This is the English edition of a review from my Japanese YouTube channel, iestaLife. I review gadgets from my home studio in Japan, so product links go to Amazon Japan.
Quick take
Sony’s DC-C1 is a dummy-battery DC coupler that powers a camera from a USB-C power adapter. Sony says you need a USB PD adapter of 65 W or more, and my test backs that up: 96 W worked, while my 45 W, 30 W, 29 W and 20 W adapters did not power the camera at all. I had nothing between 46 W and 64 W to try. It did fix an HDMI output glitch I had on my α7C.
What I tested
- Sony DC-C1 (NP-FZ100 dummy battery, with an NP-FW50 dummy inside it for smaller cameras)
- My Sony α7C, with five USB-C adapters rated 96 W, 45 W, 30 W, 29 W and 20 W
- A USB-C cable with a built-in power meter to see how much power the camera was drawing
Results
| Adapter | Coupler LED | Camera powers on? |
|---|---|---|
| 96 W | Solid | Yes |
| 45 W | Blinking | No |
| 30 W | Blinking | No |
| 29 W | Blinking | No |
| 20 W | Blinking | No |
What I found
- The camera only draws about 5–7 W. Even in recording standby with a microphone attached, the meter showed roughly 5–7 W from the 96 W adapter.
- But with my smaller adapters it simply refused. With those adapters the LED blinks as soon as you plug in, and the camera will not turn on. It is not a warning you can ignore.
- My guess at why: the coupler seems to check the power source up front and only run with plenty of headroom, to keep the supply stable and protect the camera.
- It fixed my HDMI problem. On my α7C, using USB-C power and micro HDMI output together sometimes caused a “check the connection” message and no video. With the DC-C1, the camera went into standby with a clean HDMI signal. My α1 and FX30 never had this issue.
- Less heat. Charging the internal battery while shooting warms it up; a dummy battery stays cooler, which helps for long recordings in hot conditions.
Who it’s for
- Good fit if you shoot long takes with an α7C and also use micro HDMI out, or need reliable all-day power in hot conditions.
- Probably unnecessary if your camera works fine on USB-C power (my α1 and FX30 do), or if a power bank over USB-C is enough when you shoot outdoors.
Watch the review
The video is in Japanese. The adapter test starts at around 5:30, and the blinking versus solid LED is easy to see without understanding the narration.
Limitations
I tested one camera body and the adapters I had at home. I mentioned a list price of around ¥19,000 in Japan, and no power adapter is included, so budget for a 65 W or higher USB PD adapter. Cheaper third-party dummy batteries exist, but I chose the official one because I did not want to risk damaging the camera.
Products
Sony DC-C1 DC coupler: on Amazon Japan
Anker Nano II 65W (an example of a 65 W adapter): on Amazon Japan
The Amazon Japan links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check the listing for the exact model, current price and shipping availability in your region.
More reviews in English
All Camera & Desk Setup (42) →Browse all English reviews →
This review is also available in Japanese.