Heads up on OEM batteries vs. Wasabi

[scottfrey]

The original battery that came with my M3 just started throwing a "this battery may be counterfeit" error and no longer charges (blinking light on charger).

I called Canon customer care and was told that "batteries are a consumable item and are only warranteed for 90 days"

Really Canon? 90 days??? I had expected one year to match the camera.

I asked what then is my incentive for purchasing an OEM battery for $60 with a 90 day warrantee when for the same price I can get FOUR Wasabi batteries, with two chargers and a 3 year warrantee. The answer apparently is that "we want you to have the best experience with top quality products." Interestingly what was not said (and this was the perfect time to say it) was that I would risk damaging my camera.

I think I'll give Wasabi's a try.

Has anyone had any problems with them? Any cameras damaged? Any downsides other than no battery indicator?

 

[geoffmalter]

Recently I took Ben Hermann's advice and bought a few. They seem to be performing as well as OEM.

 

[justmeMN]

scottfrey wrote: I think I'll give Wasabi's a try.

Why would you want to put Japanese horseradish in your camera's battery compartment.

 

[Ed USA]

when i had my fuji X-A2 I had 2 wasabi backup batterys, after a year use they both swelled and would not go in camera, imagine if something leaked in the camera.

oh yeah, Fuji battery after more than 2 years still in perfect condition.

 

[Ben Herrmann]

...comments in one of the replies (whatever that even meant), but I've been using Wasabi batteries for 7 - 8 years now and have purchased (and I'm not exaggerating) over 200 different versions for over 40 different digital cameras.

I can say without hesitation that with the exception of one or two very small batteries (for Nikon and Canon P+S models), I've found them to be very close to the OEM batteries. I've not had any "swell" yet (knock on wood) on any of my cameras - but then I baby my camera gear very much.

In the end, there are a multitude of 3rd party Chinese made clones out there - most of which are pure rubbish. A few companies such as Patona (Germany - can be ordered on Amazon) and Wasabi (chinese made but include premium Japanese cells) do a great job of keeping up with the OEM's. Both can be ordered on Amazon. I've just recently started using Patona with much success, but their full line of batteries is not as expansive as the Wasabi brand.

Now do keep in mind that the EOS M3 batteries are few and far between with regards to 3rd party versions. As a result, the few 3rd party types out there (Wasabi and several others) were not able to successfully decode the original OEM versions, thus when you use them, no battery indicator is present. Canon has made it impossible to decode their chips, so the 3rd party versions will not show you battery strength remaining. But considering the ridiculously high price of the OEM version (anywhere from $69.96 to $89.98 depending on where you buy them), I would strongly recommend buying 2 or 3 of the Wasabi's.

 

[Gesture]

My 2 cents.

1. I haven't done any controlled studies.

2. I like this company. LIfetime warranty and you can pick up the phone and reach a person. The ones I bought for my Canon PS 300HS seem to be OK.

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www.ebay.com

3. If I leave my house, I NEVER leave a battery charger plugged in; laptop computer plugged in, etc.

4. I usually charge beyond the CHARGED indicator. Probably should drag the multimeter out and test.

 

[Oohrah]

I've purchased 8 Wasabi batteries in the past couple of years:

2 each for the SL1, M1, M2, and the SX50.

I've not had one problem with any of them.

When they finally expire, I will purchase more.

 

[Jefenator]

I got two sets of two Wasabi batteries for my Sonys.

They are certainly a good value. They don't hold quite as much juice as the OEM batteries IME and I've had two start swelling up on me. (This happened after a few years of satisfactory performance, so I have no complaint. I did of course retire the swelling batteries and now favor OEM - my first OEM battery from 2012 still seems to be working just fine.)

The swelling thing probably won't get the battery permanently stuck in your camera (if it ever happens at all) but it's definitely something you'll want to keep an eye out for.

 

[amd]

I got two sets of two Wasabi batteries for my Sonys.

They are certainly a good value. They don't hold quite as much juice as the OEM batteries IME and I've had two start swelling up on me. (This happened after a few years of satisfactory performance, so I have no complaint. I did of course retire the swelling batteries and now favor OEM - my first OEM battery from 2012 still seems to be working just fine.)

The swelling thing probably won't get the battery permanently stuck in your camera (if it ever happens at all) but it's definitely something you'll want to keep an eye out for.

The swelling so far never happened to any of my original batteries, but definitely on 3rd party ones (old Sony video cam). To me this is a show stopper to buy off brand batteries for my expensive gear. If a Canon battery that still shows up as healthy in the in-camera diagnostics would swell and damage my DSLR or M2, I'd hold Canon liable for this damage. At least in here in Europe I would be successful with my claim.

 

[Ben Herrmann]

I'm always open to new 3rd party battery manufacturers that offer something seemingly different. Will try some of these UpStart batteries and see how it goes. But I have to be honest here, whenever I see a "lifetime warranty" advertisement (especially when you know that these batteries are made in China), it reminds me of the roadside makeshift sunglasses stands that you see pop up during the summer on what seems like every other corner. They have a lifetime warranty also, but what does that mean? If your sunglasses break, where do you find this guy? Is he even around anymore? So I'm always a little leery about those lifetime promises.

But I'm going to order some Fuji W126 batteries from UpStart to try in my X series of cameras, and if they work out, I'll report back on both this and the Fuji X forum.

Ben

 

[nnowak]

... just buy the cheapest 3rd party batteries you can find (check ebay).

Canon doesn't make their own batteries. Nikon doesn't make their own batteries. Wasabi doesn't make their own batteries. Batteries are built by a small handful of subcontractors to a given set of specifications. In fact, the cheapest "Chinese knockoff" and most expensive OEM battery could be coming out of the same factory. That doesn't mean the cheap battery contains the same components as the expensive battery, but it is impossible to know the differences without disassembling the battery and conducting extensive testing.

If you look at the current crop of available 3rd party LP-E17 batteries, they all contain the same disclaimer; the chip isn't fully decoded, the battery indicator won't work and you must use the 3rd party charger. It is a pretty safe bet that all of these batteries are being built by the same subcontractor.

I am not suggesting that there is anything wrong with Wasabi batteries, but it is unrealistic to assume that they are somehow better than other 3rd party suppliers.

 

[Gesture]

My take on this:

I respect OEM batteries if they have a serial # and other production codes. Otherwise, how could OEMs trace production issues, have recalls, honor warranties, etc.

In the earlier days of digital photography, the OEMs did stuff like that. I had Sony and Minolta batteries with serial #s.

I am careful with these batteries, but I will not pay $70 for a Canon or Panasonic OEM battery that doesn't even have a serial #. Look on Canon USA Store. Refurb Powershot $80; battery $50!

 

[G-D]

My take on this:

I respect OEM batteries if they have a serial # and other production codes. Otherwise, how could OEMs trace production issues, have recalls, honor warranties, etc.

In the earlier days of digital photography, the OEMs did stuff like that. I had Sony and Minolta batteries with serial #s.

I am careful with these batteries, but I will not pay $70 for a Canon or Panasonic OEM battery that doesn't even have a serial #. Look on Canon USA Store. Refurb Powershot $80; battery $50!

Canon's battery policy is a slap in the face. I stopped playing their game.

 

[nnowak]

My take on this:

I respect OEM batteries if they have a serial # and other production codes. Otherwise, how could OEMs trace production issues, have recalls, honor warranties, etc.

In the earlier days of digital photography, the OEMs did stuff like that. I had Sony and Minolta batteries with serial #s.

I am careful with these batteries, but I will not pay $70 for a Canon or Panasonic OEM battery that doesn't even have a serial #. Look on Canon USA Store. Refurb Powershot $80; battery $50!

Canon's battery policy is a slap in the face. I stopped playing their game.

Some of the pricing appears to have regional influences. Checking Amazon.co.jp, the genuine Canon LP-E17 is about $12 cheaper in Japan than the current price in the USA. Conversely, the 3rd party batteries appear to be much more expensive in Japan.

 

[donmarkon]

I will try to help a bit. Originally i was in search for extra battery for my M, and everybody recommended wasabi. Problem was that for Europe shipping was too much. So i turned around to China friends.

What i got is this http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/bMrFaAUnA

It is copy of original Canon LP-E12 they look identical and weight is same (copy is few grams heavier)

How it performs? i tested it with brightness set to middle full hd 30 fps i managed to shoot (with stooping every 12 15 mins) around 53 55 minutes. Which i found great so i ordered one more just in case.

This is seller store http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/fqBAYjYR7 they sell wide range of batteries but i can confirm quality just for LP E12

I hope this helps

 

[Ben Herrmann]

Just checked - like a fool, I clicked on that link assuming it was the M3 batteries - but it wasn't. It was for the regular M/M2 batteries. Now I have 4 of them coming to me and those are the ones I don't need. Just checked and they do not have the ones for the M3 - oh well, mistakes happen.

 

[donmarkon]

Just checked - like a fool, I clicked on that link assuming it was the M3 batteries - but it wasn't. It was for the regular M/M2 batteries. Now I have 4 of them coming to me and those are the ones I don't need. Just checked and they do not have the ones for the M3 - oh well, mistakes happen.

 

[Gesture]

I think they can take a return or cancel the order.