Are you a Nikon Z5 shooter looking to upgrade your video workflow? While the Nikon Z5 is a fantastic hybrid camera, its standard EN-EL15 battery can be a limit for professional and extended video production. Using a V mount battery for Nikon Z5 is a smart solution if you need longer runtime. In this post, we’ll cover:
- Which battery does the Nikon Z5 take
- When you should switch to a V-mount option
- Recommended V-mount batteries
- FAQs
Which battery does the Nikon Z5 take?
The Nikon Z5 is a mirrorless digital camera with interchangeable lenses and a 24.2MP sensor. It uses the Nikon EN-EL15c, a rechargeable Li-ion battery pack. The EN-EL15c delivers 7.0V of power and offers a capacity of 2280mAh. It can be recharged through a wall outlet using the Nikon MH-25a charger.
Nikon EN-EL15c Overview
- Battery type: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion pack
- Compatible with: Nikon Z5 and various other Nikon models
- Voltage: 7.0V DC
- Capacity: 2280mAh
- CIPA-rated shots on Nikon Z5: Approximately 470
When should you switch to a V-mount battery to power the Nikon Z5?
When your shooting needs go beyond what the Nikon Z5’s standard EN-EL15 battery can reliably support, switching to a V-mount battery becomes worthwhile. A V-mount solution provides significantly higher capacity, more stable power delivery, and the ability to run multiple accessories at once.
Consider a V-mount battery setup for the Z5 if:
👉 You shoot long-form video: Recording interviews, events, livestreams, or time-lapses often requires hours of continuous power. A V-mount battery lets you run the Z5 without stopping to swap batteries, reducing the risk of missed moments.
👉 You work in cold weather: Low temperatures will shorten EN-EL15 battery life. V-mount batteries generally offer better cold-weather performance and maintain more consistent output.
👉 You power additional accessories: Monitors, wireless transmitters, LED lights, and audio receivers all draw power. V-mount batteries usually carry D-Tap, USB-C, USB-C & DC outputs. They can power the camera and accessories simultaneously, simplifying your rig.
👉 You use the Z5 in a cage or shoulder rig: For video-focused builds, a V-mount battery improves weight distribution and keeps the setup balanced, while also acting as a counterweight for smoother handheld shooting.
Overall, upgrading to a V-mount battery is ideal when you need long-lasting, stable, and flexible power delivery that the standard camera battery simply can’t match.
Which V-mount batteries to use for Nikon Z5: 3 air-friendly options
The three recommended Moman V mount batteries all offer a convenient 99Wh capacity. This is within the FAA carry-on limit, ideal for travel creators looking for a flight-safe power solution for the Nikon Z5. Used together with an EN-EL15 dummy battery, a 99Wh V-mount battery can power the Nikon Z5 for 8 to 10 hours of continuous video recording, depending on settings such as screen brightness, frame rate, and whether IBIS is active.
Table: Overview of V-mount batteries for Nikon Z5
Check the capacity, output ports, dimensions, and more to decide which suits your Nikon Z5 shooting needs.
| Item | Moman Power 99 | Moman Power 99 Pro | Moman Power 99 Touch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 99Wh | 99Wh | 99Wh |
| Ports | 2×D-tap, 1×USB-A, 1×USB-C, 1×BP | 2×D-tap, 1×USB-A, 1×USB-C, 1×BP | 1×D-tap, 1×DC, 1×USB-A, 1×USB-C, 1×BP |
| Display | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| BMS | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Dimensions | 100×73×55 mm | 100×73×55 mm | 102×73×52 mm |
| Weight | 560 g | 540 g | 550 g |
📑Note: Moman Power 99 Touch is at a “Buy one, get the second one” deal.
Moman Power 99
If you want a compact, travel-friendly V-mount battery for your Nikon Z5, the Moman Power 99 is an ideal starting point. It keeps your rig light while still delivering 99Wh of capacity—enough for long shooting sessions without stopping to swap EN-EL15 batteries. Its palm-sized form makes it especially suitable for run-and-gun, handheld, and travel filmmaking.
The Power 99 comes equipped with dual D-Tap ports, USB-C PD, USB-A, and a BP port, giving you multiple ways to power both the Z5 (via a dummy battery) and your accessories at the same time.
Pros
🟢Travel-friendly 99Wh capacity
🟢Power camera and accessories up to 200 W
🟢Multiple outputs, including D-Tap, USB-C, USB-A, and BP
🟢Compact size, easy to mount on rigs
Cons
🔴5-level LED only, no runtime estimate
🔴May need extra adapters for Z5
Moman Power 99 Pro
If you prefer a V-mount battery that gives you more control and real-time monitoring, the Moman Power 99 Pro is made for serious Nikon Z5 creators. It offers the same travel-safe 99Wh capacity but adds a bright OLED status screen that shows voltage, current draw, and estimated runtime. This is extremely helpful during interviews, events, and long recording sessions.
The Power 99 Pro features dual D-Tap outputs, USB-C PD, USB-A, and a BP port, letting you power your Z5 plus multiple accessories from a single battery.
Pros
🟢OLED screen shows real-time battery status
🟢Same 99Wh, travel-safe capacity
🟢200 W / 15 A output supports camera and accessories
Cons
🔴Requires a V-mount plate and dummy battery adapter for proper mounting and powering
🔴More expensive than the basic 99Wh pack
Moman Power 99 Touch
If portability is your top priority, the Moman Power 99 Touch offers a lighter, more compact V-mount option without sacrificing power. Its streamlined design is perfect for handheld or gimbal-based Nikon Z5 shooting, where every gram of weight matters. Despite its small size, it still packs a 99Wh capacity—enough to keep the Z5 running for hours via a dummy battery setup.
This battery includes a D-Tap port, USB-C PD, USB-A, a BP port, and a DC barrel output, giving you flexible power options for accessories like monitors, microphones, and wireless systems.
Pros
🟢99Wh in a lighter, pocket-sized form
🟢Safe design with over-charge/discharge protection
🟢Good for handheld or gimbal setups
Cons
🔴Only one D-Tap port, less flexibility
FAQs
🔶Do V-mount batteries power the Nikon Z5 directly?
No. V-mount batteries cannot power the Nikon Z5 out of the box. To use them with the camera, you need a V-mount plate plus an EN-EL15 dummy battery adapter (or a compatible output-conversion cable). This setup safely converts the V-mount battery’s voltage to what the Z5 accepts.
Also note:
📌The Z5 typically cannot show accurate battery percentages from third-party V-mount power sources, so it’s best to rely on the V-mount battery’s built-in status screen.
📌While 99Wh batteries are airline-friendly, you should always confirm your airline’s current lithium-battery rules before flying.
📌If you power additional gear (lights, monitor, audio, etc.) from the same battery, the runtime will decrease, so test your setup before depending on it for full-day shoots.
🔶Can the Nikon Z5 be powered directly via USB without using a dummy battery?
No. The Nikon Z5 supports USB charging of the internal EN-EL15c battery, but only when the camera is turned off. It does not support USB power delivery while shooting. For continuous operation—such as interviews, long recordings, or timelapse—you still need an EN-EL15 dummy battery adapter connected to an external power source like a V-mount battery.
