Short answer: LP-E17, LP-E12 and LP-E6 are three entirely different batteries. Their voltages are close, but the dimensions, capacities and latches all differ, so they cannot be mixed. LP-E17H is not a Canon model at all — it is a third-party label for a higher-capacity LP-E17. Of the three, only the LP-E6 family (E6, E6N, E6NH, E6P) is backward compatible within itself. There is no adapter of any kind between LP-E17 and LP-E12.
The confusion arises because Canon runs two parallel battery systems in its small bodies: the LP-E17 at 7.2V / 1040mAh and the earlier LP-E12 at 7.4V / 875mAh. They are close enough in outline that photographs barely distinguish them, but they differ by a few millimetres in length and the bay settles the question instantly.
The four compared in one table
| Model | Nominal voltage | Capacity | Size (approx.) | Typical bodies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LP-E17 | 7.2V | 1040mAh / 7.5Wh | 33 × 14 × 49.4 mm | R50, R10, R8, RP, R100, 850D, 800D, 200D II, M6 II |
| LP-E12 | 7.4V | 875mAh | Shorter than the LP-E17 | M50, M50 II, M100, M200, M10, M2, M, 100D |
| LP-E6 / E6N / E6NH / E6P | 7.2V | 1800-2130mAh | Clearly wider and taller | 5D series, 6D series, 7D II, 90D, R, R5, R6, R7 |
| LP-E17H | 7.2V | Usually quoted at 1100-1300mAh | Same as the LP-E17 | Same as the LP-E17, subject to the body recognising it |
The key point is in the voltage column: everything sits between 7.2 and 7.4V, which is exactly where the illusion of interchangeability comes from. But voltage is not enough. If contact positions, latch shape or the communication protocol do not match, the pack either will not go in or will go in and do nothing.
What LP-E17H actually is
There is no LP-E17H in Canon’s battery listings. The name appears in marketplace titles and in the spec sheets of compatible packs, and it usually signals two things: a cell of higher capacity than the standard version, and a full decoder that lets the body display charge normally. The letter H is the vendor’s own naming habit; there is no shared standard behind it.
That has two consequences. First, capacity varies widely between brands — a pack quoted at 1300mAh may deliver 1000mAh — so Wh and real user reports tell you more than the headline number. Second, LP-E17H and LP-E17 are physically fully compatible: the same bodies, the same chargers, provided the product itself is properly built.
If all you want is a spare, a clearly labelled standard LP-E17 is enough. If runtime is the concern, consider a high-capacity version, but accept the premium in weight and price.
Why they cannot be mixed
They do not fit, and that is final. The LP-E12 is shorter than the LP-E17 and the latch sits elsewhere. Push an LP-E17 into an M50 and it stops halfway; put an LP-E12 into an R50 and it never reaches the contacts, so the body reports an error. The LP-E6 is larger still and will not even enter the bay. None of this improves with more force.
Modifying them is genuinely dangerous. Tutorials for filing down latches so packs interchange do circulate online. A lithium-ion pack without its casing protection and without correct temperature sensing can short or overheat inside a sealed camera body, and the consequences go well beyond a replacement battery. Worse, the body reads pack temperature from a dedicated contact, so after modification that protection is effectively disabled — particularly dangerous during summer bursts or long recordings. There is no value in this at all.
The chargers are not interchangeable either. The LC-E17C outputs 8.4V / 700mA, the LC-E12C 8.4V / 540mA, and the LC-E6E follows yet another curve. Mismatching chargers ranges from a partial charge and odd indicator behaviour to overcurrent damage to the cell. If a multi-bay third-party charger claims several models, confirm it controls each bay by model rather than feeding them all from one output.
How to confirm which one you need
- Check the label inside the battery bay door — Canon normally prints the model there.
- Check the printing on the back of the original pack, which lists model, voltage and capacity on three lines.
- Work back from the body model: in the R series, the R50, R10, R8, RP and R100 take the LP-E17, while the R7 and above take the LP-E6.
- Be careful with the M series: the M3, M5, M6 and M6 II take the LP-E17, whereas the M50 series, M100 and M200 take the LP-E12.
Work through those four steps and you will not buy the wrong pack. For LP-E17 capacity tiers and compatible bodies, see the LP-E17 section; if you also own a larger body, the four generations of LP-E6 are compared in full in the LP-E6 section. Compact camera owners are on a different system entirely — see the NB-13L battery section.
FAQ
Can an LP-E17 and an LP-E17H charge on the same charger?
Yes. They share dimensions and contacts, so an LC-E17C or a compatible charger will handle both. What matters is not using an LP-E12 charger: the output current and charging curve differ, which is unkind to the cell over time.
Is the same voltage enough to make packs interchangeable?
No. Voltage is one parameter among many. A lithium-ion pack also needs matching contact definitions, a temperature sensor and a communication protocol before the body can read charge and temperature correctly. Miss any of them and you get anything from no gauge to a refusal to power on.
Will an LP-E17 work in a 5D series body?
No. The 5D series uses the LP-E6 family, with completely different bay dimensions and contacts. The reverse is equally true: an LP-E6 will not go into a small body like the R50. Their capacities differ by more than double, and they were designed for different things.
Is there any way to rescue a pack bought in the wrong model?
There is no safe adapter. Unopened packs can usually be returned; opened ones can only be kept or passed on to someone with the right body. Do not attempt rewiring, filing or homemade contacts — the upside is far smaller than the risk.