Can using a 'Generic' battery in my new Digital Camera damage it?

I just bought a digital camera that uses a Canon Brand Li-ion battery. Aparantly, it lasts about 160 pictures with flash, which seems good!

But the bad thing about rechargable batteries is if you run out of charge, you can't just go to the nearest store and buy some more. So I want to get an extra one or two for when I'm on vacation. Buying the replacment bettery from Canon is $70.00 plus shipping. I can find generic brands for SOOO much less, and they say that they're compatible with my camera.

I'm worried about the chance that they could break or damage my camera, as well as if I can use my charger for the new generic battery.

Has anyone used generic batteries for their camera, and if so, did they work okay? I'm torn because AA batteries in other cameras don't damage them even if you buy a cheap brand, but is it the same with specialized batteries... I'm not sure!

My camera doesn't use AA or AAA, it uses a specialized Li-ion battery, looks like cracker, kind of, in shape.

For over twelve months now, I use a generic Li-ion battery as a spare for my Canon Digital SLR and it works fine. But then I bought it off reputable dealer and a reputable brand - certainly not really really "cheap cheap" (although NOT Canon's).

I also charged it with the Canon's charger - no problem so far.

Do they break or can they damage the camera? Yes! That is the risk you take EVEN with Canon's battery. It is the case of how much are you prepared to pay for a decent battery. NO ONE can guarantee that any battery will not damage your camera. A replacement or "life-time" warranty is no comfort because if it damaged the camera - you still are without the camera in repair and/or lost your precious photos.

Hope this information helps

Edit: The comment about nullifying the warranty using non-Canon battery is NOT true. How would other camera manufacturer's keep warranty when all their cameras don't have their own batteries - especially the ones that use AA or AAA.

If you look in your manual you'll probably find a list of AA battery types that will work in your camera, as long as you set it from the menu to use that type. The only difference a generic brand makes is that it probably doesn't last as long, which is why it's cheaper.

Hello. I wouldn't say it would damage your camera, but should you need work on your camera while under the warranty... you may nullify your warranty by using something else. With the camera you bought, you've got one that uses a proprietary power source... so you're essentially stuck I'd think. You could get a camera which uses AA and get the nickel hybride with a high mAh (the higher the mAh, the more power there is). So my recommendation is to search several sites to find the lowest price on it. Wish I could help you more, but here's what I had to offer. Good luck.

no it wont mess it up, if you buy the canon battery your just paying for the name

I've never used anything but generic batteries! I've had a few duff ones, but nothing that's ever harmed a camera.