What does the mah mean for batteries and cameras?

My nikon Coolpix cameras batteries don't last long?

• When i say don't last long i mean they last a few photo's and that's it i've tried Duracell and they work for a few days but the thing is with the nikon batteries it can't even take a picture, i've looked online and people say the batteries run out really quickly. What batteries should i be using? thanks in advance chloe

• Answer:

  If you are talking AA batteries, the longest lasting are non-rechargeable Lithium Iron Disulfide, such as the Energizer Lithium brand. Of course, these are non-rechargeable, but they are by far the longest lasting per discharge. You can also get rechargeable NiMH batteries, and while they will not last as long per charge, they can be recharged many times. So they are perhaps the best cost effective solution. And before some knuckle-head responds to your question recommending AA rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries, know that they will not work with your camera as they are 3.6V batteries and will damage your camera.