Camera batteries

[Zetec-S]

Fired up the camera today only to find the battery needed charging and made me realise it’s time to invest in some spares. Any recommendations as to which brands are best, or any to avoid?

Camera is a Nikon D3500. A single OEM spare seems to be around the £40 mark, whereas it looks like I can get 2 batteries for half the price from a 3rd party manufacturer. I know the phrase “you get what you pay for” is particularly relevant when it comes to photography, but thoughts on batteries for a casual new photographer?

[Tony1963]

When I bought my Canon 5D3 in 2014, I immediacy bought two spare batteries together with a twin charger. Still going strong. From Amazon, about £20, next day delivery.

Had similar for my previous camera, also no problems in about seven years.

[Simpo Two]

Perhaps if you're a pro where peace of mind is more important than price, stay OEM. Otherwise 3rd party can be fine. I have some for my D500 and whilst I haven't done any tests, they seem to work just as well as the proper one.

[sgtBerbatov]

Zetec-S said:

Fired up the camera today only to find the battery needed charging and made me realise it’s time to invest in some spares. Any recommendations as to which brands are best, or any to avoid?

Camera is a Nikon D3500. A single OEM spare seems to be around the £40 mark, whereas it looks like I can get 2 batteries for half the price from a 3rd party manufacturer. I know the phrase “you get what you pay for” is particularly relevant when it comes to photography, but thoughts on batteries for a casual new photographer?

Go OEM.

I've an old Fujifilm SL120 and I bought spare batteries for going across America. The 3rd party ones from Amazon only lasted half as long (if that) than the standard battery.

[tog]

Simpo Two said:

Perhaps if you're a pro where peace of mind is more important than price, stay OEM. Otherwise 3rd party can be fine. I have some for my D500 and whilst I haven't done any tests, they seem to work just as well as the proper one.

As a pro I may not trust random unbranded stuff off Amazon, but my regular, trusted, camera dealer assured me the Hahnels for my 5D4s were fine and he was right. A Hahnel two pack with a USB twin charger costs far less than single OEM Canon battery and they've worked fine for years. Battery capacity is slightly higher I think, and the twin charger is more convenient than the Canon single charger (and especially so when travelling, being USB powered). The charger also charges the OEM cells without any issues too. I wouldn't buy OEM again.

[2Btoo]

I bought a non-OEM battery for my D80 a good few years ago while planning a longer trip. It didn't quite have the same capacity as the OEM one and seemed to go flat very suddenly (it would drop from apparently full charge to nothing within a few minutes). However it wasn't a problem and the saving was quite significant.

Would I do it again? Yes. Although I am very much not a pro!

[Zetec-S]

Thanks all for the comments, I think as a very much amateur I'll go with a couple of spare 3rd party batteries, should be fine for my requirements, at least for now.

[Derek Smith]

tog said:

As a pro I may not trust random unbranded stuff off Amazon, but my regular, trusted, camera dealer assured me the Hahnels for my 5D4s were fine and he was right. A Hahnel two pack with a USB twin charger costs far less than single OEM Canon battery and they've worked fine for years. Battery capacity is slightly higher I think, and the twin charger is more convenient than the Canon single charger (and especially so when travelling, being USB powered). The charger also charges the OEM cells without any issues too. I wouldn't buy OEM again.

I went for unbranded from a local camera shop for a Nikon bridge. They were indistinguishable in use from the OEM one. I've done the same for my Panasonic micro 4/3rds. As you say, they are lower than half price, and came with a charger. I'd not go with Amazon after a negative experience with one purchase.