SOLINA DAVE

Hey everybody,

I just joined this fine group, and I'm looking for input regarding camera batteries. I've had a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 compact since 2006. And, what a very fine camera it has been! The photo attached, of the Mabry Mill, on The Blue Ridge Parkway, was taken with my TZ1 camera. But, now I believe that I'll step up to a Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 because, frankly I have no real use for the WiFi that comes with the DMC-ZS30, or, for that matter, the GPS that comes with either one. Does anyone ever use it? The 920k LCD screen on the ZS30 might be nice. I'm not sure. Blah! Blah! Anyway, that's another story, for another time.
For now, can anyone explain to me why a Panasonic DMWBCG10 battery, for DMC cameras, sells at Future Shop for $79.95, and aftermarket Digipower and Optex batteries sell, also at Future Shop, for $39.99 and $48.98 respectively. And also, one can purchase an Expro battery, which has a claim to meet or exceed original manufacturers specs., and carries a 2 year warranty, on Ebay for $21.41 delivered to my mailbox.
Please, go beyond the common, "You're paying for the name" response if that's possible, and try to explain, to me, why I shouldn't feel more comfortable, paying less.

Thanks everybody.............Dave

MAYBRY MILL on THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY (2013)

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Welcome to UHH

naturepics43 Loc: Hocking Co. Ohio - USA

I have a Digipower battery for my Nikon P90. It works OK but doesn't last as long as the Nikon battery that came with the camera. Doesn't retain a charge nearly as long as OEM battery. I have heard that some after market batteries don't relay info to camera properly. If you click on "Search" at top of page and type in After market batteries, you will find many threads discussing this issue.

Welcome to UHH.

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

Well....Apparently you're not looking in the right places.

MSRP $59.99 US, for sale here for $25.99 US.
http://theestoreonline.com/Panasonic_DMW-BCG10_PP_Rechargeable_Lithium-ion_Battery_4047.html?refid=Google&kpid=EO4047

And third party ones are as little as $11.95 US.

Even Amazon has the original equipment one for $33.50 US.

Future Shop/Best Buy has NEVER been known for the lowest prices on darn near anything.


Now to your actual question.

You get what you pay for.

If you buy the Panasonic/Lumix, you pay for the R&D to originally design the battery. You get high quality battery cells. And a warranty.

The 'less expensive' replacements are just that. Less.
Particularly in the cells. Poor quality control is the biggest drawback to them. Packs don't fit quite right, connector terminals corrode or move, plastic degrades quickly, loss of capacity in a short time, and so on.
As long as you understand the compromises you're making, then feel free to buy a 'less expensive' alternative.

SOLINA DAVE

Thankyou for that. Honestly, I've noticed that my own aftermarket batteries, come to think of it, don't last as long either. DUH!
But still, I could purchase two Digipower batteries for the price of one Panasonic battery.
Your comment regarding the relaying of info., from the battery to the camera, is a new one for me, and I'll follow up on you suggestion to search for aftermarket battery info. I probably should have tried that first, but of course that wouldn't occurr to me.

Thanks again........Dave

SOLINA DAVE

Well.....Apparently I haven't been looking in the right places.
Thanks for your help.
Freedom is a wonderful thing!

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Solina, I can't really help you except to say that at least your camera has. cheap battery. Some actually get expensive !!
But anyway, just wanted to say Hi, and welcome to the Hog.
Happy shooting.
SS

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

http://www.battdepot.com/

US$11-17

crimesc324 Loc: West Palm Beach, Florida

Welcome, very nice photograph

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

I had a Panasonic Lumix G1 a year or three ago - the camera was programmed to recognise any battery that was not genuine Panasonic, and would shut down. Someone more clever than me found a way round this, but I cannot think how it worked - something to do with switching on and off. Panasonic stated that non-genuine batteries might overheat and catch fire or explode. Might have been sour grapes?

Dlevon Loc: New Jersey

What does relaying info to camera mean?

naturepics43 Loc: Hocking Co. Ohio - USA

The above post from Delderby describes one issue with aftermarket batteries. There are other issues with some brands also.

Dlevon Loc: New Jersey

Maybe I'm dumb, but I still don't get it! What info is the battery relaying? How charged up it is? Or is is just giving it juice, or not enough?

cthahn

There only a few major battery companies in the world. There products are sold under different names. Anyone can buy and have t heir own label on them. Many of the batteries that you buy you have no way to tell where it was made or by who. Buy the cheapest battery, try it, if it lasts, use it. If it doesn't, purchase a more expensive one and try it.

ncshutterbug

I have purchased several of Adorama's Flashpoint brand batteries and carry 3 when shooting away from home. I think they last just as well and 3 is usually more than enough for a day's shooting. If you use live view and gps your batteries are going to go pretty quick anyway. The off brands are great to keep stored in your bag for emergencies if you prefer the brand names. The only battery I have every had fail for good was Canon.