SmallRig Unveils Nano Power Banks Featuring Direct Camera Rig Mounts

Key facts

SmallRig's introduction of the Nano Power Bank Series targets a persistent hardware friction point for independent filmmakers, documentary operators, and digital video creators: powering modular camera setups cleanly without adding unnecessary mounting hardware. Reporting by Antony Muchiri detailed the two initial offerings in the product family.

The entry-level Nano 36 provides a battery capacity of 10,000 mAh and supplies up to 45W of power output at a retail price of $59. This capacity and wattage ceiling make it suitable for lightweight mirrorless camera setups, powering handheld bodies or small external accessories during active shooting.

The flagship Nano 72 doubles the energy capacity to 20,000 mAh and increases the maximum power output ceiling to 100W for $80. The 100W power delivery capability allows the larger unit to power higher-draw camera systems, bright external field monitors, or multiple rig accessories simultaneously over compatible USB Type-C connections.

The primary architectural innovation across both Nano units is an integrated retractable mounting mechanism. On standard camera rigs, attaching a conventional consumer power bank typically requires purchasing a secondary aluminum clamp or cold shoe bracket—adding weight, bulk, and extra screw connection points that can loosen under field conditions. SmallRig's integrated retractable hardware allows the power bank to bolt directly to threaded holes or mounting rails on a camera cage, reducing the physical footprint of the power assembly and streamlining rig setup times.

Why it matters

The launch of purpose-built, direct-mounting power banks reflects broader operational shifts in digital video production, where hybrid mirrorless cameras and compact cinema cameras have replaced larger broadcast camera systems for many independent productions. Modern digital cameras—including 4K, 6K, and 8K mirrorless bodies—draw substantial electrical power, particularly when recording at high frame rates, utilizing continuous autofocus, or outputting uncompressed video signals to external recorders. Internal camera batteries routinely exhaust their charges within 45 to 90 minutes of continuous operation, forcing operators to conduct frequent battery swaps that disrupt production schedules and ruin continuous takes.

Historically, camera operators addressed power demands through two distinct approaches, both carrying notable tradeoffs. The traditional professional route involved cinema-grade V-mount or Gold-mount battery systems. While robust, these batteries typically cost between $150 and $500 per unit, require dedicated battery plates costing $50 to $150, and add significant weight to lightweight rigs. The alternative approach—using standard consumer USB-C power banks—offered an affordable power source, but required operators to rig third-party mounting clamps costing $20 to $40. These setup configurations often resulted in awkward weight distribution, loose cables, and increased potential for hardware failure on set.

By pricing the Nano 36 at $59 and the Nano 72 at $80 while integrating retractable mounting hardware directly into the casing, SmallRig eliminates the need for separate brackets while keeping total power system costs significantly below traditional cinema battery ecosystems. The 45W and 100W power outputs ensure compliance with USB Power Delivery standards required by modern camera bodies, offering low-to-mid-budget filmmakers an integrated, lightweight power solution for long shooting days.

The technological evolution leading to integrated camera power banks is rooted in decades of broadcast engineering standards, followed by a rapid transition toward modular mirrorless video rigs over the past fifteen years.

For decades, professional television and motion picture productions relied almost exclusively on high-voltage battery standards. Sony popularized the V-mount (or V-lock) mechanism, while Anton/Bauer developed the Gold-mount system. Both standards operate at nominal voltages around 14.4 volts, feeding power to heavy cinema cameras through D-Tap (P-Tap) connectors and multi-pin umbilical cables. These battery platforms were engineered for large camera packages weighing 15 to 30 pounds, where battery weight served as a counterweight on shoulder mounts.

The video production landscape shifted dramatically following the DSLR and mirrorless camera revolutions of the late 2000s and 2010s. Independent filmmakers, news gatherers, and solo video producers increasingly adopted compact camera bodies. However, these compact cameras relied on small internal batteries engineered for still photography, providing limited continuous runtime during high-bitrate video recording.

To convert compact camera bodies into functional video platforms, the accessory industry pioneered the modular camera cage. Companies such as Shenzhen Leqi Innovation Co., Ltd.—the parent company behind the SmallRig brand—built global product lines around precision-machined aluminum frames. These cages envelop camera bodies and provide arrays of standardized mounting points, including 1/4"-20 and 3/8"-16 threaded sockets, ARRI locating holes, NATO rails, and cold shoes.

Concurrently, the consumer electronics industry standardized the USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) protocol over USB Type-C cables. USB-PD enabled negotiable voltage profiles—ranging from 5 volts up to 20 volts—allowing small portable power banks to deliver sufficient wattage to run complex digital electronics. As camera manufacturers integrated USB-C power input directly into camera bodies, videographers began adopting USB power banks as a primary power source, creating demand for dedicated mounting accessories that SmallRig has now integrated directly into the battery housing itself.

Reaction

Following the release details reported by Antony Muchiri, technical discussions among videographers, camera operators, and equipment reviewers have focused on practical field performance and ergonomics. Equipment discussions across filmmaker forums and technical communities emphasize four main criteria: thermal dissipation, mechanical mounting tolerances, weight distribution, and connector security.

Camera operators are closely examining how the compact enclosures of the Nano 36 and Nano 72 manage heat during continuous 100W or 45W power delivery, as lithium-ion cells generate internal heat that could affect camera electronics if mounted directly adjacent to sensor housings. Additionally, gear specialists are assessing the physical stability of the retractable mounting mechanism, evaluating whether repeated mounting and unmounting cycles maintain tight mechanical tolerances under heavy vibration or handheld movement.

What we don't know yet

While the core specifications of the Nano Power Bank Series have been detailed, several technical and operational questions remain unanswered in initial disclosures:

What to watch

In the coming months, several key developments will indicate the commercial and technical impact of SmallRig's Nano Power Bank Series:

This news report is based on original reporting published by Antony Muchiri.