FZ3 - Third Party Batteries

[Treasuredude]

Anyone know of a good source for third party batteries for the FZ3? Looking to pick up a spare. The $70 from Panasonic seems a bit steep. :eek:

[pwiles1968]

Anyone know of a good source for third party batteries for the FZ3? Looking to pick up a spare. The $70 from Panasonic seems a bit steep. :eek:

I did a Google search and came up with loads, I only looked at the UK sites but have managed to find one for the FZ20 for £10 Will be ordering this morning.

[Jim Last]

Looks like there are slight differences between US and Europe batteries.

The Pana code for the US is CGA-S002A and the Europe CGA-S002E I guess if the insides need to match your countries charger and voltages.

[pwiles1968]

Not sure what the differences are but will not be anything to do with the US being 110V, both batteries are 7.2V so the charger outputs will probably be the same independent of input, the UK charger will work in anywhere in the world with the appropriate pin adapter no voltage modification required, it is rated as 110-240V 50/60Hz

[genece]

Saw this concern last year with the FZ10 battery which is the same.
002....002A......002E
Turned out to be the same battery.
I have one of these
eagle imports (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43447&item=3847351742)

and one of these and really can not see much difference in those and the Panasonic
Battery barn (http://www.batterybarn.com/cgas002.htm)

[Jim Last]

Not sure what the differences are but will not be anything to do with the US being 110V, both batteries are 7.2V so the charger outputs will probably be the same independent of input, the UK charger will work in anywhere in the world with the appropriate pin adapter no voltage modification required, it is rated as 110-240V 50/60Hz

That being the case then you can get a genuine panasonic battery CGA-S002A1B from BH Photo Video for $49.95 or £27.75 excluding P&P.

[kgosden]

Try Battery Barn (http://www.batterybarn.com/cgas002.htm) for a good deal and service: $37.95 including shipping. I ordered one and it took about 4 days to arrive. At 800MaH I believe that they are also a bit higher capacity than the standard battery from Panasonic.

[John_Reed]

Try Battery Barn (http://www.batterybarn.com/cgas002.htm) for a good deal and service: $37.95 including shipping. I ordered one and it took about 4 days to arrive. At 800MaH I believe that they are also a bit higher capacity than the standard battery from Panasonic.I use two of the Battery Barn batteries exclusively with my FZ10 (same as for FZ3). I usually can get two or three days of shooting per charge; very reliable and trustworthy.