Short answer: yes, they can be mixed. LP-E6P and LP-E6NH share identical dimensions, contacts, and voltage, so either will power any body that accepts the LP-E6 family without damaging the camera or the pack. But “compatible” is not the same as “identical in behavior”: in a heavy-load body such as the EOS R5 Mark II, LP-E6P runs the full feature set while LP-E6NH may be capped, whereas in bodies built around LP-E6NH, such as the R5 and R6, the two feel almost the same. On the charger side the two share one dock charger, and it is the firmware layer that decides whether the body can even tell them apart.
Below, the three layers are handled separately, followed by a rotation checklist you can put to work immediately.
Layer one: the body decides whether there is any difference
The body matters most of the three, because it determines whether the pack’s capability can be used at all.
| Body type | Behavior when mixed | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| EOS R5 Mark II | Clear difference: LP-E6P handles high bitrate and fast bursts at full spec, LP-E6NH is restricted in some modes | Use LP-E6P only for critical shooting |
| EOS R5 / R6 / R6 Mark II / R7 | Very little difference: both packs meet the body’s demands | Mix freely, just rotate by charge level |
| 5D Mark IV / 6D Mark II / 90D | Small difference, but LP-E6P may be recognized at a lower tier | Make LP-E6NH the default, keep LP-E6P for backup |
| 5D Mark II / III, 6D, 7D series, 60D-80D | Small difference; LP-E6P may run as an ordinary pack, and a few bodies show recognition errors | No reason to buy LP-E6P specifically |
There is only one criterion that matters: is your body in the tier designed for high discharge? If yes, separate the two. If not, mix them as you like.
Layer two: the charger is shared, but read the label
Neither LP-E6P nor LP-E6NH has a USB-C charging port, so both charge in a dock charger. They can share one dock, and there is no need to buy two chargers.
Details worth watching:
- OEM dock charger LC-E6 / LC-E6E. These belong to the same family and will charge either pack; charging time varies with capacity, temperature, and which dock you use.
- Third-party docks. The safer choice is one whose label explicitly lists LP-E6P. Older units marked only for LP-E6 / LP-E6N may not reach full charge, or may take unusually long, because the charging curve differs.
- Dual-slot docks. Charging two packs at once splits the current, roughly doubles the time, and concentrates heat in one place, so keep it ventilated.
- In-body USB-C charging. Fine for emergencies, less suitable as your main way of topping up.
A useful self-check: put a pack that a third-party dock calls “full” into the OEM dock. If it keeps charging for a long while, the first dock is cutting off too early and the pack was never actually full.
Layer three: firmware decides recognition and limits
Canon firmware contains battery recognition and power delivery strategy. The same pack can behave completely differently across firmware versions:
- Recognition. Whether the model can be read, the percentage displayed, and cycle data logged.
- Feature access. Whether high-bitrate recording, fast bursts, and similar modes are opened up for that pack.
- Warnings. Whether a message such as “cannot communicate with battery” appears.
This explains the familiar situation of “the same body works for someone else but not for me” — often it is simply a different firmware version. When recognition goes wrong, update the body firmware first rather than blaming the battery.
Set expectations accordingly: firmware updates exist to support new accessories and features, and they will not turn an old pack into a high-discharge one. Physical capability is a hard constraint; firmware only decides whether and how it is used.
A rotation checklist for mixed packs
- Number every pack and mark the model, using different colored labels for LP-E6P and LP-E6NH.
- Use only LP-E6P for heavy-load sessions (8K, high frame rates, burst shooting), even if the LP-E6NH still shows full.
- Mix freely on light sessions (stills, interviews, timelapse), draining the lower pack first.
- When two bodies share a pool, give the LP-E6P to whichever body demands more.
- Do not bother assigning dock slots, but return each pack to its own place after charging so you grab the right one next time.
- Inspect every six months: case swelling, oxidized contacts, an obvious drop in runtime.
If you are still deciding whether to add an LP-E6P for an R5 Mark II, start with the compatibility boundaries in the LP-E6P category. If your body is an R5 or R6, the upgrade is not really necessary, and the options in the LP-E6NH category are the better value. Third-party brands such as YO mostly cover the LP-E6NH-compatible slot at this spec level; for LP-E6P high-discharge work, OEM remains the recommendation.
FAQ
Does mixing LP-E6P and LP-E6NH shorten battery life?
No. Mixing means alternating different models in the same body, and the body manages each according to its characteristics. There is no cross-contamination. What really shortens life is heat, deep discharge, and long-term storage at full charge.
Can both packs charge at the same time?
Yes, a dual-slot dock supports two packs at once. Keep in mind that current is split, charging takes longer, and more heat is generated, so charge in a ventilated spot.
Why does LP-E6P feel the same as LP-E6NH on an R5?
Because the R5 was designed around LP-E6NH. Its current demand never exceeds what LP-E6NH can supply, so the extra discharge capability of LP-E6P goes unused. That is not a fault in the battery.
Will a firmware update restrict older batteries?
Typically no new restrictions are added, but recognition strategy can shift slightly between versions. If an unusual warning appears after an update, consider rolling back or confirming with Canon support. Flashing unofficial firmware yourself is not advisable.