Not so sure about that.....
On my last two week holiday, I took 3000 pics and four, 4Gb videos and my 7D lost one of it's 3 blobs, to be fair that is using a twin battery grip (and the grip can take an AA magazine if needs be, which is the best compromise), same was true for my 400d, lots of battery life, and would hold it's charge for weeks, so maybe you're thinking about old technology (NiCd?).
I know it's not really a budget camera, but if you want what an SLR can do for you then the Canon 550D is really fantastic for the money (kit for around £650, so a notch up from budget), however you get 18 megapixel, Full HD video (on SLR glass is amazing, and an SD 640x480 mode which is great for you tube etc.), 6400ISO sensitivity (with noisy 12800 boost if you must), nearly 4fps, you also have a metal body, 3" screen (4x as many dots too), there's also better metering (4 modes), wider bracketing (5Ev).
Basically you get a cut down 7D when you buy a 550D (for less than half the price, although the 7D has mag body, weather sealing and 8fps), if you're thinking of spending £500 on a DSLR, then spend £650 and get a 550D it is far more future-proof, and if video is your thing, ditch the standard zoom and get a 50mm F1.8, it's cheap as chips and the video quality on that lens will blow you away.
Good article, but not so clear on price/perfomance and other options.