Sanyo is usually considered the best NiMH and NiCd battery maker. Eneloop is made by Sanyo. I too find the Sanyo cells are usually very near their rated capacity even at a 0.2C discharge rate.

The main problem with Alkaline batteries is that they can leak. I don't know how many $$$ devices I have had ruined by Alkaline batteries 1/100 the value of the device before I gave up and stopped using Alkelines altogether.

The other problem is that Alkaline batteries have a lower effective capacity than NiMH in all but the lowest-discharge applications. Even Eneloop has a higher capacity if the discharge rate is above 200 mA or so.

I now use Eneloop AA and AAA in anything that gets used at all, and Lithium AA and AAA for emergency or backup (ie, likely to last many years between changes).

The Maha MH-C9000 is probably the best AA and AAA charger available today; unfortunately it's priced like it too. But it seems able to consistently fully charge batteries as I am almost always able to get nearly the rated capacity on discharge after charging on the MH-C9000. Most other chargers seem somewhat hit or miss on when they stop for "battery full".