billpilot Loc: Baltimore County, MD

I'm a new owner of a Canon EOS 80 D and at the beginning of the learning curve. I'm thinking of purchasing a spare battery and wondering if there is any reason to go for the Canon name brand or go for a generic which are a lot less expensive.

lesdmd Loc: Middleton Wi via N.Y.C. & Cleveland

I can only speak for Nikon 3rd party batteries. My experience has been that quality and life span are not nearly as good as the OEM parts. That said, and while my original Nikon batteries (two different camera bodies) have been indestructible and dependable, I have had positive a experience with at least one brand of off-brand product. I would guess that were it to fail today, the difference in cost would still make it a worthwhile purchase. The problem is that I have also purchased a few duds over time.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I use Wasabi Power batteries in three different Canon bodies and have had no problems in over 3 years since I bought my first one. I own two for my wife's SX-50 and 6 for my 6D/7DII (use same battery and it is the same one your 80D uses) so I have two sets for each camera's battery grip. I see no difference in operation no matter which batteries I am using.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Another vote here for Wasabi batteries. Reliable and less expensive.

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

I am sure that 3rd party batteries are good.
However, I prefer to use only Canon equipment so if there is an issue, all fingers point to Canon directly.
I did have an issue with a battery that caused minor damage to the body.
Canon repaired it and replaced the battery under warranty, which was expired. They explained that because it was a Canon battery that I got from a dealer, they felt obligated to make it right.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

A spare battery is a good idea.
I can't can't speak to generic batteries as I always get the brand name.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

I use Wasabi batteries in my 5D and they are great, cost about $15 vs $60 for a Canon battery and work just fine.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I have been using generic batteries in everything for years - no problems.

Two batteries and a dual charger for $30.
https://smile.amazon.com/BM-Premium-Batteries-Battery-Charger/dp/B00WH2LYAO/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1500462591&sr=1-5&keywords=canon+eos+80d+battery

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

I have a Canon 60D with two Canon batteries that are 6 1/2 years old. One is dying. I needed a new battery for a nearly 3 week Viking River Cruise (just returned). I called B & H and wanted to order a Canon, but the sales person convinced me to try a Watson, which was on sale. I gave it a shot and it worked great throughout the trip.
Steve

bullethole

I almost exclusively use 3rd party batteries. I have the canon batteries which came with the camera, and about 10 aftermarket ones (yes, i'm paranoid, i carry lots of spare batteries - charging batteries when camping from a motorcycle can be a pain, and batteries are relatively small and fit into all nooks and crannies). My paranoia served several other folks when on a photo trip to Peru last year (not to mention my fixation on spare memory cards (i regularly carry a dozen 32G), 4 people (including the pro shooter) borrowed batteries while out shooting, and 5 borrowed memory cards when the single card they brought filled up. your mileage may vary.

cthahn

Your choice.

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

First, don't think of the extra battery as a spare as in "spare" tire, but by all means buy one and alternate them. Don't let them sit in the camera or bag in a dead condition to be charged infrequently when needed.

To your original question, save some money perhaps 1/3d (maybe more) of the cost of Canon brand battery, and buy generic; Wasabi has been recommended, but there are others. When I bought my first DSLR, a Canon 60D, about five years ago I bought a second knock-off battery; both it and the Canon battery that came in the kit are still good and there doesn't seem to be any difference so far in their charge holding or shooting capacity. Another point, Canon and most other camera manufactures do not make their branded batteries; they are made to Canon specs by an independent manufacture and just marked Canon, if being sold to Canon. If they are selling them to another customer, they may mark them with their own name or use different names for other large customers. In either case they are, in all but brand name, the OEM equivalents. The only "hitch" might be if your 80D has built in software so that it may reject a non-Canon battery, but that fact should be in you Owner's Manual.

Good luck with your new camera; I love my 60D!

Starphotog

I use Watson batteries in my 80D! Great batteries with absolutly ZERO issues!! Go for it!!

dleebrick Loc: Indian Land, South Carolina

I've been using a Bower battery alternating with a Canon battery in my 80D for the last six months. Haven't seen any difference between the two batteries so far.

leftj Loc: Texas

I have a Watson spare battery for my 80D and have experienced no problems.