Sony a6000 Battery Recommendations (Official & Third-Party)
What you need to know for getting the most battery life out of your Sony a6000, from third party batteries, chargers, and grips to best practices.
One accessory every Sony a6000 camera owner needs is a few spare batteries.
Since the a6000’s battery life isn’t great, carrying a replacement battery will keep you shooting for longer.
Buying the official Sony battery that comes with your Sony a6000 (the NP-FW50 battery) is ideal.
However, if you want a few of the official camera batteries, it starts to get a bit pricey.
That’s why I created this guide, which will show you some other aftermarket battery options for your Sony a6000.
I’ve also included some other information related to the Sony a6000 battery, which you should find useful.
So if you want to keep your Sony a6000 mirrorless camera charged for longer, keep on reading.
Table of Contents
Sony a6000 Replacement Battery Recommendations
1. Official Sony Battery
The Sony NP-FW50 is the official battery for the Sony a6000.
It’s lightweight and compact and also has a display that tells you how much battery life remains.
The battery life will give you a few hundred shots or last about half a day (maximum) of shooting.
Of course, this depends on many factors – how much you shoot, the camera settings you choose, for example, do you have the camera screen at full brightness.
One of its main benefits is that it is the official battery for this camera, so you can use it with complete peace of mind, knowing it’s high-quality and won’t damage your camera in any way.
Its downsides, though, are the price (around $60) and its relatively poor capacity. A battery that lasts a few hours won’t really cut it for most people.
Intensive or long shoots, or a combination of the two, will have you munching through spares, and that doesn’t come cheap.
2. Aftermarket Battery Option: First Power 3-Pack + Charger
This is a handy, cost-effective bundle of three NP-FW50 batteries and a three-channel charger that will charge them quickly and simultaneously.
It’s good for travel as it uses a USB jack to get the juice, so you can charge wherever that can be used, via a wall socket, car adapter or power bank.
The batteries have a similar life to the official Sony version, but having three of them on hand and the ability to charge them all on the go, is a game changer.
The main drawback to this product, though, is that it affects all third-party batteries and accessories.
The battery life may quickly decrease over time, and you don’t get the same peace of mind as you do with the native batteries.
Sony a6000 Battery Charger Recommendations
If you’re looking for a cheaper version of the Sony charger, need a spare, or want something that charges multiple batteries at the same time, here are some of your options:
1. Powerextra Dual Channel Charger
The Powerextra Dual Channel Charger is, as the name suggests, a device for charging two batteries simultaneously.
That means it’s especially good for photographers who want to limit their downtime and charge up on the go.
This charger is also compatible with several other battery types besides the NP-FW50, so it is very handy for photographers shooting, for example, with camera bodies from different manufacturers.
It’s known for charging quickly, and with its USB adaptor, it can be charged from anywhere – power bank, wall socket, car, or laptop.
It has several safety features in place – protection against short circuits, over-currents, over-voltages, over-charging, and over-discharging – so you can rest assured that your batteries will be safe.
It also features a smart LED display that will tell you the status of your batteries and show you when they’re finished.
As good an option as this is, though, some photographers will not want to use it just because it’s a third-party battery accessory. And that’s fine.
Some users also complain about its build quality and say it is a little flimsy. So, possibly needing to replace this should be factored into your decision, especially if you think it will save you money.
It should also be noted that this charger doesn’t come with batteries – those need to be bought separately.
2. SmallRig NP-FW50 Dual Charger
This is a great piece of equipment that is compatible not only with the NP-FW50 but also with a number of other battery types.
So, if you’re a photographer who uses several different cameras or other devices, this could be for you.
It has a compact design and a lightweight build, which means that it’s perfect for travel or outdoor shoots.
Being able to charge two batteries at the same time also means that you’ll save time and minimise downtime during shoots.
It charges batteries quickly and has LED indicators that display charging status in real-time, so you can track those battery levels and know as soon as they are ready to use.
Its drawbacks are the same as those for the Powerextra product above. Briefly, a lack of peace of mind, durability issues, and the fact that it doesn’t come with batteries.
Sony a6000 Battery Grip Recommendations
If you want to extend your shooting time, then one of the best ways to do that is by investing in a battery grip.
But, you should note that Sony itself doesn’t make any battery grips for the a6xxx series, and, to be perfectly honest, none of the third-party ones are particularly great; there are some issues with all of them.
However, if you’re in the market for a battery grip for your Sony a6000, these are the best options:
1. Meike MK-A6300 Vertical Shooting Grip
This battery grip can hold two batteries, effectively doubling your camera’s shooting time. It’s possible, depending on your shooting style and settings, that this setup could last you a whole day.
It’s a versatile and lightweight accessory that is well-designed in terms of its ergonomics. Whether holding your camera in vertical portrait mode or horizontally, it provides a good grip.
It also comes with handy, dedicated buttons for shutter release, customizable function buttons, and autofocus, giving you access to essential camera functions, whatever their orientation.
The grip is also weather-sealed and resistant to dust and moisture.
As with any battery grip, though, it adds weight and size to your camera. With a device with the small form factor of the Sony a6000, this can be an issue. Plus, it’s an added expense.
You have to weigh up its benefits compared to the cost of just buying an extra battery to carry as a spare.
Some users also complain that changing the batteries can be a hassle, which could, in some cases, lead to you missing a shot, and that the shutter release cable it comes with, for shooting in portrait orientation, is a pain to use.
2. Mcoplus A6300 Pro Vertical Battery Grip
This battery grip is a virtual clone of the Meike above. Its benefits and drawbacks are exactly the same.
The main difference is that its price is about eight dollars higher and that it comes with a remote controller.
To be honest, though, as far as I can see, there’s not that much of an advantage to having the controller.
You can use it as a shutter release and to set your exposure time or a delay. But you can pair your a6000 with the Sony app on your smartphone to do exactly the same thing with a better, more intuitive interface.
What’s the Best Way to Charge the Sony A6000 Battery?
The Sony a6000 can be charged in two ways, either via a USB or with a dedicated charger.
Charging the camera via USB while the battery is still in the camera is very convenient. You can charge it from a variety of sources (laptop, car, etc), so it’s a great option for people who want to charge on the go.
It’s also the most portable and affordable option, as you don’t need to buy any extra accessories that will take up extra room in your bag.
The disadvantages to this are that it’s slower than using a dedicated charger, and you won’t be able to use the camera while you’re doing it or use a spare battery to use the camera. The camera is occupied.
When you use a dedicated battery charger, you’ll find they’re more efficient and will charge your batteries faster.
Plus, you can often charge multiple batteries at the same time.
The only drawbacks are that it’s one more thing you’ll need to carry and buy, and you’re often limited to using them in traditional electrical outlets – although that’s not always the case, as you can see from this guide, some can be charged via USB port.
How Long Does the Battery in the Sony a6000 Last?
Sony a6000 Battery Duration For Photography
Depending on the settings you use and what you’re shooting, you can expect to get anything from 200 to 500 shots per charge.
If you’re not a professional, are generally taking single shots, and not using fully manual or custom settings, you’ll get to the upper end of that range.
On the other hand, if you are a professional, and shooting using advanced settings, shooting a lot, and also possibly at high speeds, you’ll be closer to the 200.
Sony a6000 Battery Duration for Videography
The Sony a6000 shoots Full-HD, and the NP-FW50 can record this resolution continuously for about 60 to 90 minutes.
If you’re shooting sporadically, rather than in one take, the battery will, of course, last longer.
What affects its lifespan?
Many factors influence the lifespan of a battery.
Firstly, its age and its number of charge and discharge cycles, and whether you use a good charger with the necessary safeguards in place.
Using a battery for activities that drain it quickly – like shooting 4K video, continuous shooting, or built-in flash – can reduce its lifespan.
Also, using batteries in extreme temperatures will do the same.
To aid your battery’s longevity, you should always store it at least partially charged (to avoid complete discharge during storage), and in a cool, dry place.
Also, keep a lookout for Sony firmware updates for the a6000. Sometimes these updates help optimize battery performance, and that can help them live longer.
Troubleshooting the a6000 battery
Sony a6000 battery not charging?
If this is a problem with a dedicated charger, you might need a new charger or a new battery.
If there’s a problem with charging via USB, you need to do the following:
Turn the camera off, plug in the charger, and wait for the orange light. When that light comes on, wait for it to turn off. If the light doesn’t turn off, you’re charging. If the light does turn off, remove your battery while everything is connected, then reinsert it.
If that doesn’t work, try the same process with a different outlet or device, e.g., a laptop.
Sony a6000 battery stuck?
There are homemade ways to get swollen batteries out of the Sony a6000 battery compartment, but I don’t want to get into them here, as that kind of DIY with razor blades, compasses, and the like is not something I can recommend.
If you want to get it out yourself, do an internet search and find out how other people have done it. Otherwise, take your camera to a store and have them look at it.
The last thing you want to do is irreparably damage your camera.
Sony a6000 battery exhausted?
If your battery is really exhausted and won’t charge, you need to get a replacement.
Jeff Collier is an experienced film photographer who enjoys experimenting with modern digital photography equipment, software and apps. He’s also an ex-world champion triathlete and avid cyclist, clocking hundreds of km each week in the beautiful Tweed Valley of northern NSW, Australia.
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