USB charging of em5 mark 3 and tg6

[ronidog]

Am I right in thinking that The em5 mark iii can be charged directly with a usb to micro cable. If so is there a specific cable, the manuals are a bit vague on this . Looking through my cable box I have realised that they are not all the same. Some have tubular bits which I presume control the power to device. ( note to self - label the cables that come with the devices!)


Having this option might save me carrying too many chargers and cables when travelling
thanks

Dave

[FenDrifter]

If this IS the case, then I’m not aware of it. I always use the supplied charger with mine.

[ronidog]

Do you mean the separate battery charger.

[MJ224]

My existing cameras charge using the mini USB, or the C connection. I have not seen any other variations.............

[Tram]

Mine use a micro usb or in one case (G9) usb3 which can also take a Micro usb if needs be

[ronidog]

I have found the answer to my question . The em5 mark 3 and tg6 can be charged via usb see with the following which apparently came with the cameras USB Cable ie CB-USB12, micro USB connector

More information at the first question on the link http://USB Cable (CB-USB12, micro US...m5m3/index.cfm

Thanks for the replies

[FenDrifter]

I have found the answer to my question . The em5 mark 3 and tg6 can be charged via usb see with the following which apparently came with the cameras USB Cable ie CB-USB12, micro USB connector

More information at the first question on the link http://USB Cable (CB-USB12, micro US...m5m3/index.cfm

Thanks for the replies

Well there you go, I must have that cable and didn’t even know! I use the same charger for E-M5iii and my E-M10ii which I use most of the time with the pancake zoom.

[Tram]

Charging and powering from Powerbanks is another confusing topic.
Some cameras charge from them, but need more current then the standard type provide to be powered.
Other cameras will only charge and there are those that will power up, but only if the battery has some charge in it.
I think I have it worked out for my kit
E-M1 ii, neither charges or powers in body.
GX9 charges in body
G9, charges and will power if battery is present with some charge.
Briefly had an E-M1 iii and that charged in body from my Powerbank, but would have needed more juice to work from one.

As clear as mud, have to say the in body charging is handy when on the move.

[ronidog]

Have you got examples of the power banks and cables please

[DerekC]

The first powerbank I purchased was an Omars very good I wanted another earlier this year, couldn't find the Omars in stock at the time. Purchased HETP Power Bank - Fast Charging 26800mAh Portable Charger【Quick Charge 3.0 Power Delivery】External Battery Pack 3-Output & 2-Input Type-C Power Bank, from Amazon they are just over £20 at the moment. This has also worked well for me. The button changes colour to indicate the current state of the battery % left. I carry one in the camera bag on days out as they are good for charging your phone and the other halfs e-cig. Cables if I remember correct the input into the E-M1X is USB-C, there is a PD output on the powerbank which is USB-C so a USB-C to USB-C cable is all that is required. My current phone charge happens to come with a USB-C to USB-C cable.

[ronidog]

DerekC Thanks that is helpful

[ronidog]

The link i gave was wrong. https://cs.olympus-imaging.jp/en/sup...roducts/em5m3/ scroll down to queation 5. Tha ac adapter came with the tg6

[ronidog]

In camera charging is useful when using the 12v in my motorhome and no mains. Otherwise I have to use a fiddely 12v charger from unipal - the pins have to be aligned and not knocked ut of place.

Dave

[Ian]

Not all USB cables will work - I can't charge my camera using the Huawei cable and charger for my phone, for example. This is curious because the phone and charger have a 'Supercharger' capability. It's the same with my Parrot Anafi drone. I need to use an 'ordinary' cable.

Ian

[ronidog]

I’ve only just found out that there are power cables that only power a device. Data cables can carry data and power.

[FenDrifter]

Interesting 🤨

[ronidog]

I can’t get any cable to charge the em mark iii directly. I don’t which one came with the camera so I have sent off for one that is supposed to work

[OM USer]

USB-C cables have a chip in them. The chips are part of the negotiating betweeen the items at each end of the cable to determine the speed that data can be sent (if at all) and the maximum votage/current that can be supported along the entire chain. The PD specifications allow for various volts and amps combinations to be agreed hence the maximum power, I believe the EM1iii needs a 60W PD power supply to operate but will charge from any USB socket (at a lower rate than thate required to run if necessary).

[ronidog]

Unfortunately for me neither the em5 mark 3 or the em1 mark 2 have batteries that can be charged by the unipal plus generic charger as the pins do not make contact. I now need to think of alternative for 12v charging. Any ideas?

[blu-by-u]

I don't think charging via the USB port is possible unless it's stated in the manual. If it's possible Oly would have just given the cable without that charging cradle.

[ronidog]

It is mentioned in the manual and in the q&a I gave the link to above.

[ronidog]

Olympus has replied to my query about usb charging. See below.

“Thank you for your e-mail regarding your E-M5 Mk.III. It is a great camera.

May I please advise that you should have been supplied with the CB-USB12 USB cable with the camera. The method described in the manual so as to charge the battery in the camera requires the F-5AC adapter, which plugs into the mains.

https://shop.olympus.eu/en_GB/cameras/accessories/power-supply/f-5ac-usb-ac-adapter

Whilst in theory it is possible to charge the camera's battery using a USB port on a computer, this may not work due to the low voltage these give and even if you can get it to work, it will take a long time for the battery to charge. This really would only be suitable if you were topping up the charge, rather than charging a completely exhausted battery.

So in this instance the best option would be to use the method prescribed in the manual for in camera charging with the F-5AC.”


I am not sure what the benefit of usb charging the camera is. The adapter is the same as the one that came with tg6. I need to locate the cable as it is used for connecting the camera to the computer for updates.

[AMc]

Olympus has replied to my query about usb charging. See below.

“Thank you for your e-mail regarding your E-M5 Mk.III. It is a great camera.

May I please advise that you should have been supplied with the CB-USB12 USB cable with the camera. The method described in the manual so as to charge the battery in the camera requires the F-5AC adapter, which plugs into the mains.

https://shop.olympus.eu/en_GB/camera...usb-ac-adapter

Whilst in theory it is possible to charge the camera's battery using a USB port on a computer, this may not work due to the low voltage these give and even if you can get it to work, it will take a long time for the battery to charge. This really would only be suitable if you were topping up the charge, rather than charging a completely exhausted battery.

So in this instance the best option would be to use the method prescribed in the manual for in camera charging with the F-5AC.”

I am not sure what the benefit of usb charging the camera is. The adapter is the same as the one that came with tg6. I need to locate the cable as it is used for connecting the camera to the computer for updates.

So much of that reply is really not accurate.

A USB port should provide 5 Volts - why would a computer provide a lower voltage, no peripherals would work!
The current can vary quite a lot from a USB port.
The maximum current "should" be negotiated between the charger and the device even on old USB A and B plus and sockets.
I have had some devices and some chargers that wouldn't work if the other end couldn't deliver a minimum current.
In some cheap chargers this is bypassed and they will attempt to deliver a higher current than they are capable of sustaining.
I had a pal who repeatedly bought cheap phone chargers and wondered why they failed often - answer his phone requested a higher current than they could safely deliver.
Some cheap chargers will also deliver the maximum current even if the end device isn't capable of coping with it - much more likely to damage your expensive device.

Looking at the specs for that Olympus charger it's not that powerful with an output current of 5V and 1.5Amps / 7.5Watts

Technical Data
Model identifier
F‑5AC‑2
Input AC 100 ‑ 240V
Input AC frequency 50 ‑ 60Hz
Output voltage DC 5.0V
Output current 1.5A
Output power 7.5Watt

Even a basic charger from Amazon plucked at random can deliver 5volts, 2 x 2.4 Amps so 12Watts per port.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-Charg.../dp/B016LPMFUA

The only reason you would need a particular Olympus USB charger would be that they had deliberately prevented it from working with other devices.
I had a Blackberry that was similarly hobbled and wouldn't charge from anything but it's own charger despite a micro USB connector.

As to why - as others have said if you're on the road with a 12V vehicle supply then plugging in a standard USB charger means you can recharge on the go.
When I'm travelling I have phones, tablets etc. that all use USB chargers so not needing a specific Olympus battery charger in the bag is one fewer thing to drag around and leave in a hotel room.