Hey guys, just wanted to give you a heads up that the OM-D BLN-1 Wasabi batteries are available on Amazon. Some people swear by Wasabi generic batteries. The product listing does say that they're not decoded and won't show the battery level and the batteries can't be charged in the Olympus OEM charger. :(

Here's the link if you guys are interested:
Amazon.com: Wasabi Power Battery and Charger Kit for Olympus BLN-1, BCN-1 and Olympus OM-D EM-5: Electronics

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Sold my entire MFT Set-up. It was fun while it lasted. I will miss my OM-D E-M5, 14mm 2.5, 25mm 1.4, & 45mm 1.8
FF: 5DII | 35mm 1.4L | 85mm 1.8 | 24-70mm f2.8L II | 70-200mm 2.8 IS II L

Has anyone ordered these Wasabi batteries for the E-M5 yet? Instead of ordering the DSTE ones I am considering getting these. They seem to be about the same price - $30 for 2 batteries, and charger. Plus I believe Wasabi gives you 3 years of warranty.
If you have these, please help with the following questions:
1) Does the camera show remaining battery with these batteries?
2) Can you charge the OEM battery with the supplied Wasabi charger?

Thanks

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Oz - Irvine, CA
Camera Bodies: Olympus OM-D EM-5(silver), E-PL1(black), E-PL2 (white)
Lenses: Panasonic 14mm 2.5, Olympus 45mm f/1.8, Panasonic 7-14mm, Olympus 14-150mm
Flash: FL-300R

Thanks for the heads up - I had been waiting on Blue Nook to release.

I have had great luck with these on my Oly and Pentax bodies. I prefer the Wasabi charger (much easier to packup) and the batteries' runtime have been great. I think I can deal with the fact that battery level is not displayed on the E-M5. I mean with 3 total batteries, I would usually have a fully charged battery in the body, a 100% spare sitting in the charger, and one in my bag. Also, have been able to easily get through a whole day of shooting with the OEM battery and would expect the Wasabi to do at least as well.

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Kyle / E-M5 and E-PM2
Flickr Photostream

I'm holding out on ordering until I hear some real first-person feedback on how they work. I'm kind of surprised that the Wasabi batteries say that they don't show the remaining charge. I think even the generic ones on eBay do.

As for your 2nd question, the Amazon page shows that the Wasabi charger can charge the Olympus OEM Battery.

From Wasabi BLN-1 product detail page listing on Amazon:
"Note: Batteries are NOT decoded. Your camera will not display the battery's run time and must be charged with the Wasabi Power charger. Charger is fully compatible with the Olympus original battery"

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Sold my entire MFT Set-up. It was fun while it lasted. I will miss my OM-D E-M5, 14mm 2.5, 25mm 1.4, & 45mm 1.8
FF: 5DII | 35mm 1.4L | 85mm 1.8 | 24-70mm f2.8L II | 70-200mm 2.8 IS II L

Thanks Joysmahal.
I had missed that part regarding charging the oem battery. I believe that is important. I don't want to carry aroung 2 chargers... :-)

Well.. I will go ahead and order it. Will report back once I receive it.
Thanks!

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Oz - Irvine, CA
Camera Bodies: Olympus OM-D EM-5(silver), E-PL1(black), E-PL2 (white)
Lenses: Panasonic 14mm 2.5, Olympus 45mm f/1.8, Panasonic 7-14mm, Olympus 14-150mm
Flash: FL-300R

I've had very good luck with the Blue Nook/Wasabi batts with my EPL-2, etc. Slightly higher capacity, nicer compact charger. Mine should be here next Wed. or so.
I'm wondering if by decoding they mean it won't accept the EM-5 menu setting re: level warning, vs. actually not showing any indicator in the viewfinder at all? I can't say for sure, but I think the Wasabi batt's in my EPL-2 still displayed basic level of charge.
We'll find out soon enough.

I guess I was a little too late in ordering... Now it shows it is gone and not available from Blue Nook...

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Oz - Irvine, CA
Camera Bodies: Olympus OM-D EM-5(silver), E-PL1(black), E-PL2 (white)
Lenses: Panasonic 14mm 2.5, Olympus 45mm f/1.8, Panasonic 7-14mm, Olympus 14-150mm
Flash: FL-300R

I am expecting the Wasabi kit from Blue Nook today or tomorrow.

Will then have everything, lenses, shades, filters, grip, adapter and batteries. All I need now is the damn camera delivered.

By the way the charger is supposed to work ok with OEM Battery.

Ordered mine on Monday and should arrive some time next week. I'll report back on them

Try again, it's showing them available now.