Scattered around on various threads recently are some posts about third-part batteries that will or won't display power left correctly on various Sony cameras. Much more worryingly, there have been reports from Alister Chapman of certain pre-2020 manufactured BP-U type batteries completely bricking Sony cameras. As we all know, the search function on here is not perfect. So I thought it might be a good idea to have a little thread devoted entirely to this subject.
To start it off, I wrote to SWIT about the two aftermarket batteries I own. Note: These batteries correctly display power levels on the viewfinders of both of my current cameras. Like the genuine Sony's they have the 4 LEDs of course. They also have highly useful D-Tap and USB ports too which (unlike many third-party BP-U style batteries) come out of the top and bottom of the SWITs. This is something I prefer - rather than the end/back.
My letter and their reply is posted below:
........................
Hello,
I have two of your S-8U63 batteries which I use (along with normal Sony batteries) on both my Sony PXW-FS5 and Sony PMW-300 cameras - and I like the SWIT's a lot. The serial numbers are 001776XX and 001777XX. I have read recently that some third-party batteries can seriously damage Sony cameras, for example here on the website blog of the well regarded Alister Chapman:
http://www.xdcam-user.com/2021/03/3r...orders-update/
Can you please clarify if it is safe for me to continue to use these batteries or do I risk damaging my cameras? Thank you.
Reply from SWIT Europe:
Hi Andy,
Our 8U63 is fully compatible with FS5, but PMW-300 has not been tested, it is theoretically possible.
Oskar Qin
........................
Anyone else got any useful information to add about aftermarket Sony style BP-U batteries to share?
To start it off, I wrote to SWIT about the two aftermarket batteries I own. Note: These batteries correctly display power levels on the viewfinders of both of my current cameras. Like the genuine Sony's they have the 4 LEDs of course. They also have highly useful D-Tap and USB ports too which (unlike many third-party BP-U style batteries) come out of the top and bottom of the SWITs. This is something I prefer - rather than the end/back.
My letter and their reply is posted below:
........................
Hello,
I have two of your S-8U63 batteries which I use (along with normal Sony batteries) on both my Sony PXW-FS5 and Sony PMW-300 cameras - and I like the SWIT's a lot. The serial numbers are 001776XX and 001777XX. I have read recently that some third-party batteries can seriously damage Sony cameras, for example here on the website blog of the well regarded Alister Chapman:
http://www.xdcam-user.com/2021/03/3r...orders-update/
Can you please clarify if it is safe for me to continue to use these batteries or do I risk damaging my cameras? Thank you.
Reply from SWIT Europe:
Hi Andy,
Our 8U63 is fully compatible with FS5, but PMW-300 has not been tested, it is theoretically possible.
Oskar Qin
........................
Anyone else got any useful information to add about aftermarket Sony style BP-U batteries to share?
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