External power supply for Lumix S5 series cameras
If the topic sounds familiar to you now, I can tell you that you are right, because I already addressed this topic in 2020 with this article.
Introduction
At that time, however, it was still about the LUMIX G9 or the LUM!X G 81. I powered the cameras there either with a dummy battery or via the USB C port and a power bank.
Now the Lumix S5 or the Lumix S5 IIX has almost the same problem, namely keeping the camera running for longer either during longer time-lapse recordings or, for example, when filming.
Difference
Now you have to differentiate, because the same solution would be available for the Lumix S5, namely powering the camera via the USB C port and, for example, a power bank. This is still an option for the power supply for the Lumix S5.
With the Lumix S5 IIx, however, it was also about ensuring the power supply on the one hand, but also keeping the USB C port free on the other, because this camera is known to be able to save video clips directly to the SSD.
The ZCGINE NPF-02 Adapter
So I wanted a solution that works without USB C and this is done with the NP-F adapter that I got for this and a suitable dummy battery. This means that the power supply can be ensured by a Sony NP-F compatible battery and the USB C port remains free so that an SSD can be connected here so that the video clips can be easily transferred and edited directly on the PC.
Nevertheless, this NP-F adapter also offers the option of power supply via the USB C output.
This NP-F adapter has two outputs of different strengths, so that in addition to powering the camera, it is also possible to power an external monitor or a small video light, for example.
For this type of use, however, you should get a larger battery with more capacity because an NP-F 550 battery is empty after about 30 minutes. Then you’ll probably have to go for an NP-F 970 with much more power because, for example, a Blackmagic Videoassist 12G will run out again after a very short time with an NP-F 550.
Conclusion
The combination with a dummy battery and NP-F adapter allows the LLumix S5 IIx to be powered externally, but at the same time keeps the USB-C port free to save video clips directly to an SSD. Either because it’s faster or because you want to record at bit rates that aren’t possible with SD cards.
ciao tuxoche
