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Which battery does the Canon G5 X Mark II take?

The Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II is a digital compact camera that features a 20.0MP sensor. It is powered by the Canon NB-13L, 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-13L operates at a voltage of 3.6V and has a capacity of 1250mAh. It can be charged from a standard electrical outlet via the Canon CB-2LHE charger (that can be purchased separately, for example, at amazon). The battery pack measures 30 mm in width, 10 mm in height, and 48 mm in depth. It weighs 22 g. The Canon NB-13L has been on the market since September 2014 and sells at good camera retailers, such as amazon, for about $50. Canon provides the NB-13L in a gray outer finish. Generic alternatives (see below) that are compatible with the Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II can be obtained at substantially lower cost.


Find a generic replacement for the Canon NB-13L at:

 
amazon.com
 
 
ebay.com
 


It is noteworthy, that the Canon G5 X Mark II 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 ?

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.

Canon NB-13L

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 G5 X Mark II can take 230 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 towards or even below the rating. Also, as the battery pack ages, its performance will tend to deteriorate.

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What about generic battery packs?

Canon sells the original NB-13L battery 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-13L Specifications

  • Battery type: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack
  • Compatibility: Canon G5 X Mark II & other selected Canon cameras
  • Voltage: 3.6V DC
  • Capacity: 1250mAh
  • Number of shots (CIPA) with the Canon G5 X Mark II: 230

Indeed, one can often find a variety of competitively-priced NB-13L replacements from different vendors at major online platforms (see, for example, here on ebay). All these generic alternatives should work fine with your Canon G5 X Mark II. So why would anybody then buy the more expensive original battery? Well, below are some arguments in favor of the genuine Canon NB-13L, 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 Canon NB-13L. 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 Canon NB-13L and its clones by using the buttons below.


Find a generic replacement for the Canon NB-13L at:

 
amazon.com
 
 
ebay.com
 


Which other cameras use the Canon NB-13L?

The G5X Mark II is not alone in using the Canon NB-13L. 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.

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Cameras using the Canon NB-13L
  Camera
Model
Battery
(name)
Battery life
(CIPA)
Sensor Size
(type)
Resolution
(MP)
Weight
(g)
Camera
Launch
Launch Price
(USD)
Street Price
(USD)
1Canon G1 X Mark IIICanon NB-13L200APS-C24.0399Oct 20171,299ebay.com
2Canon G5 XCanon NB-13L2101-inch20.0353Oct 2015799ebay.com
3Canon G5 X Mark IICanon NB-13L2301-inch20.0340Jul 2019899ebay.com
4Canon G7 XCanon NB-13L2101-inch20.0304Sep 2014699ebay.com
5Canon G7 X Mark IICanon NB-13L2651-inch20.0319Feb 2016699ebay.com
6Canon G7 X Mark IIICanon NB-13L2351-inch20.0304Jul 2019749amazon.com
7Canon G9 XCanon NB-13L2201-inch20.0209Oct 2015529ebay.com
8Canon G9 X Mark IICanon NB-13L2351-inch20.0206Jan 2017529ebay.com
9Canon SX620Canon NB-13L2951/2.320.2182May 2016279ebay.com
10Canon SX720Canon NB-13L2501/2.320.2270Feb 2016379ebay.com
11Canon SX730Canon NB-13L2501/2.320.2300Apr 2017399ebay.com
12Canon SX740Canon NB-13L2651/2.320.2299Jul 2018399amazon.com

Canon NB-13L FAQ

The Canon NB-13L is the standard power source for the G5X Mark II. 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-13L?

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

Can I use the NB-13L in any of my other electronic devices?

No, the battery is specifically designed for use in the Canon G5 X Mark II and other selected cameras from Canon.

How should the NB-13L 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 Canon NB-13L 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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