Battery type CR2032: Compatible cameras

The CR2032 is a lithium manganese dioxide coin cell with a nominal voltage of 3 volts, a diameter of 20 mm, and a height of 3.2 mm. The name encodes these exact dimensions according to IEC standard 60086. It is by far the most widely used lithium coin cell worldwide and is available in every supermarket, drugstore, and electronics store. Typical capacity: 210–240 mAh. It is characterized by a very flat discharge curve. The voltage stays close to 3 V for around 90% of its service life and only drops noticeably toward the end.

In the context of analog photography, the CR2032 appears in two roles:

• As the sole power source in small handheld exposure meters: Gossen Digisix, Gossen Digisix 2, Gossen Digiflash, Gossen Digiflash 2, and Sekonic L-208 Twinmate. All the devices on this page are exposure meters, not cameras in the conventional sense. The 3 V lithium voltage is compatible with the logic of these small digital meters.
• As a memory backup battery in later analog cameras: In cameras from the late 1980s and 1990s (e.g. Nikon F100, Canon EOS series, and some data backs), a separate CR2032 preserves the internal clock (RTC) and user settings, while the main battery powers only the camera's actual electronics.

You can find the complete device list with links to the instructions at the top of this page.

That depends heavily on the device. The Gossen Digisix and Digiflash exposure meters have no actual off switch: the clock, thermometer, and standby function run continuously, so standby current is relatively high. In practice, a CR2032 lasts about 6 to 12 months with normal use; after that, the display starts to weaken or the exposure measurement becomes inaccurate. The Sekonic L-208 Twinmate lasts longer thanks to its actual on/off switch (typically 1–2 years). As a backup cell in a camera RTC, however, a CR2032 usually lasts more than 5 years.

Two handling notes: (1) When bought in advance, lithium cells easily last 8–10 years. Self-discharge is below 1% per year. (2) Keep CR2032 batteries well away from small children. Swallowed coin cells can cause severe chemical burns in the esophagus within just a few hours. This is a genuine medical emergency, not a standard precautionary disclaimer.