Review: Switronix EX-L96 Battery for the Sony EX camera

Most users of the popular High Definition Sony EX1 and EX3 cameras will be more than happy with the standard BP-U30 and BP-U60 batteries. They're solid and with the low power consumption of the EX camera they last very long.

The EX-L96 battery with the D-tap power connector

But if you want to power your camera for the whole day with only one single battery, and you also need a D-tap power connector to power an on camera light or accessories like the Nanoflash recorder, you have an excellent solution: the Switronix EX-L96 battery.

Another nifty accessory for the Sony EX camera! Read more...

The Switronix EX-L96 is a 96Wh capacity Lithium Ion battery outputting 14.4 Volts.

It is a big brick and weighs just over 600 grams. More heavy than the original batteries and improving the overall balance of the camera.  Build quality is plastic and very solid. Dimensions: 130mm x 69mm x 42mm.

Bulky and sticking out but with a very positive effect on the camera balance. The D-tap connector is on the bottom side

It has a small cable that needs to be connected to the DC power input of the camera. In the viewfinder you will see the current voltage instead of the remaining runtime. To check for remaining capacity there are a push button and 4 status leds on the back of the battery. I think this method saves you from some intelligent electronics inside the battery, and of course makes it cheaper.

See the size difference between the Switronix EX-L96, the Sony BP-U60 and the Sony BP-U30

And a bonus is: you easily unplug the power cable and leave the battery itself in place. We all know that the EX camera slowly drains your batteries when turned off!

On the Sony charger

When charging on the standard Sony BC-U1 charger be sure to connect the small power cable back in it's holder. Otherwise it won't charge.

I have been using the EX-L96 for a while now and I can say it works excellent. I can recommend it to all EX owners. You can shoot a long working day without ever a need to change batteries. They claim it provides 50% longer power compared to a BP-U60 battery. It is a reliable energy source. Charging is also very quick.

I used to have a Bebob Coco-ex (review here) to provide an additional D-tap power source but that was horrible to work with and will soon find it's way to e-Bay/Marktplaats.

Price: around $285,- (available at B&H)

Erwin van Dijck is a video producer, cameraman and editor in the Netherlands. With over 9 years experience in web, marketing & communication and the video production field, he helps companies with producing their movies, promo’s, clips, event impressions, client testimonials, press videos etc. He is available for your next video project.