2011Batteries/Power forum
Performance and reliability comparison of lithium-ion camera batteries from various manufacturers
15 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.
What the thread found
- A camera operator using a 160Wh battery model powered a Panasonic HPX-2000 camera drawing 43Wh for 4 hours of continuous use.
- Professional broadcast stations have successfully operated 24 units of the same battery model for 4 years without failures.
- One user reported powering two Panasonic HPX-2000 cameras for an entire day of shooting with two 190Wh batteries.
- For steadicam applications, two 160Wh batteries powered a Panasonic HPX-2000 camera plus Bartech focus unit and Transvideo monitor through a full shooting day.
- A 160Wh battery powered an Ikegami camera and Link HD transmitter for 70 minutes before voltage warning, matching the runtime of Anton Bauer Hytron 100 batteries which weigh more.
- Most lithium-ion battery packs use similar industry-standard 18650 cells with the same protection circuitry, differentiating mainly through case quality, component sourcing, and cell freshness.
- Leaving lithium-ion batteries attached to a camera after power-down causes short-cycling of the protection circuit, which can permanently damage the pack if it self-discharges below recoverable voltage levels.
- Lithium-ion cells have a shelf life of approximately 28 to 36 months and cannot be recovered after complete discharge below 2.5 volts per cell, unlike older battery chemistries.
- Chargers enter a recovery or low-voltage pulse cycle when presented with deeply discharged lithium-ion batteries, requiring extended time before normal charging resumes.
- Allowing lithium-ion batteries to cool before charging is advisable as most chargers include temperature sensors that prevent charging if overheating is detected.
- When comparing battery performance between models, comparing new batteries to aged batteries with years of use provides inaccurate results.
- Some Chinese-branded lithium-ion battery packs exhibit good initial capacity but degrade severely within less than one year of use.
- Anton Bauer Dionic HC design incorporates individual cell isolation holders and relocated protection circuitry for improved durability compared to earlier Dionic 90 designs.
- Swollen Chinese batteries can be difficult to mount and remove from Anton Bauer equipment due to poor tolerance in connector design.
Depends on
- The 43Wh power draw figure is specific to that camera model and usage conditions.
- Some reports involve unnamed battery manufacturers from unclear time periods within an approximate 10-year window.
- The claim about battery lifespan and chemistry appears from a forum expert but lacks independent verification sources.
- Comparison between different battery brands involves subjective assessments of reliability and value.
- Long-term testing data extends only to several years for most reported cases.
- The discussion does not resolve whether imported batteries represent equivalent value to established brands.