Echoing Moose's thoughts on improved batteries...
I just got back from two weeks in Australia with my Sony A9. I had two
batteries with me, I mistakenly started out the trip with a battery at
11% and another at 45%. That lasted me the first week, and then was
finally able to charge them up. I just checked my battery that was
recharged to 100% and after another full week of photos. 33%. Never
did go to my second battery.
However, it goes without saying, that the batteries in the A7mk2 have
the attention span of a squirrel.
AG Schnozz
On Thu, Feb 12, 2026 at 11:39 AM Moose via olympus
<olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> 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.
>
> Powered Up Moose
>
> 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
> >
>
>
> --
> What if the Hokey Pokey *IS* what it's all about?
> --
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