Which battery does the Leica S3 take?
The Leica S3 is a professional DSLR that features a 64.0MP sensor. It is powered by the Leica BP-PRO1, 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.
The BP-PRO1 operates at a voltage of 7.3V and has a capacity of 2300mAh. It can be charged from a standard electrical outlet via the Leica Professional S charger (that can be purchased separately, for example, at amazon). The Leica BP-PRO1 has been on the market since September 2008 and sells at good camera retailers, such as amazon, for about $285. Leica provides the BP-PRO1 in a black outer finish. Generic alternatives (see below) that are compatible with the Leica S3 can be obtained at substantially lower cost.
Find a generic replacement for the Leica BP-PRO1 at:
What about generic battery packs?
Leica sells the original BP-PRO1 battery 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.
Leica BP-PRO1 Specifications
- Battery type: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack
- Compatibility: Leica S3 & other selected Leica cameras
- Voltage: 7.3V DC
- Capacity: 2300mAh
- Number of shots (CIPA) with the Leica S3: ..
Indeed, one can often find a variety of competitively-priced BP-PRO1 replacements from different vendors at major online platforms (see, for example, here on ebay). All these generic alternatives should work fine with your Leica S3. So why would anybody then buy the more expensive original battery? Well, below are some arguments in favor of the genuine Leica BP-PRO1, 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 Leica BP-PRO1. 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 Leica 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 Leica BP-PRO1 and its clones by using the buttons below.
Find a generic replacement for the Leica BP-PRO1 at:
Which other cameras use the Leica BP-PRO1?
The S3 is not alone in using the Leica BP-PRO1. Several other cameras from Leica 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.
Camera Model | Battery (name) | Battery life (CIPA) | Sensor Size (type) | Resolution (MP) | Weight (g) | Camera Launch | Launch Price (USD) | Street Price (USD) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Leica S2 | Leica BP-PRO1 | .. | Medium Format | 37.5 | 1410 | Sep 2008 | 22,999 | ebay.com |
2 | Leica S3 | Leica BP-PRO1 | .. | Medium Format | 64.0 | 1260 | Sep 2018 | 18,999 | ebay.com |
3 | Leica S Typ 006 | Leica BP-PRO1 | .. | Medium Format | 37.5 | 1260 | Sep 2012 | 21,949 | ebay.com |
4 | Leica S-E Typ 006 | Leica BP-PRO1 | .. | Medium Format | 37.5 | 1260 | Sep 2014 | 16,599 | ebay.com |
5 | Leica S Typ 007 | Leica BP-PRO1 | .. | Medium Format | 37.5 | 1260 | Sep 2014 | 24,499 | ebay.com |
Leica BP-PRO1 FAQ
The Leica BP-PRO1 is the standard power source for the S3. 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 BP-PRO1?
Leica does not offer a travel charger, but third party suppliers might do (see here on ebay).
Can I use the BP-PRO1 in any of my other electronic devices?
No, the battery is specifically designed for use in the Leica S3 and other selected cameras from Leica.
How should the BP-PRO1 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 Leica BP-PRO1 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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