Sony A7 V Battery & Charger Guide

The Sony A7 V is compatible with the Sony NP-FZ100 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery (2280mAh).

This is the same battery that can be found in many other Sony cameras. One Sony NP-FZ100 battery is included in the box when you purchase the A7 V from new.

Unfortunately the A7 V does not include an external battery charger in the box, but you can still charge the battery internally via the USB-C connector.

This guide covers both official and third-party battery and battery charger options for the Sony A7 V.

Batteries

The official supported battery for the Sony A7 V (ILCE-7M5) is the Sony NP-FZ100 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery which has a capacity of 2280mAh.

I strongly recommend using only the official Sony batteries. Sure you can save a few dollars buying third party batteries, but this is a risky bet with such an expensive camera.

Many third-party batteries will also throw a warning when used in-camera.

The A7 V is an expensive camera so please don’t risk damaging it by using third-party batteries.

Sony NP-FZ100

The official supported and fully compatible battery for the Sony A7 V is the Sony NP-FZ100 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery (2280mAh).

Watson NP-FZ100

If you really do insist on trying a third-party battery then one of the better options is the Watson NP-FZ100 Lithium-Ion Battery (2250mAh).

I’m not aware of anyone trying these in the A7 V yet so it’s impossible to say whether or not they will throw up any warnings.

If you have tried them in the A7 V please do let me know in the comments below.

Battery Chargers

There are a few charging options available for the A7 V and the NP-FZ100 batteries.

Sony BC-QZ1

The official battery charger for the Sony NP-FZ100 battery is the Sony BC-QZ1. Unfortunately Sony does not include one in the box with the A7 V.

The Sony BC-QZ1 will charge an official NP-FZ100 battery in around two hours from a mains powered socket.

Sony BC-ZD1 Dual Battery Charger

The BC-ZD1 is a high-speed charger for Sony’s NP-FZ100 batteries. It can simultaneously charge two batteries in approximately 155 minutes when connected to a USB Power Delivery (PD) compatible power supply with 30W or higher output and a USB cable with USB PD support (3A) or higher current.

• Charges two NP-FZ100 batteries simultaneously in approximately 155 minutes when connected to a USB PD compatible power supply
• Equipped with an indicator lamp that shows the battery charging status in 5 stages
• Width approx. 84.5 mm x Height approx. 29.2 mm x Depth approx. 70.0 mm, weight approx. 149g
• With heat dissipation measures plus built-in heat monitoring and control

Sony NPA-MQZ1K

The Sony NPA-MQZ1K multi battery kit is useful if you plan to shoot a lot of video.

It holds 4x NP-FZ100 batteries which can then be used to power the A7 V using the supplied dummy battery connector. All 4 batteries can also be charged in approximately 480 minutes.

You can also power two USB devices as well as the A7 V at the same time.

Two NP-FZ100 batteries, a cable protector and a mounting plate are included with the NPA-MQZ1K.

Watson Mini Duo Charger

If you are using the third-party Watson NP-FZ100 batteries then the Watson mini duo charger is an important accessory.

It charges two NP-FZ100 batteries via USB in around 5 hours, which isn’t very fast when compared to the Sony BC-QZ1 but if you are charging overnight this shouldn’t be an issue.

It has built-in overcharge, short-circuit, and power surge protection.

Battery / Vertical Grip

The Sony A7 V supports the Sony VG-C4EM Vertical Battery Grip.

Sony VG-C4EM

The Sony VG-C4EM grip is the perfect match for the Sony A7 V since it shares the same material and button feel.

The grip holds 2x NP-FZ100 batteries so effectively doubles the battery life of the A7 V.

On top of the grip is a vertical shutter button to make shooting vertically a lot more comfortable, and a lock switch to prevent accidental use when using the camera’s shutter button. There are also C1 and C2 custom buttons and a shutter dial on the front.

On the rear you’ll find a joystick, an AF-On button, aperture dial and AEL button.

To attach the grip you need to remove the battery door from the A7 V. This is easy thanks to a little switch inside the door. This can then be safely stored inside the battery grip itself. You then insert the column into the battery compartment and tighten the fitting screw.

USB Charging & Power Banks

The Sony NP-FZ100 battery can also be charged inside the A7 V via it’s USB-C connector. It will only charge via USB-C when powered off.

You can also use a Power Delivery (PD) certified power bank to power the A7 V. The battery needs to remain in camera and if the camera is turned on the battery will not charge.

Sony recommends a USB-PD device that is compatible with a USB-C output of 9V/3A or 9V/2A.

ANKER 10,000mAh PowerCore Slim PD

The Anker PowerCore Slim PD 10,000mAh supports Power Delivery (PD) and has a 9V=2A USB-C output.

ANKER PowerCore III Elite 25,600 mAh PD

The Anker PowerCore III Elite 25,600 mAh PD supports Power Delivery (PD) and has a 9V=2A USB-C output.

Continuous Power

If you need to provide power for longer shoots then here are your options.

Sony DC-C1 DC Coupler

The DC-C1 DC coupler allows for a stable power supply during long shoots or streaming by providing continuous, reliable power to cameras compatible with NP-FZ100 or NP-FW50 rechargeable battery packs using an external power source such as a USB PD (65 W or more) compatible AC adapter and USB cable with USB PD support (5 A).

• Supplies power directly from an external power source such as a USB PD compatible AC adapter (65 W or more) to a camera body that supports NP-FZ100 or NP-FW50 batteries
• To prevent accidental cable disconnection, the DC-C1 is equipped with the locking screw hole, or an anchor loop can be used to secure the cable to the USB port ​
• 1.6m cable connects plug-in plate to the power supply assembly for flexible setup during shooting
• Equipped with Power Indicator Lamp that shows the power supply status
• Width approx. 52.0 mm x Height approx. 70.6 mm x Depth approx. 32.0 mm

Battery Life

The below estimates for Sony A7 V battery life and number of recordable images apply when the NP-FZ100 battery pack has been fully charged. The battery life and number of images may decrease depending on the conditions of use.

Number of recordable images when shooting still images

LCD Monitor	Approx. 750 images
Electronic Viewfinder	Approx. 630 images

Battery life for actual movie shooting

LCD Monitor	Approx. 135 min.
Electronic Viewfinder	Approx. 130 min.

Battery life for continuous movie shooting

LCD Monitor	Approx. 210 min.
Electronic Viewfinder	Approx. 210 min.

Sony A7 V Guides & Resources

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