The following Nikon D800 / D800E battery life numbers (how many photos can be taken before power from the battery runs out) is extracted from the Nikon D800 / D800E Manual and the Nikon D800 / D800E Specifications page.
Nikon provides two sets of battery life figures, one based on the CIPA standard, and the other on their in-house, Nikon standard.
Three different power supply conditions are tested:
- One fully-charged Nikon EN-EL15 7.0V, 1900mAh Lithium Ion battery pack, either in-camera or in an attached Multi-Powered Battery Pack Grip MB-D12.
- One fully-charged Nikon EN-EL18 10.8V, 2000mAh Lithium Ion battery pack in the MB-D12 battery grip.
- Eight AA-sized batteries in the MB-D12 battery grip.
CIPA standard
Figures calculated based on CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) testing standards (see the section titled “Standard Procedure for Measuring Digital Still Camera Battery Consumption” for more information) are obtained in the following manner (quoted from the Nikon D800 / D800E Manual):
Measured at 23 °C/73.4 °F (±2 °C/3.6 °F) with an AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR lens under the following test conditions: lens cycled from infinity to minimum range and one photograph taken at default settings once every 30 s; flash fired once every other shot. Live view not used.
Nikon D800 / D800E battery life, CIPA standard:
- One EN-EL15 battery (in the camera or in the MB-D12): Approximately 900 shots
- One EN-EL18 battery (in the MB-D12): Approximately 1400 shots
- Eight AA batteries (in the MB-D12): Approximately 1000 shots
Nikon standard
Figures calculated based on the Nikon standard are obtained in the following manner (quoted from the Nikon D800 / D800E Manual):
Measured at 20 °C/68 °F with an AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II lens under the following test conditions: vibration reduction off, image quality set to JPEG normal, image size set to L (large), shutter speed 1/250 s, shutter-release button pressed halfway for three seconds and focus cycled from infinity to minimum range three times; six shots are then taken in succession and monitor turned on for five seconds and then turned off; cycle repeated once exposure meters have turned off.
Nikon D800 / D800E battery life, Nikon standard:
- One EN-EL15 battery (in the camera or in the MB-D12): Approximately 2400 shots
- One EN-EL18 battery (in the MB-D12): Approximately 3800 shots
- Eight AA batteries (in the MB-D12): Approximately 2400 shots
Nikon does not provide separate battery life figures for movie and Live View shooting, and photography at 0°C / 32°F / freezing temperature.
Other Battery Life Factors
In the D800 / D800E Manual, Nikon advised that the following will lead to a reduction in battery life and number of shots:
- Using the LCD monitor.
- The shutter-release button is kept pressed halfway.
- Autofocus operation is repeatedly performed.
- Shooting NEF (RAW) instead of JPEG images.
- Slow shutter speeds.
- Using the WT-4 wireless transmitter (applies to WT-4A / B / C / D / E — designation depends on country / region).
- Using the GP-1 GPS unit.
- VR (vibration reduction) mode on VR lenses is activated.
Some lenses draw more power from the camera’s battery during operation due to their physical (heavy lens elements that need more power to move) and electronic (type and technology of the VR employed) properties.
Related
Nikon D800 — Main page
Nikon D800E — Main page