I’ve done similar tests in the past and the results showed decent recording times on the GM1. I tried the OEM and two different after market batteries for that test and the results can be summarized as:
| Battery | Recording Time |
| Lumix | 1:48 |
| DSTE | 1:32 |
| Fosmon | 1:53 |
I was pretty surprised that the small battery in the GM1 could actually approach 2 hours on a single charge and that an aftermarket battery could beat the OEM Lumix battery.
So when I received the GX85 and the G7, I thought I should pit them against each other with OEM and aftermarket batteries as well.
Bigger ones on the left are G7. Interesting that the Lumix battery advertises 1200mAh while the Wasabi states 1400mAh. The times are 48m apart, suggesting that the Wasabi is hysterically optimistic. The GX85 DSTE is more exaggerated. Such is life with aftermarket batteries.
** Update ** I’ve tested the G6 as well.
The times are interesting …
| Camera | Battery | Recording Time |
| G6 | Lumix | 2:47:22 |
| Wasabi | 1:56:27 | |
| G7 | Lumix | 2:57:26 |
| Wasabi | 2:09:20 | |
| GX85 | Lumix | 2:11:31 |
| DSTE | 1:45:16* |
* its first full charge after purchase
The larger batteries in these cameras are outstripping the GM1, except for the DSTE, which was charged for the first time. My understanding is that lithium ion batteries maximize their capacity after a few cycles. So I suppose I will need to use this battery exclusively for a while so that I can update the time later on.
Meanwhile, it is impressive that even a fresh aftermarket battery can do over 2 hours on one charge.
The G7 beats the G6 with 6% longer life on the Lumix battery and 11% longer on the Wasabi. The new processor or other circuitry or perhaps the LCD in the G7 appear to be slightly more efficient. The GX85 is behind both, but the smaller battery can be considered the primary factor for that.
Note that these are AVCHD at 24fps 1080p.
