Panasonic DMW BLB13 Battery for Panasonic G1 Digital SLR Cameras
Under the Panasonic brand and its slogan, “Panasonic ideas for life,” Panasonic Corporation provides a wide range of products, from audiovisual and information/communication equipment to home appliances and components, as one of the largest electronic companies in the world today. We endeavor to become a “Customer Value Creation Company” that provides safety, security, comfort and convenience in line with our visions of contributing to a ubiquitous networking society and coexisting with the global environment.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Panasonic DMW-BLB13 battery
Having used 3rd party batteries in the past, my experience with them has been a mixed bag. Some worked OK but many either they did not fit on the camera charger properly or they started loosing juice after 4 months or so. I noticed once that a particular 3rd party battery I had was getting very hot during charging. So, this time around, I decided to not jeopardize my new investment (a Panasonic G1 camera) and buy an original replacement battery as spare. Yes, they are more expensive but not by much and it gives me peace of mind. Also, Panasonic has issued some firmware updates that checks for 3rd party battery and rejects them (for safety reasons, they claim). However, if you really want to risk your equipment and save $20, eBay now has some 3rd party batteries that “supposedly” work with the new Panasonic firmware. In the end, you are in control. You can’t go wrong with the original battery, though.
3 Stars Strap Post Failure
I really like this camera. It has slightly more noise than I thought it would but then I realized it was because this sensor is still smaller than the APC size in the Canon cameras. It has banding in dark shadows at high ISOs due to what seems a SW problem … extensively discussed at DPreview … I keep my ISO limited to 400 to avoid this. My major problem is that the left camera strap post (as seen from the back) had its nut fall off into the camera insides. I did not know about this problem until it happened to me after 28 days. When I investigated I found that many have had this problem with this particular camera and not the DMC-G1. It seems that this camera was assembled in China and not Japan like the G1 was. Some have had this problem happen within a week of use. Some have had the camera smash to the ground. I was fortunate in that I was handing the camera to another person and had it partially gripped in my hand. Although reported in DPreview, I have seen more discussions in the video groups since this camera is more popular there. Like me, most have just chosen the Rapid Black Camera Strap that attaches to the tripod hole and have gone on. I will send it back for repair after the holiday’s picture taking. I have heard it is a long wait from Panasonic directly. I will try [...] who is a Panasonic-approved repair known for their rapid turnaround and status tracking.
If I had this to do again, I would still buy the camera since its size and handling is excellent, but I would buy and attach the phenomenal Rapid Black Camera Strap and avoid the problem altogether.
5 Stars Great Life on Panasonic DMW-BLB13 Battery
I love the Panasonic BLB13 battery. I am using it for a Panasonic GF1 digital camera. I get excellent life out of this Panasonic battery. The cost of this battery is a little high, but it is worth the cost as this battery keeps on running. I can go a whole day of shooting with the Panasonic GF1 and still have not run down the battery. Highly recommended.
5 Stars Works well…
With all the talk going on about Panasonic locking out 3rd party batteries from the GH1, I was a little worried as to whether this was actually a genuine Panasonic battery.
All concerns laid to rest… it worked perfectly. I’ve given 4 starts to “Battery Life” only because I’m yet to fully test it.
5 Stars Nice battery – no real alternative
You will need an extra battery for your Panasonic DMC-G1 or DMC-GH1 camera because the electronic viewfinder places an additional drain on the battery. Some reviewers have complained about the price, but compared to the $69 extra battery for the Sony A900 camera, the price of the Panasonic battery doesn’t look so bad. Just buy the battery so that you don’t run out of power while you are out shooting.
I can’t comment on the battery life because I have owned it for only two months.
