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Which battery does the OM System OM-5 take?

The OM System OM-5 is a enthusiast mirrorless interchangeable lens camera that features a 20.2MP sensor. It is powered by the OM System BLS-50, 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 BLS-50 operates at a voltage of 7.2V and has a capacity of 1175mAh. It can be charged from a standard electrical outlet via the OM System BCS-5 charger (that can be purchased separately, for example, at amazon). The battery pack measures 56 mm in width, 13 mm in height, and 36 mm in depth. It weighs 45 g. The OM System BLS-50 has been on the market since August 2014 and sells at good camera retailers, such as amazon, for about $60. OM System provides the BLS-50 in a gray outer finish. Generic alternatives (see below) that are compatible with the OM System OM-5 can be obtained at substantially lower cost.


Find a generic replacement for the OM System BLS-50 at:

 
amazon.com
 
 
ebay.com
 


It is noteworthy, that the OM System OM-5 supports internal charging of its battery pack via the USB port. This feature can be particularly useful when travelling, as one can re-charge the camera battery simply by plugging a USB cable into one's laptop, rather than carrying a separate battery charger along.

What is the difference between the OM System BLS-50 and the BLS-5?

The BLS-50 was preceded as a battery pack for digital cameras by the BLS-5. Both types operate at a similar voltage and are fully interchangeable, so that the BLS-5 can also be used with the OM System OM-5. The main difference between the two packs is their capacity. The OM System BLS-50 has a 2.1 percent higher mAh value (1175 vs 1150 mAh) and, hence, somewhat better performance (2.1 percent more shots per battery charge) than the BLS-5.

How many shots can I take with a fully charged ?

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.

OM System BLS-50

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 OM System OM-5 can take 310 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 towards or even below the rating. Also, as the battery pack ages, its performance will tend to deteriorate.

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What about generic battery packs?

OM System sells the original BLS-50 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.

OM System BLS-50 Specifications

  • Battery type: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack
  • Compatibility: OM System OM-5 & other selected OM System cameras
  • Voltage: 7.2V DC
  • Capacity: 1175mAh
  • Number of shots (CIPA) with the OM System OM-5: 310

Indeed, one can often find a variety of competitively-priced BLS-50 replacements from different vendors at major online platforms (see, for example, here on ebay). All these generic alternatives should work fine with your OM System OM-5. So why would anybody then buy the more expensive original battery? Well, below are some arguments in favor of the genuine OM System BLS-50, 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 OM System BLS-50. 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 OM System 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 OM System BLS-50 and its clones by using the buttons below.


Find a generic replacement for the OM System BLS-50 at:

 
amazon.com
 
 
ebay.com
 


OM System BLS-50 FAQ

The OM System BLS-50 is the standard power source for the OM-5. 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 BLS-50?

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

Can I use the BLS-50 in any of my other electronic devices?

No, the battery is specifically designed for use in the OM System OM-5 and other selected cameras from OM System.

How should the BLS-50 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 OM System BLS-50 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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