NIKON Z50 CONTINUOUS POWER ADAPTER
GrindPolicy is dedicated to helping others achieve their dreams.
Today I’m here to say “don’t let battery power for your Nikon Z50 be the thing that gets in your way from getting your projects done!”
Nikon depicted the Z50 as the vlogger’s camera of choice. Its price point, video and streaming capabilities are all the reasons why I personally bought Nikon Z50.
However, the Z50 had one major flaw. For a long time the camera did not have any forms of continuous power that was available.
But no worries! The solution is now here.
DOES THE NIKON Z50 HAVE A CONTINUOUS POWER ADAPTER?
There are Amazon Affiliate links contained on this page. At no extra cost to you, I will earn a commission from any sales. Thank you for your continued support.
As it’s a brand new product, I have purchased the power adapter myself and conducted several tests at my own camera’s risk. The results are below.
THE NIKON Z50’S ONE MAJOR FLAW IS FIXED
The Nikon Z50 is a superb little and highly portable camera that’s sure to capture the moments you want without breaking the bank.
Nikon does not consider this camera a professional model, but instead sells it as their entry level mirrorless camera.
However, the Nikon Z50 offers rich features that surely intrigue much more than beginners.
There are many who actually consider the versatile Nikon Z50 as tiers above any entry level camera they’ve seen before.
With its brilliant low light capability, 4k resolution and being hundreds of dollars less than its newer Nikon mirrorless counterparts, there’s lots to love with the Nikon Z50.
THE ONE THING I HATED
Okay, as much as I love the camera, there was one thing I hated. The Nikon Z50 did not offer continuous power upon its release, even though its Z counterparts did.
This fact was quite hidden. And to be honest it caught me off guard.
As you might imagine, this was highly strange considering the way Nikon conducted their marketing of the Z50.
Nikon depicted the Nikon Z50 as a camera that you can use for long form streaming.
How can you do that without continuous power?
CAN YOU CHARGE THE Z50 WHILE USING IT?
Currently, you can only use the Nikon Z50 with the ac adapter for continuous power while in use. The Nikon Z50 previously could only be powered through a battery or charged through a usb.
Notice that I specified charge and not powered.
This is because the camera could not be used while it was being charged through the usb connection. Quite unfortunate.
Many people were confused by the USB charging option and bought the Z50 thinking they could use the camera while being externally powered via USB.
NIKON HAD NO INTENTION OF MAKING A POWER ADAPTER
Nikon released the Z50 in October of 2019. I contacted Nikon after I purchased my camera to inquire about the external ac adapter. I received a response on February 24, 2020.
As you can see, Nikon indicated they weren’t sure if they would ever release a power adapter.
WHY DID NIKON MAKE THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT WITH A WIRE SLOT?
Nikon battery compartment wire slot
If you’re wondering why Nikon even bothered to make a wire slot in the battery compartment then? I’m here with you.
The answer is because Nikon actually did secretly make the adapter. In fact, Nikon was in possession of the adapter but did not release it to the public. This is still the case today.
Which goes to show they had no intention at all of giving Z50 owners the ability to continuously power their cameras.
NIKON HAD A Z50 POWER ADAPTER ALL ALONG
Nikon Display Model Power Adapter
As it turns out, the adapter was made by Nikon and used by retail locations stores to power their Z50 display models. Why would Nikon not allow consumers to have this feature?
Probably because they wanted you to upgrade to their more expensive Z models.
Nonetheless, thank you to Glorich for making a replica of Nikons secret power adapter.
Now, without further ado…
THE NIKON Z50 & Zfc POWER ADAPTER
THE GLORICH EH5 POWER ADAPTER FOR NIKON Z50 AND NIKON ZFC
The adapter is available on Amazon.com. Currently priced at $64.99.
For perspective, a second battery from Nikon is $69.95.
Alternatively, you can get a pair of third party batteries with a charger included for $61.99.
As you can see, the Glorich EH-5 eliminates the hassle of having to change batteries for about the same price as buying a new replacement battery.
The Glorich EH-5 is about how many feet in length and has the necessary markings to show it has been approved to be sold in America.
It’s rated for 9 volts and 4.5 amps.
Purchasing the Glorich EH-5 through the link will also come with the EN-EL25 dummy battery(designated as the EP-5g) for the Nikon Z50. This power adapter and dummy battery will also work with the Nikon ZFC.
THE GLORICH POWER ADAPTER COMES WITH A NIKON Z50 DUMMY BATTERY
WHY DID IT TAKE SO LONG FOR THIRD PARTIES?
Apparently, there’s speculation that the battery itself works in some special and intricate way with the camera which is different from ordinary batteries with other cameras.
I don’t know how true this is, but this would explain why it’s taken so long for third parties to make a functional dummy battery.
A dummy battery for those who don’t know, it’s essentially just a plug shaped like the battery you need to fit into the device you’re trying to power. The dummy battery is wired and receives power from an outlet as opposed to internally storing energy.
So of course I was skeptical and had to conduct tests to make sure it worked correctly. Especially since there were no reviews on the power adapter to go off of.
I was worried about two things:
- The temperature of the camera while using the adapter.
- If there was any audio interference from the adapter.
TEMPERATURE TEST
Nikon Temperature Test
The first test I conducted was the temperature test.
I left the camera on for two hours and then checked the temperature at three intervals. Before the camera was on, about 1 hour in and then again at the two hour mark.
I did not set the Z50 to record internally. Instead, the Z50 was sending the image to my external monitor/recorder. That’s usually how I record with my Z50 so I wanted to test it in the same way.
All I was looking for was any notable changes in temperature that would be abnormal. The camera normally gets pretty warmer when using just the battery. I was looking to see if the adapter would make the camera hotter than this.
RESULTS
The camera became warmer from its resting temperature but that was to be expected. However, it did not exceed anything out of the ordinary that would ever lead me to believe the camera could become damaged.
I am confident that I could’ve left the camera on for three hours and there still wouldn’t be any significant changes.
Just for a quick comparison.
HOW LONG DOES THE NIKON Z50 BATTERY LAST
The Nikon Z50’s EN-EL25 battery will last 320 shots, about 1 hour for the live view video output,
and about 35 minutes recording 4k footage at 24p.
It goes without saying the power adapter will last longer, but maybe you can also get an idea of how many times you can avoid having to change a battery.
NIKON Z50 BATTERY CHARGING TIME
In fact, sometimes I forget to charge my batteries altogether and only find out they’re dead when I hit record.
According to Nikon, a full charge, it can take up to 2.5 hours, and says you’ll get a full charge in 3.5 hours over USB.
This can set me back from starting my projects pretty significantly. If you have the Glorich Power Adapter this could save you from having to reschedule.
AUDIO TEST
The second test I conducted was with my Rode Videomic. Sometimes when you plug in your equipment to have power from an outlet, you can have interference in your audio recordings.
The interference can sound like crackles or hums. This comes from the electric field created from the current running through your power wires which may be coming into contact with your audio equipment wires or interface.
As I do a lot of video recordings this would be an issue.
The Glorich EH-5 actually comes equipped with a magnetic ring that helps to reduce interference. This will help your audio.
RESULTS
I am happy to say the audio test did not reveal anything out of the ordinary.
The hums that were present are pretty much always there when using a DSLR or mirrorless camera.
These cameras tend to have subpar preamps and so plugins in external mics always give some bit of low-frequency noise. However, this noise was not compounded by the power adapter.
With mic and battery and then with mic and power adapter.
NIKON Z50 IS WEATHER RESISTANT
The Nikon Z50 is a weather-resistant camera. For specific details refer to Nikon.
However, just letting you know that if you use the adapter with a portable power bank you may need additional weatherproofing.
THE MUST HAVE NIKON Z50 ACCESSORY
With the Glorich external ac power adapter, the Nikon Z50 now has continuous power for all your camera needs. It comes with the En-el25 dummy battery that will fit perfectly in your Nikon z50 or Nikon ZFC and supply it with continuous power.
No longer worry about having to switch out your batteries. If you forget to charge them you’re still in luck! This accessory has now made the Nikon Z50 the perfect little 4k camera.
GrindPolicy is proud to present you with this information to help you continue to grind and achieve your dreams.
With continuous power, you won’t have to ever stop until you’re done!
Get your Glorcih Power Adapter Here
