Buy our batteries or else ...

[NoSpringChicken]

Panasonic has released firmware updates for some of its digital cameras including the GH1, G1, ZS3 and TS1. This can identify genuine Panasonic batteries and prevent the use of third party batteries. They say this was done as a safety measure to prevent possible injuries resulting from overcharging, overheating or short circuits in third-party batteries.

Genuine Panasonic batteries cost around £50, whilst aftermarket ones are available for about £10! ;) I wonder if other manufacturers will adopt this policy?

Information link here:
http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/info/dsc_battery.html

[Claymore]

Panasonic has released firmware updates for some of its digital cameras including the GH1, G1, ZS3 and TS1. This can identify genuine Panasonic batteries and prevent the use of third party batteries. They say this was done as a safety measure to prevent possible injuries resulting from overcharging, overheating or short circuits in third-party batteries.

Genuine Panasonic batteries cost around £50, whilst aftermarket ones are available for about £10! ;) I wonder if other manufacturers will adopt this policy?

Not good news at all! considering I had a genuine Canon battery for my Camcorder MELT! i replaced it with a £12.00 Ebay copy and not only does it last and hold charge longer it doesn't even get warm (the Canon one got very warm and Canon told me they all do that 2 wks before meltdown:C)
I can understand them wanting to protect their camera's etc and also prevent claims for faulty camera's but if they only reduced their prices to a reasonable amount more people would buy genuine batteries. Surely genuine ones don't cost 10 times as much to produce?
Brian

[Duke Leto]

it might be a deciding factor in a purchase decision, this may bite them back

[RJL2005]

Panasonic has released firmware updates for some of its digital cameras including the GH1, G1, ZS3 and TS1. This can identify genuine Panasonic batteries and prevent the use of third party batteries. They say this was done as a safety measure to prevent possible injuries resulting from overcharging, overheating or short circuits in third-party batteries.

Genuine Panasonic batteries cost around £50, whilst aftermarket ones are available for about £10! ;) I wonder if other manufacturers will adopt this policy?

They'd better not! I agree it's a b***** rip off, I'm sure the camera manufacturers buy their batts from a third party.

Would they try it with lenses - surely not................................

[NoSpringChicken]

If you have a camera with the previous firmware installed I suppose it is a good reason not to update to the new firmware. What's the betting they will introduce some juicy new features in future firmware updates?

Ron

[Geoff Brown]

Hopefully in the technology race the independent battery makers will soon be able to put their batteries in these specialist machines with no detrimental performance.

[BarneyL]

HP tried this some time ago with ink cartridges for their printers. It was judged to be breaking EU trade laws and they were forced to stop.
It's made me think twice about picking up an FZ28 already.

[Chris Galvin]

This is really old news. Sony have been doing this for years...

[seaspirit]

I think to recall that there were a few problems with aftermarkt EN-EL3e and Nikon D300. These worked fine with the D80 and D200, but not with the D300.
Didn't take long for the manufacturers of the EN-EL3e clones to solve the problem....

Ulli

[Swissboy]

This is really old news. Sony have been doing this for years...

And it's one major reason why I have refrained from even considering Sony when there are plenty of comparable products. I used to prefer Sony many years ago; but I bought none of their products in the last decade or so.

I'd hate having to do the same with Panasonic.