Can you charge Canon R5 with USB?

Often, yes—but USB charging on the Canon EOS R5 is very sensitive to the power standard (USB‑PD vs “normal” USB), the cable, and whether you’re trying to charge vs run the camera at the same time.

Charging vs powering the camera (two different outcomes)

• Charging = the battery percentage increases.
• Powering = the camera runs from external power (or the battery drains much more slowly).

It’s common for cameras to charge only when off/idle and to stop charging (or just “hold level”) when the camera is on and doing heavy work (video, high brightness, IBIS, wireless, etc.).

Power requirements: what your charger needs to support

For reliable results, you want a charger/power bank that supports USB‑PD (Power Delivery). A basic 5V USB port usually won’t be enough.

• Minimum baseline: use a known USB‑PD charger/power bank (not “QC”, not “fast charge” marketing—look for USB‑PD specifically).
• Practical recommendation: use a 30W+ USB‑PD charger/power bank so the camera has headroom (especially if you’re trying to run the camera while connected).
• If you’re seeing inconsistent behavior: move up to 45W+ USB‑PD and retest (this is about stable negotiation and headroom, not “more watts always charges faster”).

Important: even with a high-wattage charger, the camera may still choose not to actively charge while operating in certain modes. That’s normal behavior on many hybrid cameras.

What happens when you try to run the camera while it’s plugged in?

Expect one of these behaviors (and treat it as your diagnostic result):

• Charges while off only (battery increases when camera is off; stops when on).
• Powers camera / slows drain (battery may stay flat or drain slowly while filming).
• Does nothing (usually non‑PD charger, bad cable, or a low-power negotiation).

Quick troubleshooting checklist (in order)

1. Swap the cable first (use a known-good USB‑C PD-capable cable).
2. Swap the charger/power bank (must be USB‑PD). If you don’t know: assume it isn’t.
3. Test camera OFF, then test camera ON (same charger/cable).
4. Reduce load (lower screen brightness, turn off Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth, stop IBIS) and see if behavior changes.
5. Try a different battery (prefer an OEM Canon battery for testing).

Common reasons USB charging “doesn’t work”

• Not USB‑PD (charger is just a basic 5V output).
• Cable problem (charge-only cable, worn cable, or bad PD negotiation).
• Expecting “charging” during heavy recording—many cameras won’t increase % during load.
• Heat: warm environment + charging + long video sessions can lead to throttling or inconsistent behavior.

Practical recommendations

• For travel: carry one dedicated USB‑PD charger and one dedicated cable you trust.
• For guaranteed long runtimes (video): consider a purpose-built continuous power solution (battery grip / DC coupler / dedicated power adapter), rather than relying on USB charging behavior.

More Canon R5 help: Back to the Canon R5 Guide

Brad Evans

Brad is a seasoned photographer whose journey began in 2006 with a 3.1-megapixel digital camera. Over the years, he has specialized in various photography genres—from weddings and portraiture to product and studio photography. Based on the Sunshine Coast of QLD, Brad combines his love for education and photography, sharing his expertise on DSLRAD.com, a platform committed to capturing life’s treasured moments and empowering photography enthusiasts.