One thing not talked about a lot is the improvements in battery capacities and,
it seems, technology.
I just wasted some time looking for the box of E-M5 and E-M5 II batteries that used to be around here. That reminded me
of my own battery adventures with them, a lot of futzing and trouble. Hiking through wild country, wondering if this
stupid battery would last . . .
When I started pairing the 5II with a Panny GX7, later GX9, then using a pair of GX9s, batteries continued to be a big
part of travel photography. I wandered around Bhutan wearing a vest with spare batteries, cards, etc.
The OMD E-M1 II had bigger batteries, and was less trouble.
OTOH, we spent 66 days away from home last fall, New England, Old England, Scotland, Orkneys, Morocco, with a pair of
OM-1 II bodies. I never once used my back-up batteries. I never once used my external charger. With a PD 3.0 100W USB C
Charger, more powerful than the one that comes with the OM-1 external charger, I simply charged the batteries overnight
in-camera, switching bodies on the charge wire when I got up to pee in the middle of the night.
The batteries are slightly smaller than the E-M1 ones, but last a lot longer. How much may be battery tech and how much
lower usage by the bodies I don't know. I do know I just spend no time and effort dealing with batteries anymore.
As well, the OM-1 bodies are at a whole different level of capability than the E-M5 II. How much that is worth to anyone
depends on what and how they shoot. Smart focus, faster everything, Pro capture, better focus bracket/stacking, ND
filter emulation, Grad ND emulation, etc. allow me to do things I couldn't before. Bird Focus and ProCap are a whole new
game for bird photography. The new menu system is completely redesigned, much better - esp. with the My Menu section,
where I've put all the things from the many other menus in one place. I virtually never need to go into the other menus.
Oh yeah, cards! The OM-1 bodies hold two, both full speed write. Fill up one, and it switches seamlessly to the second.
A pair of 128GB cards per body, and I never had to fuss with cards on our travels, either.
Vita Brevis, Carpe Diem, Dude, get the best camera.
Absent that, as you may have gathered, I've used a lot of different third party batteries in various cameras. Wasabis
have been the most reliable.
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On 2/11/2026 12:35 PM, Martin Walters via olympus wrote:
My OEM batteries seem to be wilting.... One, ironically the youngest, in particular discharges quite quickly.
Interestingly, none have swollen.
As the 12-100 IS activity is battery intensive, I'm starting to think about replacements. OEM BLN-1s are no longer
available, so it will be aftermarket units. Looking around the internet suggests that the quality is variable, either
between brands or within batches of the same brand, and that battery life may only be several years.
The two most commonly mentioned, at least for North America are Wasabi and Watson. Grateful for any comments on these
- or other brands. And, yes, I realize that I will need to get a matching charger.
I also realize that there's always the option of getting a new camera with OEM batteries. Not sure I want to go that
route at this time.
Regards to all,
Martin
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What if the Hokey Pokey *IS* what it's all about?
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