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Which battery does the Nikon D3500 take?

The Nikon D3500 is a digital DSLR that features a 24.0MP sensor. It is powered by the Nikon EN-EL14a, which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery pack. Lithium-Ion batteries offer a high energy density and low self-discharge, and are nowadays found in many portable electronic devices.

Battery Pack

The EN-EL14a operates at a voltage of 7.2V and has a capacity of 1230mAh. It can be charged from a standard electrical outlet via the Nikon MH-24 charger (that can be purchased separately, for example, at amazon). The battery pack measures 38 mm in width, 14 mm in height, and 53 mm in depth. It weighs 49 g. The Nikon EN-EL14a has been on the market since October 2013 and sells at good camera retailers, such as amazon, for about $50. Nikon provides the EN-EL14a in a gray outer finish. Generic alternatives (see below) that are compatible with the Nikon D3500 can be obtained at substantially lower cost.


Find a generic replacement for the Nikon EN-EL14a at:

 
amazon.com
 
 
ebay.com
 


What is the difference between the Nikon EN-EL14a and the EN-EL14?

The EN-EL14a was preceded as a battery pack for digital cameras by the EN-EL14. Both types operate at a similar voltage and are fully interchangeable, so that the EN-EL14 can also be used with the Nikon D3500. The main difference between the two packs is their capacity. The Nikon EN-EL14a has a 16.3 percent higher mAh value (1230 vs 1030 mAh) and, hence, somewhat better performance (16.3 percent more shots per battery charge) than the EN-EL14.

How many shots can I take with a fully charged ?

The number of shots that one can get out of a battery pack depends heavily on the style and imaging practice of the photographer. For example, the extended use of the LCD screen for framing or reviewing will result in reduced battery performance.

Nikon EN-EL14a

The Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) has established guidelines that manufacturers are supposed to respect when reporting the battery life of their cameras. According to this CIPA-rating, the Nikon D3500 can take 1550 images on a single charge. Given the relatively demanding energy usage of the CIPA procedures, this rated number should be achievable or be surpassed in most practical situations. However, if the environment is cold, the LCD screen is used heavily, or the camera is turned on and off frequently, battery mileage might drop towards or even below the rating. Also, as the battery pack ages, its performance will tend to deteriorate.

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What about generic battery packs?

Nikon sells the original EN-EL14a battery pack at quite a steep price. This premium pricing strategy has left room in the market for third party suppliers to offer fully compatible battery packs at much lower prices. Savings from buying generic replacement batteries can amount up to 70 percent of the price of the genuine battery pack.

Nikon EN-EL14a Specifications

  • Battery type: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack
  • Compatibility: Nikon D3500 & other selected Nikon cameras
  • Voltage: 7.2V DC
  • Capacity: 1230mAh
  • Number of shots (CIPA) with the Nikon D3500: 1550

Indeed, one can often find a variety of competitively-priced EN-EL14a replacements from different vendors at major online platforms (see, for example, here on ebay). All these generic alternatives should work fine with your Nikon D3500. So why would anybody then buy the more expensive original battery? Well, below are some arguments in favor of the genuine Nikon EN-EL14a, which can perhaps be summarized as "peace of mind":

  • Assurance that the warranty of the camera will not be rendered void if a battery-related failure occurs;
  • Assurance that the battery pack will indeed have the stated capacity;
  • Assurance that the battery will have low self-discharge rates and, thus, will hold its charge even when not in use;
  • Assurance that the power unit will not trigger any warning messages on the camera and can be effectively charged with the standard charger;
  • Assurance that the manufacturing process has respected the safety guidelines for Lithium-Ion batteries;

If you can live without these assurances, then you are in for some nice savings from buying generic replacements for the Nikon EN-EL14a. Unfortunately, the market for generic battery packs is rather fluid, with new trade names popping up regularly while others disappear. Hence it is difficult to keep track of all the suppliers and the quality of their products. That said, in North America, battery packs from Wasabi have gained a good reputation, while in Europe, replacement power packs from Patona have received many favorable reviews. In any case, the existing comparisons tend to find that the cheapest of the generic replacement packs score worse in terms of achieving their rated capacity, holding their charge over time, or allowing for a large number of charge-discharge cycles than somewhat pricier battery packs (or the genuine Nikon offer). Thus, the old adage, "If the price sounds too low to be true, it probably is" has some merit with respect to camera batteries also. You can check the current offers and prices for the original Nikon EN-EL14a and its clones by using the buttons below.


Find a generic replacement for the Nikon EN-EL14a at:

 
amazon.com
 
 
ebay.com
 


Which other cameras use the Nikon EN-EL14a or the EN-EL14?

The D3500 is not alone in using the Nikon EN-EL14a or the EN-EL14. Several other cameras from Nikon are powered by the same type of lithium-ion pack. The adjacent table lists some of them along with a selection of their headline specifications.

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Cameras using the Nikon EN-EL14a or the EN-EL14
  Camera
Model
Battery
(name)
Battery life
(CIPA)
Sensor Size
(type)
Resolution
(MP)
Weight
(g)
Camera
Launch
Launch Price
(USD)
Street Price
(USD)
1Nikon D3100Nikon EN-EL14550APS-C14.2505Aug 2010599ebay.com
2Nikon D3200Nikon EN-EL14540APS-C24.1505Apr 2012599ebay.com
3Nikon D3300Nikon EN-EL14a700APS-C24.0430Jan 2014499ebay.com
4Nikon D3400Nikon EN-EL14a1200APS-C24.0445Aug 2016499ebay.com
5Nikon D3500Nikon EN-EL14a1550APS-C24.0415Aug 2018429ebay.com
6Nikon D5100Nikon EN-EL14660APS-C16.1560Apr 2011749ebay.com
7Nikon D5200Nikon EN-EL14500APS-C24.0555Nov 2012749ebay.com
8Nikon D5300Nikon EN-EL14a600APS-C24.0480Oct 2013799ebay.com
9Nikon D5500Nikon EN-EL14a820APS-C24.0470Jan 2015899ebay.com
10Nikon D5600Nikon EN-EL14a970APS-C24.0465Nov 2016699ebay.com
11Nikon DfNikon EN-EL141400Full Frame16.2760Nov 20132,749ebay.com
12Nikon P7800Nikon EN-EL143501/1.712.0399Sep 2013549ebay.com

Nikon EN-EL14a FAQ

The Nikon EN-EL14a is the standard power source for the D3500. As such it is an indispensable camera accessory. Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular aspects of the battery pack and Lithium-Ion power units more generally.

Is there a car charger available for the EN-EL14a?

Nikon does not offer a travel charger, but third party suppliers might do (see here on ebay).

Can I use the EN-EL14a in any of my other electronic devices?

No, the battery is specifically designed for use in the Nikon D3500 and other selected cameras from Nikon.

How should the EN-EL14a be stored?

Lithium-ion batteries can hold a charge for a long time. However, these battery packs have a safety mechanism built-in that disables any re-charge if the voltage drops below a certain minimum level. To avoid this safety-trigger to be activated, the battery pack should be charged at least once every few months.

How should I discard my old Nikon EN-EL14a battery pack?

The contents of Lithium-Ion batteries is under pressure and the packs can explode if exposed to extreme heat. Lithium-Ion battery units should therefore never be incinerated and should not be thrown into the household trash, but put into the recycling stream. Most places that sell camera batteries will also accept them back for recycling.

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