If you happen to’re in Sony’s Alpha system, the NP-FZ100 battery is a well-known sight. It powers an enormous vary of cameras, from the a7R V to the a6700, FX3, and FX30. Whereas the battery itself is a stable performer, Sony’s charging resolution is a primary, single-slot affair with little suggestions past a blinking mild. This has created an enormous marketplace for third-party options, and the FirstPower NP-FZ100 Twin LCD Charger Equipment is likely one of the extra fascinating choices. It guarantees not simply to cost your batteries, however to take action sooner, smarter, and in a extra handy package deal.
Construct and Design
The FirstPower charger seems fairly trendy. It’s a compact plastic case measuring about 4.5 × 3 inches, designed to carry and cost two NP-FZ100 batteries concurrently. The design is clear, with a easy hinged lid that snaps shut.
If I needed to describe it in just some phrases, I’d say “assume AirPods case for Sony batteries,” though this comes with an vital caveat. It’s an important journey possibility, letting you carry two batteries securely (due to a bit of retaining latch in every compartment), all whereas charging through USB-C from the wall or one other battery financial institution.
It additionally has two slots contained in the lid for storing SD playing cards. Whereas this can be a good idea for group, I discovered the slots to be fairly tight. It’s important to use a bit extra drive than I’m snug with to slip a card out and in. It really works in a pinch for an emergency backup card, however I might be hesitant to make use of it for day by day card storage.
It’s also vital to make clear what this system isn’t. Its type issue would possibly remind you of that AirPods case, but it surely has no inside battery of its personal. It’s purely a charger that should be plugged right into a USB-C energy supply to operate. Pairing it with any of at this time’s slim USB energy banks can be simple, letting you cost on the go, however I’d like to see a future model embrace a battery within the case for a really easy recharging expertise.
Efficiency
The distinguishing function of the FirstPower charger is its LCD display screen. This show is a big usability improve from the OEM charger expertise. Enabled through an influence button on the aspect, or when charging, the display screen activates and shows the charging standing for every battery individually, displaying a transparent share of capability and the real-time wattage being delivered. It exhibits precisely how a lot cost you’ve, and you may even field-check battery ranges while not having to swap them right into a digital camera.
FirstPower claims the 20 W charger can totally cost one or two batteries in 1.5 or 2.5 hours. To realize this, you want to pair it with a fast-charging energy adapter of at the very least 18 W that helps requirements like Fast Cost or USB Energy Supply. In my testing, these numbers maintain up, charging almost empty batteries in a bit of over 140 minutes. That velocity is a welcome function when you want to rapidly flip batteries, and I’m at all times pleased to see issues standardize round USB-C.
The package consists of two of FirstPower’s personal 2,600 mAh NP-FZ100 substitute batteries. They provide a barely increased name-plate capability than Sony’s 2,280 mAh OEM batteries, however in follow, I don’t assume you’ll see a significant distinction in uptime. Nonetheless, FirstPower’s batteries are nicely regarded, and such a lithium battery has been primarily commoditized. I run quite a lot of NP-FZ100 batteries and by no means discover a distinction between them in operation. As such, these two batteries alone are a much better worth than Sony’s OEM providing at $80 per battery.
Nevertheless, there’s a caveat that comes with all third-party batteries in Sony cameras. On account of a deliberate software program lock by Sony, these batteries will set off a nag display screen and forestall the digital camera from displaying battery capability. This happens in just a few cameras working the newest firmware, together with the FX3 on model 4.0 or increased and the FX30 on model 3.0 or increased. It’s not the top of the world primarily based on at this time’s implementation, but it surely could possibly be annoying for some customers.
What I Appreciated
Quick, dual-slot USB-C charging that basically does prime up two NP-FZ100 batteries in about 2.5 hours.
Clear LCD readout displaying per-battery share and real-time wattage, letting you verify capability with out popping a cell into the digital camera.
Compact “AirPods-style” case that protects the batteries in transit and nonetheless suits simply in a bag.
Two included 2,600 mAh batteries that price far lower than Sony’s OEM cells but carry out equally within the area.
What I Didn’t Like
No built-in energy financial institution, so you continue to have to hold a USB-C wall plug or energy financial institution helpful.
Tight SD-card slots within the lid—helpful in a pinch, however fiddly for normal card storage.
Shiny display screen attracts fingerprints and dirt rapidly.
Sony firmware nag display screen prevents in-camera battery-percentage readout when utilizing third-party cells like these.
Worth
The worth proposition is the place the FirstPower package actually shines. The charger comes with two batteries, which on their very own are roughly a $45 whole worth, primarily based on third-party NP-FZ100 pricing. This implies the charger itself, with its fast-charging functionality and LCD display screen, successfully prices round $10.
Contemplating that pricing, the package is an efficient deal. It combines a wise charging expertise with a compact, travel-friendly design. It provides a much better charging expertise than what comes within the field along with your digital camera, and the superb worth makes it a straightforward advice. The FirstPower Twin LCD charger package is offered now.
