Can you use third-party LP-E6 batteries in Canon 5D/7D bodies, and what are the drawbacks?
Asked 11/18/2010
7 views
2 answers
0
I use a Canon 7D and want to buy spare LP-E6 batteries, possibly with a battery grip. With older Canon bodies I had no trouble using generic batteries, but I’ve read that LP-E6 packs use a Canon communication chip. If I use a third-party battery in a 5D or 7D, what actually stops working? Is it just battery percentage reporting, or can it affect charging, compatibility, or safe shutdown? Also, do any third-party LP-E6 batteries include a compatible chip?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
5
I haven't yet found any third party batteries that has a chip in them.
As you say, using a battery without the chip doesn't provide the camera with power level metering. Not knowing exacly how much power there is left is of course a bit inconvenient, but that can also cause other problems. The camera uses the power level information to shut down safely when the level gets critically low, and without that information the camera might run out of power in the middle of an I/O operation. If you are shooting pictures the risk for that is not very high, but if you are shooting video when the power runs out that is quite likely to corrupt the video file. It may also corrupt the disk system data, which will make all the files on the card unreadable.
The third party batteries I have seen comes with a special charger, as they can't be charged with the original charger. That means that you have to bring two chargers if you have both types of batteries.
Originally by user149. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user149
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes, third-party LP-E6 batteries can work in Canon 5D/7D bodies, but the main issue is communication with the camera. Older or non-chipped packs may power the camera yet fail to report charge level accurately, so battery metering/history features may not work.
That matters because the camera uses battery-status information to manage low-power shutdown. Without it, the camera may simply die without warning. During stills this is mostly an inconvenience, but during video or while writing to the card it increases the risk of a corrupted file, and possibly card filesystem corruption.
Compatibility can also change with firmware: some generic batteries that worked before may later stop communicating properly after camera updates.
Some third-party LP-E6 batteries have used reverse-engineered chips and can charge in the Canon charger and communicate normally, but support is brand/version dependent and inconsistent. Capacity claims on generic batteries also vary more than OEM packs.
So the tradeoff is cost vs reliability and accurate battery reporting. If you want the fewest surprises, Canon batteries are the safest choice. If you buy third-party, look specifically for recent LP-E6 packs confirmed to work with your exact body/firmware.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI15y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Are third-party LP-E5 batteries safe and reliable for a Canon 450D battery grip?
What are the trade-offs of buying a third-party LP-E4 battery instead of Canon’s original?
Why is my Canon EOS 5D Mark III draining batteries while turned off?
Can I charge Canon 5D Mark II/III LP-E6 batteries from USB while traveling off-grid?
Are third-party DSLR batteries less reliable than official camera batteries?