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Which battery does the Nikon D4S take?

The Nikon D4S is a professional DSLR that features a 16.2MP sensor. It is powered by the Nikon EN-EL18a, 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-EL18a operates at a voltage of 10.8V and has a capacity of 2500mAh. It can be charged from a standard electrical outlet via the Nikon MH-26a charger (that can be purchased separately, for example, at amazon). The battery pack measures 57 mm in width, 27 mm in height, and 83 mm in depth. It weighs 160 g. The Nikon EN-EL18a has been on the market since February 2014 and sells at good camera retailers, such as amazon, for about $200. Nikon provides the EN-EL18a in a gray outer finish. Generic alternatives (see below) that are compatible with the Nikon D4S can be obtained at substantially lower cost.


Find a generic replacement for the Nikon EN-EL18a at:

 
amazon.com
 
 
ebay.com
 


What is the difference between the Nikon EN-EL18a and the EN-EL18?

The EN-EL18a was preceded as a battery pack for digital cameras by the EN-EL18. Both types operate at a similar voltage and are fully interchangeable, so that the EN-EL18 can also be used with the Nikon D4S. The main difference between the two packs is their capacity. The Nikon EN-EL18a has a 20 percent higher mAh value (2500 vs 2000 mAh) and, hence, somewhat better performance (20 percent more shots per battery charge) than the EN-EL18.

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-EL18a

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 D4S can take 3020 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-EL18a 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-EL18a Specifications

  • Battery type: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack
  • Compatibility: Nikon D4S & other selected Nikon cameras
  • Voltage: 10.8V DC
  • Capacity: 2500mAh
  • Number of shots (CIPA) with the Nikon D4S: 3020

Indeed, one can often find a variety of competitively-priced EN-EL18a replacements from different vendors at major online platforms (see, for example, here on ebay). All these generic alternatives should work fine with your Nikon D4S. So why would anybody then buy the more expensive original battery? Well, below are some arguments in favor of the genuine Nikon EN-EL18a, 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-EL18a. 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-EL18a and its clones by using the buttons below.


Find a generic replacement for the Nikon EN-EL18a at:

 
amazon.com
 
 
ebay.com
 


Which other cameras use the Nikon EN-EL18a or the EN-EL18?

The D4S is not alone in using the Nikon EN-EL18a or the EN-EL18. 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-EL18a or the EN-EL18
  Camera
Model
Battery
(name)
Battery life
(CIPA)
Sensor Size
(type)
Resolution
(MP)
Weight
(g)
Camera
Launch
Launch Price
(USD)
Street Price
(USD)
1Nikon D4Nikon EN-EL182600Full Frame16.21340Jan 20125,999ebay.com
2Nikon D4SNikon EN-EL18a3020Full Frame16.21350Feb 20146,499ebay.com
3Nikon D5Nikon EN-EL18a3780Full Frame20.71415Jan 20166,499ebay.com

Nikon EN-EL18a FAQ

The Nikon EN-EL18a is the standard power source for the D4S. 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-EL18a?

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

Can I use the EN-EL18a in any of my other electronic devices?

No, the battery is specifically designed for use in the Nikon D4S and other selected cameras from Nikon.

How should the EN-EL18a 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-EL18a 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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