Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
01-22-2014, 05:07 PM - 1 Like   #1
New Member




Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 18
Testing Aftermarket Batteries for K-30

Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here.


I tested 3 brands of D-LI109 batteries for a K-30. The Pentax and the Synergy brand batteries were purchased in April 2013 and have been used regularly since then. The Wasabi brand batteries were purchased in January 2014 and have very little use before the test. The testing was done with a Optim Engineering CBA III computerized battery analyzer. They were tested with a constant 1A load. It discharges them to 5.6V and then removes the load. The cutoff point is not critical because once it discharged to 6V it drops quickly after that point. This is obviously not very similar to the camera load, but it should be a good indication of the relative capacities of the different batteries. All units were charged and discharged twice. The results were very similar in both runs of each battery.

Pentax had a claimed capacity of 1.05 AH and a measured capacity of 1.0 AH capacity (cost about $48)
Synergy had claimed capacity of 1.2 AH and a measured capacity of 0.6 AH capacity (cost about $14)
Wasabi had a claimed capacity of 1.4 AH and a measured capacity of 0.8 AH capacity (cost about $27 for 2 and included a charger that works from both 12V and 110 or 240V)

So the moral of the story is that the Pentax batteries are somewhat better than the aftermarket batteries, but cost much more per AH.

01-22-2014, 05:08 PM   #2
Administrator
Site Webmaster
Adam's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Arizona
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 51,558
You get what you pay for Thanks for posting the tests!

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)



PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:
01-23-2014, 11:22 AM   #3
Senior Member




Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 110
QuoteOriginally posted by GSWayne Quote
I tested 3 brands of D-LI109 batteries for a K-30. The Pentax and the Synergy brand batteries were purchased in April 2013 and have been used regularly since then. The Wasabi brand batteries were purchased in January 2014 and have very little use before the test. The testing was done with a Optim Engineering CBA III computerized battery analyzer. They were tested with a constant 1A load. It discharges them to 5.6V and then removes the load. The cutoff point is not critical because once it discharged to 6V it drops quickly after that point. This is obviously not very similar to the camera load, but it should be a good indication of the relative capacities of the different batteries. All units were charged and discharged twice. The results were very similar in both runs of each battery.

Pentax had a claimed capacity of 1.05 AH and a measured capacity of 1.0 AH capacity (cost about $48)
Synergy had claimed capacity of 1.2 AH and a measured capacity of 0.6 AH capacity (cost about $14)
Wasabi had a claimed capacity of 1.4 AH and a measured capacity of 0.8 AH capacity (cost about $27 for 2 and included a charger that works from both 12V and 110 or 240V)

So the moral of the story is that the Pentax batteries are somewhat better than the aftermarket batteries, but cost much more per AH.
So pentax is $48 per AH
Synergy is $23.33 per AH
Wasabi is $17.50 per AH (checked price on amazon for single battery.)

Wasabi seems to be the best value. You just have to carry more of them.

Assuming the Pentax gets 400 shots per charge, (410 spec'd, but we all know battery specs are wishful thinking) to get 1000 photographs you need

2.5 Pentax batteries. (400 per battery)
4.1 of the Synergy batteries (240 per battery)
3.1 Wasabi batteries. (320 pics per battery)

So, to me this just means you use your Pentax battery, and keep a pair of Wasabi as your 2nd and 3rd if you shoot that much.

In my case, the most I shoot is my daughter's volleyball. The most I shot per day was 330. So, I could get by with just the Pentax battery. However, I will always carry a back up.
01-23-2014, 11:33 AM   #4
Veteran Member




Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: U.K.
Posts: 685
A cheap DSTE K-30 battery measured only 5% less than the Pentax one in a similar test I ran a couple of months back, so 1.0Ah. I got the same 1.05Ah as you for the Pentax. 2 other nameless ones measured only 0.4Ah!

01-23-2014, 12:03 PM   #5
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
seventysixersfan's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Alexandria, VA
Posts: 2,049
Can the included Wasabi charger also charge the Pentax OEM battery? Or only the Wasabi brand batteries?
01-23-2014, 01:27 PM   #6
Forum Member




Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Alameda Island, CA
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 98
Has anyone tried the "Watson" available from B & H? They are $19.95. I was thinking about ordering one, but if it's not going to be as good as the original, I'll just spring for the Pentax.

Watson D-LI109 Lithium-Ion Battery Pack (7.4V, 1050mAh) B-3706
01-23-2014, 03:07 PM   #7
New Member




Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 18
Original Poster
QuoteOriginally posted by seventysixersfan Quote
Can the included Wasabi charger also charge the Pentax OEM battery? Or only the Wasabi brand batteries?
It can charge all three of the brands of batteries I tested. It is nicer than the OEM charger in that it has the plug built in so you do not need a cord for it.

01-23-2014, 03:51 PM   #8
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
seventysixersfan's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Alexandria, VA
Posts: 2,049
QuoteOriginally posted by GSWayne Quote
It can charge all three of the brands of batteries I tested. It is nicer than the OEM charger in that it has the plug built in so you do not need a cord for it.
Thanks! I am definitely planning to buy this Wasabi package deal sometime soon.
01-23-2014, 04:01 PM   #9
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
seventysixersfan's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Alexandria, VA
Posts: 2,049
QuoteOriginally posted by beebs Quote
Has anyone tried the "Watson" available from B & H? They are $19.95. I was thinking about ordering one, but if it's not going to be as good as the original, I'll just spring for the Pentax. Watson D-LI109 Lithium-Ion Battery Pack (7.4V, 1050mAh) B-3706
I'm not sure if Watson and Pearstone are the same company's brands, but I bought a Pearstone compact battery charger that has interchangeable adapter "plates" that allow you to charge many different Li-Ion batteries. One of the compatible plates was a Watson brand one. Anyway, I use this Pearstone/Watson battery charger to charge my K-01's battery, as well as battery packs for my Canon camcorder, Canon S95, and Olympus Tough camera. I did not buy the Watson battery for my K-01 or K-50, however, so I'm sorry that my response isn't helpful in answering your question.
01-23-2014, 05:06 PM   #10
Forum Member




Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Alameda Island, CA
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 98
Not a problem...since this was a thread about testing third-party batteries, I was just asking if anyone had tried the Watson brand, since it comes from B & H.
01-24-2014, 04:37 AM   #11
Forum Member




Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 62
dstebattery, I have 2 of them.
1100-1050 mAh. declared 1400 mAh, but it almost impossible, so do not try to find true 1400 mah D-li109
chip a lot, approx 17 USD for pare+charger.
very useful.
01-24-2014, 08:43 AM   #12
Veteran Member
ScooterMaxi Jim's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,520
QuoteOriginally posted by beebs Quote
Not a problem...since this was a thread about testing third-party batteries, I was just asking if anyone had tried the Watson brand, since it comes from B & H.
Not long ago, I confirmed with B&H that Watson and Pearstone are the same; they are emphatic that they are (and their websites are very similar). Having had less than stellar results from Wasabi on the Q (MaximalPower lasted longer at a lower price), and finding that the Pearstone closely matches the Pentax OEM on the K-01 at half the price - I went with the Watson for K30 from BH. So far, not sure if it is quite up to the Pentax OEM but I need to test it more. Certainly lasts at least two-thirds as long. I think the best bet would be an OEM, a generic (or two), and back up from lithium AAs. The Eneloops just aren't consistent enough for me under heavy use. Pentax has to think through the AA thing a bit better if they want to continue with that combo as grip and both battery options are far less than ideal.

Regarding generics, the issue isn't just a matter of initial capacity after break in. Many of my older generics I tried just didn't last very long at all (losing most capacity after a few dozen charges). It appears the quality in Pearstone/Watson might be higher and longer lasting than the slightly cheaper alternatives.
01-24-2014, 09:02 AM   #13
Forum Member




Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: N.W. Massachusetts
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 85
By going to the website of the company that sells the Wasabi on Amazon (Blue Nook) I ordered a single K3 battery for $2 less than the Amazon price-$11.99 vs. 13.99. so for $37 I'm getting 3 batteries and the wasabi charger delivered free via Priority Mail directly from Blue Nook. There are mostly good reviews of the battery on Amazon and the negative feedbacks with poor performance batteries were mostly addressed by a rep from Blue Nook with the promise of replacement. Their ads say there is a 3 year warranty from the manufacturer.
01-24-2014, 10:18 AM   #14
Senior Member




Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 110
QuoteOriginally posted by sandpipe Quote
By going to the website of the company that sells the Wasabi on Amazon (Blue Nook) I ordered a single K3 battery for $2 less than the Amazon price-$11.99 vs. 13.99. so for $37 I'm getting 3 batteries and the wasabi charger delivered free via Priority Mail directly from Blue Nook. There are mostly good reviews of the battery on Amazon and the negative feedbacks with poor performance batteries were mostly addressed by a rep from Blue Nook with the promise of replacement. Their ads say there is a 3 year warranty from the manufacturer.
3 yrs on a battery??? That's impressive
01-24-2014, 10:28 AM   #15
Forum Member




Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Alameda Island, CA
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 98
QuoteOriginally posted by ScooterMaxi Jim Quote
Not long ago, I confirmed with B&H that Watson and Pearstone are the same; they are emphatic that they are (and their websites are very similar). Having had less than stellar results from Wasabi on the Q (MaximalPower lasted longer at a lower price), and finding that the Pearstone closely matches the Pentax OEM on the K-01 at half the price - I went with the Watson for K30 from BH. So far, not sure if it is quite up to the Pentax OEM but I need to test it more. Certainly lasts at least two-thirds as long. I think the best bet would be an OEM, a generic (or two), and back up from lithium AAs. The Eneloops just aren't consistent enough for me under heavy use. Pentax has to think through the AA thing a bit better if they want to continue with that combo as grip and both battery options are far less than ideal.

Regarding generics, the issue isn't just a matter of initial capacity after break in. Many of my older generics I tried just didn't last very long at all (losing most capacity after a few dozen charges). It appears the quality in Pearstone/Watson might be higher and longer lasting than the slightly cheaper alternatives.

Ah, thanks for that. I will probably go with an extra OEM for now...had less than stellar results with the rechargeable AA's...not sure whether to attribute it to the cells I'm using (the 2300mAh Energizers) or the aftermarket clips...more than likely a little of both. Sometimes it works great, other times, I can take the AA's right out of the charger, put 'em in the clip and put 'em in the K-30 and turn it on, and get "BATTERY DEPLETED"...go figure.
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
batteries, battery, brand, capacity, cost, k-30, k-50, load, pentax, pentax k30, pentax k50, wasabi
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
FREE Batteries (K-r, K-30, K-50) StevenMatchett Pentax DSLR Discussion 7 09-05-2013 05:13 AM
HSS with Aftermarket Flash on K-30 CRMassart Pentax K-30 & K-50 7 07-26-2013 09:23 AM
Good aftermarket batteries for K-5 and AC Power adapter photoleet Pentax K-5 & K-5 II 33 01-07-2013 08:28 PM
K-30 AF Accuracy Testing for the Pentaxforums Review: Give Us Your Ideas! deadwolfbones Pentax K-30 & K-50 42 07-17-2012 09:50 AM
Aftermarket Batteries Sprags Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 5 05-02-2008 07:52 PM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:05 AM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top