I just got a Vivitar 8300 S digital camera this weekend. After downloading my pictures to my computer, is there a way I can turn off the camera, so as not to waste battery life? (Pressing the button with the USB cord connected did not seem to work.) Do I have to disconnect the cord before turning off the power to the camera? Thank you I have a Vivitar 10.1 mp Vivicam and I noticed the same thing. I just unplug the usb cord from the camera when I am done and then push the power button and it goes off. Other then that the camera is awesome. It blows away the piece of crap Sony that I had repaired twice in it's 1 year warranty period. My camera has the square rechargeable lithium battery so I am not to concerned about the battery life like other AA battery cameras I had in the past. You would be better served by getting:
1) rechargeable AA batteries instead of disposable AAs.
and
2) a USB card reader to read the SD memory card without having to use the camera.
You should not leave your camera connected to the computer with the USB cord, because the power coming down the USB connector will keep your camera "awake" (as long as your computer is on) on the presumption that you want to be able to access the photos on the memory card. This will drain your batteries.
Rechargeable NiMH AA's will give you longer life when you use your camera and will pay for themselves and the charger after about 3 or 4 chargings. A separate card reader will give you the ability to leave the card for an indefinite period without draining or using your camera. | 