When selecting a replacement battery for your camera, it can be confusing wondering which to chose. Do you buy the manufacturer's battery, or the after market version offered by many retailers? To clear up the confusion, here's a rundown of the advantages and disadvantages offered by each.
Advantages of Brand Name Batteries
Perhaps the most important advantage offered by brand name batteries is guaranteed compatibility. By ordering the manufacturer's replacement, you know that it will work with both you camera and your charger with no problems, because it is designed to their own specifications.
The other advantage is reliable battery life. While many generic brand batteries will work well in your device, the manufacturer has designed it with certain power specifications that are met exactly by their battery. Compared to some third-party alternatives, this will mean significantly better charge strength and longer overall battery life.
Brand Name Disadvantages
Unlike third-party batteries, your local camera shop is unlikely to carry brand name replacements. Instead, you'll have to order online or by phone, and wait for several days for your replacement to be shipped to you. You will also end up paying a shipping fee on top of the battery's cost.
Manufacturers also charge significantly more for brand name battery replacements. You may get surefire compatibility and strong battery life, but you'll pay double to get it. Add shipping and tax and the manufacturer's brand will always cost significantly more than a generic.
Advantages of After Market Batteries
Third-party batteries are usually available in your local electronics stores. If your original battery quits unexpectedly, you can have a working replacement within the day, which is especially important if you're using your camera to photograph graduations, holiday parties, and other one time events.
When compared to their brand name equivalent most generics cost less than half the price.
Older models of cameras will often use battery types that have been discontinued by the manufacturer. In these instances, after market suppliers are your only alternative.
If the correct battery was selected, it will generally function and perform exactly like its brand name twin. Most third party batteries are identical in their composition, voltage and battery life. Many actually offer better battery life.
After Market Disadvantages
Though most third-party manufacturers can match the original manufacturer's specifications, there are plenty of opportunities to get it wrong. Some batteries are physically incompatible, being too large or wrongly shaped to pair with your camera. Others have differing power ratings that exceed the safe range. Always look closely to ensure that the battery physically resembles your original, and that the power ratings are comparable.
Third-party manufacturers can charge lower prices because their batteries are made as cheaply as possible, with lower quality control standards. As a result, they are prone to defects and manufacturing mistakes. Batteries that leak, expand or swell, or burn out rapidly are unfortunately more common in generic replacements.
Because of these differences, and the potential damage that may occur to your camera, use of a generic battery may void your camera's manufacturer's warranty.
Purchasing
Overall, generic batteries are just as good as their branded counterparts, while being significantly cheaper. Whether you are buying a battery for your a pocket sized point and shoot or a high end DSLR, it is certainly worthwhile to purchase a store brand battery before shelling out more for the brand name equivalent.
Tags: battery life, your camera, brand name, After Market, after market, battery your, brand name equivalent