How To Buy A Good Camcorder Batteries

Online
Visit the camcorder's brand website (such as Sony or Philips). They have every battery available for your particular camera. There is a website (see resources) that specializes in selling camcorder batteries. On the website, you can search the cameras by name brand.
Select the battery for your camera and select "Add to Cart" followed by "Checkout."
Fill out all your purchasing and shipping information when prompted.
Review your order to make sure everything is correct (from the product to the shipping address).
Submit the order. You'll receive a confirmation email from the website a short time later.
Going to the store
Remove the battery from the camcorder and bring it with you. You can show it to a store attendant if you can't find it on the store's shelves.
Find a battery that has the same product number on it. This will ensure it is the correct battery. Oftentimes different brands of video cameras use different types of batteries.
Consider the available features for the cameras you're considering. For example, decide whether you want to add a date-time stamp or insert text into your videos. Be ready to pay more for these options.
Be sure you have a chance to use both the standard viewfinder camera (where you put the camera up to your eye) and the small-screen display viewfinder (where you hold the camera at arm's length).
Go to the store and look at a few more. Become thoroughly informed about what styles are available.
Identify your make of camera, and go straight to the makers. They will be the most likely to have the battery options that fit your camcorder. If you have a newer camcorder, you may use a more universal battery option, and can probably shop around, but if your are dealing with an old version, the best place to start is definitely through the camcorder's manufacturer.
Know how long you want a battery to last and what your needs are. Many of the new Lithium Ion batteries come with varying amounts of cells (usually 6 or 9). The greater the number of cells, the more battery life you should be receiving. If you like to charge your battery and have it last you for a good deal of time, go for the battery with the greatest number of cells.
Also identify the make of batteries. Many different companies make batteries, and some are obviously better than others. If you are buying your battery through a trusted company like Duracell, Energizer, or the company that made your camcorder, you know that you'll probably be receiving a quality battery that suites your needs.
If all else fails, and you are having trouble locating your battery type, you will probably have to resort to a third party market such as eBay. If your battery is no longer in production, it can be tough to find. Look to see if anyone has any unused or, if necessary, used options. If you still aren't having luck, look at your battery type, and run a google search to see what you can find. Or you can use the google shopping companion called froogle.com.
The important thing to remember when battery shopping is to immediately identify your needs. If you don't know what kind of battery you will be shopping for, you might end up with something that won't function with your camera. Look at your old battery, and then the rest is really up to luck and finding an available fit somewhere on the market.