This Revolutionary Camera Battery will Lighten Your Bag and Change the Way You Shoot

This Revolutionary Camera Battery will Lighten Your Bag and Change the Way You Shoot

For many photographers, power is a major struggle. If you're shooting video or working in live-view, a battery charge never seems to last, so you're stuck carrying 3 or 4 batteries in your kit. X-tra battery is here to solve that problem and simplify your kit with one revolutionary accessory.


Think it’s hard to get excited about a battery? For most gear heads, power solutions and batteries have generally been the least sexy accessories there are, until now. The X-tra battery solves multiple photography headaches and even offers some solutions you didn't know you needed but soon won't be able to live without.

The X-tra looks streamlined and well designed. The main portion of battery fits nicely into the camera's battery slot while the bottom piece extends out the bottom to provide an additional gripping surface.


For starters, in terms of power capacity, the X-tra holds 3,700 mAh, which is two times the charge of Canon’s LP-E6. Previously the only option for a double capacity battery was to use two separate batteries within a battery grip, so lots of photographers will potentially be able to eliminate an additional piece of bulky equipment. The X-tra is a full-size camera battery, similar in size to the battery found in the Canon 1DX. The physical profile of the X-tra extends just beyond the bottom of the battery compartment on compatible camera models, providing a solid grip for larger hands and a comfortable, extra secure feel. Because the X-tra requires the camera’s battery door to be removed, you can quickly change out batteries with one hand without fumbling with a battery compartment door. When it is time to swap batteries, it’s a super fast and easy process. Just press up on the battery to release it and replace it with a fresh one.

The X-tra pops into place snugly and easily and releases with a single press. It feels secure and allows an amazing fast, one-handed battery swap during shoots.


Unless you have a foolproof personal battery charging system (dead batteries in a certain compartment, or if the battery cap is on its charged, etc.), it’s easy to get charged batteries mixed up with dead batteries in your bag. Anyone who has ever replaced a dying battery with a dead one (it happens to me every so often), knows it’s a pain in the butt and grinds your shoot to a halt. The X-tra was designed with that common issue in mind and features a charge level indicator to help avoid dead battery headaches. Unlike other batteries that you have to load in the camera to test, the X-tra will show you just how much juice you have left quickly and easily. With the press and hold of a button, you’ll be able to see just how much charge the X-tra still has with up to four illuminated indicators, saving you time and irritation.


For the times when you need to have your camera in constant operation beyond the life of a single battery, no matter how big its capacity, you can plug the X-tra into another source of external power via USB-C connection. Planning on shooting a 12-hour time-lapse? The X-tra has you covered with direct charging, no battery swaps necessary. Whether you plug into a wall outlet, a car charger, or another larger battery, you have the flexibility to keep shooting for long periods of time.

That pass-through charging will come in handy for photographers shooting video, time-lapse, and any other applications that require long term, continuous camera use.


The X-tra utilizes the same technology as Tesla in its batteries, so the batteries are durable and stable in any environmental condition. X-tra also features ultra-low internal resistance to secure voltage stability and excellent performance for extended continuous shooting. Thanks to an integrated microchip, the X-tra keeps track of when the battery is fully charged and will prevent overcharging, extending the life of the battery.

Power your peripheral devices with ease. Just plug any accessories you want into the USB-C port on the X-tra and you'll be able to eliminate additional power sources from your kit.


Another cool feature is the option to plug peripheral gear and accessories into the X-tra battery even while it’s in use by your camera. Using a cold-shoe LED light that requires an external power source? Plug it into the X-tra via the USB-C port and you’ll be able to power both your camera and light simultaneously. This will be a great space saver for photographers and videographers alike. Whether you’re using a powered gimbal, a microphone, or other peripheral gear, you’ll be able to provide power seamlessly as you work.

The X-tra, seen here in the fast charging case, becomes an easy power bank for phones and other accessories, so you can carry at least one less charger in your bag.


The X-tra comes with a special fast-charging case which serves two purposes. First, it allows you to charge your X-tra battery surprisingly quickly via USB-C. Second, the X-tra battery can be used as a power bank for any device when mounted in the charging case, so you can even recharge your phone on the fly.


The X-tra is currently compatible with the following cameras by Canon, Sony, and Blackmagic with planned Nikon availability coming soon:


Canon: eos R, eos R5, eos R6, 5D IV, 5D III, 5D II, 5Ds R, 5Ds, 6D, 6D II, 7D, 7D II, 90D, 80D, 70D, 60D
Sony: α7 III, α7R III, α7R IV, α7S III, α6600

Nikon: z6, z6 II, z7, z7II, Z50, D500, D600, D610, D750, D780, D7000, D7100, D7200, D7500, D800, D800E, D810, D810A, D850, P520, P530, V1
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K/6KB

In designing the X-tra it seems like they thought of everything you could possibly want or need. Get ready to pack lighter, shoot longer, and enjoy a variety of conveniences thanks to a well designed, unparalleled piece of gear. 

What do you think of the X-tra? Can you see yourself upgrading your kit to include a couple of these batteries?

Please note there have been reports of issues involving this Kickstarter project, in particular reports of unreceived payments. Please carefully consider the risks of crowdfunding before you invest. 

Jordana Wright's picture

For over a decade Jordana has been a professional photographer and photography educator. In 2018 she published "The Enthusiast's Guide to Travel Photography" with Rocky Nook Inc. Check out "Focused On Travel", her online educational photography and travel series on her YouTube page!

Log in or register to post comments
65 Comments
Previous comments

If this X-tra Battery with longer life was such a great idea, you can bet all the camera manufacturers would be offering this too. As it is, some companies like Nikon and Canon, already make multi-power battery pack grips that attach to their camera bodies for extra power. I have the Nikon MB-D18 which holds two lithium batteries for the D850 - it works just fine for all night time-lapse shooting, or all day portrait and wedding shoots.

As Lee Christiansen pointed out, I would not spend a dime without knowing what kind of warranty came with these batteries, or how well they would work in sub-zero temperatures.

This odd battery design also has other major flaws - it sticks out from the bottom of the camera, so if you put it down on a table, it doesn't sit flat, it's tilted to one side; and the weight balance changes in your hand, unlike a battery grip previously described. Sorry, but this product doesn't pass muster in my books.

Happy shooting everyone!

Frederic Hore,
Montréal.
https://www.instagram.com/frederic_hore

Biggest issue is now the new battery leave a non-waterproof gap in the bottom where water can go into your expensive waterproof camera. Second, the battery is hardly any larger than stock and you won't get as much as a battery grip. Third, the battery is very likely make in china with a no name factory and its all a gamble how long the battery will last and how many cycle it can get. Worse case it self flame out during charging or usage and your camer is toasted. Too much risk for saving a few dollar and get so little extra battery life. I rather bring an extra battery or grip.

Just losing the water proof at the battery door and this product is already a no go for me. Why you pay so much for a r5,r6, 1Dx, 5d if you leave a big gap at the battery for water to short your circuit?

Nice idea but totally doesn't work for anyone that uses an L bracket.

Must be a slow news day when we start discussing battery weight?

Canon Rumors says this Kickstarter is a scam. https://www.canonrumors.com/

Cool idea, but how will they get around Sony's programming against 3rd party batteries to the point that the A1 won't allow them at all.

I wish they made this battery for an Olympus OM-D 5 mkII.

This product has been established as a scam. See DPReview article on it.

Fstoppers wrote this 3 months ago, and emailed it to me today. Why? This battery turned out to be a kickstarter scam!

20Feb2021
CanonRumours have updated their article about this battery. It's a SCAM. See https://www.canonrumors.com/scammed-the-x-tra-battery-campaign-on-kickst...

The Northrups have posted a YouTube vid concluding it's a SCAM. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6D-lF0bstA

Ditto DP Review
https://www.dpreview.com/news/5123009065/the-x-tra-camera-battery-kickst...

Your statement is inaccurate and inappropriately placed: "Please note there have been reports of issues involving this Kickstarter project, in particular reports of unreceived payments. Please carefully consider the risks of crowdfunding before you invest."
This statement needs to be revised AND placed at the top of the article. The reader/ potential buyer who is influenced by your webpage, and who suffers your advertising, is the main source of income to you and thus THE READER MUST BE PROTECTED FROM SCAMS.

Just saw the original Fstoppets post was in november. I received this link in the most recent newsletter though...

So, for transparency, how much was Fstoppers supposed to get from being an affiliate and participating in the Kickbooster?