p.1 #2 · Canon LP-E6N battery-stick with OEM or is generic good enough
Perhaps there is, somewhere, an outstanding non-OEM battery that is equal in performance and reliability to OEM batteries.
The problem is that too many have had too many problems for too long with these products. I tried using third=party batteries from a variety of (supposedly reliable) vendors for years. I encountered a string of problems with each brand:
1. In one case, after buying a set of them from a vendor with a good reputation of the four I received two were essentially DOA. One of the replacements was also DOA.
2. The remaining batteries did not hold has much charge or hold it as long by comparison to the OEM.
3. On one long backcountry trip (obviously without access to purchasing replacements) I discovered that one held only enough of a charge for 15 images and all had less than full capacity. I had to alter my photography plans on the trip.
4. Using another brand in a different camera system, I was dismayed to find that a battery had swelled in the camera and could not be extracted without rapping the camera body on the edge of a table. After that incident I checked my remaining third-party batteries and found another that was in the early stages of the same issue.
I finally decided that the relatively small savings from non-OEM batteries simply wasn't worth the risks — to my equipment, to my photography, and to the success of outings that sometimes cost me a lot of money and time.
YMMV, but I won't buy third-party batteries any longer. If you insist, I urge you to at least use them as emergency-use-only batteries... and to visually inspect and test them frequently.
p.1 #3 · Canon LP-E6N battery-stick with OEM or is generic good enough
Haha, I've experienced all of Dan's Numbers 1 to 4 with 3rd party batteries. The one that swelled and stuck in the camera was a brand new STK. It was hot too. And I've received DOA STK as well. I tried a few others and they were basically crap. I've had the best luck with Wasabi—no DOA or swelling but they don't last as long as OEM but work as backups. My problem is no Canon dealers will ship official LP-E6NH batteries to Hawaii due to hazardous materials laws. Canon, Amazon, B&H and Adorama all refuse my battery orders. So I have to buy batteries on Ebay where many sellers ignore shipping regulations.
p.1 #4 · Canon LP-E6N battery-stick with OEM or is generic good enough
In my experience with 3rd party batteries on DSLRs, they start out fine but do not age as well as Canon batteries. For example, shutting off the camera at 30% charge state while in live view or video. Since mirrorless cameras are 100% live view, I decided to bite the bullet and only buy Canon LP-E6NH batteries going forward. Some people are fine throwing 3rd party batteries away all the time since they're so cheap, but I'd rather not do that.
p.1 #5 · Canon LP-E6N battery-stick with OEM or is generic good enough
While I don't have that model camera, I do have four Canon DSLR cameras, and the newest is a 90D.
I have been using BM batteries from Big Mikes' Electronics, bought through Amazon, for almost 4 years in dual battery grips on all of my Canon cameras and I have 2-3 pair of these batteries for each of my cameras. All are BM batteries and I have had zero issues with them.
Their batteries are decoded, meaning that the camera thinks that they are Canon batteries. No pop-up warning on the camera display about the NON-OEM batteries after installing them, and the battery level indicator on the camera display screen works too. I can buy two of the BM batteries, plus a dual USB charger for less than the cost of one Canon battery. It's a no-brainer for me, and 4 years of use of most of these batteries has proven to me that they are very reliable.
p.1 #6 · Canon LP-E6N battery-stick with OEM or is generic good enough
gdanmitchell wrote:
I finally decided that the relatively small savings from non-OEM batteries simply wasn't worth the risks — to my equipment, to my photography, and to the success of outings that sometimes cost me a lot of money and time.
YMMV, but I won't buy third-party batteries any longer. If you insist, I urge you to at least use them as emergency-use-only batteries... and to visually inspect and test them frequently.
Well said Dan. I won't either for the similar reasons..
Dec 12, 2022 at 12:17 PM
AmbientMike Offline • • • • • • [X]
p.1 #7 · Canon LP-E6N battery-stick with OEM or is generic good enough
I've had 3rd party batteries that I couldn't tell the difference, and I've had lots that you could. Early on I had a pearstone for rebel, couldn't tell the difference. Got a Watson for a <$150 rebel I wasn't using at the time, $55 or so for a Canon battery seemed more than I was willing to pay. Held charge OK seemed to be not coming out as easily as it should although it still holds charge OK. So fortunately got a deal on a used, probably open box, Canon.
One time a guy seemed to be avoiding a trip to the recycling center on a body I bought. Sent me a half dozen batteries with it. One died completely, one pretty much as good as OEM, even worn 3rd party probably gave 1000+ shots at times on one body in 80-90°+ F in the summer. In the cold might not be any good. Plus I shoot locally so it's annoying but not necessarily a huge deal if it died. Which I don't know if that ever happened unexpectedly. Doesn't hurt to consider usage. Besides even Canon batteries don't last forever.
p.1 #8 · Canon LP-E6N battery-stick with OEM or is generic good enough
Neewer and Wasabi are two brands oft recommended. None are problem free. I don't have any LP-E6N equivalents from either. Only Canon branded at this time. I have had them for the Rebel XS and M50, and now M6II cameras. I agree they don't age as well. But they are good for back ups.
Just know the tradeoffs as you get them. Keep an eye on them as suggested. And if you're the type to go on a day trip and need two batteries, I'd get two Canons, and have the 3rd party ones as a back up to those. If one battery is normally enough for your day, then you could back it up with a 3rd party battery.
p.1 #9 · Canon LP-E6N battery-stick with OEM or is generic good enough
One solution to needing a bunch of batteries is to get a USB charger and power bank for extended stays away from power. Most of us probably have the power bank already so a $20 USB charger can let you carry less batteries. The cost per mWh in a power bank is way less than OEM batteries.
Also, I've found the LP-E6NH batteries last noticeably longer than the older LP-E6N in the R6. I currently have 3xNH and 1xN but don't really use the N much.
p.1 #10 · Canon LP-E6N battery-stick with OEM or is generic good enough
I've used aftermarket batteries and never had an issue. I own SterlingTek (STK), Vemico, Neewer, Wasabi and all have no issues. Manfrotto even has their own version.
p.1 #11 · Canon LP-E6N battery-stick with OEM or is generic good enough
iazybandit wrote:
I've used aftermarket batteries and never had an issue. I own SterlingTek (STK), Vemico, Neewer, Wasabi and all have no issues. Manfrotto even has their own version.
I had multiple problems specifically with SterlingTek and Wasabi. (The "swelling battery" problem was with multiple Wasabi batteries. The inability to take or hold a charge and the DOA batteries were with SterlingTek.) I have not used the others.
My understanding is that some of the batteries are rebranded versions of batteries made in generic plants overseas, soft of like some of the generic memory cards. (I cannot verify this.)
FWIW, I have never had a problem with an OEM battery from either Canon or Fujifilm. I've used the former for two decades and the latter for one decade.
p.1 #12 · Canon LP-E6N battery-stick with OEM or is generic good enough
gdanmitchell wrote:
I had multiple problems specifically with SterlingTek and Wasabi. (The "swelling battery" problem was with multiple Wasabi batteries. The inability to take or hold a charge and the DOA batteries were with SterlingTek.) I have not used the others.
My understanding is that some of the batteries are rebranded versions of batteries made in generic plants overseas, soft of like some of the generic memory cards. (I cannot verify this.)
FWIW, I have never had a problem with an OEM battery from either Canon or Fujifilm. I've used the former for two decades and the latter for one decade.
Cells are mass produced and graded. The best of the best fetch the highest prices and go to OEMs. The rest get sold cheap to whoever wants to build a battery around them. The battery management system is also a variable. A good one can manage the cells properly and keep you safe. A cheap one, not so much.
p.1 #13 · Canon LP-E6N battery-stick with OEM or is generic good enough
I have the Neewer LPE6-NH equivalent and it's been working great including full high speed shooting functionality on my R6 (which a bunch of different other third party batteries can't do).
if you have budget issues then I'd suggest to have may be 2 OEM for a critical work and then a bunch of 3rd party ones ( see the article about who is good )
p.1 #15 · Canon LP-E6N battery-stick with OEM or is generic good enough
Canon and Nikon batteries have always aged better for me than 3rd party batteries. I shot extensively with the R6 for a year and used a combination of Neewer and Canon batteries. They both lasted around the same in my experience. Long term usage? We’ll see. BTW, I always used the Canon chargers for both brands. I’m not sure if that makes a difference or not.
p.1 #16 · Canon LP-E6N battery-stick with OEM or is generic good enough
Mike_5D wrote:
Cells are mass produced and graded. The best of the best fetch the highest prices and go to OEMs. The rest get sold cheap to whoever wants to build a battery around them. The battery management system is also a variable. A good one can manage the cells properly and keep you safe. A cheap one, not so much.
That is not correct. There are different makers and capacities. They don't come from one plant/source
I've tested hundreds of cells in various products and it is the quality of the cells that counts. Tier 1 makers like Panasonic, these are what OEM makers use. Some third party cells are trash, some use good quality cells.
I would avoid ultra cheap odd unknown brands (likely low grade)
More respectable makers like Nitecore use Tier 1 cells as I've done tear downs on their products.
It has to be said Canon are one of the worse offenders for battery prices, they're a pure rip off
Even the top tier cells for these batteries cost not that much a few $$ each bought in big quantities. Adding a plastic case and protection circuit isn't expensive. Yet they charge 100+ for the battery, it's a complete rip off nothing short of daylight robbery. The manufacture cost of a battery would be under $10, that's a huge mark up.
p.1 #17 · Canon LP-E6N battery-stick with OEM or is generic good enough
Pinky Boy wrote:
That is not correct. There are different makers and capacities. They don't come from one plant/source
I've tested hundreds of cells in various products and it is the quality of the cells that counts. Tier 1 makers like Panasonic, these are what OEM makers use. Some third party cells are trash, some use good quality cells.
I would avoid ultra cheap odd unknown brands (likely low grade)
More respectable makers like Nitecore use Tier 1 cells as I've done tear downs on their products.
It has to be said Canon are one of the worse offenders for battery prices, they're a pure rip off
Even the top tier cells for these batteries cost not that much a few $$ each bought in big quantities. Adding a plastic case and protection circuit isn't expensive. Yet they charge 100+ for the battery, it's a complete rip off nothing short of daylight robbery. The manufacture cost of a battery would be under $10, that's a huge mark up....Show more →
Just bought Canon OEM batteries for my 5DsR for considerably less than $100 from B&H.
p.1 #18 · Canon LP-E6N battery-stick with OEM or is generic good enough
The consensus is to go with the OEM battery. However, there are some promises on using the Neewer brand. I have had the Neewer batteries for continuous LED light and so far, they have maintained the charge.
Dec 12, 2022 at 08:42 PM
AmbientMike Offline • • • • • • [X]
p.1 #19 · Canon LP-E6N battery-stick with OEM or is generic good enough
Found a teardown of an older LP-E6. Has two 18500 li ion cells, looks like Panasonic (NCR.) Plus pcb for the (needed) protection circuits. 18500 is a bit of an oddball size (18x50mm, IIRC,) probably not a big deal in bulk I'd guess. 18650's are more common, and larger, (may still be used in laptop batteries) but pretty inexpensive. Looks like you can buy Panasonic 2040mah 18500 for $6-8.
Numerous manufacturers of quality cells, like Samsung, IMR, LG etc. I doubt the protection circuitry is that expensive out of China and the batteries potentially under $5 each in the bulk Canon presumably buys.
So none if this stuff particularly expensive or esoteric imo. Just a matter of the cells you put in it and hopefully protection circuitry. If they put El cheapo overrated ebay in there might not be good. If they put Panasonic etc might be great. If anyone wants to see the teardown can post a link
p.1 #20 · Canon LP-E6N battery-stick with OEM or is generic good enough
bballfreak6 wrote:
I have the Neewer LPE6-NH equivalent and it's been working great including full high speed shooting functionality on my R6 (which a bunch of different other third party batteries can't do).
I have a couple of the Neewer and a couple Canon LP-E6NH and have used them in R6/R6II cameras. I typically use the BG-R10 grip and will put one of each in it. This is a little trick picked up from the Camnostics link below to keep the cameras shooting at the mechanical/EFC shutter H+ fps speed longer. I've tested the Neewer alone and below about 75% charge the camera drops out of H+. With a Neewer and a Canon in the grip, it'll go down as low as the typical cutoff point if just a Canon battery was in the camera.
I've only had the Neewer batteries a short while and maybe done 5 charge cycles with the supplied USB charger. So far they seem decent. When combined with a Canon battery in the BG-R10 grip, it seems like the Neewer's charge drops slightly faster than the Canon's.
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if you have budget issues then I'd suggest to have may be 2 OEM for a critical work and then a bunch of 3rd party ones ( see the article about who is good )
The other thing I picked up from that article was that in addition to in-camera charging with a PD capable power bank (IIRC only more recent Canon cameras offer this capability), if the power bank can deliver 30W or more, it can directly power the camera. I tried this with the R6, and indeed, it worked. But a battery still has to be installed in the grip and the camera will not do H+ drive speed.
