A potelyt.com – Photography & Imaging Resources
ad

When you use links on apotelyt.com to buy products,
the site may earn a commission.

PW

Which battery does the Canon SX50 take?

The Canon PowerShot SX50 HS is a digital compact camera that features a 12MP sensor. It is powered by the Canon NB-10L, which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery pack. Lithium-Ion batteries offer a high energy density and low self-discharge, and are nowadays found in many portable electronic devices.

Battery Pack

The NB-10L operates at a voltage of 7.4V and has a capacity of 920mAh. It can be charged from a standard electrical outlet via the Canon CB-2LC charger (that can be purchased separately, for example, at amazon). The battery pack measures 33mm in width, 15mm in height, and 45mm in depth. It weighs 41g. The NB-10L has been on the market since January 2012 and sells at good camera retailers, such as amazon, for about $50. Generic alternatives (see below) that are compatible with the Canon PowerShot SX50 HS can be obtained at substantially lower cost.


Find generic replacement for the Canon NB-10L at:

 
amazon.com
 
 
ebay.com
 


How many shots can I take with a fully charged NB-10L?

The number of shots that one can get out of a battery pack depends heavily on the style and imaging practice of the photographer. For example, the extended use of the LCD screen for framing or reviewing will result in reduced battery performance.

NB-10L

The Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) has established guidelines that manufacturers are supposed to respect when reporting the battery life of their cameras. According to this CIPA-rating, the Canon SX50 can take 315 images on a single charge. Given the relatively demanding energy usage of the CIPA procedures, this rated number should be achievable or be surpassed in most practical situations. However, if the environment is cold, the LCD screen is used heavily, or the camera is turned on and off frequently, battery mileage might drop below the rating. Also, as the battery pack ages, its performance will tend to deteriorate.

ad

What about generic battery packs?

Canon sells the original NB-10L pack at quite a steep price. This premium pricing strategy has left room in the market for third party suppliers to offer fully compatible battery packs at much lower prices. Savings from buying generic replacement batteries can amount up to 70 percent of the price of the genuine battery pack.

Canon NB-10L Specifications

  • Battery type: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack
  • Compatibility: Canon SX50 & other selected Canon cameras
  • Voltage: 7.4V DC
  • Capacity: 920mAh
  • Number of shots (CIPA) with the Canon SX50: 315

Indeed, one can easily find a variety of competitively-priced NB-10L replacements from different vendors at major online platforms (see, for example, here on ebay). All these generic alternatives should work fine with your Canon SX50. So why would anybody then buy the more expensive original battery? Well, below are some arguments in favor of the genuine NB-10L, which can perhaps be summarized as "peace of mind":

  • Assurance that the warranty of the camera will not be rendered void if a battery-related failure occurs;
  • Assurance that the battery pack will indeed have the stated capacity;
  • Assurance that the battery will have low self-discharge rates and, thus, will hold its charge even when not in use;
  • Assurance that the power unit will not trigger any warning messages on the camera and can be effectively charged with the standard charger;
  • Assurance that the manufacturing process has respected the safety guidelines for Lithium-Ion batteries;

If you can live without these assurances, then you are in for some nice savings from buying generic replacements for the NB-10L. Unfortunately, the market for generic battery packs is rather fluid, with new trade names popping up regularly while others disappear. Hence it is difficult to keep track of all the suppliers and the quality of their products. That said, in North America, battery packs from Wasabi have gained a good reputation, while in Europe, replacement power packs from Patona have received many favorable reviews. In any case, the existing comparisons tend to find that the cheapest of the generic replacement packs score worse in terms of achieving their rated capacity, holding their charge over time, or allowing for a large number of charge-discharge cycles than somewhat pricier battery packs (or the genuine Canon offer). Thus, the old adage, "If the price sounds too low to be true, it probably is" has some merit with respect to camera batteries also. You can check the current offers and prices for the original NB-10L and its clones by using the buttons below.


Find generic replacement for the Canon NB-10L at:

 
amazon.com
 
 
ebay.com
 


Which other cameras use the Canon NB-10L?

The Canon SX50 is not alone in using the NB-10L. Several other cameras from Canon are powered by the same type of lithium-ion pack. The adjacent table lists some of them along with a selection of their headline specifications.

scroll hint
Cameras using the NB-10L
  Camera
Model
Battery
(name)
Battery life
(CIPA)
Sensor Size
(type)
Resolution
(MP)
Weight
(g)
Camera
Launch
Launch Price
(USD)
Street Price
(USD)
1Canon G1 XNB-10L2501.5-inch14.2534Jan 2012799ebay.com
2Canon G3 XNB-10L3001-inch20.0733Jun 2015999amazon.com
3Canon G15NB-10L3501/1.712.0352Sep 2012499ebay.com
4Canon G16NB-10L3601/1.712.0356Aug 2013549amazon.com
5Canon SX40NB-10L3801/2.312.0600Sep 2011429ebay.com
6Canon SX50NB-10L3151/2.312.0595Sep 2012429ebay.com
7Canon SX60NB-10L3401/2.314.2650Sep 2014549amazon.com
padding

Canon NB-10L FAQ

The NB-10L is the standard power source for the Canon SX50. As such it is an indispensable camera accessory. Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular aspects of the battery pack and Lithium-Ion power units more generally.

Is there a car charger available for the NB-10L?

Canon does not offer a travel charger, but third party suppliers do (see here on ebay).

Is the NB-10L available in colors other than gray?

No, Canon supplies this battery pack only in gray. However, some generic alternatives from third party providers might be available in other colors.

Can I use the NB-10L in any of my other electronic devices?

No, the battery is specifically designed for use in the Canon SX50 and other selected cameras from Canon.

How should the NB-10L be stored?

Lithium-ion batteries can hold a charge for a long time. However, these battery packs have a safety mechanism built-in that disables any re-charge if the voltage drops below a certain minimum level. To avoid this safety-trigger to be activated, the battery pack should be charged at least once every few months.

How should I discard my old NB-10L battery pack?

The contents of Lithium-Ion batteries is under pressure and the packs can explode if exposed to extreme heat. Lithium-Ion battery units should therefore never be incinerated and should not be thrown into the household trash, but put into the recycling stream. Most places that sell camera batteries will also accept them back for recycling.

You are here Home  »  Camera Hub  »  Canon SX50 Battery

ad