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Genuine vs. Counterfeit batteries
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Nov 7, 2013 14:43:38   #
MT Shooter Loc: Montana
 
In a current discussion there is raised the issue of counterfeit batteries. Nikon and Canon BOTH have a big issue with Chinese manufacturers making generic batteries and passing them off as genuine. This is a big issue with manufacturers as genuine batteries can get quite pricey.
I happen to possess a counterfeit Nikon EN-EL 15 battery and am posting pics here in hopes some UHH users will garner some education from them.
The majority of counterfeit batteries I have seen are sold as Nikon EN-EL 15, Nikon EN-EL 14, and Canon LP-E6. The counterfeit Canons are VERY hard to spot but the counterfeit Nikons have tell-tale signs, specifically if you have a genuine copy to compare it to side-by-side.
Ebay and Amazon are FULL of these counterfeits, most of which also come with paperwork and boxes that appear genuine, but are not. These counterfeits are typically of much poorer quality than even the batteries openly sold as off-brand "compatible" batteries.
If you truly want GENUINE factory issued batteries, stick with authorized sellers, not bargain dealers trying to dupe bargain hunting buyers.
Good luck and I hope this helps some of you.

Two Nikon EN-EL 15 batteries
Two Nikon EN-EL 15 batteries...

Genuine battery
Genuine battery...

Counterfeit battery
Counterfeit battery...

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Nov 7, 2013 15:58:21   #
SpeedyWilson Loc: Upstate South Carolina
 
I'm assuming that the differences between the two batteries are all on the inside ... the chemical and metal contents. Are there any exterior differences to look for?

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Nov 8, 2013 05:15:38   #
dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida
 
For years I have used "after market" batteries for both Panasonic and Sony and they have worked well. Counterfeit, no because they do not have the "Sony" brand name on them. Also, the price is right.

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Nov 8, 2013 05:37:53   #
Crwiwy Loc: Devon UK
 
MT Shooter wrote:

If you truly want GENUINE factory issued batteries, stick with authorized sellers, not bargain dealers trying to dupe bargain hunting buyers.
Good luck and I hope this helps some of you.


Just a point to note; look at your two pictures - BOTH batteries are manufactured in China. What is there to say that Canon or Nikon do not get them from the same factory and just whack the price up? Possibly Canon or Nikon test the batteries - but if so it is probably only one or two per batch.

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Nov 8, 2013 06:28:26   #
crimesc324 Loc: West Palm Beach, Florida
 
MT Shooter wrote:
In a current discussion there is raised the issue of counterfeit batteries. Nikon and Canon BOTH have a big issue with Chinese manufacturers making generic batteries and passing them off as genuine. This is a big issue with manufacturers as genuine batteries can get quite pricey.
I happen to possess a counterfeit Nikon EN-EL 15 battery and am posting pics here in hopes some UHH users will garner some education from them.
The majority of counterfeit batteries I have seen are sold as Nikon EN-EL 15, Nikon EN-EL 14, and Canon LP-E6. The counterfeit Canons are VERY hard to spot but the counterfeit Nikons have tell-tale signs, specifically if you have a genuine copy to compare it to side-by-side.
Ebay and Amazon are FULL of these counterfeits, most of which also come with paperwork and boxes that appear genuine, but are not. These counterfeits are typically of much poorer quality than even the batteries openly sold as off-brand "compatible" batteries.
If you truly want GENUINE factory issued batteries, stick with authorized sellers, not bargain dealers trying to dupe bargain hunting buyers.
Good luck and I hope this helps some of you.
In a current discussion there is raised the issue ... (show quote)


I see where one says Nikon and the other Sony on the right side is that the clue you are trying to show?

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Nov 8, 2013 06:49:17   #
Crwiwy Loc: Devon UK
 
crimesc324 wrote:
I see where one says Nikon and the other Sony on the right side is that the clue you are trying to show?


The clue comes in the top bar where it says Nikon and also says processed in China.

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Nov 8, 2013 08:14:04   #
Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga
 
They both say that... The only difference in the wording is as stated where one says Nikon on the right & the other says Sony...
Crwiwy wrote:
The clue comes in the top bar where it says Nikon and also says processed in China.

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Nov 8, 2013 08:40:58   #
Crwiwy Loc: Devon UK
 
Screamin Scott wrote:
They both say that... The only difference in the wording is as stated where one says Nikon on the right & the other says Sony...


Duh. That was the whole point of the post. :roll: They BOTH come from China and could be from the same factory.

Now are we both reading from the same page?

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Nov 8, 2013 08:44:20   #
floridamet
 
Since shooting digital, I will never buy batteries or memory cards from only Adarama or B & H.
These stores will tell you up front if the items are third party or not.
On these two items I never buy anythings that not made by Nikon.
If you remember a few years back Nikon had problem. They notify everyone that purchased their batteries of the problem.
Do you think a third party would?

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Nov 8, 2013 08:51:15   #
Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga
 
I fully realize that & that top line is identical on both batteries. MTShooter was trying to differentiate the genuine from the counterfeit in external appearance & the Sony/Nikon is the only external difference. I have a problem though, I use the EN-EL 15 in my D7100... I bought the camera from Best Buy... Guess what, my battery looks like the "counterfeit" one MTShooter posted...Maybe he mislabeled the images ?
Crwiwy wrote:
Duh. That was the whole point of the post. :roll: They BOTH come from China and could be from the same factory.

Now are we both reading from the same page?

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Nov 8, 2013 09:25:02   #
JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore
 
I don't have a cat in this fight, but is "counterfeit" the right term so long as the non-OEM batteries are not marked and sold as from the OEM?

Most of the reputable vendors of after market equipment I've seen say something like "for the ___ camera" on their listings of batteries that are not OEM and the brand name alone for those that are.

For what it's worth, I've used both and seen very little difference.

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Nov 8, 2013 09:30:31   #
CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!
 
Well, I learned my lesson the hard way.

I've purchased so-called Sony compatible batteries for my cameras and camcorders and been BURNED!

Now all I buy is the real thing from reputable vendors.

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Nov 8, 2013 09:37:40   #
Crwiwy Loc: Devon UK
 
JCam wrote:
I don't have a cat in this fight, but is "counterfeit" the right term so long as the non-OEM batteries are not marked and sold as from the OEM?

Most of the reputable vendors of after market equipment I've seen say something like "for the ___ camera" on their listings of batteries that are not OEM and the brand name alone for those that are.

For what it's worth, I've used both and seen very little difference.


I have both Canon and OEM batteries - the only one that has failed to date is the genuine Canon one that came with the camera! The OEMs came from firms that appear reputable - with good feedback - and a guarantee.

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Nov 8, 2013 09:38:09   #
Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga
 
"Counterfeit" & aftermarket are two different things. Aftermarket brands don't pretend to be the same thing. Counterfeit are labeled in such a way as to try & deceive the buyer into thinking they are OEM.... I've used aftermarket batteries for years with no problems. I have been burned by "counterfeit" Sandisk CF cards off of eBay though...
JCam wrote:
I don't have a cat in this fight, but is "counterfeit" the right term so long as the non-OEM batteries are not marked and sold as from the OEM?

Most of the reputable vendors of after market equipment I've seen say something like "for the ___ camera" on their listings of batteries that are not OEM and the brand name alone for those that are.

For what it's worth, I've used both and seen very little difference.

Reply
Nov 8, 2013 09:40:05   #
Bear2 Loc: Southeast,, MI
 
Very interesting!!!
I bought a new Nikon D7000 from my local camera shop about two years ago, Camera Mart. Before departing for Ireland, I bought a spare EL-EN15 battery from Best Buy. No issues. My camera now has over 12,000 shutter activations, and I always rotate batteries, inserting a charged battery and putting the one removed into the charger.
Now one battery put into the camera shows it is just a hair off of new, while the other shows well over a quarter consumed. Unfortunately I do not know which one came with the camera, and which one came from Best Buy in a Nikon package. I believe the D7000 was the first camera to use the EN-EL15 battery so either one should not be 'Old". Anyone else notice this? Duane

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