Aftermarket camera batteries

[zoldaman]

I need to pick up a new battery or two for my Nikon digital camera. There are plenty of aftermarket batteries available, as it's a popular battery type (EN-EL1), but when you start researching the reviews, most of them seem to be junk. Does anyone make a good aftermarket camera battery or are we just stuck buying the Nikon ones?

Thanks,

Zold

[CornMonkey]

i heard sterlingtek.com has some nice aftermarket batteries.

[ArkiStan]

No matter what third-party batteries you get, you'll always be trading off cost efficiency for performance and risk of damage to the camera. I am usually pretty serious about my work, and my camera is relatively expensive so I always invest the extra 20-30 bucks into original batteries. If I were only taking snaps, however, I would just go ahead and buy two third-party batteries for the price of one original.

Sorry I can't recommend any brands.

[zoldaman]

I agree that it's not a good idea to put junk batteries into a nice camera, which is my concern as well. However, my guess is that Nikon doesn't really make it's own batteries in house, but has someone else put them together. Some of the big names, such as "Energizer" actually farm out production as well. It would seem that there would be a good supplier of aftermarkets out there, but maybe not.

Thanks,

Zold

[smeakim]

A battery is a battery as long as the specs are the same. None of the camera makers make their own batteries. Look at info about the batter and then buy the same one. I know my D70 is a ENEL3 and a replacement is like 40 bucks. You can get a generic battery with the same specs with a Japanese Cell (I think those are the better ones) for like 12 bucks on ebay. I am not at all concerned. Its all about what name they slap on it to make it more. You pay for the Nikon name. Now some are going to last longer than others but that depends on MaH. JMO

[SmokeyDP]

A battery is a battery as long as the specs are the same. None of the camera makers make their own batteries. Look at info about the batter and then buy the same one. I know my D70 is a ENEL3 and a replacement is like 40 bucks. You can get a generic battery with the same specs with a Japanese Cell (I think those are the better ones) for like 12 bucks on ebay. I am not at all concerned. Its all about what name they slap on it to make it more. You pay for the Nikon name. Now some are going to last longer than others but that depends on MaH. JMO
You sound like the guy who was telling the that the $20 sneakers were just as good as the $120 nike running shoes because the leather comes from the same cow.

Most of the cheap batteries did not go through the quality assurance that the ones the brand names sell. Having the battery ruin your device can happen. On top of that I tried to buy a few cheap ones on ebay for my Canon with the 'same specs' and they were just junk. They lasted maybe 30 minutes before they died where the Canon ones lasted hours.

If its a cheap camera go for it, but I will always get the brand name battery knowing the chances of it leaking are much slimmer and it will get good life between charges.

[zippyjuan]

Not a camera battery, but I purchased some Safeway brand batteries instead of Duracell recently because they were cheaper and the last two times they leaked. I have never had that happen with the major brand. I would not like to risk my camera by trying to go cheap on batteries. In general, the proper battery can have a longer life, hold a charge longer, and output a more accurate charge. There may be good second- label batteries out there, but I prefer not to take the chance. The main label can also have problems sometimes- for those who have them, Nikon is recalling some EnEL3s: http://www.nikonusa.com/email_images/nikonusa/service_advisory/battery.html

[PrObLy]

Not a camera battery, but I purchased some Safeway brand batteries instead of Duracell recently because they were cheaper and the last two times they leaked. I have never had that happen with the major brand. I would not like to risk my camera by trying to go cheap on batteries. In general, the proper battery can have a longer life, hold a charge longer, and output a more accurate charge. There may be good second- label batteries out there, but I prefer not to take the chance. The main label can also have problems sometimes- for those who have them, Nikon is recalling some EnEL3s: http://www.nikonusa.com/email_images/nikonusa/service_advisory/battery.html


Thanks for that info, ZJ.

Turns out my D70 battery is affected by this recall, I'll probably take care of it over winter break.

[ArkiStan]

A battery is a battery as long as the specs are the same. None of the camera makers make their own batteries. Look at info about the batter and then buy the same one. I know my D70 is a ENEL3 and a replacement is like 40 bucks. You can get a generic battery with the same specs with a Japanese Cell (I think those are the better ones) for like 12 bucks on ebay. I am not at all concerned. Its all about what name they slap on it to make it more. You pay for the Nikon name. Now some are going to last longer than others but that depends on MaH. JMO

Yes the "same thing with different brands" theory is generally true about regular dry cells (alkaline, etc) batteries. It was covered I believe in several TV reports. But when it comes to digital SLR camera batteries, I can say from personal experience as well as many many testimonies/discussions in professional camera forums that third-party batteries had significantly shorter average service lives. Of course if you're lucky and pick a good one it'll equal an original item. But on average, survey's say you're getting what you pay for. But of course I don't have hard evidence so take if for what it's worth.

If I were SO short on money that I couldn't even go out and shoot, I would difinitely buy a cheap battery. But if your photos really matter to you, pay the extra 20 bucks and rest assured you're getting the best.

[ramazank2]

I got some cheap ones on ebay for my s500 and they were much better than the stock battery

[Thesifer]

I've had some batteries for my Canon that were around 11$ and they were better than the ones you would buy from Canon. Lasted longer and never had a problem with them.