Nikon Batteries: Having had a older DSLR model D3100 and a couple of batteries for it, I now have the newer D5300 and the battery spec for it is different, by a small amount. The older...

f8bengal Loc: West Nawth Carolinah

Having had a older DSLR model D3100 and a couple of batteries for it, I now have the newer D5300 and the battery spec for it is different, by a small amount. The older battery is EN-EL14, output 7.4v and 1030 mAh power rating, whereas the newer one, EN-EL14a, is 7.2v and about 1230 mAh. Both are identical in size and fit.
Unless someone has a good explanation to the contrary, I will take the position that they are interchangeable.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

They are quite interchangeable.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

f8bengal wrote:

Having had a older DSLR model D3100 and a couple of batteries for it, I now have the newer D5300 and the battery spec for it is different, by a small amount. The older battery is EN-EL14, output 7.4v and 1030 mAh power rating, whereas the newer one, EN-EL14a, is 7.2v and about 1230 mAh. Both are identical in size and fit.
Unless someone has a good explanation to the contrary, I will take the position that they are interchangeable.

I am not a Nikon user, but they are probably interchangeable - however, the people to ask before risking it are Nikon, as 7.4 into 7.2 may not go. I f there was a problem then Nikon should have made the fit different (note I said should have).

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

My EN-EL 14's from my D5100 work just fine with my D5300.

balticvid Loc: Queens now NJ

I wonder why they changed the specifications of the original battery.

Chris F. Loc: San Francisco

The voltage difference is probably small enough not to worry about. Generally I would not exchange or mix different voltage rated batteries between my electronic equipment. A good description of mAh would be charging size or capacity of the battery, thus the larger mAh number would be more preferred as it will last longer.

Chris

f8bengal wrote:

Having had a older DSLR model D3100 and a couple of batteries for it, I now have the newer D5300 and the battery spec for it is different, by a small amount. The older battery is EN-EL14, output 7.4v and 1030 mAh power rating, whereas the newer one, EN-EL14a, is 7.2v and about 1230 mAh. Both are identical in size and fit.
Unless someone has a good explanation to the contrary, I will take the position that they are interchangeable.

n3eg Loc: West coast USA

There is no voltage difference. Each battery has two lithium cells. 7.2 vs. 7.4 is just nonsense nitpicking over battery specs by people who print labels. In fact, fully charged voltage is 8.4 volts and fully discharged voltage is 6 volts.

As for the difference in capacity, hey - you got a bonus! Nothing to worry about there.

jack schade Loc: La Pine Oregon

Very interchageble.
Jack

balticvid Loc: Queens now NJ

Thanks guys, I didn't know.

spdmn54 Loc: Avon Lake, Ohio

I have been interchanging these 2 batteries for a year and a half worth no noticeable differences or problems.

mymike Loc: Tucson, AZ

I too wondered that when my Nikon dealer sold me a battery for my Nikon P7800. It was the same as the one yu described. Works fine and now I have a spare that will work in a D5300.

NoSocks Loc: quonochontaug, rhode island

Knowing nothing about volts or hertz or jiga-watts I would have been appalled at the suggestion that batteries could be interchangeable. Thanks for another bit of knowledge from the Hog.

f8bengal Loc: West Nawth Carolinah

Okay, folks, here is the official response from Nikon. Suspicions confirmed. Thanks to you all. NOW, will someone please explain "firmware" and "communication errors" before I call Imani at Nikon. If it ain't one thing it's another!

Thank you for contacting Nikon. Yes you can use the batteries interchangeably. A firmware update is required for the D3100 camera before changing the batteries so that no communication errors occur. Please use the link below to update the firmware before replacing the batteries.

Answer Title: D3100 firmware: A:1.02, B:1.01
Answer Link: https://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/18725

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact us at 1-800-645-6687.

Best Regards,
Imani B.

WereWolf1967 Loc: Knoxville, TN

f8bengal wrote:

Having had a older DSLR model D3100 and a couple of batteries for it, I now have the newer D5300 and the battery spec for it is different, by a small amount. The older battery is EN-EL14, output 7.4v and 1030 mAh power rating, whereas the newer one, EN-EL14a, is 7.2v and about 1230 mAh. Both are identical in size and fit.
Unless someone has a good explanation to the contrary, I will take the position that they are interchangeable.

Don't rely on this being Gospel truth but the basic difference in batteries with an a or e after the number is that they give charge remaining information to Nikon Digital bodies designed to display it.

tradergeorge Loc: Newport, Kentucky

f8bengal wrote:

Having had a older DSLR model D3100 and a couple of batteries for it, I now have the newer D5300 and the battery spec for it is different, by a small amount. The older battery is EN-EL14, output 7.4v and 1030 mAh power rating, whereas the newer one, EN-EL14a, is 7.2v and about 1230 mAh. Both are identical in size and fit.
Unless someone has a good explanation to the contrary, I will take the position that they are interchangeable.

The 1230 mAh represents the capacity of the battery (like the volume of a fuel tank)...They are interchangeable because battery makers have figured out how to put more capacity in the same form factor...The best course of action is to get the highest value that is guaranteed to work in your camera...You will get more pics per charge.....This does NOT apply to voltage, which if changed could cause a fire or other damage. The voltage MUST match exactly.