Many cameras still don’t have (or no longer have) a direct connection for an external power supply. Unfortunately, this is also the case with my Panasonic G81 . While the successor, the G91, can be powered via USB-C, you need a so-called dummy battery for the G81. This is an adapter that is inserted instead of the normal battery, but is powered by a power supply. This allows practically unlimited continuous operation of the camera. This is especially important if changing the battery would change the camera position, such as with timelapse recordings or when working with external recorders on the HDMI port. You also cannot do without an external power supply when using the camera for streaming.
I bought this affordable Panasonic dummy battery including power supply for 25 euros on Amazon, which is also available for other camera models .
⚠ [affiliate] Keine Produkte mit Cache für default.
Bitte affiliate-sync --lang en ausführen.
The connection cable can be routed through the rubber stopper provided for this purpose in the lid of the battery compartment.
The workmanship is good and the included plug-in power supply actually delivers a stable 3 amps of current. This is very important, because cameras often draw a surprisingly large amount of current. Although the requirements of the G81 in video mode are only about 1.2 amps, the short-term current draw rises to over 2.4 amps during continuous shooting. If the power source cannot supply sufficient current here without the voltage dropping, the camera switches off or displays an error.
The dummy battery I bought also has a special feature: It is operated via a USB port. Since a USB output only delivers 5 volts, but the camera needs 7.2 volts, a step-up converter is built into the cable. This converts the 5 volts very effectively into the required 7.2 volts. This naturally makes you curious and I tried out whether you could also operate the dummy battery on a power bank with it. This would result in a very affordable and effective mobile power supply for video recordings when no power outlet is nearby.
I tested two of my power banks. Most power banks are specified with a maximum current of 2.1 amps at the output. In fact, however, much more current can often be drawn. However, power banks behave very differently here. With my old Anker power bank, 2.7 amps and more can be drawn, but the voltage drops sharply from 2 amps onwards and so at 2.7 amps load, only 4.2 volts are present at the output, which leads to the camera quitting service at higher current draws.
My Jackery power bank, on the other hand, still delivers 4.8 volts even at 2.7 amps and the camera works flawlessly with it. By the way, the video function can be used without problems with both power banks. Many current power bank models now also deliver 3 amps at the output. While the camera’s battery usually has around 1000 - 1500 mAh capacity, power banks nowadays have 20,000 mAh and more. Thus, such a solution can mathematically replace 15-20 batteries. However, the capacity specifications of power banks are usually somewhat optimistic and theoretical in nature. Why this is so, I explain in this post .
Such tests can be done quickly and quite affordably with the USB tester from Rui Deng (also available under many other names) and an electronic load for USB ports . There is even a desktop and smartphone app for the USB tester (only Windows and Android), with which you can record the data via Bluetooth connection.
These dummy batteries with USB connection are not only available for various Panasonic models, but also for cameras from Sony, Canon and smaller Nikon models . With a power bank, you also have an emergency solution for on the go when the batteries are empty.
Hi! I'm Markus – the Fricklr. ⚡ Electrical engineer, 🎵 musician (bass, guitar, keys) and professionally 'something with the internet' 🌐 for over 30 years – nowadays with AI too 🤖 – a 55-year-old generalist from Bavaria, Germany.
Your feedback helps me write even more interesting posts. After "Yes" there's also a small option to support my work.
What do you think? Leave a comment!
Share your thoughts, questions or experiences with the community.