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Which battery does the Panasonic G5 take?

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 is a digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera that features a 15.9MP sensor. It is powered by the Panasonic DMW-BLC12, which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery pack. Lithium-Ion batteries offer a high energy density and low self-discharge, and are nowadays found in many portable electronic devices.

Battery Pack

The DMW-BLC12 operates at a voltage of 7.2V and has a capacity of 1200mAh. It can be charged from a standard electrical outlet via the Panasonic DE-A79B charger (that can be purchased separately, for example, at amazon). The battery pack measures 48mm in width, 17mm in height, and 36mm in depth. It weighs 48g. The DMW-BLC12 has been on the market since July 2012 and sells at good camera retailers, such as amazon, for about $70. Generic alternatives (see below) that are compatible with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 can be obtained at substantially lower cost.


Find generic replacement for the Panasonic DMW-BLC12 at:

 
amazon.com
 
 
ebay.com
 


How many shots can I take with a fully charged DMW-BLC12?

The number of shots that one can get out of a battery pack depends heavily on the style and imaging practice of the photographer. For example, the extended use of the LCD screen for framing or reviewing will result in reduced battery performance.

DMW-BLC12

The Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) has established guidelines that manufacturers are supposed to respect when reporting the battery life of their cameras. According to this CIPA-rating, the Panasonic G5 can take 320 images on a single charge. Given the relatively demanding energy usage of the CIPA procedures, this rated number should be achievable or be surpassed in most practical situations. However, if the environment is cold, the LCD screen is used heavily, or the camera is turned on and off frequently, battery mileage might drop below the rating. Also, as the battery pack ages, its performance will tend to deteriorate.

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What about generic battery packs?

Panasonic sells the original DMW-BLC12 pack at quite a steep price. This premium pricing strategy has left room in the market for third party suppliers to offer fully compatible battery packs at much lower prices. Savings from buying generic replacement batteries can amount up to 70 percent of the price of the genuine battery pack.

Panasonic DMW-BLC12 Specifications

  • Battery type: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack
  • Compatibility: Panasonic G5 & other selected Panasonic cameras
  • Voltage: 7.2V DC
  • Capacity: 1200mAh
  • Number of shots (CIPA) with the Panasonic G5: 320

Indeed, one can easily find a variety of competitively-priced DMW-BLC12 replacements from different vendors at major online platforms (see, for example, here on ebay). All these generic alternatives should work fine with your Panasonic G5. So why would anybody then buy the more expensive original battery? Well, below are some arguments in favor of the genuine DMW-BLC12, which can perhaps be summarized as "peace of mind":

  • Assurance that the warranty of the camera will not be rendered void if a battery-related failure occurs;
  • Assurance that the battery pack will indeed have the stated capacity;
  • Assurance that the battery will have low self-discharge rates and, thus, will hold its charge even when not in use;
  • Assurance that the power unit will not trigger any warning messages on the camera and can be effectively charged with the standard charger;
  • Assurance that the manufacturing process has respected the safety guidelines for Lithium-Ion batteries;

If you can live without these assurances, then you are in for some nice savings from buying generic replacements for the DMW-BLC12. Unfortunately, the market for generic battery packs is rather fluid, with new trade names popping up regularly while others disappear. Hence it is difficult to keep track of all the suppliers and the quality of their products. That said, in North America, battery packs from Wasabi have gained a good reputation, while in Europe, replacement power packs from Patona have received many favorable reviews. In any case, the existing comparisons tend to find that the cheapest of the generic replacement packs score worse in terms of achieving their rated capacity, holding their charge over time, or allowing for a large number of charge-discharge cycles than somewhat pricier battery packs (or the genuine Panasonic offer). Thus, the old adage, "If the price sounds too low to be true, it probably is" has some merit with respect to camera batteries also. You can check the current offers and prices for the original DMW-BLC12 and its clones by using the buttons below.


Find generic replacement for the Panasonic DMW-BLC12 at:

 
amazon.com
 
 
ebay.com
 


Which other cameras use the Panasonic DMW-BLC12?

The Panasonic G5 is not alone in using the DMW-BLC12. Several other cameras from Panasonic are powered by the same type of lithium-ion pack. The adjacent table lists some of them along with a selection of their headline specifications.

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Cameras using the DMW-BLC12
  Camera
Model
Battery
(name)
Battery life
(CIPA)
Sensor Size
(type)
Resolution
(MP)
Weight
(g)
Camera
Launch
Launch Price
(USD)
Street Price
(USD)
1Panasonic FZ200DMW-BLC125401/2.312.0588Jul 2012599ebay.com
2Panasonic FZ300DMW-BLC123801/2.312.0691Jul 2015599amazon.com
3Panasonic FZ330DMW-BLC123801/2.312.0691Jul 2015599amazon.com
4Panasonic FZ1000DMW-BLC123601-inch20.0831Jun 2014899ebay.com
5Panasonic FZ1000 IIDMW-BLC123501-inch20.0810Feb 2019899amazon.com
6Panasonic FZ2000DMW-BLC123501-inch20.0915Sep 20161,199amazon.com
7Panasonic FZ2500DMW-BLC123501-inch20.0915Sep 20161,199amazon.com
8Panasonic G5DMW-BLC12320Four Thirds15.9396Jul 2012599ebay.com
9Panasonic G6DMW-BLC12340Four Thirds15.9390Apr 2013599ebay.com
10Panasonic G7DMW-BLC12350Four Thirds15.8410May 2015649ebay.com
11Panasonic G80DMW-BLC12330Four Thirds15.8505Sep 2016899amazon.com
12Panasonic G85DMW-BLC12330Four Thirds15.8505Sep 2016899amazon.com
13Panasonic G90DMW-BLC12290Four Thirds20.2536Apr 2019999amazon.com
14Panasonic G95DMW-BLC12290Four Thirds20.2536Apr 2019999amazon.com
15Panasonic GH2DMW-BLC12330Four Thirds15.9442Sep 20101,499ebay.com
16Panasonic GX8DMW-BLC12330Four Thirds20.2487Jul 20151,199ebay.com
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Panasonic DMW-BLC12 FAQ

The DMW-BLC12 is the standard power source for the Panasonic G5. As such it is an indispensable camera accessory. Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular aspects of the battery pack and Lithium-Ion power units more generally.

Is there a car charger available for the DMW-BLC12?

Panasonic does not offer a travel charger, but third party suppliers do (see here on ebay).

Is the DMW-BLC12 available in colors other than black?

No, Panasonic supplies this battery pack only in black. However, some generic alternatives from third party providers might be available in other colors.

Can I use the DMW-BLC12 in any of my other electronic devices?

No, the battery is specifically designed for use in the Panasonic G5 and other selected cameras from Panasonic.

How should the DMW-BLC12 be stored?

Lithium-ion batteries can hold a charge for a long time. However, these battery packs have a safety mechanism built-in that disables any re-charge if the voltage drops below a certain minimum level. To avoid this safety-trigger to be activated, the battery pack should be charged at least once every few months.

How should I discard my old DMW-BLC12 battery pack?

The contents of Lithium-Ion batteries is under pressure and the packs can explode if exposed to extreme heat. Lithium-Ion battery units should therefore never be incinerated and should not be thrown into the household trash, but put into the recycling stream. Most places that sell camera batteries will also accept them back for recycling.

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