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Which battery does the Sony A99 take?

The Sony Alpha SLT-A99 is a professional DSLR that features a 24MP sensor. It is powered by the Sony NP-FM500H, 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-FM500H operates at a voltage of 7.4V and has a capacity of 1600mAh. It can be charged from a standard electrical outlet via the Sony BC-VM10 charger (that can be purchased separately, for example, at amazon). The battery pack measures 38mm in width, 21mm in height, and 56mm in depth. It weighs 79g. The NP-FM500H has been on the market since June 2006 and sells at good camera retailers, such as amazon, for about $70. Generic alternatives (see below) that are compatible with the Sony Alpha SLT-A99 can be obtained at substantially lower cost.


Find generic replacement for the Sony NP-FM500H at:

 
amazon.com
 
 
ebay.com
 


How many shots can I take with a fully charged NP-FM500H?

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-FM500H

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 Sony A99 can take 500 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?

Sony sells the original NP-FM500H 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.

Sony NP-FM500H Specifications

  • Battery type: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack
  • Compatibility: Sony A99 & other selected Sony cameras
  • Voltage: 7.4V DC
  • Capacity: 1600mAh
  • Number of shots (CIPA) with the Sony A99: 500

Indeed, one can easily find a variety of competitively-priced NP-FM500H replacements from different vendors at major online platforms (see, for example, here on ebay). All these generic alternatives should work fine with your Sony A99. So why would anybody then buy the more expensive original battery? Well, below are some arguments in favor of the genuine NP-FM500H, 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-FM500H. 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 Sony 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-FM500H and its clones by using the buttons below.


Find generic replacement for the Sony NP-FM500H at:

 
amazon.com
 
 
ebay.com
 


Which other cameras use the Sony NP-FM500H?

The Sony A99 is not alone in using the NP-FM500H. Several other cameras from Sony 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-FM500H
  Camera
Model
Battery
(name)
Battery life
(CIPA)
Sensor Size
(type)
Resolution
(MP)
Weight
(g)
Camera
Launch
Launch Price
(USD)
Street Price
(USD)
1Sony A57NP-FM500H550APS-C16.0618May 2012699ebay.com
2Sony A58NP-FM500H690APS-C19.8492Feb 2013599ebay.com
3Sony A65NP-FM500H510APS-C24.0622Aug 2011899ebay.com
4Sony A68NP-FM500H540APS-C24.0610Nov 2015599ebay.com
5Sony A77NP-FM500H470APS-C24.0732Aug 20111,999ebay.com
6Sony A77 IINP-FM500H480APS-C24.0647May 20141,199amazon.com
7Sony A99NP-FM500H500Full Frame24.0812Sep 20122,799ebay.com
8Sony A99 IINP-FM500H490Full Frame42.2849Sep 20163,199amazon.com
9Sony A100NP-FM500H750APS-C10.0545Jun 2006999ebay.com
10Sony A200NP-FM500H750APS-C10.0545Jan 2008899ebay.com
11Sony A300NP-FM500H730APS-C10.0582Jan 2008699ebay.com
12Sony A350NP-FM500H730APS-C14.0582Jan 2008799ebay.com
13Sony A500NP-FM500H520APS-C12.2599Aug 2009749ebay.com
14Sony A550NP-FM500H480APS-C14.0597Aug 2009949ebay.com
15Sony A560NP-FM500H1050APS-C14.0599Aug 2010649ebay.com
16Sony A580NP-FM500H1050APS-C16.0599Aug 2010799ebay.com
17Sony A700NP-FM500H650APS-C12.2690Dec 20071,399ebay.com
18Sony A850NP-FM500H880Full Frame24.4895Aug 20091,999ebay.com
19Sony A900NP-FM500H880Full Frame24.4895Sep 20082,999ebay.com
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Sony NP-FM500H FAQ

The NP-FM500H is the standard power source for the Sony A99. 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-FM500H?

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

Is the NP-FM500H available in colors other than black?

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

Can I use the NP-FM500H in any of my other electronic devices?

No, the battery is specifically designed for use in the Sony A99 and other selected cameras from Sony.

How should the NP-FM500H 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-FM500H 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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