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Can Sony Digital Cameras battery charge via cable?

Some ignorant person answered this basic ?on an older post that NONE of the digital cameras can charge from USB cable which is totally UNTRUE! My Samsung for instance DOES recharge that way. I am interested in buying a used Sony W30 but I don't want any camera that I am forced to remove the batteries from just to charge them! I can't find the answer in any reviews I read. If someone actually KNOWS as opposed to the ever growing # of annoying peeps that I suppose are more or less guessing and gambling that they will sound right or helpful (what is THAT all about anyway? if they are wrong they look ENTIRELY ignorant!) I'd sure appreciate sincere facts or even honestly stated thoughts! What is really annoying is when a question is NOT ever answered and yet they list it now as "Resolved" so no one can even add or correct wrong info ... then there is this permenant MISINFORMATION sitting there until judgement day probably! Anyway thanks in advance to any honest helpfuls out there!! BTW just because a dig camera comes with or has available for it an external charger is no indication that said camera does not also support charging via a cable or cradle (which is also a cable too really) I once again cite my Samsung i85 as a "for instance" ( the i85 is not at all rare in this regard as there are a plethora of others also ) The batteries in these practically designed cameras will happily accept electrons when needed via a cable or from a propietary external charger. Actually I am amazed that folks would accept any full featured full priced camera (or phone or pda or gps etc etc etc) that requires REMOVING the battery just to charge it! It really is ridiculous as there is no reason whatsover that it can't have acable charge option adding mere pennies to the manufacturing costs. An ultra low end model intionally devoid of ammenities? One ought ONLY expect such tactics on a bare bones $39 "loss leader" type device in my opinion!

Public Comments

1. "Power Power Device Battery charger - External" Since it says this in the specs on Cnet.com and the fact that it comes with a USB cable, I would say that it is not capable of being charged via the USB cable. Most digital cameras are not capable of charging via the USB cable. Edit: True, just because it says it comes with an external charger doesn't mean that it can only charge via that charger. When under the very specefic sub title of "Power" the only thing listed is "External", that's a good indication that is your only way of recharging the battery. Very often a USB port is just not capable of putting out enough power FAST ENOUGH for people to be satisfied with charging their camera batteries that way. We've all given you info and sources that give you the most likely, MORE than probable, answer to your question. I have both a Nikon D40 DSLR and a Sony Cybershot DSC-W55. They both require me to remove the battery and use a wall adapter. My thought is that your real issue is with the companies making the products. So, maybe you should talk to them instead of getting upset at us because you're not getting the answer you want.
2. I doubt that you can charge it via USB. Most cameras will not allow this. You are correct that some do but they are the exception. From the review I read of the camera it does not say that you can't nor does it say that you can. I think your best bet is to call the Sony helpline. They should be able to tell you. http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/support-contacts.pl?
3. The Sony CyberShot W30 you are interested in uses the NP-BG1 type 3.6V power cell. As far as I am aware this battery cannot be charged in the camera via the USB connector. According to Sony's literature it has to be charged in an external charger. If you want to verify this for yourself (the links won't post) you can visit the Sony site and look up the details in the manuals that are free to download from the support section. You are correct that some cameras will charge their batteries when attached to USB ports. Some come with chargers that plug into the camera. If you need that info, check the support sites. Currently I own: Sony DSC-W300 - Battery has to be removed to be charged in an external charger (same battery and charger as the W30). Sony DSLR-A700 - Battery is normally removed and charged in an external charger, or you can pay £90 for a special charger that will charge the batteries while in the camera. Samsung VP-HMX20c: Charger either plugs into the base unit or directly into the camera.