I just got a Sony 717 for xmas, and they come with a NP-FM50 battery pack. I also have another pack from a previous camcorder, which is the NP-FM30. Both packs are the same size and I'm wondering if I can use the FM30 on the 717 camera.
They're both 7.2V, but the FM50 is 8.5Wh while the FM30 is 5.0Wh. Is it safe to use the FM30 on the 717?
I was under the impression that the FM50 was the only battery that worked in the 707/717. If the batteries are physically the same, you should be able to use the FM30. You just won't get the life from it that you would the FM50.
I think John is correct - charts of the batteries show that the FM30 just has a shorter lifespan, (and less power). Non-Sony replacement batteries for the FM30 also replace the FM50. Sony doesn't even list the FM30 on their website, it looks like the FM50 has replaced it.
Linda
The Operating Instructions that came with my F707 say:
Your camera operates with the "Info LITHIUM" NP-FM50. You cannot use any other battery pack.
That said, the Wh rating discribes the capacity(the amount of electricity it can contain) of a battery.
The camera is set up to calculate the remaining battery charge avalable from the FM50 and may malfunction if a FM30 is used.
My owners manual says that also, but there is an asterisk there, and the footnote at the bottom says.."This unit is compatible with the InfoLithium battery pack (M series)." But, since this sounds kind of ambiguous, I think I would check with Sony before I used it in my new camera!
