Do non-Pentax batteries really deliver more shots? (D-Li90)

Socrateeze · 05-19-2019, 02:23 AM

Hi,

I notice that some non-Pentax D-LI90 batteries profess to carry more charge than the Pentax batteries. The Pentax D-LI90 says it carries 1860mAh, but the Newmowa D-LI90 I'm looking at for my K-1 says it carries 2400mAh. Can anyone conform or deny that that translates into more shots per charge?

Cheers.

MarkJerling · 05-19-2019, 02:38 AM - **2 Likes**

Based on others experience, it seems unlikely that these cheap, aftermarket batteries rarely deliver the mAh ratings they say they do.
See: Pentax K-1 Replacement D-Li90 Battery - PentaxForums.com

**savoche** · 05-19-2019, 02:43 AM - **1 Like**

The D-Li90 contains 2x 3.6V 18500 cells, so unless someone has started making 2400mAh 18500 cells I'd say they're making things up.

See this old thread: Disassembling D-Li90 battery clone - PentaxForums.com

photocles · 05-19-2019, 02:46 AM - **2 Likes**

In my experience, the better aftermarket batteries (e.g. Hahnel), tend to be rated at lower total mAh than the Pentax-branded batteries, but they deliver pretty close to the same performance and lifespan. The batteries that carry much higher mAh claims (e.g., just about anything you can name from FleaBay) tend to have much worse charge-retention performance and shorter overall lifespan than Pentax-branded batteries. It really seems a case of getting what one pays for most of the time.

**Rondec** · 05-19-2019, 02:58 AM - **1 Like**

My experience with non-Pentax batteries is that they do about 90 percent of what Pentax batteries do. They tend to do a bit worse when shooting a lot of video/using live view a bunch and quite a bit worse when in cold conditions.

The other thing is that my Pentax batteries seem to have a lot longer life span. I've found Watson and other after market brands seem to hold less charge after a couple of years of use, while I haven't seen that with Pentax batteries (which are all still in use).

Adam · 05-19-2019, 03:16 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Socrateeze

Hi,

I notice that some non-Pentax D-LI90 batteries profess to carry more charge than the Pentax batteries. The Pentax D-LI90 says it carries 1860mAh, but the Newmowa D-LI90 I'm looking at for my K-1 says it carries 2400mAh. Can anyone conform or deny that that translates into more shots per charge?

Cheers.

The short answer is no, you can't do better than the original battery. Many third-party batteries have misleading specs.

**ramseybuckeye** · 05-19-2019, 04:38 AM - **1 Like**

I have used several different aftermarket batteries, none are as good as the Pentax. I will say that the Newmowa I have are good and came with a nice two battery charger.

**Terry C** · 05-19-2019, 05:57 AM - **1 Like**

One of my spares is branded Wasabi. Have used it in my K30 and K70. It is at least equal to the Pentax brand.

Docrwm · 05-19-2019, 06:14 AM

Old question, many times asked. The short answer is that everyone has an opinion, most of the time its just that - an opinion.

steve_k · 05-19-2019, 06:17 AM - **1 Like**

IMO there is no beating original Pentax. But I have to say that the Wasbi’s that I use are very good. I can purchase 4 Wasabi’s for less than the cost of a single Pentax. I have also used them for over 3 years with no issues.

**marcusBMG** · 05-19-2019, 07:26 AM

Here in UK/Eu I think Ansmann is a good brand.

**RKKS08** · 05-19-2019, 08:04 AM

Since years, I always use Pantona for the K-5 and my Lumix cameras.
I found that they are slightly worse in all properties, compared with the original ones.
But it's still saving a lot of money, as they cost a fraction of the Pentax/Panasonic branded batteries.

I heard good and bad things about Ansmann batteries (their chargers are very good, but not the cheap models which are just Ansmann labeled Chinese ones).

Despite both Pantona and Ansmann being German companies, their batteries are of course also produced in China.

stevebrot · 05-19-2019, 08:59 AM - **1 Like**

In my bag right now are Pentax, Wasabi, and DSTE. I get about the same number of shots per charge regardless of brand. The Pentax were purchased in 2014 with the camera. The Wasabi were bought about a year ago to replace a set also purchased in 2014 (would not deliver full capacity after four years). The DSTEs are fairly new.

Some give credence to weight...

Pentax = 78gm
Wasabi = 74gm
DSTE = 72gm

Steve

Markovo · 05-19-2019, 01:35 PM - **2 Likes**

I have 3 Hahnel batteries and 2 D-LI90 for K-1 and honestly I can't tell which one I was using in the end of the day.

ronniemac · 05-19-2019, 03:04 PM

Originally posted by Docrwm

Old question, many times asked. The short answer is that everyone has an opinion, most of the time its just that - an opinion.

Indeed the question has been asked many times, and every time I ask who manufactures Pentax's batteries. Anyone know?

My own experience (rather than opinion) since buying the K-5 when it was released, is that all 16 of my D-L190 batteries continue to work as well as they they did when first used.

I have tried 6 other brands, and although good for a few years, with diminishing ability to hold a charge, they have all ultimately failed and ended up being disposed of.

05-19-2019, 02:23 AM	#1
Socrateeze Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Vancouver Posts: 58	Do non-Pentax batteries really deliver more shots? (D-Li90) Hi, I notice that some non-Pentax D-LI90 batteries profess to carry more charge than the Pentax batteries. The Pentax D-LI90 says it carries 1860mAh, but the Newmowa D-LI90 I'm looking at for my K-1 says it carries 2400mAh. Can anyone conform or deny that that translates into more shots per charge? Cheers.

05-19-2019, 02:38 AM - 2 Likes	#2
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,406	Based on others experience, it seems unlikely that these cheap, aftermarket batteries rarely deliver the mAh ratings they say they do. See: Pentax K-1 Replacement D-Li90 Battery - PentaxForums.com Last edited by MarkJerling; 05-19-2019 at 04:30 AM. Reason: Typo.

05-19-2019, 03:16 AM - 2 Likes	#6
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Originally posted by Socrateeze Hi, I notice that some non-Pentax D-LI90 batteries profess to carry more charge than the Pentax batteries. The Pentax D-LI90 says it carries 1860mAh, but the Newmowa D-LI90 I'm looking at for my K-1 says it carries 2400mAh. Can anyone conform or deny that that translates into more shots per charge? Cheers. The short answer is no, you can't do better than the original battery. Many third-party batteries have misleading specs. 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:

05-19-2019, 08:59 AM - 1 Like	#13
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	In my bag right now are Pentax, Wasabi, and DSTE. I get about the same number of shots per charge regardless of brand. The Pentax were purchased in 2014 with the camera. The Wasabi were bought about a year ago to replace a set also purchased in 2014 (would not deliver full capacity after four years). The DSTEs are fairly new. Some give credence to weight... Pentax = 78gm Wasabi = 74gm DSTE = 72gm Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 05-19-2019 at 01:58 PM.

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05-19-2019, 02:43 AM - 1 Like	#3
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	The D-Li90 contains 2x 3.6V 18500 cells, so unless someone has started making 2400mAh 18500 cells I'd say they're making things up. See this old thread: Disassembling D-Li90 battery clone - PentaxForums.com

05-19-2019, 02:46 AM - 2 Likes	#4
photocles Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Connacht, Ireland Photos: Gallery Posts: 458	In my experience, the better aftermarket batteries (e.g. Hahnel), tend to be rated at lower total mAh than the Pentax-branded batteries, but they deliver pretty close to the same performance and lifespan. The batteries that carry much higher mAh claims (e.g., just about anything you can name from FleaBay) tend to have much worse charge-retention performance and shorter overall lifespan than Pentax-branded batteries. It really seems a case of getting what one pays for most of the time.

05-19-2019, 02:58 AM - 1 Like	#5
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	My experience with non-Pentax batteries is that they do about 90 percent of what Pentax batteries do. They tend to do a bit worse when shooting a lot of video/using live view a bunch and quite a bit worse when in cold conditions. The other thing is that my Pentax batteries seem to have a lot longer life span. I've found Watson and other after market brands seem to hold less charge after a couple of years of use, while I haven't seen that with Pentax batteries (which are all still in use).

05-19-2019, 04:38 AM - 1 Like	#7
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,292	I have used several different aftermarket batteries, none are as good as the Pentax. I will say that the Newmowa I have are good and came with a nice two battery charger.

05-19-2019, 05:57 AM - 1 Like	#8
Terry C Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: North west Tasmania. Photos: Gallery Posts: 609	One of my spares is branded Wasabi. Have used it in my K30 and K70. It is at least equal to the Pentax brand.

05-19-2019, 06:14 AM	#9
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Old question, many times asked. The short answer is that everyone has an opinion, most of the time its just that - an opinion.

05-19-2019, 06:17 AM - 1 Like	#10
steve_k Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Shelton, CT Photos: Albums Posts: 708	IMO there is no beating original Pentax. But I have to say that the Wasbi’s that I use are very good. I can purchase 4 Wasabi’s for less than the cost of a single Pentax. I have also used them for over 3 years with no issues.

05-19-2019, 07:26 AM	#11
marcusBMG Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: North Wales Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,869	Here in UK/Eu I think Ansmann is a good brand.

05-19-2019, 08:04 AM	#12
RKKS08 Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Frankfurt am Main Posts: 1,241	Since years, I always use Pantona for the K-5 and my Lumix cameras. I found that they are slightly worse in all properties, compared with the original ones. But it's still saving a lot of money, as they cost a fraction of the Pentax/Panasonic branded batteries. I heard good and bad things about Ansmann batteries (their chargers are very good, but not the cheap models which are just Ansmann labeled Chinese ones). Despite both Pantona and Ansmann being German companies, their batteries are of course also produced in China.

05-19-2019, 01:35 PM - 2 Likes	#14
Markovo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Bulgaria Posts: 149	I have 3 Hahnel batteries and 2 D-LI90 for K-1 and honestly I can't tell which one I was using in the end of the day.

05-19-2019, 03:04 PM	#15
ronniemac Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Oxford Photos: Albums Posts: 244	Originally posted by Docrwm Old question, many times asked. The short answer is that everyone has an opinion, most of the time its just that - an opinion. Indeed the question has been asked many times, and every time I ask who manufactures Pentax's batteries. Anyone know? My own experience (rather than opinion) since buying the K-5 when it was released, is that all 16 of my D-L190 batteries continue to work as well as they they did when first used. I have tried 6 other brands, and although good for a few years, with diminishing ability to hold a charge, they have all ultimately failed and ended up being disposed of.