Camera batteries: different, yet so alike

Four types of batteries were ordered: one from one seller and the other three from another.
The title links to the first type, but I’ll include all the links and prices again in the review anyway.




The first type is for Nikon Coolpix cameras (S2600 S2700 S3100 S4100 S4150 S3500 S4400 S5200 S6400 S6900 A100) and is marked EN-EL19.
The price is $12.87 for four, product link.

No complaints about the packaging: a neat little cardboard box.


The individual packaging is marked with the battery type, and besides being wrapped in bubble wrap, the batteries are also packed in an extra bag.


The type is also printed on the batteries, and they look very neatly made.


Appearance and terminal layout.


These batteries were the first to arrive from the batch, so at first I was a little surprised by the difference between the stated and measured capacity. I measured them using a charger in discharge mode.
At first I couldn’t believe the difference was that large, so I tested the capacity of a second battery, but got the same result: around 500 mAh.
The discharge current was 500 mA.


The next batteries were ordered from the same seller and arrived in two large boxes.
All the batteries have identical packaging; the only difference is the label showing the model.
This battery is for Sanyo VPC-CG10 and VPC-CG20 cameras, and for PENTAX VPC-CG88, CG100, and P70. It may be marked D-LI88 or DB-L80.
The single-unit price is high at $6.03, but if you buy ten, each battery costs half as much. Product link.



I liked their appearance less than the previous ones, although that doesn’t really matter much.


Terminal layout.


Having a rough idea of what to expect, I measured the capacity of just one battery and got the same 500 mAh.


The third type is the BP70A battery for SAMSUNG ST66 ST700 ST88 ES65 MV800 PL120 PL170 ES80 PL20 ST30 ST60 ST70 ST80 ES70 ST65 ES95
The price and terms are the same as for the previous ones: $6.03, or about three dollars each when buying more than 10.
Product link.

To avoid repeating myself, I’ll just show the photos in the same order as before.




The results here are also identical to those for the previous pair.


The fourth battery type, EN-EL10, also known as Li-42, is for Nikon S80 S200 S203 S210 S220 S230 S500 S510 S520 S570 S600 S700 S800 S3000 S4000 S5100 cameras and the MH-63 charger.
The pricing is exactly the same as for the previous two: $6.03 for one, or $3.08 each if you buy ten.
Product link.

The same photos, in the same order.




Here I had to check the capacity twice again, because the result was lower than for the previous three types, at around 470–480 mAh.


It’s no surprise that, with identical results, the batteries also weighed the same: around 13 grams.



You’re probably all expecting me to criticize these batteries now. Well, I will criticize them, of course, but the seller deserves more of the blame—or rather, the manufacturer, for putting false information on the label. A capacity of 500 mAh is typical for Chinese batteries of this type.
If the manufacturer had honestly stated at least 600 mAh, I’d say that was fine. But claiming a capacity 2–2.5 times higher than the actual figure is just not right. The seller will get a review reflecting the ratio between the stated and actual capacity.

That’s all from me. By the way, I’ve had one of these batteries in my camera for about a year and a half, and it’s still going strong, so maybe things aren’t as bad as they seem at first glance.