"change the batteries"--but they're new batteries!

I had the same issue which cleared itself up when I used digital specific batteries (theoretically higher power) as well as replaced the cr1220 battery (in a small gray plastic slot next to the 4 AA batteries).

Hi Bogdan, this seems to be the right direction. I have the same problem with the same model. What I noticed (and what basically prooves your exmplanation) is that in case I get the message, I take out the batteries, clean the contacts, and put them back into the camera. The camera usually (unless the batteries are really empty) stops giving me the "Change batteries message" and works fine for some time. I usually get this message on camera startup after I haven't used the cammera for some hours or days. I yet have to test if a bit of (electric) contact spray on the batteries will help with the problem. Thanks, Ingo

Hello Well this was allwais a tricky problem. It's pretty hard to diagnosticate this as it can involve about any component in the camera - except the ccd sensor - that's funny to add. But let's start with the begining. A typical alchaline (non rechargeable) battery has 1.5 Volts therefore if your camera needs 4 of them, the resulting tension would be 6 Volts. Now take a look at your rechargable batteries to see what tension they provide for each element. You may find a value of 1.23 - 1.3 Volts. Four rechargeable batteries will give you 4.92 - 5.1 Volts. As you can see, there's a difference here. But however the camera is suposed to work even if there is a voltage difference as big as that. Every camera works with rechargeable batteries and every rechargeable batteries will have the same property of having 1.23-1.3 volts. But now let me explain what happens when the camera says "charge the batteries". There is an internal comparator (hardware component) that by measuring the tension at the pins of the batteries and their internal resistance will try to "guess" what's their current charging state. It's made out of electronic components, it may fails or become decalibrated and therefore may produce false warnings. Therefore, it will figure out that the 4.9 - 5.1 volts aren't enought for it. That time the gap between the rechargeables and the alchaline normal batteries get's deeper. Let's try to do this in an organised fashion. Please try to connect 4 new alchaline batteries instead of your rechargeables. Check to see if they work better then your rechargeables. If they work, it means that the comparator inside your camera was slightly decalibrated. If they don't work it means that the comparator in your camera was.. badly damaged or decalibrated. But let's not make things too quick. Plelase try this simple test and reply here. I will take it from there and explain you what must be done further. Good luck. I'll reply to your comment as soon as possible.