PattyBWest Loc: Jacksonville, FL

I have a Nikon D5200 and use the Nikon en-el14 battery as sold with the camera. I also have a spare of the same battery. I have not updated firmware for the camera so that it will recognize the en-el14a battery.

I find that my camera refuses to work when the battery charge is at about 50% and no, I am not using flash or other attachments. I usually get about 400 to 600 pictures before hitting that approximate 50% battery strength, and I am shooting either in auto or manual modes without the use of wi-fi or remote controls. If I change to a fully charged battery, the camera works fine until its charge drops to that approximate 50% level.

My question: Is it a normal function of the D5200 to stop taking pictures when the battery strength drops to approximately 50% or is something else going on here? Would updating the firmware to F-D5200-V102W correct this problem, or does that firmware update just allow for the camera to recognize the en-el14a battery? Also, if updating the firmware is recommended, I have not done any updates to the firmware since I bought the camera last April, so will I need to update to F-D5200-V101W before I update to F-D5200-V102W??

Patty

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I wonder if it could just be a matter of the battery indicator not being accurate. If the camera won't work, then the battery isn't supplying enough juice.

EDIT: Snapsort says that the D5200 gets about 500 shots on a charge.

http://snapsort.com/compare/Nikon-D5200-vs-Nikon-D7100

I'm not sure about the updates, but I suspect you would have to do one and then the other.

MotoXR

I would contact Nikon and find out why. does not sound like its the battery if multiple ones are doing it. I get aprox 1400 shots out of my D 5000 per each battery

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

Are you using the monitor for focusing? Do you look at your shots on the monitor a lot? Do you use the menu a lot? These are all a big drain on the battery. - Dave

PattyBWest Loc: Jacksonville, FL

That is what I thought with regard to the updates, but, before I make a mistake, I thought I would ask. I know the F-D5200-V102 update is supposed to correct the recognition of the en-el14a battery with the camera. Will go do updates now and run a test tomorrow with fully charged battery. Thanks for your thoughts.

Patty

PattyBWest Loc: Jacksonville, FL

Thanks for your thoughts and information. I will contact Nikon if updating Firmware does not correct the problem.

PattyBWest Loc: Jacksonville, FL

No, I use only the viewfinder for focusing because it is really difficult to see the monitor when outside, which is where most of my pictures are made. I rarely use the monitor when taking pictures, except as they flash across the monitor in the seconds after I take a picture, and I don't go to menu mode often once I get things set the way I want them. Thanks for asking the questions. Good things to remember.

amehta Loc: Boston

You only have to do a single update with the latest version. From NikonUSA firmware page: "Newer firmware versions will overwrite older versions and will also include all previous update changes."