One of the cool new features on the Sony a7RII is that it allows you to re-charge the camera battery as you shoot by connecting an external battery to the micro USB multi-terminal port. But what if you’re using that port to tether or control the camera by a USB remote release of intervalometer?

Search no more if you’ve been looking for a long-run high-capacity external battery for your Sony a7, a7R, a7S, a7 II, a7R II, a7S II, a5000, a5100, a6000, a6300, a6400 or a6500. These external battery options can power your Sony E-mount camera for all-day video shoots or when shooting time-lapse photography for extended periods.

You’ll need to either thread the power cable through the small slit in the battery door to use any of these external batteries, in some case you may need to remove the battery door completely – if so, be sure to keep it in a safe place.

Note that while some of these products say “a7S” in the product name they can be used with other a7 series and a6X00 cameras as well.

Tether Tools Case Relay Camera Power System

Tether Tools Case Relay Camera Power System is the first infinite hot-swappable power source for time-lapse photography, power-hungry LiveView shooting or video production. It offers uninterruptible power to most DSLR and Mirrorless cameras via any common USB 5V power pack or wall power.

This is an a la carte system you need three things:

1. Tether Tools Case Relay Camera Power System ($99.99 – Order Here)
2. Tether Tools Relay Camera Coupler for Sony Cameras with NP-FW50 Battery ($34.99 – Order Here)
3. USB Power Bank (2.1 Amps or more) such as: Anker 20,000 mAh Portable Power Bank ($39.99 – Here)
Optional (but cool) accessory: Tether Tools StrapMoore ($18.95 – Order Here)

Varavon a7S Battery Package

Varavon a7S Battery Package ($180 at B&H). Despite the a7S in it’s name, this battery works on all Sony a7 series cameras as well at other E-mount cameras that I’ve tested including a6000 and a5000. It features a 10,400 mAh high-capacity External Battery for the Sony a7S. It’s designed to neatly be mounted on your rig using Varavon’s Battery Clamp (sold separately) but it can also be secured by touch fasteners. Despite it’s name, Connect it to the camera via an included dummy battery coupler and enjoy extended battery life in a compact and sleek body.

Varavon a7S Battery Package ($180 at B&H)

The Varavon battery kit includes a dummy battery coupler that connects the camera to the battery.

Remaining battery life can continually be checked at the press of an easy-access button on the front panel. Via adjustment of a voltage selection switch, this battery is also compatible with the Varavon Birdycam, Motoroid, and Timeroid (all sold separately). It can be used with the Timeroid and camera at the same time.

Power settings are a bit confusing – while Sony E-mount cameras run on 7.4 volts, I found that I needed to select the 12 volt setting on the battery to power Sony E-mount cameras.

• 10,400 mAh capacity
• Connect to the camera using an included dummy battery coupler
• Neatly mounts on your camera rig using Varavon Battery Clamp (sold separately)

Varavon Battery Clamp ($32 at B&H)

Switronix PowerBase 70 Battery

Switronix PowerBase 70 Battery for Sony a7S ($345 with 12″ Cable) | ($359 with 24″ Cable) consists of a 14.8V, 77Wh lithium ion battery and a regulator block with a dummy battery. This battery works on all Sony a7 series cameras and it also worked on the Sony a6000 and a5000 cameras that I tested.

Please note that when testing the dummy battery with a number of E-mount cameras the battery will not lock into place unless you press it very firmly – but once it does it locks in securely. Although it appears to be designed tp fit on the bottom of the camera, the cord from the dummy battery prevents it from mounting on the camera base – it’s better it attach it to a video rig rail system or clamp it to your tripod.

Switronix PowerBase 70 Battery (12″ Cable) | Switronix PowerBase 70 Battery for Sony a7S (24″ Cable)

Here are a couple options that video shooters might prefer. They include a video battery mounting plate – but no battery.

Wooden Camera Video Battery Adapater Plates

Wooden Camera Gold-Mount Plate ($243 at B&H) allows you to connect Gold-mount batteries to your Sony a7 series camera. It connects to the camera via a dummy battery, which extends out from the side on a 16″ cable, and an integrated regulator ensures that the correct voltage is delivered to the camera. The plate also features one P-Tap accessory port providing 12V-16V of power (depending on your battery).

This plate is designed to be mounted on your rig using Wooden Camera’s Battery Slide mounting adapter, sold separately, but it can also be mounted in any of the other ways that standard Gold-mount plates can be mounted.

Wooden Camera V-Mount Plate ($243 at B&H) allows you to connect V-mount batteries to your Sony a7 series camera. It connects to the camera via a dummy battery, which extends out from the side on a 16″ cable, and an integrated regulator ensures that the correct voltage is delivered to the camera. The plate also features two P-Tap accessory ports providing 12V-16V of power (depending on your battery).

This plate is designed to be mounted on your rig using Wooden Camera’s Battery Slide mounting adapter, sold separately, but it can also be mounted in any of the other ways that standard V-mount plates can be mounted.

Sony Artisan Jeff Berlin rockin’ his camera rig with a Wooden Camera V-Mount Plate

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Dolgin Engineering FW50 V Adapter for Sony Alpha

Dolgin Engineering FW50 V Adapter ($79 from B&H) from allows you to power your Sony a7 series camera with high-capacity, Sony L-compatible 7.4 / 7.2V batteries. The FW50 adapter provides an alternative to internal camera batteries to extend your camera’s run time.

IndiPRO External Battery Kits for Canon LP-E6 Batteries

If you already own a bunch of Canon LP-E6 batteries, you might want to consider one of these kits from IndiPRO that run off them.

IndiPRO Tools 8PASA7 Power Grid & XLR Audio Box with Dual LP-E6 Plates for Sony a7 ($135 at B&H) provides power to your Sony a7 Camera using two optional Canon LP-E6 batteries (not included). It converts two XLR inputs to a 3.5mm stereo audio output to provide two channels of audio directly to your camera. The Power Grid System incorporates a clamp so you can mount it to optional LWS 15mm support rods and it features a right angle power plug to keep the cable neat and snug on the camera.

The Power Grid features a two-sided design that mounts the batteries one on each face, although only one battery is required to supply the necessary voltage to power the camera. A blue LED built into the plate lights up to indicate sufficient voltage available to power your camera. You can hot swap your batteries without powering down the camera, as long as there is always a sufficiently charged battery in the Power Grid. The Power Grid System is Made in the USA.

Or put together you own kit:

IndiPRO Tools 69SA7 2.5mm to Sony a7 Dummy Battery Cable (24″ Non-Regulated) ($32 at B&H) is for use with an optional IndiPRO Tools 7.2 V Power Pod system to provide power to an optional Sony a7.

PLUS

IndiPRO Tools 7.2 V Power Pod system ($95 at B&H) has two Canon LP-E6 battery slots, and 1/4″-20 mounting threads on the sides to provide extended power to a wide range of cameras and accessories in various mounting setups. It features a 2.5mm DC output jack that lets you connect out to a 7.2V device using an appropriate cable. A variety of regulated and unregulated cables are available from IndiPRO Tools for compatibility with different devices. Two 1/4″-20 threads, one on each of two sides, allow you to use rod clamps and shoe mounts for mounting. Slightly more compact than its “Quad” relative, this POWER POD can conveniently be used camera-top, attached between a camera and monitor. Only one battery is required to be used at a time, so you can hot swap batteries. An LED indicator remains lit as long as sufficient power is available.

OR

IndiPRO Tools POWER POD Quad LP-E6 Universal Power System (7.2V) ($115 at B&H) has four Canon LP-E6 battery slots, and 1/4″-20 mounting threads on the sides, to provide extended power to a wide range of cameras and accessories in various mounting setups. It features two 2.5mm DC output jacks that let you connect out to two 7.2V devices at the same time using appropriate cables. A variety of regulated and unregulated cables are available from IndiPRO Tools for compatibility with different devices. Two 1/4″-20 threads, one on each of two sides, allow you to use rod clamps and shoe mounts for mounting. Two batteries are required to be attached on one side at all times, so you can swap out one side at a time. An LED indicator remains lit as long as sufficient power is available.

PLUS

IndiPro Battery kits require Canon LP-E6N Lithium-Ion Batteries (7.2V, 1865mAh) ($62 at B&H), so if you don’t already have a bunch of those, factor that into the cost.