OMD EM5 spare battery (where to get it?)

[KTi]

I will not save ~$50 to risk killing my camera... on the other hand, there are people who don't mind paying more for extended warranty which I find it useless...

It's all about perspective.

If one is doing it recklessly, such as buying 3rd party battery without checking on spec, etc then perhaps it is not worth the money saved. However, what Daniel has done has dispelled the doubts and I have no problems using the 3rd party battery on my OMD. I have been using 3rd party batteries on my E-P1, EPL1, EPL2, GH2 and now OMD for the past years, I have zero problems with them. Look before you buy and know the risks.

As for extended warranty, some people keep their camera for a long time so it make sense for them to buy. You find it useless but it is a great addition to others.

 

[KTi]

KTi,

Yes, it looks like the charger should work but I have not tried it on the original battery yet. No technical reason why it should not work though.

Daniel

Appreciate your input. Once again, thanks for the work you have done.

 

[iise7en]

It's all about perspective.

If one is doing it recklessly, such as buying 3rd party battery without checking on spec, etc then perhaps it is not worth the money saved. However, what Daniel has done has dispelled the doubts and I have no problems using the 3rd party battery on my OMD. I have been using 3rd party batteries on my E-P1, EPL1, EPL2, GH2 and now OMD for the past years, I have zero problems with them. Look before you buy and know the risks.

As for extended warranty, some people keep their camera for a long time so it make sense for them to buy. You find it useless but it is a great addition to others.

Agreed with KTi's comments! I am also using omd third party batteries and all these are still serving me very well. From my previous dslrs/cameras, I had no problem using many types of third party batteries.If you are confident enough,just go for third party batteries.

 

[theITguy]

I feel like buying 2x (3 battery + charger set) so that I can charge 2 batteries at once when I am overseas haha.

Imagine 2-3 hours to charge one, I can wait until I fall asleep

 

[NazgulKing]

The real thing you have to worry about with 3rd party batteries is quality control. If they use poor Li-ion batteries, or lousy soldering etc., there's the risk the battery might combust.

 

[jamestan75]

I feel like buying 2x (3 battery + charger set) so that I can charge 2 batteries at once when I am overseas haha.

Imagine 2-3 hours to charge one, I can wait until I fall asleep

i just ordered 1 set (3 batt + charger), now waiting for them to arrive.
i think you order 1 set should be enough, to save time charging, just bring along your original charger + original battery.


assuming you use 3 batteries in 1 day (1 original battery + 2 x 3rd party batteries)

this is what i will do
consume the orignal battery first, then follow by 2 x 3rd party batteries.
when back to hotel, charger your original batt concurrently with the 3rd party batt for the first 2-3hrs.
the last 3rd party battery, can just left it charge overnight.

in this way, you are able to charge 3 batteries, waiting time only 2-3 hrs.

 

[Hacker]

Saw quite a few pieces of batteries at MS Color.

 

[weekh]

Just received the chiong battery from ebay seller. Very fast shipping!!!

 

[hanzohattori]

I paid $95 at Artworkfoto. Seriously, camera stores in Singapore charge you what they think you might be able/willing to pay.

I dont look that expensive leh.. LoL
On other news.. Battery life is very short compared to my GF1

 

[sci70716]

The time people worry about their 3rd party batteries is a lot more worth than the $ they save.

Being using 3rd party batts for my GF1, Ep2 and never had any problem

Likewise, wil wait for batts that can use the original charger..

 

[Daniel Wee]

Hi ahyoo2002,

To be honest, I won't be able to say much based just on label information. Usually, though, manufacturers may specify slightly different terminal voltages but if the cell chemistry is the same, they should all be about the same. With an accurate meter, most of these two-cell batteries should measure just about 8.4V when fully charged, and not more. More will be bad for the battery (which may indicate a bad charger.)

Capacities are usually strongly correlated to cell size. If someone told me that they have a cell that has over double the capacity but the same size, I would be very suspicious to start with. (Similar but slightly less correlated to weight as well.)

Aside from this I can't say if the battery is spoilt or not. It may just be that your charger is incompatible with the battery. Without knowing more, I could not really answer a question on the safety of the usage of the battery.

Daniel

the battery said "7.4V 2800mAh" while my original battery is "7.2V 1010mAh".

I inserted the battery into my GX1 and it worked and showed full bar. But I am a bit worried so i fully charged the battery using my original charger which took two hours. Then I also fully charge my original battery. This morning, I brought my two batteries to the office to test using a multi-meter. The 3rd party shows 0.9V(???) and the original one shows 8.54V.

Here are my questions:
1) The mAh may not a problem but the 7.4V which is higher than the original 7.2V made me worried. Is it a concern?
2) Is my 3rd party battery spoilt? I dare not charge it or put into my camera to try further.
3) Do you think it is safe to use 3rd party battery?

Thanks in advance.

 

[ahyoo2002]

Hi,

Is there any particular brand of the 3rd party battery that you feel is more reliable? The reason for me to buy the 3rd party battery is for backup purpose and if some well known shop is willing to carry the 3rd party battery with one year warranty, I think maybe this is a sign that 3rd party battery is not too bad?

 

[ahyoo2002]

Hi Daniel,

Thanks a lot for your reply. I am not too concern about the capacity as I only intend to use it as spare. From what I measure, even my original battery is 8.54V so as long as the 3rd party battery is similar, I guess I am happy with it.

I am just curious whether you have any particular 3rd party battery brand that you feel is more reliable? The one that I have is StrongCell PA-BLD10. I tried to recharge this battery and now it works again with about 8.5V, so I am suspecting some contact problem somewhere. Now I am just wonder whether the shop allows me to return it, exchange another piece or (last resort for me) get a original one!:dunno:

 

[aikidoka25]

Does OM-D display the battery capacity indicator when the DSTE/ebay battery is loaded?
I am asking because saw another version in amazon but they stated it is not chipped so no battery indicator in camera.

 

[iise7en]

Does OM-D display the battery capacity indicator when the DSTE/ebay battery is loaded?
I am asking because saw another version in amazon but they stated it is not chipped so no battery indicator in camera.

Hi,
Not true. I am currently using DSTE batteries( third party ones from ebay) and my omd shows the battery indicator as usual.

 

[ageha]

Hi,
Not true. I am currently using DSTE batteries( third party ones from ebay) and my omd shows the battery indicator as usual.

And it's as accurate as usually or does it drop suddenly at a certain point?

 

[iise7en]

And it's as accurate as usually or does it drop suddenly at a certain point?

To be honest, it is not that accurate but can "survive" after 280 shots.

 

[dereth]

Daniel Wee's Analysis on the E-M5 3rd Party Batteries is featured prominently on 43rumors.

 

[Richard Sam]

South Asia Computer has new stock of original em5 batteries. Price is $99.

 

[Oly5050]

Daniel, looks like your reviews are on 4/3 rumours!!! Congrats and great work!!!

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