Spare Battery/Charger

[Ronnie Mutch]

I currently only have one battery and have to charge it in the camera. I'd like a spare to take out and about with me and a charger so that I can charge the battery without putting my camera out of commission. What are your opinions on what I should look for? There seem to be a lot of very low cost options on Amazon, but they are unbranded batteries. Are these fine or to be avoided? What about a good brand such as Duracell at a third of the price of Sony, or should I stick with Sony?

My camera is a Sony a5000.

 

[kendo1]

The best charger I have found is the Neewer one, the batteries are just as good as the Sony ones too.

This is the charger I bought a few months ago, I've had spare batteries for a few years and they are still going strong:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00ZHJ8RSQ/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[stevelmx5]

As above, I use generic Expro batteries and this dual charger with no problems at all on my A6000;

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005PMRSXU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Wissel]

Same as above, I use the ExPro batteries (in a Sony A7ii), along with the same dual charger.

I also use this small Neewer USB charger which I keep in my camera bag. Can then charge from laptop or in the car when away from home:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00ZHJ8RSQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Edit - just realised this link is the same as posted by Ken above Great little charger.

 

[Snapsh0t]

Yet another vote for Ex-Pro products.
Do NOT be tempted by 'genuine' Sony batteries around the £30 mark as genuine they ain't.

 

[Nod]

The best charger I have found is the Neewer one, the batteries are just as good as the Sony ones too.

This is the charger I bought a few months ago, I've had spare batteries for a few years and they are still going strong:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00ZHJ8RSQ/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

So, does it actually charge 2 batteries at once (as per the description) or just one at a time (as per the answers to a question in the comments)?

I use a Hahnel UniPal Plus ( https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hahnel-Unipal-Universal-Battery-Charger/dp/B009LM3V5E ) on holiday as a single charger for several different batteries as well as USB charged devices (iPods, tablets etc.). As for batteries, avoid super cheap "genuine" batteries - they're unlikely to be genuine. Known brands at a reasonable cost are much less likely to be fakes (and will work as well as genuines in most cases.)

 

[Wissel]

So, does it actually charge 2 batteries at once (as per the description) or just one at a time (as per the answers to a question in the comments)?)

Just the one at a time. Works well though and is versatile being USB.

 

[kendo1]

So, does it actually charge 2 batteries at once (as per the description) or just one at a time (as per the answers to a question in the comments)?

I use a Hahnel UniPal Plus ( https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hahnel-Unipal-Universal-Battery-Charger/dp/B009LM3V5E ) on holiday as a single charger for several different batteries as well as USB charged devices (iPods, tablets etc.). As for batteries, avoid super cheap "genuine" batteries - they're unlikely to be genuine. Known brands at a reasonable cost are much less likely to be fakes (and will work as well as genuines in most cases.)

As David said, one at a time. (though it does say in the description that it charges two, the picture shows one)
Quite a quick charge too, typically about an hour.

The only thing I noticed was that the supplied cable is not brilliant for connecting to a PC to download your images- I use another standard mini USB for that.

 

[stevelmx5]

The Expro charger I linked to charges two batteries at once. I used it at the last wedding I shot along with on holiday so I can keep on top of battery charging more quickly than a single charger.

 

[stevelmx5]

With the other charger being USB, you're limited to 5v/500 milliamp which will slow down the charge function. Apart from being able to charge a battery while you use another in the camera, it doesn't add anything else over just charging in camera?