Whether you are a professional photographer, a Youtuber, or a content creator, you always want to ensure that you never miss a shot. However, what do you do when your DSLR camera’s battery dies, and you don’t have a spare?
Fortunately, there are ways you can power your DSLR camera without a battery. In this article, we will explore the different ways you can power your DSLR camera without a battery. I own a Canon EOS M50 mirrorless camera and I have been using it to shoot videos and take photos without using the internal battery.
There are several ways to power a DSLR camera without a battery. The most popular methods include using an AC adapter, a DC coupler, a power bank, a solar panel, or a USB cable.
Alright, let’s dive into how to use each of these methods.
Using an AC adapter
One of the most popular ways to power a DSLR camera without a battery is by using an AC adapter or plug. This is similar to what you use to recharge your smartphone along with a host of other consumer devices. To use an AC adapter, you need to connect the adapter to the camera’s DC input jack, which is usually located on the side or bottom of the camera. The adapter should be rated at the same voltage and current as the camera’s battery.
However, NOT every DSLR or Mirrorless camera out there can be powered directly using an AC adapter. For instance, my Canon EOS M50 sadly doesn’t. You must check your camera model as well as read the manual to confirm if your camera can be powered directly through an AC adapter. The cameras that can be powered through your mains supply include; Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, the Nikon D850, and the Sony Alpha A7R III for the DSLRs and Sony Alpha a6000 and the Fujifilm X-T4 mirrorless cameras.
Using a DC coupler
Another way to power a DSLR camera without a battery is by using a DC coupler. A DC coupler is like a pretend battery that we put inside the camera instead of a real battery. But, instead of holding energy inside like a real battery, the DC coupler lets you plug in a special cord that gives the camera power from the wall, just like when we plug in our phone charger!
To use a DC coupler, you need to ensure that the coupler is compatible with your camera model. For my Canon EOS M50 camera, I use the Raeisusp 5-8.4V DC Coupler I bought off Amazon for just $23. You can use a DC drive cable to connect the dummy battery or either your main supply through an AC adapter or to a power bank. Obviously, you must ensure that your power bank is fully charged and is capable of outputting at least 10W of power.
I did a whole Youtube video on how I connected my Canon EOS M50 camera to continuous power through a dummy battery( DC Coupler). You can watch it below;
