Introduction
Choosing the wrong battery on a film set costs more than time. It can kill a shot, strand your crew without power mid-production, or damage gear that takes days to replace. For cinematographers and production managers evaluating Gold Mount power solutions, the Anton Bauer DG90 comes up constantly, but so do the compatibility questions around it.
Those questions include:
- Which cameras does it actually fit?
- Does it work with legacy chargers?
- Can it power a camera body, monitor, and wireless transmitter simultaneously?
This guide answers those questions using verified specs from Anton Bauer's official Digital Series documentation. It covers the DG90's technical specifications, confirmed camera compatibility (with important exceptions), charger compatibility, and how it compares to similar 90Wh-class Gold Mount batteries — and when a different battery might serve your production better.
Key Takeaways
- 90Wh, 14.4V Gold Mount design makes the DG90 compatible with any device accepting a standard Gold Mount plate within its voltage range
- 10.0–16.8V operating range is the practical compatibility figure for camera and accessory matching, not the nominal 14.4V label alone
- 10A (120W) maximum continuous discharge — confirm your combined accessory draw stays within this limit before rigging
- Under the FAA's 100Wh carry-on threshold, making it the go-to battery for air travel on flying productions
- LP4 GM, LP2 GM, QUAD GM, and DUAL GM chargers from Anton Bauer are all documented as compatible
What Is the Anton Bauer DG90 Battery?
Digital Series, Gold Mount
According to Anton Bauer's official Digital Series user guide, the DG90 is formally called the Digital G90 — a Gold Mount lithium-ion battery in Anton Bauer's Digital Series. The "Digital G" designation indicates Gold Mount (versus "Digital V" for V-Mount models), and "90" reflects the approximate watt-hour capacity. It sits in the mid-tier of Anton Bauer's Gold Mount lineup alongside the Titon 90 and Dionic XT90, differentiated primarily by continuous amperage and physical weight.
Gold Mount is Anton Bauer's proprietary battery interface. Batteries snap directly onto camera battery plates for simultaneous power delivery and battery communication — no separate power cables required. In North American cinema and broadcast production, Gold Mount is one of the two dominant onboard battery standards (the other being V-Mount).
Why 90Wh Matters for Traveling Productions
The FAA limits lithium-ion batteries to 100Wh per battery for unrestricted carry-on. Batteries in the 101–160Wh range require individual airline approval and are capped at two per passenger. At 90Wh, the DG90 stays clearly below that threshold — production crews can carry multiple batteries without airline coordination, a real operational advantage on traveling shoots.
Anton Bauer DG90 Technical Specifications
All specifications below are sourced from Anton Bauer's official Digital Series user guide.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 90Wh |
| Nominal Voltage | 14.4V |
| Operating Voltage Range | 10.0–16.8V |
| Maximum Continuous Discharge | 10A / 120W |
| Peak Discharge Rate | Not published |
| Dimensions | 6.5 × 4.4 × 2.7 in |
| Weight | 2.4 lb |
| Output Ports | Integrated PowerTap/P-Tap (up to 10A) |
| USB Output | Not confirmed |
| Display | LCD — runtime under load, percentage at idle |
Nominal vs. Operating Voltage: What It Means in Practice
The 14.4V nominal label is a reference point, not a fixed output. The DG90 operates across a 10.0–16.8V range as the battery charges and discharges. Any camera or accessory connected to it must tolerate this full range — from the top-of-charge voltage down to near-depleted. Devices with narrow input tolerances risk under-voltage shutdowns if they can't handle the lower end of that swing.
Voltage compliance is one constraint. Sustained current draw is the other — and on a working rig, it's often the one that catches people off guard.
Understanding the 10A Continuous Limit
The DG90's 10A (120W) maximum continuous discharge defines how much total draw the battery can sustain without voltage sag or safety cutoff. On a loaded camera rig, that ceiling fills fast:
- Camera body: 30–60W, depending on camera model and recording format
- On-camera monitor: 10–20W
- Wireless transmitter: 5–15W depending on the system (Teradek, DJI, etc.)
- Follow focus motor: 5–15W
Running all of these simultaneously can push the DG90 to or past its rated continuous draw. If your rig approaches 100W combined, consider a higher-capacity battery or plan for a dual-battery configuration rather than relying on a single 90Wh pack.
Camera & Device Compatibility
The Core Principle
Any device with a standard Anton Bauer Gold Mount plate is physically and electrically compatible with the DG90 — provided the device's voltage requirements fall within the 10.0–16.8V operating range and its power draw stays within 10A continuous. The Gold Mount standard handles the physical interface; voltage and amperage matching handles the electrical fitment.
Major Cinema and Broadcast Cameras
| Camera | Gold Mount Access | Voltage Match | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARRI ALEXA Mini LF | Via ARRI-approved plates/cables | Compatible (11–34V input range) | Use ARRI-approved power routing |
| ARRI AMIRA | ARRI Gold Mount Adapter Plate (K2.75001.0) | Compatible | ARRI adapter plate required |
| RED DSMC2 | RED DSMC2 Gold Mount Battery Module | Compatible (11.5–17V DC) | RED module required |
| RED V-RAPTOR / V-RAPTOR X | RED Tactical Top Plate with Gold Mount adapter (part 790-0697) | Compatible (11–17V DC) | RED adapter required |
| Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro | Blackmagic URSA Gold Battery Plate | Compatible (12–20V input) | Blackmagic plate required |
| Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 | Optional Blackmagic URSA Gold Battery Plate | Compatible (12–18V input) | Plate swap required |
Important exception — ARRI ALEXA 35: The Alexa 35 requires 20.5–33.6V DC input, well outside the DG90's 14.4V range. Anton Bauer addresses this with their 26V Gold Mount Plus ARRI ALEXA 35 Bracket and Dionic 26V battery line. Do not use the DG90 with the ALEXA 35. Cameras in this voltage class require a 26V or 28V Gold Mount-compatible battery — a separate product category entirely.
Sony Venice and FX9 lack native Gold Mount slots and require third-party Gold Mount plate adapters. The FX9 also lists DC 19.5V input — a regulated plate or voltage-stepping adapter is required for reliable operation.
Accessories via PowerTap/P-Tap
The DG90's integrated P-Tap port (up to 10A) powers common on-set accessories:
- Monitors: SmallHD Ultra 7 accepts D-Tap via 2-pin locking connector
- Wireless transmitters: Teradek Bolt 6 LT-HDMI accepts 6–28V DC via D-Tap barrel cable (max 20W TX / 18W RX)
- Wireless video: Hollyland video transmitters support D-Tap to DC 2.1 cables
Accessory power draws from the same 10A continuous budget as the camera body. Daisy-chaining multiple accessories depletes that headroom quickly — account for total draw before adding accessories to a loaded rig.
Charger Compatibility for the DG90
Verified Anton Bauer Charger Compatibility
Anton Bauer's Digital Series documentation confirms the DG90 is compatible with the following chargers:
- LP4 GM (84750126) — Note: listed as discontinued on Anton Bauer's site
- LP2 GM (84750125)
- QUAD GM (84750120)
- DUAL GM (84750119)
Anton Bauer uses a three-stage charging method: a high-rate charge stage with multiple safety cutoffs, a balancing/stabilizing stage, and a Lifesaver maintenance pulse routine.
Exact charge time for the DG90 is not published in Anton Bauer's current documentation. For reference, the Quad 6A charger fully charges four Dionic XT90 batteries in approximately 90 minutes. The DG90's smaller capacity would likely shorten that cycle.
Third-Party Charger Caution
Anton Bauer's documentation states that Digital Series batteries are "designed and optimized for current Anton Bauer chargers" and warns against unsupported chargers. Third-party Gold Mount chargers may deliver voltage, but without full smart-charging protocol support, the DG90's communication layer won't engage properly.
The practical risk: shortened battery lifespan and unpredictable safety cutoff behavior. Stick to the verified Anton Bauer chargers above unless a third-party manufacturer explicitly confirms DG90 smart-charging compatibility.
Anton Bauer DG90 vs. Similar 90Wh Gold Mount Batteries
Spec Comparison
| Battery | Capacity | Nominal Voltage | Max Continuous | Peak | Weight | Display |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DG90 (Digital G90) | 90Wh | 14.4V | 10A / 120W | Not published | 2.4 lb | LCD (runtime/%) |
| Titon 90 | 92Wh | 14.2V | 10A | 12A / 75A inrush | 1.76 lb | LCD fuel gauge |
| Dionic XT90 | 99Wh | 14.1V | 12A | 20A / 75A inrush | 1.75 lb | Backlit multifunction LCD |
Street prices from B&H at time of research: Titon 90 at $379.05; Dionic XT90 at $439.99. DG90 street price not confirmed from official sources.
Which Battery Fits Which Production?
- High-draw applications (large-format cameras with heavy accessory loads, or motors with significant inrush current): The Dionic XT90's 12A continuous and 20A peak handles surge loads the DG90 cannot
- Weight-sensitive rigs (handheld, Steadicam, compact shoulder rigs): The Titon 90 and Dionic XT90 both come in around 1.75–1.76 lb versus the DG90's 2.4 lb — a notable difference over a long shooting day
- Micro-form-factor cameras (RED Komodo, compact cinema rigs): Look at the Titon Micro 90 (98Wh at 20.1 oz, approximately 4 × 2.9 × 2.1 in) — Anton Bauer's own documentation notes a Single Micro Gold Mount mounts directly to the RED Komodo
- Standard professional use with legacy charger compatibility: The DG90 or Titon 90 are solid choices with documented charger ecosystem support
Evaluating Third-Party Alternatives
Productions building out a Gold Mount infrastructure — rather than sourcing a single replacement battery — often find the OEM 90Wh tier limiting in both capacity and configuration flexibility.
Block Battery, a veteran-owned manufacturer based in Indianapolis, produces Gold Mount-compatible systems that start where the OEM 90Wh class leaves off. Their 2F1-150 (150Wh, compact Gold Mount-compatible) serves ENG and run-and-gun setups, while the SLi and Pro-Block series step up to A-cam feature film and broadcast duty — covering cameras including ARRI, RED, Sony CineAlta, and Blackmagic. The team behind the products brings 30 years of professional cinema power industry experience to the design.
For productions evaluating Gold Mount power at scale, Block Battery distributes through an authorized US dealer network.
Frequently Asked Questions
What batteries are compatible with Bauer tools?
In professional video and cinema, "Bauer" refers to Anton Bauer — a separate company entirely from Harbor Freight's Bauer cordless tool brand. Any device with an Anton Bauer Gold Mount plate accepts Gold Mount batteries including the DG90. The two "Bauer" brands share nothing electrically or physically.
What size is a 90 series battery?
A "90 series" battery refers to 90 watt-hours (Wh) of capacity. Physical dimensions vary slightly by manufacturer and model — the DG90 measures 6.5 × 4.4 × 2.7 in at 2.4 lb. See the specs table above for DG90-specific dimensions.
What battery is the same as the E90?
The Anton Bauer E90 is an older Gold Mount battery model. Newer Gold Mount batteries have succeeded it with improved electronics, higher discharge rates, and additional output ports — while maintaining the same Gold Mount physical interface for backward compatibility with existing plates and chargers. Block Battery's Gold Mount-compatible systems are also worth evaluating if you're refreshing aging E90-era inventory.
Is the Anton Bauer DG90 compatible with legacy Anton Bauer chargers?
Gold Mount batteries are generally designed for backward compatibility within the Gold Mount charger ecosystem. Most Gold Mount chargers support Digital Series batteries, but intelligent charging functions can vary by charger generation. Verify your specific charger model against the battery manufacturer's documentation to confirm full compatibility.
Can I use the Anton Bauer DG90 on a camera that has a V-Mount plate?
No. The DG90 is exclusively a Gold Mount battery and will not physically connect to a V-Mount plate. Gold Mount and V-Mount are physically incompatible standards — no direct adapter converts between them for camera-side mounting. If your production runs V-Mount cameras, you'll need a V-Mount battery; Block Battery offers V-Mount systems across a range of capacities for professional production.
