Manfrotto’s new camera batteries might offer a usefully affordable backup power solution for owners of many cameras from the major brands.
The accessory maker has released new versions of its batteries for numerous cameras from Canon, Fujifilm, OM System (aka Olympus), Nikon and Sony. This product line of third-party batteries was first introduced in 2020 along with a Manfrotto dual-bay charger with a charge status display.
Originally however, the batteries were made available only for Nikon, Canon and Sony cameras. Now, their scope has broadened to include models for Fuji and OM System devices.
While Manfrotto’s batteries sported 2000 mAh power capacity in their original release, the new editions bump that up to 2,400mAh, meaning a longer charge life during field use.
Each of the new batteries is a bit different too, depending on the camera brand it was built for.
Thus, while the Fujifilm editions are NP-W235-type batteries, those for Canon cameras are designed as LP-E6Nh-type models.
In the case of the Nikon version, it’s an EN-EL15C type battery. Sony models are NP-FZ100 versions and finally, those for OM System cameras are BLX-1 designs.
As for their specific camera support parameters. Those are as follows:
Manfrotto’s Canon battery supports a broad range of Canon cameras including DSLR models like the 5D, 6D, and 7D, while also being compatible with newer mirrorless EOS R line of cameras, including the R5 Mark I (though at least not completely the Mark II) and R6.
The Fujifilm variant of Manfrotto’s batteries works with many cameras too, including the GFX 100 II, GFX 100S, Fujifilm X-T4, X-T5, X-H2, X-H2S, and X-S20.
In the case of Nikon cameras, Manfrotto’s model for that brand supports many DSLR cameras like the D800 and D700 editions, and mirrorless cameras including current front-runners like the Z5, Z6 II and Z6 III.
For Sony, compatibility with Manfrotto’s Sony-aimed battery is nearly universal among most consumer and pro-level Alpha models. This is largely because the battery type used in Sony cameras, the NP-FZ100, is one of the most widely used batteries on the market.
Finally, as far as OM System cameras go, compatibility with Manfrotto’s battery only extends to the OM-1 and OM-1 Mark II camera models.
In terms of their lasting power and long-term compatibility, these new battery editions might vary in their usability. Since they’re third-party models, any future updates of a given camera might lose compatibility. Another possibility is a slightly shorter lifespan per battery.
On the other hand, Manfrotto has a solid reputation for producing many camera accessories and there’s no reason to automatically mistrust the brand on quality.
Also, the new battery editions are usually a bit cheaper than their name-brand counterparts, though not always.
For example, all of the Manfrotto battery editions for each brand uniformly cost $59.99. In the case of Sony, this means a discount from the brand’s own FZ100, priced at $79.99, but if you’re a Nikon owner, its own name-brand battery costs just about the same as Manfrotto’s at $59.95.
Manfrotto is also selling a ProCUBE pro dual battery charger for $87.88. It’s available in different variants for each of the camera models mentioned above and can also charge each brand’s own native batteries.
