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Which power bank is best for charging Sony FX30 during filming?

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Hey everyone! I recently made the jump to the Sony FX30, and while I’m absolutely in love with the image quality and that dual base ISO, I’m hitting a bit of a wall when it comes to power management. I’ve started doing more long-form event videography and 4K 10-bit interviews that sometimes run for two or three hours straight. As great as the NP-FZ100 batteries are, they just aren't cutting it for these marathon sessions. I hate the anxiety of watching that battery percentage drop while I'm in the middle of a crucial shot, and swapping batteries mid-take is a recipe for disaster.

I’ve been looking into using a power bank via the USB-C port to provide continuous power, but I’m a bit confused about the specific requirements. I tried a standard power bank I use for my phone, but the camera didn't seem to draw enough power to actually maintain the charge while recording—it just slowed down the drain slightly. From what I’ve read, the FX30 is pretty picky and requires a power bank with Power Delivery (PD) that can output at least 9V/3A or more to actually run the camera and charge the internal battery simultaneously.

I’m trying to find the perfect balance between capacity and portability. Since I usually shoot with a SmallRig cage, I’m considering mounting the power bank directly to the rig using a dedicated holder. I’ve looked at the Anker 737 and some of the Baseus options, but I’m worried about them potentially overheating during a long 4K 60fps shoot in a warm room. I’ve also seen some people suggest those mini V-mount batteries with USB-C PD outputs, but those might be overkill for my current setup. My budget is around $100-$150, and I really need something reliable that won't give me 'Incompatible Accessory' errors.

For those of you rigging out your FX30, what specific power bank have you found to be the most reliable for long filming days? Does it stay cool, and does it actually keep the internal battery at 100% while you're rolling?


10 Answers
12

Honestly, just grab the Anker 737 Power Bank (PowerCore 24K). I’ve used it for ages on my FX30 and it actually keeps the internal battery topped off even at 4K60. It’s got that 9V/3A PD requirement covered easily. If ur worried about the bulk on ur rig, the SmallRig VB50 mini V-Mount Battery is sooo much better for mounting tbh. Both are super reliable and stay cool enough. gl!


12

Respectfully, I'd consider another option. I've been doing this for years, but honestly, I think the Baseus Blade 100W Laptop Power Bank is better for rigging since it's super thin and doesn't get REALLY hot. It hits that 9V PD spec easily and the screen shows your status, which is basically a lifesaver for long 4K sessions! 👍





12

Respectfully, I'd consider another option. I've been doing this for years, but honestly, I think the Baseus Blade 100W Laptop Power Bank is better for rigging since it's super thin and doesn't get REALLY hot. It hits that 9V PD spec easily and the screen shows your status, which is basically a lifesaver for long 4K sessions! 👍


5

So basically the consensus is that you're definitely gonna need something with Power Delivery (PD) to keep that Sony FX30 happy during those marathon sessions. The guys before me mentioned some solid choices with Anker and Baseus, and honestly, those are pretty much the gold standard for reliable power when you're trying to keep things under that $150 mark. I've been in the video game for a long time now, and I've learned the hard way that cheaping out on power is usually where things go south, but you dont have to spend a fortune either. Coming back to this after rigging dozens of cameras, I'd say just look for any reputable high-wattage PD bank from a brand like Ugreen or maybe even INIU. I've used their gear for long-form interviews and they highkey stay much cooler than I expected. The secret is usually the cable though—seriously, dont sleep on getting a high-quality 100W rated USB-C cable because that’s often what triggers those 'incompatible' errors or the slow drain ur seeing. In my experience, as long as the bank supports 65W or higher PD output, it'll usually maintain the internal battery at 100% even while ur cranking 4K60. It’s way more cost-effective than jumping straight to V-mounts if ur trying to keep the rig light and within budget. Just find a decent holder for ur cage and you're golden. At the end of the day, it's all about that PD spec... get that right and you'll be set for those 3-hour takes!! peace


4

Late to the party but ive had my FX30 since it launched and basically went thru all these same power phases. The thread so far covers the big brands like Anker and Baseus, and the NP-F plate route which is definitely a solid way to go too. Heres a couple things I learned the hard way after using this setup for months: - The cable is actually CRITICAL. I wasted money on random phone cables that didnt work or kept disconnecting. I switched to the Kondor Blue Coiled USB-C to USB-C PD Cable and its been a game changer for keeping the rig tidy and the power flow stable.
- If you want another option that wasnt mentioned, the Ugreen Nexode 145W Power Bank is what I use now. It runs super cool and I have NEVER had an incompatible error with it, even on 4-hour sets.
- Make sure you double check that 'USB Power Supply' is actually ON in the camera settings... I mean, its obvious but I totally forgot it once and was so confused why the battery was still draining lol. Is it just me or does the camera get WAY hotter when its charging via USB-C while recording? I usually leave the battery door open a tiny bit to help it breathe a bit tho.





3

To add to the point above: i totally agree about being careful with those connections. I am always worried that using a random power bank might fry the internals or something since these cameras are so sensitive. Honestly i get so stressed about gear safety that it kinda ruins the fun of shooting sometimes. I actually had a similar freakout last month when i was packing for a weekend trip to the coast. I spent like three hours obsessing over my cable management and then ended up forgetting my sd cards anyway lol. The drive was nice tho, lots of fog and those really tall pine trees... reminded me of that show Twin Peaks. Ever seen it? The atmosphere is so moody, i keep meaning to rewatch the second season but i never have the time. Anyway sorry kinda went off topic there just stay safe with the power stuff.


2

TL;DR: Instead of a laptop-style power bank, look into a DIY power plate setup using those big NP-F batteries from brands like Neewer. So basically, I'm gonna disagree a bit with the USB-C route. I'm still kinda new to rigging, but I honestly find the USB-C connection a bit wierd and fragile for long 4K shoots. Idk, I just worry about that tiny port getting bumped. I’ve been experimenting with the DIY approach by mounting a generic battery plate from **SmallRig** or **Neewer** to my cage. You can basically get any of those NP-F plates and they work great. It feels more secure than a cable that might wiggle loose, and those batteries are realy affordable compared to high-end power banks. If you want a more "set it and forget it" self-service vibe, that’s the way I’d go. It stays cool and you dont have to worry about PD compatibility issues at all. Just my two cents!


2

> I hate the anxiety of watching that battery percentage drop while I'm in the middle of a crucial shot, and swapping batteries mid-take is a recipe for disaster. I totally get where youre coming from with this. Honestly, in my experience, that battery anxiety is the absolute worst part of the job. I have been doing this for years and I still get that pit in my stomach every time the icon starts flashing red during a long ceremony or interview. I am actually hitting the exact same wall on my current project right now, trying to figure out which PD specs are actually legit versus just marketing fluff. Instead of me listing off more gear, you should really just check out YouTube. There is a great video about this, just search for fx30 power delivery test and its basically the first result that pops up. The guy goes into way more detail than any of us could here. I am pretty sure the manufacturer website also has a compatibility list if you dig through the support pages. Hope you find a solid fix soon!





1

Just caught up on all the great advice here. Basically, the consensus is that you need a solid PD source and a high-quality cable to avoid that dreaded battery drain during long 4K sessions. Weve already talked about the popular laptop banks and the V-mount routes, which are both solid. From a performance standpoint, I've run benchmarks on a few units and you really want to look at the sustained output efficiency rather than just the peak wattage rating. A lot of cheaper banks claim 65W but throttle hard after 20 minutes because of heat. If youre on a budget but need pro-level reliability, I highly recommend checking out the INIU 20000mAh 65W Power Bank. Its a fraction of the price of the big names but handles the 9V/3A handshake perfectly without overheating during 4K 10-bit interviews. A few things to keep in mind for real-world performance:

  • Always check if the bank supports simultaneous pass-through charging if you plan to top it off during breaks.
  • Look for units with a high-quality GaN chipset as they run much cooler while the FX30 is pulling heavy current.
  • Test your specific setup for at least an hour before a paid gig to ensure the PD handshake doesnt reset under load. Honestly, you dont need to spend $150 to get a reliable rig. That INIU unit combined with a decent cage mount will keep you rolling for hours without the anxiety lol.


1

Ugh, I honestly feel your pain so much on this. I have been struggling with the exact same thing on my FX30 and it is literally the most frustrating part of the whole setup. I picked up the Anker 747 Power Bank GaNPrime 150W thinking it would be the ultimate fix since it has way more than enough juice on paper, but even then, it is a total headache. The issue is that the FX30 is just so insanely sensitive to the sustained PD handshake. If the bank gets slightly warm or if you use a cable that is not perfect, the camera just drops the charging speed and you are back to that slow drain. It is basically a losing battle between the power draw of 4K60 and the heat the camera makes while charging. I have had interviews where I am just sweating watching that percentage drop despite being plugged in. It is honestly so stressful and really kills the creative vibe when you cannot even trust your gear to stay on...


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