively-priced NB-5L replacements from different vendors at major online platforms (see, for example, here on ebay). All these generic alternatives should work fine with your Canon SD790. So why would anybody then buy the more expensive original battery? Well, below are some arguments in favor of the genuine NB-5L, which can perhaps be summarized as "peace of mind":

  • Assurance that the warranty of the camera will not be rendered void if a battery-related failure occurs;
  • Assurance that the battery pack will indeed have the stated capacity;
  • Assurance that the battery will have low self-discharge rates and, thus, will hold its charge even when not in use;
  • Assurance that the power unit will not trigger any warning messages on the camera and can be effectively charged with the standard charger;
  • Assurance that the manufacturing process has respected the safety guidelines for Lithium-Ion batteries;

If you can live without these assurances, then you are in for some nice savings from buying generic replacements for the NB-5L. Unfortunately, the market for generic battery packs is rather fluid, with new trade names popping up regularly while others disappear. Hence it is difficult to keep track of all the suppliers and the quality of their products. That said, in North America, battery packs from Wasabi have gained a good reputation, while in Europe, replacement power packs from Patona have received many favorable reviews. In any case, the existing comparisons tend to find that the cheapest of the generic replacement packs score worse in terms of achieving their rated capacity, holding their charge over time, or allowing for a large number of charge-discharge cycles than somewhat pricier battery packs (or the genuine Canon offer). Thus, the old adage, "If the price sounds too low to be true, it probably is" has some merit with respect to camera batteries also. You can check the current offers and prices for the original NB-5L and its clones by using the buttons below.


Find generic replacement for the Canon NB-5L at:

 
amazon.com
 
 
ebay.com
 


Which other cameras use the Canon NB-5L?

The Canon SD790 is not alone in using the NB-5L. Several other cameras from Canon are powered by the same type of lithium-ion pack. The adjacent table lists some of them along with a selection of their headline specifications.

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Cameras using the NB-5L
  Camera
Model
Battery
(name)
Battery life
(CIPA)
Sensor Size
(type)
Resolution
(MP)
Weight
(g)
Camera
Launch
Launch Price
(USD)
Street Price
(USD)
1Canon IXUS 90NB-5L3301/2.310.0195Mar 2008199ebay.com
2Canon IXUS 800NB-5L2401/2.35.9195Feb 2006349ebay.com
3Canon IXUS 850NB-5L2701/2.37.1195Sep 2006499ebay.com
4Canon IXUS 860NB-5L2701/2.38.0205Aug 2007449ebay.com
5Canon IXUS 870NB-5L3101/2.310.0195Sep 2008299ebay.com
6Canon IXUS 900NB-5L2301/2.310.0205Sep 2006499ebay.com
7Canon IXUS 950NB-5L2301/2.38.0195May 2007399ebay.com
8Canon IXUS 960NB-5L2401/1.712.0191Aug 2007699ebay.com
9Canon IXUS 970NB-5L3201/2.310.0195Mar 2008249ebay.com
10Canon IXUS 980NB-5L2801/1.714.6205Sep 2008399ebay.com
11Canon IXUS 990NB-5L2701/2.312.0160Feb 2009379ebay.com
12Canon S100NB-5L2001/2.312.0198Sep 2011429ebay.com
13Canon S110NB-5L2001/2.312.0198Sep 2012449ebay.com
14Canon SD700NB-5L2401/2.35.9195Feb 2006349ebay.com
15Canon SD790NB-5L3301/2.310.0195Mar 2008199ebay.com
16Canon SD800NB-5L2701/2.37.1195Sep 2006499ebay.com
17Canon SD850NB-5L2301/2.38.0195May 2007399ebay.com
18Canon SD870NB-5L2701/2.38.0205Aug 2007449ebay.com
19Canon SD880NB-5L3101/2.310.0195Sep 2008299ebay.com
20Canon SD890NB-5L3201/2.310.0195Mar 2008249ebay.com
21Canon SD900NB-5L2301/2.310.0205Sep 2006499ebay.com
22Canon SD950NB-5L2401/1.712.0191Aug 2007699ebay.com
23Canon SD970NB-5L2701/2.312.0160Feb 2009379ebay.com
24Canon SD990NB-5L2801/1.714.6205Sep 2008399ebay.com
25Canon SX200NB-5L2801/2.312.0247Feb 2009329ebay.com
26Canon SX210NB-5L2601/2.314.0220Feb 2010279ebay.com
27Canon SX230NB-5L2101/2.312.0223Feb 2011299ebay.com
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Canon NB-5L FAQ

The NB-5L is the standard power source for the Canon SD790. As such it is an indispensable camera accessory. Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular aspects of the battery pack and Lithium-Ion power units more generally.

Is there a car charger available for the NB-5L?

Canon does not offer a travel charger, but third party suppliers do (see here on ebay).

Is the NB-5L available in colors other than gray?

No, Canon supplies this battery pack only in gray. However, some generic alternatives from third party providers might be available in other colors.

Can I use the NB-5L in any of my other electronic devices?

No, the battery is specifically designed for use in the Canon SD790 and other selected cameras from Canon.

How should the NB-5L be stored?

Lithium-ion batteries can hold a charge for a long time. However, these battery packs have a safety mechanism built-in that disables any re-charge if the voltage drops below a certain minimum level. To avoid this safety-trigger to be activated, the battery pack should be charged at least once every few months.

How should I discard my old NB-5L battery pack?

The contents of Lithium-Ion batteries is under pressure and the packs can explode if exposed to extreme heat. Lithium-Ion battery units should therefore never be incinerated and should not be thrown into the household trash, but put into the recycling stream. Most places that sell camera batteries will also accept them back for recycling.

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