There was a time when digital cameras were operated with standard batteries (mignon cells). These could be exchanged quickly and were available everywhere.
However, if you wanted to save money or protect the environment, you turned to batteries. Electricity storage systems of this type are rarely found in modern cameras in favor of lithium-ion batteries. In the past, lithium-ion batteries were almost always charged using an external charger, but now this also works via USB. In the following article we want to take a closer look at the USB charging function.
Several years ago, USB charging wasn't a feature that most photographers really needed. At that time, some users were simply not used to using USB ports outside of the computer.
Quite a few users even categorically rejected this feature. After all, the battery has to remain in the camera and it cannot be used during this time. This criticism is certainly justified, but should be reconsidered because of the numerous advantages.
1. USB power is available in some locations:
2. Charging via USB, the advantages:
USB ports have become an indispensable part of life and can be found everywhere. Whether in the car, on the train or at the airport, charging via USB is now possible in many places. If you want to charge the battery of your camera, you have many options.
3. USB power supplies are usually smaller than charging cradles:
4. The scope of delivery for many cameras today looks like this: A USB power supply unit and a cable for charging:
5. A charger / power supply unit for all devices:
the USB interface is versatile, the power supply is just one feature. Anyone who owns a USB power supply unit - and almost everyone can do this because of the now indispensable smartphones - can usually charge their camera battery (provided the camera supports it) without additional accessories. A charging cradle or another charger is therefore unnecessary. Tip: In the best case scenario, you have a USB power supply unit with two connections. Then you can charge a smartphone or other device in addition to the camera.
6. With one, two or four ports: Power supplies are available with different numbers of USB ports:
7. Completely independent power supply:
If there is no USB port or a power connection for a USB power supply unit available, there is still the option of using a power bank. Power banks are available in every price and weight class, so you can charge your camera's battery anytime, anywhere. With a classic power bank with 10,000mAh (3.6V), the average camera battery can be charged around four times, with larger models it is still two to three times.
This means that even longer trips are possible. Our tip: If you are on the road for a long time and cannot regularly charge your batteries via the mains, you can also buy a charger with a USB connection. Although these are usually only offered by third-party manufacturers, high-quality models usually do a good job.
8. Classic charging cradles are also offered with a USB connection
9. Batteries can be easily charged on the go using a power bank:
Permanent power supply is uncomplicated:
Last but not least, permanent power supply can be implemented via USB - at home and on the go. No additional power pack is required for this, or a special connection is required. This function is not supported by all cameras, but many Sony models allow this as an example. For example, those who want to film for a long time and cannot change the battery will appreciate the permanent power supply via USB.
10. The power option in the menu of a Sony Alpha 7R III
The plug symbol in the top right corner indicates the power supply via USB
Problems:
The fact that a camera can be charged via USB unfortunately does not mean in practice that it always works without any problems.
Charging only works with special USB power supplies:
some camera models are picky about USB power supplies. Sometimes only the models supplied by the manufacturer or offered as accessories work, sometimes special specifications must be met. The new mirrorless system cameras from Canon (EOS R and EOS RP), for example, can unfortunately only be charged with USB power supplies that output at least 3A. Very few commercially available models that are supplied with smartphones manage this. Canon therefore offers the power supply "PD-E1".
Some camera models, such as B. the EOS R, can only be charged with special power supplies:
The PD-E1 for Canon mirrorless cameras:
The batteries do not support charging via USB:
The new Z cameras from Nikon allow charging via USB with a conventional power supply unit, but the function is only available with the new EN-EL15B batteries. The EN-EL15A models, which you may still have from older DSLR cameras, can only be charged using an external charger (= charging cradle).
If you want to charge the Nikon Z 6 and Z 7 via USB, you have to use the EN-EL15B battery:
Charging via USB takes significantly longer than using an external charger:
The charging speed of the battery in the camera via USB depends on two parameters. On the one hand, it depends on the power of the power supply unit or the USB port, and on the other, on the camera itself. The power a USB port delivers differs from device to device. Computer USB ports usually only deliver 500mA, many power supplies significantly more (common models around 1,000 to 2,000mAh at 5V). In addition, particularly good power supplies can output higher voltages and higher amperage values. However, many cameras cannot do anything with it because such charging standards are not supported.
Here we have come to the second parameter, the camera or its charging device. Power packs with special technologies such as Super Charge or Quick Charging often do not charge camera batteries faster than power packs without special technologies. Manufacturers could offer a little more here in the future.
Charging via USB is undoubtedly an advantage with modern cameras:
Our conclusion:
Charging the battery directly in the camera via USB is, from our point of view, a very successful technology. This saves luggage, among other things. If there are no restrictions when charging, for example due to the charger, and you can even provide a permanent power supply via USB, this technology is optimally implemented. Some manufacturers still have some catching up to do here. Even for cameras with the best USB charging technology, however, the following applies: In most cases, leaving out the charging cradle does not make sense; This allows him to save costs.
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