26/03/2026 7:05 pm
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Just pulled the trigger on a GH6 and I am so hyped to finally start shooting in 5.7K ProRes! I've been a GH5 user for years but this new sensor is a whole different beast. I'm preping for a music video shoot here in Seattle next Saturday and realized my old batteries just aren't gonna cut it for a 10 hour day. I was looking into getting a couple spares and a dual charger because charging through the camera is just too slow. I did some digging and saw the Wasabi Power packs are cheap but then I read on a random subreddit that some third party batteries dont actually allow you to shoot in the high frame rates or certain ProRes modes because of the power draw. Then I saw the Neewer ones but people are saying they swell up after a few months? Its making me super nervous because I dont want the camera to just die mid-take or worse, damage the pins. I have about $150 to spend on this and I really need a reliable dual charger too. Should I just bite the bullet and buy one official Panasonic DMW-BLK22 or are there actually third party ones that won't limit the camera features? Anyone found a specific brand that actually works for the high bitrate stuff...
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26/03/2026 7:05 pm
You really gotta be careful with third party batteries on the GH6 because of the power draw. I would suggest sticking to these to stay safe:
- Get at least one Panasonic DMW-BLK22 2200mAh Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery for your main ProRes takes.
- Use the SmallRig DMW-BLK22 Camera Battery and Charger Kit 4068 for the dual charger and decent backups. Its better to be safe than sorry with a new sensor! Let me know if you need help finding a deal.
11
26/03/2026 8:10 pm
You gonna rig this or stay handheld? If handheld:
- Nitecore UNK2 Dual Slot USB Travel Charger for Panasonic
- Hahnel HL-X22 Rechargeable Battery These wont drop below 7.2V mid-shoot.
2
26/03/2026 7:20 pm
Re: "You really gotta be careful with third party..." - honestly I disagree on the SmallRig stuff. I had issues with them cutting out during 5.7K recording because of voltage sag. It was super frustrating and just not as reliable as I hoped. Quick tips:
- Use the Watson Duo LCD Charger for DMW-BLK22 for better consistency.
- Try a Anker 737 Power Bank PowerCore 24K for external USB-C power. Most third party cells just dont handle those ProRes spikes well...
1
28/03/2026 5:50 pm
To add to the point above: Honestly, the whole battery market for these high-end hybrids is a total nightmare lately! It drives me crazy how much we have to spend just to keep these cameras running for a standard shoot day. Panasonic charges an arm and a leg for the official cells, and then the third-party market is just flooded with absolute junk that swells up or dies the second you try to push the bitrate. Its such a scam! We pay thousands for these amazing bodies and then have to play Russian roulette with power just to shoot the specs we paid for. Its honestly ridiculous that we are still dealing with voltage sag and cheap plastic casings that cant handle a little heat. Love the GH6 to death but the power situation is just exhausting... totally kills the vibe when youre trying to be creative and the gear is fighting you!
