PanasonicVW-VBN260E-K Li-Ion Battery 2500 mAh for SD909/800, TM900 and HS900

I was going to need a large capacity battery since my video work would be taking me away from sources of electricity for several days. Compared to the battery for an older Panasonic video camera I own, the price is a complete rip off. This reflects the fact that at the time of purchase there were no clone versions of this battery available. In use the battery charges up well and gave me an indicated 3.5 hours of filming time. I was not too happy that this original Panasonic battery actually wobbled around when connected to the camera. I was concerned that the contacts may not work or that a strong jolt could knock it out or damage my SD900.To conclude, if you can wait for a clone then please do. If you can't wait, it may be a good idea to buy a second 'standard capacity' battery that does not flop around when connected.

When buying batteries like this, it is possible to think they are faulty when they are actually fine. Only one of these three batteries came up first charge. Solution: charge overnight and then leave to discharge. Repeat overnight charge, second battery now fine. Repeat overnight charge and now all three are charged up correctly.

I went for the original Panasonic Battery, as I'm a bit unsure about the compatibility of the generic versions, and dont want to damage my camera or warranty in anyway. This batter is expensive but I thought that as I'm finding the packaged battery that comes with the camera to only last around 45 mins I read on the Panasonic website that I would be getting anywhere between 1hr 4mins and 2hrs 45 mins in HE mode, use of the camcorder depending on how i use it. This battery arrived 3 days ago, I charged it fully and used it for the first time Saturday. Now as I'm getting used to this camcorder (Panasonic HC-X920) i'm still messing around with the zoom and all the other bells and whistles, showing people the incredible zoom and other features. Saturday, i was quite surprised that it seemed to not last longer than what seemed an hour, although i wasn't timing. Sunday after fully charging this again i filmed an event hardly using the zoom and it lasted around 1.5 hours. I became frustrated at this and today, I tested it properly, using the HE quality setting, ie, one above iFrame format, left the LCD open, and filmed out of the window without using the controls in anyway, left it running and was shocked to find that this extended and expensive battery only lasted 1hr 37 minutes before it stopped filming and ultimately stopped powering the camcorder.On the Panasonic website for this camcorder using this battery, it states that at HE mode, this battery should have powered the camcorder for the following times using the LCD:Continuous Recording Time: 2hrs 45 minsActual Recording Time: 1hr 45 minsI've spoken to Panasonic this morning asking about the differences between Continuous and Actual recording time and they've told me that 'Actual' boils down to active recording ie; stopping and starting, using the features in the menu setting, zooming etc. None of which i attempted in my test, my findings, unattended leaving the camera recording, in HE mode was 7-8 mins less than Actual. I confirmed that my test out of the window was used in 'Continuous Recording' mode, and should have received 2hrs 45 mins as specified.I was then told that it could have been the temperature, the temperature where i am at present is 12c/53f and sunny, not exactly freezing, btw thats outside temperature, and i'm warm and snuggy in doors, using the camera to film through the window. They then went on to claim that it was probably that a new battery needs to be charged fully and discharged fully for a number of times before you get full benefit of the battery. This doesn't sound logical to me, claiming that a battery gets better the longer you use it, seems like nonsense to me. Does anyone else have any info or advice on this?

Overpriced rubbish that failed after very little use, never buy Panasonic accessories again

This works well, and the list price is rather high. If you can get the right discount then go ahead, as the unofficial alternatives may not be so good. If faced with the full list price, I would, and have often in the past, used alternatives

Very expensive but it does last 3 1/2 hours of video recording, good enough for a day out for me.

I can record a full day wedding with this one and the one that comes with my Panasonic TM900, great stuff!

Obviously not new. Only last for the same time as the smaller battery.