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Sony NP-FW50/C1 Battery for NEX/EVF Models

Keep your Sony mirrorless shooting longer — the OEM NP-FW50 is the reliable power source your NEX or Alpha deserves.

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Overview

The NP-FW50 is Sony's standard rechargeable lithium-ion battery for its W-series mirrorless and compact camera lineup, rated at 7.2V and 1020mAh (7.3Wh). Those numbers place it firmly in the small-sensor mirrorless category — it's not a high-capacity cell, but it's the correct cell for the platform. What the OEM designation buys you over a third-party substitute is communication integrity: the battery talks to the camera's power management circuit accurately, which means the battery percentage indicator on your LCD or EVF reflects reality rather than a rough guess. For shooters who cut it close on battery life, that accuracy matters more than it might seem.

In practice, the NP-FW50 is best treated as a consumable you buy in multiples rather than a single-battery solution. Sony's own CIPA shot count ratings for NP-FW50-equipped bodies typically land in the 300–400 shot range under standard test conditions — drop significantly with heavy video use or continuous EVF use. The OEM battery's advantage is consistency: each cell meets Sony's spec, so a genuine NP-FW50 bought today should behave the same as the one that shipped with your camera. Keeping two or three charged and rotated is the standard approach for any serious shooting session.

Specifications

Model
NP-FW50
Type
Rechargeable Lithium-Ion
Voltage
7.2V
Capacity
1020mAh / 7.3Wh
Compatibility
Select Sony NEX / EVF Models
Brand
Sony (OEM)

Frequently Asked Questions

The NP-FW50 is the standard battery for a broad range of Sony NEX and Alpha E-mount bodies, including the NEX-3, NEX-5, NEX-6, NEX-7, Alpha a5000, a5100, a6000, a6300, a6400, a6500, a7, and a7R (original versions), among others. Always verify against your specific camera's manual before purchasing.
This is the genuine Sony NP-FW50, manufactured by Sony — not a third-party or aftermarket replacement. OEM batteries are engineered to communicate correctly with the camera's battery management system, which affects accurate charge percentage reporting and safe charging cutoff behavior.
The NP-FW50 can charge in-camera via USB (on supported bodies) or using Sony's BC-VW1 external charger. In-camera USB charging is convenient but slower; an external charger is faster and lets you keep shooting while a second battery charges.
Sony rates the NP-FW50 at 7.2V / 1020mAh (approximately 7.3Wh). Real-world shot counts depend heavily on whether you're using the LCD or EVF, how often you review images, and ambient temperature — cold conditions reduce effective capacity noticeably.
For most users, yes. OEM batteries maintain accurate battery level reporting and undergo Sony's cell qualification process. Third-party cells vary significantly in actual capacity versus claimed capacity and can trigger "use Sony battery" warnings on some camera bodies.

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