FinePix E500. 4.1 : model # BL00402-200(1) E

Indeed you can!

I would recommend against using any of the older NiCAD batteries, however.

The newer (and - BY FAR - more efficient) standards is NiMH batteries. (Nickel Metal Hydride.)

I used to be an Energizer fan myself... But as I worked in electronics retail, I tried many different brands of batteries with our products. I actually hated Duracell because of the crap quality of their older product lines.

But eventually, I had to grudgingly admit that Duracell batteries were far superior to any other brand currently on the market. (No less expensive, however. Pretty much the same price.)

I use the 15-minute charger currently available from Duracell. It cost about $30, but it comes with 4 AA batteries with a rating of 2400 mAh.

This rating is basically what determines how much of a charge the battery can hold. The higher the rating, the longer the battery will last.

I also bought an extra pack of 4 AA's while I was at it. I bought all of this for my digital camera. (Canon S3 IS.) The batteries in the extra pack had a higher rating of 2650 mAh.

Even using the 2400 mAh AA's, my camera lasts for a few DAYS of continual use! I will admit that I rarely use the flash on my camera. But even with the flash, the batteries last several hours with continual use. The 2650 mAh batteries last even longer. (Yes. I have monitored and recorded usage vs endurance. I know. What a nerd I am, eh? :P )

Perhaps you've had bad luck with Duracell before, but so did I. I'm still not too fond of their alkaline batteries, either. Perhaps you should consider giving the Duracell rechargeables a try?

Click HERE to see the product I bought on Best Buy's site. (I bought mine at Walmart, however.) It is the 15-minute charger system. It works with both AA's and AAA's. (I had to really inspect the device after I bought it to see how it recharges AAA's though. But it works great.) It actually does charge in 15 minutes, too. Every time. It's so powerful in fact that it uses a fan to cool the batteries while it's charging. Now that's awesome. :)

Remember to make sure that you give the batteries a full charge before you use them. Also make sure that you don't charge the batteries again until they're completely drained. Otherwise you will significantly decrease the charge capacity of the battery. Duracell has an excellent guide on their site on how to lengthen the life of your batteries. (I just found it trying to look on their site for their own product...which I did not find. Good batteries, crappy web site. Bleh...)

Click HERE to see this spiffy guide. It actually contains excellent information.

Otherwise, you can try any other brand that you prefer. Energizer is still second best, followed by Rayovac. (This is from my own experiences, of course.)

Let me know what you think. :)

Cyryl