Not true about the batteries. You are confusing the situation of batteries that are always tied together. Most systems and switches only tie the batteries when charging. In that case the batteries can be different. Where you for sure want them to be the same is when you have them tied...
Yes, piles of LED camp lights for small $$. These are mine:
0.5 amps each @ 12 volts. Considering they run maybe 4 hours per night a trivial draw off the batteries and light the night enough to cook, repair trucks, whatever. LEDs are so efficient, you can almost ignore the power use.