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The Lightest Portable Power Solutions for Camera Gear in Remote Locations
The Lightest Portable Power Solutions for Camera Gear in Remote Locations
Quick answer
Check whether your camera body accepts USB-C PD charging first. That tells you if you can plug straight into a power station or if you need an adapter. From there, watt-hour capacity helps estimate how long your setup can run before you need to recharge.
USB-C PD, DC Dummy-Battery Adapters, and AC Charging: Which Fits Your Camera
Portable power stations charge cameras three different ways. Which one you need depends on how old your gear is, or how professional it is.
USB-C PD direct charging
Many recent mirrorless cameras can charge over USB-C, but charging the battery and powering the camera while you shoot are not the same. Check the camera manual for USB Power Delivery support, operating conditions, and required wattage. Both the Anker SOLIX C200 DC and Anker SOLIX C300 offer a 140W bidirectional USB-C PD port. On the C200 DC, that is the C3 port. On the C300, it is the C2 port.
DC dummy-battery adapters
Some older camera bodies and cinema rigs cannot charge over USB-C. A dummy-battery solution can work, but the adapter must match the camera's battery type, voltage, connector, and power requirements. V-mount and NP-series describe battery systems, so compatibility depends on the specific camera or accessory. With the C200 DC, use a dummy-battery adapter designed to accept USB-C PD input. The power station does not have a general-purpose barrel-style DC output.
AC wall-outlet charging
Some older camera chargers only work with a standard wall outlet. There's no USB-C or car-charger option at all. If that's what you're carrying, look for a power station with an AC outlet, like the C300, instead of a DC-only model like the C200 DC.
Match your kit to watt-hours, weight, and output ports
Once you know how your camera charges, the next question is how much capacity to carry. For most travel photography kits, it comes down to two options.
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Model
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Capacity
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Weight
|
Output
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USB-C PD
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Best for
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
192Wh
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1.9 kg (4.2 lb)
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200W Max, DC only, 5 charging ports
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140W bidirectional (C3 port, IN/OUT)
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A single camera body and lens on a light one-day trip
|
|
|
288Wh
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4.13 kg (9.1 lb)
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300W rated AC output; up to 600W with SurgePad; 360W total output; includes AC outlets
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140W bidirectional (C2 port, IN/OUT; C1/C3 output only)
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Mixed-device kits, or multi-day shoots with planned daily recharging from solar, a vehicle, or AC power
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If your camera charger only works from a wall outlet, go with the C300. Its AC port makes it the better pick, even for a single-body kit.
Estimate camera, drone, and laptop runtime in the field
Once you have picked a capacity, use this formula for a rough planning estimate. Actual runtime varies with conversion losses, standby draw, temperature, and the device load.
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Runtime (h) = Capacity (Wh) × 0.9 ÷ Load (W)
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||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Model
|
Capacity
|
Assumed Load
|
Calculation
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Estimated Runtime
|
|
Anker SOLIX C200 DC
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192Wh
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10 to 20W
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192Wh × 0.9 ÷ load
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8.6 to 17.3 hours per charge
|
|
Anker SOLIX C300
|
288Wh
|
45 to 65W combined
|
288Wh × 0.9 ÷ load
|
4 to 5.8 hours per charge
|
Camera, drone, and laptop power draw vary by model and activity. Check each device's charger label for its rated wattage, then treat the result as an estimate rather than a guaranteed runtime.
A field checklist for remote shoots
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Fully charge the power station and your camera batteries before you leave. Check them again the night before the shoot so there is time to top up anything that has dropped.
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Use a USB-C cable rated for the PD profile your device needs. Reaching 140W requires a 5A cable.
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Use a hard-shell, shock-resistant case for the power station if you're headed somewhere with rough terrain or a lot of transit.
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When several devices need power at once, charge in order of shooting priority: camera body first, then drone batteries, then laptop.
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Pair with a 100W-class solar panel for multi-day trips. Both the C200 DC and C300 accept up to 100W of solar input.
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If you're flying with any of this gear, check your airline's current rules on carrying lithium batteries before you pack. Limits and documentation vary by carrier.
Field perspective: shooting with Triage Creative in remote locations
The sizing above covers cameras, drones, and laptops charged through USB-C or DC, with loads measured in watts. Triage Creative’s Keith Ladzinski and Tommy Joyce work at a different scale, using multi-kW lighting that requires a setup in the SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 class. Below, the Emmy-nominated duo shares their experience from the Arctic to the jungle.
National Geographic filmmaker Keith Ladzinski and fellow Anker Ambassador Tommy Joyce lead Triage Creative. It's an Emmy-nominated production agency that shoots studio-quality lighting setups on location, often in some of the most demanding environments on Earth.
How does the Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 make your shooting process easier or give you greater creative freedom to capture ideas?
As a photographer and cinematographer that likes to incorporate sculpted light into my images, the SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 opens up a new world of on-location possibilities, especially when I add the Anker SOLIX BP2000 Expansion Battery (Gen 2).
It allows for much longer shoot times than a traditional V-mount setup would give me, allowing me to run heavier setups like multiple Aputure 1200s.
What equipment do you typically have plugged in to the SOLIX C2000 Gen 2? And what is their total output in watts?
For heavier lighting setups, I can run around 3600W, which would be one Aputure 1200 (1440W) and three Aputure 600ds (720W each).
Have you had difficulty in the past achieving certain shots because of a lack of reliable power?
In the past I would use gas powered generators on outdoor sets, which were generally maxing around 2800W. They were heavy, loud, smelly, and generally insufficient. As battery technology got better, I was often bringing in small to mid-size lithium packs, but these lacked the watts needed for larger lighting setups.
The SOLIX C2000 Gen 2, especially with the Expansion Battery, makes for a much more efficient and functional setup.
The SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 is designed for easy portability with its lightweight, compact build and ergonomic side handles. How important are these features for you and your crew when you're on location shooting?
The lightweight design and side handles on the SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 are essential. We've carried it across some seriously rough terrain to get it on location in places where trails do NOT exist.
What would you say are the disadvantages of relying on a traditional gas generator for your type of work?
Relying on a gas generator has numerous limitations: They're loud, the exhaust smells and is bad for the environment, and having to get gas on location is a pain, especially when you're working off the grid and have to plan to have it brought in.
Has mobility and travel been easier without gas generators?
What I like about Anker products is the wide range of options, from larger setups like the C2000 Gen 2 to compact models like the Anker SOLIX C300. With different sizes and weights available, the SOLIX lineup can support a wide variety of productions.
Triage Creative is known for traveling to extreme environments and remote locations. How important is having reliable portable power with you on these expeditions – not only for powering production equipment, but also to keep essential devices like phones and laptops charged?
When you're working in off-the grid locations, power is the absolute lynchpin to success. I've worked around the world in every type of environment, ranging from the arctic, high altitude mountains, jungles, deserts—you name it. Each has its own unique set of challenges, but the connected through line of any shoot and ecosystem is that you have to have power to do the job at hand.
I have yet to have a problem with Anker equipment. I've been very impressed with the solar equipment and power banks, like the C2000 Gen 2 and smaller setups, in every way. From charging heavy V-mount battery setups, to powering laptops, to small satellite phone devices – Anker has always been reliable.
https://youtu.be/hsibz29E1Ao?si=QG1xeXOyPFAeM0eI
Power Your Off-Grid Production
For reliable power that keeps the cameras rolling on your off-grid shoot, there's an Anker SOLIX portable power station built for any production, no matter how remote it is.
FAQ
Can I charge my camera directly from a USB-C PD power station?
Many recent cameras can charge through USB-C, but powering the camera while it is operating is model-dependent. Confirm that the camera manual lists USB Power Delivery support and check any battery or menu requirements. A charger label alone does not confirm that the camera accepts direct USB-C PD input.
How much lighter is a small power station than a full-size home backup unit?
The Anker SOLIX C200 DC weighs about 4.2 lb (1.9 kg), while the C300 weighs about 9.1 lb (4.13 kg). Both are portable enough for a camera bag, whereas home backup units often weigh more than 50 lb.
Do I need a full power station, or is a power bank enough for a one-day shoot?
A high-output PD power bank may be sufficient for topping up one USB-C PD camera. Choose the 192Wh C200 DC for five output ports or solar charging. Choose the 288Wh C300 if you also need AC outlets or more capacity. For multi-day use, plan to recharge daily.
Can solar panels recharge my camera-charging setup in the field?
Yes. Both the C200 DC and C300 accept up to 100W of solar input. That's enough to keep them topped up on multi-day trips away from an outlet. Check the field checklist above for how to plan around it.
How many watt-hours do I need for a multi-day remote shoot with a camera, drone, and laptop?
Estimate runtime with: Capacity (Wh) × 0.9 ÷ Load (W). At a steady combined load of 45 to 65W, the 288Wh C300 provides about 4 to 5.8 hours per charge. Multi-day shoots require daily solar, vehicle, or AC charging, or a larger power system.
What's the difference between USB-C PD charging and a DC dummy-battery adapter?
USB-C PD charges a compatible battery through the camera’s USB-C port and may also power some cameras during use. A dummy-battery adapter replaces the internal battery and draws from an external source. It must match the camera’s voltage, connector, battery format, and input requirements. With the C200 DC, use a model that explicitly supports USB-C PD input.
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