Compatible batteries for Lumix TZ7

Pollycat

hi
I hope someone here can help.

I've just bought a Panasonic TZ7 camera and I have a question about compatible batteries for my new Panasonic TZ7.

I've seen compatible batteries on Amazon (a number of different companies) ranging from £9.95 to £14.95.
A Panasonic branded one is a whopping £34.65. :eek:

7dayshop, who I've bought quite a few bits from over the years (including compatible batteries for my old Nikon Coolpix 7900 which worked fine), have compatible batteries for £8.99 or £7.99 each for 2+ - and with free postage

The only thing that is worrying me is that all the ones on Amazon mention:
"Firmware updated version - V1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4) ID Secured (NEW VERSION)"
and the 7dayshop one says:
"v1.1, v1.2, v1.3 Compatible"
i.e. nothing about V1.4.

Can anyone please tell me if there is any risk that the 7dayshop one won't work in my camera.
Or should I play safe and pay a couple of quid extra?

Sorry to sound so clueless. I've got no idea what this firmware does.

Thanks

I found this thread about the same subejct:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2500461

fwor

Panasonic have decided that they like the massive profits that they make on "original" batteries so much that they have included software in the latest firmware that means that the camera will refuse to work unless it is "original" (i.e. expensive, supplied by them).

Of course, they say they are doing this "for customer safety".

Before going for the Amazon copies, it would be worthwhile checking that your camera is actually running V1.4. The Amazon advert states that 1.4 is the "new version", but it may not be the latest. You will need to check in the User Manual to find how to get the camera to tell you what firmware version it is using.

Pollycat

Thanks for that, I'll have a look.

But in the link I provided in my first post, someone who has a TZ6 has bought the same battery I'm considering buying from 7dayshop and it works.

Lots of reviews on Amazon about the compatible batteries and most people seem to have had no problem.

My query is really about whether the 7dayshop one (which doesn't mention firmware 1.4 compatibility - unlike the ones on Amazon) will actually work with my TZ7.
The Amazon copies all say V1.4 - it's just the 7dayshop one that only mentions v1.1, 1.2 & 1.3.

Does that make sense?

fwor

Pollycat wrote: »

someone who has a TZ6 has bought the same battery I'm considering buying from 7dayshop and it works.

Yes - but you have no way of knowing whether their TZ6 has the older firmware that was used before Panasonic got greedy.

The mismatch between version compatibility stated on 7DS and Amazon could have several explanations - one could be just that 7DS have not updated their descriptions. Another could be that the makers of the ones that Amazon sell have managed to copy the chip in the original batteries successfully.

As I said - check your camera's firmware version and buy a copy that says it is compatible with that. That way you can return it for a refund if it doesn't work.

Inactive

Buy with confidence from 7dayshop, return any items that do not function for a full refund.

Pollycat

Inactive wrote: »

Buy with confidence from 7dayshop, return any items that do not function for a full refund.

Thanks, Inactive.

I read 7dayshop's T&Cs and it says:

We cover all return postage (up to First Class Royal Mail Postage) for 'Faulty' or 'miss described' items, but will not cover your return costs for unwanted items.
Unwanted items must be returned to us unopened in their original packaging.

As the only way I'd know if the battery actually worked in my camera would be to unwrap it and charge it up, I wouldn't be able to return it in the " unopened" condition.

I've not had a check of my camera yet, my brain hurts from all this compatible battery stuff :cool:.

However, I have had another look at some of the reviews of compatible batteries on Amazon and one supplier has (out of 45 reviews) 9 reviews where the batttery didn't work.
These were mainly back in 2009 but a recent one (June 2010) has reported that the compatible battery didn't work.
This was on a TZ8 model and the blurb said the battery
"Please note now works with Firmware V1.1, 1.2, 1.3 and new Firmware V1.4)".

Maybe the TZ8 has a newer firmware version.

Inactive

Fair comment, but if it did not function as described, it would be " not as described ", they will refund under those circumstances.

I have never had a problem returning items to 7dayshop, I have used them for years.

Pollycat

If I could find out what version of firmware my camera has, I'd be happy to 'take a punt' on one of the batteries that says it support that particular firmware.

I've read through the manual and can't find how to check this.
I'm going to connect the camera to my PC and see if it tells me.

:mad: Surely it shouldn't be this hard to buy a spare battery for a camera!!!

Inactive

Pollycat wrote: »

:mad: Surely it shouldn't be this hard to buy a spare battery for a camera!!!

I agree, Panasonic have made life very difficult for their customers.


I purchased a spare camera for my older Panasonic Camera from 7dayshop for £3.99, it works better than the original one.

Good luck.

Pollycat

Hah!

I've found THIS:

http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/download/TZ7_ZS3/index.html

So now I know that my camera has firmware V1.2. :j

Theoretically, any of the compatible batteries I've looked at SHOULD work in my camera.

Watch this space!

Thanks to fwor & Inactive for reading my ramblings. :T

Pollycat

OK guys - if you've not yet lost the will to live after reading my sad tale of compatible batteries, here's the update:

I've just ordered 3 compatible batteries from 7dayshop (Inactive, I've always had good service from them too) at a cost of £7.99 each which is a pretty good saving on the price of Panasonic originals - one battery would have cost me more than I've paid.

Fingers crossed that they work in my camera.

Now, I just need to buy a camera case ......