Firmware Update: Panasonic Fake Battery ID

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New technology can ID genuine Panasonic battery

By Adorama News Writer

June 18, 2009

Disables camera if third party battery that doesn't meet Panasonic standards is being used

Panasonic digital still cameras now include a technology that can identify a genuine Panasonic battery, and prevent cameras from operating if a third-party battery is used. Panasonic says it developed this technology after it was discovered that some aftermarket third party batteries do not meet the "rigid safety standards Panasonic uses."

The company states that some of these aftermarket batteries are not equipped with internal protective devices to guard against overcharging, internal heating and short circuit. "If these aftermarket battery packs were used, it could lead to an accident causing damage to your camera or personal injury," according to Panasonic's web site.

Panasonic’s Digital Camera firmware has been updated on this website to detect these aftermarket 3rd party batteries so such serious safety issues can be avoided.

After this firmware update your Panasonic Digital Camera cannot be operated by 3rd party batteries (non genuine Panasonic batteries).

The firmware update is available for the following cameras:

  • DMC-FX40/FX48
  • DMC-FX550/FX580
  • DMC-FT1/TS1
  • DMC-FS4
  • DMC-FS6
  • DMC-FS7
  • DMC-FS8
  • DMC-FS15
  • DMC-FS25
  • DMC-FS42
  • DMC-FS62
  • DMW-BCG10
  • DMC-TZ7/ZS3
  • DMC-TZ6/ZS1
  • DMC-TZ65
  • DMW-BLB13
  • DMC-G1  (Coming Soon)
  • DMC-GH1 (Coming Soon)


Download the Panasonic battery protection firmware.

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Reader Rating and Comments

14 readers rated this article. Average rating: 3.8 stars
 
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0 of 0 people found this comment helpful
 
This battery cannot be used

No one has advised a fix, is it a faulty battery or software problem. My battery is the original with DMC- TZ7

by fizfam in Barbados (at present) on June 16, 2011

2 of 3 people found this comment helpful
 
When protection goes wrong...

I've have a ZS3 and after 6 months of trouble free use it has stopped working with the "This battery cannot be used!" I have only ever used it with the genuine Panasonic DMW-BCG10PP battery it came with. I wondered if my battery had problems so I bought the approved genuine Panasonic DMW-BCG10E to try out and it did not work either. So it looks like the battery ID detection has malfunctioned and now I have a very expensive paperweight instead of a camera.

by TQ in England on November 10, 2010

0 of 0 people found this comment helpful
 
Giving it a go

I bought generic alternative batteries for my old Lumix FX5 and found them an improvement on the originals, which must have been old stock. They held charge better and lasted longer. I have now bought a generic second battery for my new Lumix FX60, the battery having been flashed to allow it to be used with the latest camera firmware. It was specifically advertised with overload protection. They do not attempt to counterfeit the originals, carrying a much simplified labelling. I suspect that that many generics and the OEM batteries are sourced from the same place in China, who sell at a heavy discount to the corporates, eager to get a big contract, but also happily sell to wholesalers at a better price both to them and to the final customers, since the wholesalers (being small independents with low overheads) are not quite so greedy about markup.

by Elmbeard in Worcester, UK on March 10, 2010

1 of 1 people found this comment helpful
 
Pathetic Panasonic!!!

I previously owned a Pentax and bought 2 (two) aftermarket batteries. My camera did not catch on fire or blow up or melt. Nor did the batteries malfunction! I had no problems. I just purchased the Lumix FS25 bought again 2 (two) aftermarket batteries, was at a party, popped in one of the cameras and got an error message. Found out about the firmware that was already installed in my camera! COME ON DAMN GREEDY COMPANY! Let me decide to add the firmware!! If I DID get burned by the battery or my camera caught fire, I wouldn't go after Panasonic, I'd go after the aftermarket battery manufacturer, so honestly who is Panasonic protecting.... Their POCKETS!!! Looks like I'll be returning the camera and going with someone else!! Now who's the dumba$$!!!!

by MissB in NH on December 15, 2009

0 of 0 people found this comment helpful
 
Price Increase is HERE!!

I just bought another Panasonic battery for my FT1, I have 3 and they normally cost me $69 - $78, NOW it cost me $99 I think I will start looking for a new camera as I lose spare batteries all the time and cant afford the price increase

by Jason in Australia on December 11, 2009

1 of 1 people found this comment helpful
 
Misguided

Anti-competetive behaviour should not be condoned. The proper approach to battery safety is safety standards and batteries to be sold adhering to these standards. In the meantime it is clear that batteries can be produced by both reputable and disreputable firms and Panasonic should be able to point to examples of users being impacted by poor batteries before they simply work on the assumption that users are at risk. Users themselves can exercise judgement about which are reputable firms. I think that Panasonic are destroying their customers' good will by this approach.

by Antics Black in UK on November 24, 2009

2 of 2 people found this comment helpful
 
Panasonic Greed

Let's see..... I need a new car battery. Should I go to the dealer and pay $200 for one or should I get the one at sears for $75? Panasonic should do what the others (Canon, Nikon,Sony) do and just issue a warning.

by Dan in USA on September 2, 2009

2 of 2 people found this comment helpful
 
Pure Panasonic greed

There are perfectly safe generics with circuitry protection for over charging and shorting. The excuse that Panasonic is trying to save the world from exploding batteries is silly. At most they should just issue a warning. Ever use non-OEM parts on your car? Do you replace your car battery only with a battery from the dealer? The info lithium danger is mostly hype. Most accidents were reported using OEM batteries! Yes, you should avoid some but there are many generic companies with perfect safety records.

by PSF in USA on August 30, 2009

2 of 3 people found this comment helpful
 
BCG10 battery not working with ZS3

I just bought a BCG10 battery that is supposed to be compatible with Lumix ZS3 and I get the message "This battery cannot be used!" This is ridiculous!

by conan in California on August 19, 2009

2 of 2 people found this comment helpful
 
Didn't OEM batteries catch fire?

I can't wait to see the anti-trust lawsuits against Panasonic. Imagine having 3rd party batteries that suddenly won't work. 3rd party batteries are crappy and will damage equipment? Wasn't it the OEM original manufacturer batteries from Sony and Dell in their laptops that caught fire? NOT the 3rd party batteries!

by lajko in Seattle on July 8, 2009

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