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Which battery does the Fujifilm X30 take?

The Fujifilm X30 is a digital compact camera that features a 12MP sensor. It is powered by the Fujifilm NP-95, 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 NP-95 operates at a voltage of 3.6V and has a capacity of 1800mAh. It can be charged from a standard electrical outlet via the Fujifilm BC-65N charger (that can be purchased separately, for example, at amazon). The battery pack measures 50mm in width, 11mm in height, and 35mm in depth. It weighs 33g. The NP-95 has been on the market since September 2010 and sells at good camera retailers, such as amazon, for about $45. Generic alternatives (see below) that are compatible with the Fujifilm X30 can be obtained at substantially lower cost.


Find generic replacement for the Fujifilm NP-95 at:

 
amazon.com
 
 
ebay.com
 


It is noteworthy, that the Fujifilm X30 supports internal charging of its battery pack via the USB port. This feature can be particularly useful when travelling, as one can re-charge the camera battery simply by plugging a USB cable into one's laptop, rather than carrying a separate battery charger along.

How many shots can I take with a fully charged NP-95?

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.

NP-95

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 Fujifilm X30 can take 470 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.

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What about generic battery packs?

Fujifilm sells the original NP-95 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.

Fujifilm NP-95 Specifications

  • Battery type: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack
  • Compatibility: Fujifilm X30 & other selected Fujifilm cameras
  • Voltage: 3.6V DC
  • Capacity: 1800mAh
  • Number of shots (CIPA) with the Fujifilm X30: 470

Indeed, one can easily find a variety of competitively-priced NP-95 replacements from different vendors at major online platforms (see, for example, here on ebay). All these generic alternatives should work fine with your Fujifilm X30. So why would anybody then buy the more expensive original battery? Well, below are some arguments in favor of the genuine NP-95, 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 NP-95. 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 Fujifilm 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 NP-95 and its clones by using the buttons below.


Find generic replacement for the Fujifilm NP-95 at:

 
amazon.com
 
 
ebay.com
 


Which other cameras use the Fujifilm NP-95?

The Fujifilm X30 is not alone in using the NP-95. Several other cameras from Fujifilm 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.

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Cameras using the NP-95
  Camera
Model
Battery
(name)
Battery life
(CIPA)
Sensor Size
(type)
Resolution
(MP)
Weight
(g)
Camera
Launch
Launch Price
(USD)
Street Price
(USD)
1Fujifilm X30NP-954702/312.0423Aug 2014599amazon.com
2Fujifilm X70NP-95330APS-C16.0340Jan 2016799ebay.com
3Fujifilm X100NP-95300APS-C12.2445Sep 20101,199ebay.com
4Fujifilm X100SNP-95330APS-C16.0445Jan 20131,299ebay.com
5Fujifilm X100TNP-95330APS-C16.0440Sep 20141,299ebay.com
6Fujifilm XF10NP-95330APS-C24.0279Jul 2018499amazon.com
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Fujifilm NP-95 FAQ

The NP-95 is the standard power source for the Fujifilm X30. 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 NP-95?

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

Is the NP-95 available in colors other than gray?

No, Fujifilm 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 NP-95 in any of my other electronic devices?

No, the battery is specifically designed for use in the Fujifilm X30 and other selected cameras from Fujifilm.

How should the NP-95 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 NP-95 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.

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