Reliable power supply is essential for long shoots, and a V mount battery for Lumix S5II can make a huge difference in how your rig performs. It gives you longer runtime and a cleaner power solution than standard camera batteries.
Benefits of using a V mount battery for Lumix S5II?
Using a V-mount battery for the Lumix s5ii ensures:
- Longer runtime
- Reliable power supply
- Full power of all devices
- Balanced camera rig
Read on for details.
Much longer runtime than the S5II’s built-in battery
Using a V-mount battery with the Lumix S5II gives you far more shooting time than the standard BLK22 battery, which usually lasts about an hour when recording high-bitrate video. With a 95Wh or 155Wh V-mount battery, the camera can run for hours straight. That makes it perfect for interviews, events, live streams, or documentary work—situations where constantly stopping to change batteries would slow everything down.
Reliable power for demanding recording modes
When the S5II is recording in 6K, 4K60, or sending ProRes RAW to an external recorder, it draws more power and becomes sensitive to voltage drops. V-mount batteries are designed to deliver steady, regulated output, which helps prevent sudden shutdowns or recording failures. This is especially important for long takes, where consistent power keeps the camera running smoothly and more reliably.
Powering the camera and accessories from one V-mount battery
In real-world production setups, the S5II is often used with an external monitor, wireless system, follow-focus motor, or on-camera light. Most V-mount batteries include D-Tap, USB-C, and USB-A ports, so you can run the camera and all these accessories from a single battery. That means fewer small batteries to juggle—and everything in your rig stays powered for the same amount of time.
Better balance and a more cinema-style rig
Mounting a V-mount battery on a cage or 15mm rods adds weight to the back of the setup, which helps balance the S5II when you’re using heavy lenses, monitors, or recorders. This makes shoulder rigs and handheld shooting more stable and comfortable. For filmmakers building a “cinema-style” S5II rig, the V-mount battery isn’t just a power source—it also becomes part of the physical setup that improves how the camera handles.
How to power the Lumix S5II with a V-mount battery?
There are two ways to power the Lumix S5II with a V-mount battery: using USB-C directly, or via a dummy battery. Below, we talk about what each method is and its pros and cons to help you decide which method to use.
Method 1. Via the USB-C PD port on Lumix S5ii
The Panasonic Lumix S5II features a USB-C port that supports power delivery. In this way, you can power it via this port with a V-lock battery that has a PD USB-C port. This offers a simple and neat setup but also comes with some downsides.
🟢 Pros
- The original battery is inside, so if the V-mount battery runs out or gets unplugged, the camera can still keep going.
- Safe and simple. USB-C power is regulated and widely supported on modern V-mount batteries.
- Only one cable is required. This keeps your rig clean and lightweight.
🔴 Cons
- Running the camera while the internal battery is present can increase heat buildup over long sessions.
- Occupies the only USB-C port, not ideal if you need it for recording to an external SSD or using a gimbal or control cable
- Easy to knock loose if the cable isn’t secured.
Method 2. Via a dummy battery in the battery compartment
This method uses a D-Tap output from the V-mount battery to power a dummy battery inserted in the Lumix s5ii’s battery compartment.
🟢 Pros
- Leaves the USB-C port free for SSDs or accessories.
- Great for full rigs on tripods, cages, or shoulder setups.
- Less internal heat since the real battery is removed.
🔴 Cons
- Voltage must be correct. You need a regulated D-Tap cable made for the S5II.
- No backup power. If the V-mount dies, the camera shuts off.
- More parts involved. Cable, regulator, and dummy battery all have to be reliable.
What gear is needed for proper power supply?
To use a V-mount battery for Lumix s5ii, you will need:
- A V-mount battery as the center power house
- Necessary cables and adapters (if needed) to connect the battery to the camera
- V mount plate to add the battery to the camera rig
V mount battery
When choosing a V-mount battery, the ports it offers matter just as much as its capacity. Different outputs are designed for different types of gear, so it’s important to match your equipment and powering method with the right interface.
- D-Tap (P-Tap) Output: Cinema cameras and mirrorless cameras, external monitors and recorders, wireless video transmitters, LED video lights, follow-focus motors, audio receivers
- USB-C (PD) Output: Mirrorless cameras that accept USB-C power, smartphones and tablets, laptops, external SSD enclosures, camera accessories with USB-C input
- USB-A Output: Phones, action cameras, wireless microphone receivers, Bluetooth timecode boxes
- DC Barrel Outputs: Mirrorless cameras via dummy batteries, field monitors, wireless transmitters, and certain LED panels
- BP/Charger Interface: Some V-mount batteries include an extra charging or pass-through interface, which is typically used for recharging the V-mount battery itself or powering accessories through dedicated adapter plates
Moman offers V-mount batteries in different capacities and port configurations. Check the table below to choose the model that best fits your needs.
| Moman Model | Capacity | Ports | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power 50 Touch | 50Wh | 1×D-tap, 1×USB-A, 1×PD USB-C, 1×8V DC, 1×BP | 330g | $139 (typical 20% off, BOGO 50%) |
| Power 70 | 70Wh | 1×D-tap, 1×USB-A, 1×PD USB-C, 1×BP | 417g | $139 (typical 20% off, BOGO 50%) |
| Power 99 | 99Wh | 2×D-tap, 1×USB-A, 1×PD USB-C, 1×BP | 560g | $129 (typical 20% off) |
| Power 99 Pro | 99Wh | 2×D-tap, 1×USB-A, 1×PD USB-C, 1×BP | 540g | $169 (typical 20% off) |
| Power 99 Touch | 99Wh | 1×D-tap, 1×USB-A, 1×PD USB-C, 1×8V DC, 1×BP | 550g | $179 (typical 20% off, BOGO 50%) |
Cables
The S5II supports both USB-C PD input and dummy-battery power, so the correct cable depends on which output your V-mount battery provides.
🔌 PD USB-C to USB-C cable: This method powers the S5II directly through its USB-C PD port. Use a USB-C to USB-C cable that supports Power Delivery, ideally rated for 60W or higher, to ensure the battery can negotiate the correct PD voltage.
🔌 D-tap to dummy battery cable: This option uses the V-mount battery’s D-Tap output to power the S5II through a dummy battery. Because D-Tap outputs are usually 14.4V, you must use a D-Tap to dummy battery cable with built-in voltage regulation designed specifically for the Lumix S5II (8.4V output).
🔌 DC barrel to dummy battery cable: If your V-mount battery includes a dedicated 7.4V–8V DC barrel output, you can power the S5II using a DC barrel to dummy battery cable. This is a simple and efficient alternative to D-Tap, but only if the battery’s DC output matches the S5II’s required voltage.
V mount plates
This piece of gear helps mount your battery on the S5ii’s rig. There are typically two types:
- V-mount battery plate: This type of plate works as a power hub for your whole rig. It distributes power to your camera and accessories, no matter how many ports are on the battery itself. Since everything stays plugged into the plate instead of the battery, swapping batteries is fast and hassle-free.
- V-mount plate: This simpler option just holds the battery in place and lets you use the ports directly on the battery. It’s usually more affordable, but you will need to plug and unplug cables each time you change batteries.
For both styles, there are two common mounting choices: one that attaches to traditional 15 mm rods, and another that mounts neatly under newer Arca-style cages. Which one you pick mostly depends on how your rig is built.
