joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

I have used many 3rd party batteries in the past for various camera brands . Some were very good, others not. As time went on some of the issues went away.

More recently it seems 3rd party batteries are less problematic, if at all. I currently use several 3rd party and an original NP-FZ100. The 3rd party cost but a fraction of the original.

I have never run a formal test to see which last longer. All I know is that each brand (I use several) last all day for me and I chimp, delete in camera and shoot continuous mode almost always. I usually have a ton of images to choose to edit. I shoot 5-6 times per week except in Winter I shoot less.

As a side point, do you really think the camera brand is somehow made with proprietary magic that makes them superior. Sure some have chips or holograms to trigger warnings in the camera, but the replacements sold by reputable retailers work just as well for me.

Canon, Nikon, Sony and all the other camera brands do not make their own batteries. A battery maker supplies it for them and what is exclusive to the camera brand is the label.

Spend your money as you see fit, after all, you earned it.

KLambar Loc: New Jersey

I have Watson, Wasabi, Kastar, Power 2000, Masione and Vivitar that I use on my D7100 & D810 in camera and grip and have had no problems.

photoman43

No and Never. Brand name only.

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

I had mixed results with non-Nikon batteries for my d7100. I tried several and none of them gave the same performance as the Nikon batteries but a couple at least worked as backup (which for me was OK). However, I eventually just bought a couple more Nikon batteries and always had enough juice to shoot.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Yes, you are correct, Canon, Nikon, Sony, and all the others do not make their own batteries. A battery maker supplies it for them to the CAMERA MANUFACTURES SPECS, which, IMHO, are produced to a higher standard than third party batteries.

rcarol

Even buying OEM batteries is no guarantee that you're going to get what you pay for. I'm referring to the counterfeit batteries that some entity managed to introduce into the mainstream supply line such as B&H. Had any of those batteries damaged a Nikon camera, do you suppose that Nikon would have ponied up for the repairs?

davesit Loc: Media, PA

Third-party batteries won't blow up your camera, but their common flaw is over-stated capacity. You'll find a Nikon battery (do beware of counterfeits) will last longer than most third-party batteries of the same stated capacity. Most tests find them to be 10% or so overstated in their capacity. Some are better than others.
But there is nothing wrong in using them, especially for backups. Note that the Nikon EN-EL15b battery has a rated capacity of 1900mAh and sells for $53 at Amazon, while a set of two third-party equivalents rated for 2200mAh with a double charger sells for only $35. If you want the best performance, by no means stick with your camera manufacturer's branded batteries. But if you want to save a few bucks, there is no reason why you can't use third-party batteries, especially the best-known brands such as Wasabi, Watson etc.

Bill_de Loc: US

*** First, you can use Google to search UHH. There are a number of ways to do it. Here is an example:

https://www.google.com/search?q=Nikon+el-15+battery+%3Auglyhedgehog.com&ie=&oe=

Nikon did create a problem preventing 3rd party batteries from working properly in the D500. In a short time the 3rd party manufacturers figured out how to side step it.

*** BTW - credit goes to member Blackist for pointing this out a while back.

--

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Do you think the camera maker knows more about batteries than the battery maker, or that the battery maker would make their own brands with inferior specifications.

Your opinion is based on marketing hype not reality. Discerning buyers are not persuaded by what the marketing boys put out.

CaptainBobBrown

My 3 Nikon bodies all use the same battery. About 2 years ago Nikon announced a trade in program for their old EL15's to an upgraded EL15 because the original EL15's ran out of power much faster in one of the bodies, I'm thinking maybe the D810. Even the old EL15's outlasted 3rd party batteries I had tried so I stopped trying to find cheap solutions and just went with Nikon batteries. This has been the same story for other common 3rd party cheaper solutions I've tried such as 3rd party lenses. In the end I've not been satisfied with anything less than straight Nikon gear. It's like so many things in life, cheaper costs more in the long run.

GLSmith Loc: Tampa, Fl

I have a series of D500s that are set out for remote use (up to 48 hours)..I know Nikon has a series of changes to their batteries...I believe “B” is latest...I opted to go with a company called Hahnel manufactured in Ireland..sold by B&H here in the states....I’ve used them for over a year. They have a larger storage than the latest “B” series Nikon.....not disappointed as of yet....the charger that come with them shows a % of the current battery charge. Charger comes with various plus so you can charge batteries from other countries if you travel

cytafex Loc: Clarksburg MA

Nikon Batteries are a ripoff, too expensive, can get at least 3 Wasbi batteries for price of 1 Nikon!

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

First off, you're correct in your observation regarding the search feature here. On the other hand, the users are partly responsible for that, as well. Giving a title such as "I Have a Problem" doesn't give any database search engine a reasonable amount of information.

Now, on to your question. Third party batteries work. However, if one of those batteries fails and damages your camera, that could easily void any warranty that exists. It could also cause a major price increase to repairs. So, those few dollars one saves may cost a small fortune in the long run. It's not worth it to me. I purchase factory components from authorized and respected dealers.
--Bob

twice_shooter

The reality, as mentioned throughout these posts, is that 3rd party batteries don’t last as long as the manufacturers brands. That has been a common thread on all prior posts on UHH. So his opinion doesn’t appear to be based on hype at all.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

You are right again, DISCERNING buyers DO NOT buy third party batteries.