Sony a6000 Battery Guide (NP-FW50) Charge, Life, 5 Factors, Brands
Reading Time: 8 minutes Sony a6000 cameras are a powerhouse in mirrorless photography. In this article, you’ll learn everything about NP-FW50, the Sony a6000 battery: how to charge them, how long they last, and what brands are the best. Plus compatibility with other Sony cameras, and differences between similarly named batteries.
We’ll also share tips on prolonging the life of your battery so that you can continue capturing beautiful photos for years to come.
How to Charge the Sony a6000 Battery
The Sony a6000 battery is charged using the supplied AC adapter and USB cable. Plug the adapter into an outlet and connect the USB cable to the camera and computer. The camera will automatically start charging when connected to a power source.
The orange LED next to the viewfinder will turn off when the battery is fully charged.
It’s important to note that the battery will continue to discharge even when not in use slowly. It’s a good idea to top it up before heading out on a shoot or day trip.
See our full guide about charging Sony cameras.
Sony a6000 Battery Specs (NP-FW50)
Here are the details on the official a6000 battery by Sony.
- Model Number: NP-FW50
- Battery Type: Li-ion (Lithium Ion)
- Capacity: 1020mAh (some versions of these are 1080mAh, seems like those made for Europe)
- Voltage: 7.2V
- Maximum Charge Voltage: DC 8.4 V
- Maximum Charge Current: 1.02 A
- Size: 1 5/16 x 3/4 x 1 13/16 inches (31.8 x 18.5 x 45.0mm)
- Weight: 1.5 oz (42 g)
How Long Do Sony a6000 Batteries Last?
The average battery life for the Sony a6000 is about 360 photos (or 180 minutes), but this will vary depending on shooting conditions and camera settings.
And if you’re shooting video with your a6000, the NP-FW50 battery will last between 60 and 90 minutes.
Here’s the average a6000 battery life, as affected by shooting mode, according to Sony (link opens pdf manual).
NP-FW50 Battery Life: Shooting Images
- LCD Monitor: 360 Shots (180 minutes)
- Viewfinder: 310 Shots (155 minutes)
NP-FW50 Battery Life: Shooting Video
- LCD Monitor: 60 minutes typical shooting (90 minutes continuous shooting)
- Viewfinder: 60 minutes typical shooting (90 minutes continuous shooting)
NP-FW50 Battery Life: Viewing Still Images
To view still images (playback) on your camera, the battery will last about 275 minutes (4.5 hours). Sony also equates that to viewing 5500 images.
If you are shooting with just an LCD screen your battery will last longer. And if you are shooting with the viewfinder, you’ll see a reduction of about 14% fewer shots per battery charge.
5 Factors When Choosing a Sony a6000 Battery
There are five factors to consider when getting a Sony a6000 battery.
1. Budget
How much are you willing to spend on a replacement battery? Sony batteries tend to be more expensive than other brands.
If you are looking for a budget-friendly option, consider getting a generic brand battery. Just be sure to do your research and read reviews before purchasing. More on this later in the post.
2. Capacity / Battery Life
How long does the battery last? What is the capacity of the battery? This will give you an idea of how long it will last before needing to be recharged.
Higher-capacity batteries tend to cost more, but they also offer more shots between charges. If you shoot extended sessions, a higher-capacity battery may be worth the investment.
3. Temperature
Some batteries are designed to work better in extreme temperatures.
If you frequently shoot photos or videos in extreme conditions, consider getting a specifically designed battery for those conditions.
4. Manufacturer
Third-party batteries are often cheaper, but they may not be as high quality as Sony’s batteries. If you decide to go with a third-party option, be sure to do your research and read reviews to make sure you are getting a good product.
5. Warranty
Some batteries come with a more extended warranty than others. If you are concerned about the quality of the battery, look for one that has a longer warranty.
Best Batteries for the Sony a6000?
Here are some of the favorable options now that you know what to look for when purchasing a replacement battery.
1. Sony NP-FW50 Battery
This is the original Sony battery that comes with the camera. It has a capacity of 1020mAh and offers about 350 shots between charges.
See current price on Amazon or Walmart.
It is also designed to work in cold and hot temperatures, making it an excellent option for shooters who frequently work in extreme conditions. The battery has a one-year warranty and takes about two hours to recharge fully.
2. Powerextra 2 Pack with Charger
This set of NP-FW50 batteries are a great alternative to the official Sony battery. They have almost 50% more capacity (1500mAh compared to Sony’s 1020mAh).
And it comes with a dual-battery USB charger.
With this kit, you’ll have three batteries (2 in the kit, plus the one that came with the camera) that should last you for the day. Or you can get the same batteries in a 4 pack with a single charger.
But if you need more than three batteries for the day, you can charge your depleted batteries using a power bank. Just connect them and put them in your pack. They’ll likely be fully charged when your current battery is drained.
3. Neewer NP-FW50 Battery (2 Pack with Charger)
This battery has a capacity of 1100mAh, slightly more than Sony’s official battery.
The charger is also works via USB, like the Powerextra option.
4. Wasabi Power Battery (2 Pack)
This great generic option offers high quality at a lower price point. It has a capacity of 1300mAh and offers up to 400 shots between charges.
It takes about two hours to recharge fully and comes with a one-year warranty.
5. Anker PowerCore 10000
So while not actually a battery for a Sony camera, the PowerCore is a great way to power your camera.
This is a portable power supply. Just plug in your USB charger and recharge your batteries on the go.
It has a capacity of 10000mAh and can charge the Sony a6000 from 5 to 9 times, depending on which battery capacity you’re using.
I like these power banks because I can recharge my batteries while hiking, canoeing, or having a swim. Just connect your charge to the bank and recharge your batteries anywhere.
I’ve seen a few sites talking about the Sony VCT-AMB30 battery for the a6000. But from what I can tell, this isn’t a thing. Sony does make a VTC battery, but this is the 18650 battery for vaping.
NP-FW50 vs NP-FV50
The NP-FW50 battery is not the same as the NP-FV50. And they aren’t interchangeable.
The Sony a6000 camera uses the NP-FW50 (W-Series). Sony also makes a similarly named battery, the NP-FV50 (V-Series). This is for their Handycam line.
- NP-FW50 (for the a6000 camera series): 1020mAh, 42 grams.
- NP-FV50 (for Handycam): 980mAh, 51 grams. These are much less expensive than the batteries for the a6000 camera.
To avoid disappointment, make sure to double-check the model number before buying.
How to Prolong the Life of Your Sony a6000 Battery
There are a few things you can do to prolong the life of your Sony a6000 battery.
Avoid Extreme Temperatures
Batteries tend to perform poorly in extreme heat or cold. Try to avoid leaving your camera in a hot car or in direct sunlight for extended periods.
If you are shooting in cold weather, keep your batteries warm by storing them in an inside pocket close to your body.
Don’t Overcharge Your Battery
When the battery is fully charged, remove it from the charger.
If you leave the battery on the charger, it will slowly discharge, reducing its overall life span. If you will not use your camera for an extended time, it is best to charge the battery halfway, not to discharge completely.
You can also buy a charger that shuts off automatically when the battery is fully charged so that you don’t have to worry about overcharging it.
Use Your Camera Regularly
Batteries tend to perform best when they are used regularly.
It would be best to try to use your camera at least once a week to keep the battery in good condition. Of course, that’s why we bought the camera in the first place, right?
Take Care of Your Battery
Be careful not to damage your battery by dropping it or exposing it to water.
If the battery is damaged, it will not perform as well and may even stop working altogether. If the battery becomes misshapen or shows any discharge, it’s best to dispose and replace it.
Don’t Use the Viewfinder Excessively
For longest life, use a dimmed screen.
If you prefer the viewfinder, it’s best to dim the viewfinder whenever possible. This means less power is required to run the camera, and your battery will last longer.
51 Sony Cameras That Use the NP-FW50
Here are camera models that are compatible with the a6000 battery, the NP-FW50.
- DSC-RX10M4
- DSC-RX10M3
- DSC-RX10M2
- DSC-RX10
- SLT-A37
- SLT-A35
- SLT-A35K
- SLT-A33
- SLT-A33L
- SLT-A55V
- ILCE-6400
- ILCE-6400L
- ILCE-6400M
- ILCE-6500
- ILCE-6500M
- ILCE-6300
- ILCE-6300L
- ILCE-6300M
- ILCE-7SM2
- ILCE-7RM2
- ILCE-5100
- ILCE-5100L
- ILCE-5100Y
- ILCE-7M2
- ILCE-7M2K
- ILCE-7S
- ILCE-6000
- ILCE-6000L
- ILCE-6000Y
- ILCE-3500J
- ILCE-5000L
- ILCE-5000Y
- ILCE-3000K
- ILCE-7
- ILCE-7K
- ILCE-7R
- NEX-5T
- NEX-5TL
- NEX-3NL
- NEX-5R
- NEX-6
- NEX-F3K
- NEX-5N
- NEX-5NK
- NEX-7
- NEX-7K
- NEX-C3K
- NEX-3A
- NEX-5A
- ILCE-QX1
- ILCE-QX1L
More reading: Connect Sony Camera to TV: 4 Methods and How to Connect Sony Camera to a Computer.
Your Turn
By following these tips, you can prolong the life of your battery and get the most use out of your Sony a6000.
Have a tip or question? Let me know in the comments!
