Nikon Z8 Battery and Charger: What Actually Works

On paper, the battery the Nikon Z8 uses is straightforward. As is the charger. It takes the EN-EL15C and ships with an MH-25a wall charger, and it’s simple enough if you stick to Nikon original batteries. It gets much less simple once you start looking at cheaper aftermarket batteries or chargers.

After trying quite a few combinations, here’s what I’ve found.

Nikon Z8 batteries: The basics

The Nikon Z8 uses battery model Nikon EN-EL15C. It’s rated for 7V and 2280 mAh.

This is the fourth version of the EN-EL15 series of battery. (The previous versions were the EN-EL15, EN-EL15A, and EN-EL15B.) They all look basically the same, with the same shape. And the EN-EL15C is backward compatible, which means it will work in older cameras that also use the EN-EL batteries (for example, the Nikon Z7, D850, D7500, or D500) — if you’re not sure which battery your particular Nikon camera takes, this Nikon battery compatibility chart lays it all out.

Going the other way is messier, but it’s not a flat no. Nikon lists the EN-EL15b and EN-EL15a as usable in the Z8, with fewer shots per charge than the EN-EL15c. The catch is charging: only the EN-EL15c and EN-EL15b can be charged inside the camera over USB. An EN-EL15a has to go into an MH-25a charger instead. If you try to charge one in the camera, the charge lamp flashes rapidly for about 30 seconds and then turns off.

The original EN-EL15, the first version, isn’t on Nikon’s list of batteries for the Z8 at all.

Battery life is the one place the Z8 clearly gives ground to the Z9 and its much bigger EN-EL18d. Nikon rates the EN-EL15c at about 330 shots per charge using the viewfinder and 340 using the rear screen. Turning on SETUP MENU > Energy saving (photo mode) nudges that to 340 and 370.

Those are CIPA figures, measured one frame every 30 seconds with the camera awake in between. So they’re really a measure of how long the camera stays switched on rather than how many frames you’ll get. Nikon’s own burst-shooting figure for one EN-EL15c is about 2,280 shots. Shoot in bursts and it’s normal to get several times the rated number.

Aftermarket batteries for the Nikon Z8

When I first posted this, I strongly recommended sticking with genuine Nikon batteries despite their high prices. That was because, despite having tried several aftermarket batteries, I was yet to find one that worked with the Z8.

I have since found an aftermarket battery that does work for me with the Nikon Z8 (more on that below). So I’m softening my recommendation a little, but still recommend being cautious in choosing aftermarket batteries.

I’ve tried several of my usual go-to aftermarket brands, including Watson, RAVPower, Enegon, and so on, but they don’t work in the Z8. Instead, you get this warning screen.

But I’ve since found a new battery that does work. I bought one and tried it out in my Z8, and it’s working well for me.

It’s a new battery from SmallRig, a company better known for camera cages, mounts, and grips. But they’ve recently been branching out into some camera batteries as well. And in this case, they seem to be onto a winner.

There are two things I like about this battery. The most obvious is that it’s compatible with the Nikon Z8 while also being much cheaper than the genuine Nikon battery. SmallRig has set the MSRP at USD 44, which is a significant improvement over the MSRP of USD 69 for the genuine Nikon battery.

The second thing is a feature that I hope more batteries adopt: it has its own USB-C port built in, so you can charge it directly without needing a separate charger or charging the battery in the camera or the optional grip.

I’ve written a post with more information on this battery separately. After testing one for a while to see how it went, I’ve since bought a couple more, and they’ve been working well for me.

Nikon Z8 chargers: Genuine Nikon chargers

There are a couple of different ways to charge the battery for the Nikon Z8. You can charge the battery outside the camera in a battery charger. The camera comes with a basic AC wall charger.

Or you can charge the battery inside the camera using the camera’s USB PD port (or in the optional MB-N12 battery pack grip). But you can’t use just any USB power source (more on that below).

Charging batteries separately in a standalone battery charger

These are standalone chargers, where the battery comes out of the camera and charges separately.

MH-25a. This is the basic AC charger that comes with the Z8 in most places (Nikon sells it separately in some countries). It’s a single-battery charger that plugs directly into the wall. Nikon quotes about 2 hours 35 minutes to charge an empty battery. It’s the same general design that Nikon’s been using for a while. It’s simple. It works. But it’s also quite bulky for taking in a minimalist travel kit, and I don’t like that it has to go directly into an outlet — I rarely find that convenient.

There is also a variation that comes with an AC cord, which gives you some extra reach for placement.

MH-34. Nikon also lists the MH-34 as a charger for the EN-EL15c. It doesn’t plug into the wall itself: you power it from an EH-8P adapter with a UC-E25 cable. It doesn’t charge the older EN-EL15a.

Again, if you need a spare or replacement, I recommend sticking with the Nikon original. That’s because I’ve had very mixed results from aftermarket chargers with Nikon-branded EN-EL15C batteries. In some cases, I’ve been able to charge one EN-EL15C but another in the same charger won’t charge at all. And several of my usual EN-EL chargers won’t work at all with the newer EN-EL15C.

USB charging & external power delivery

It is possible to charge the battery in the camera or in the optional grip using USB. Both the camera and the grip have built-in USB-C Power Delivery ports.

These also work as methods for charging the Z8 with external power, such as when doing extended shooting such as shooting time-lapse or long video shoots.

But there are two important things to know:

• It’s not as simple as just using any old USB power source. There are specific requirements.
• If you’re using the USB port for continuous power, it’s worth knowing that the battery won’t charge while the camera is being used. (You can find the specific operations that prevent or allow battery charging while attached to external power delivery here.)

Charging vs. powering the camera: the rules

Nikon uses two different words here, and the difference explains most “it won’t charge” problems.

• Charging means the USB source fills the battery.
• Power delivery means the USB source runs the camera while you use it, which saves the battery. It doesn’t charge it at the same time.

Which one happens depends on whether the camera is on, whether the standby timer is running (the timer that puts the camera to sleep after 30 seconds of inactivity by default), and one menu setting:

MENU > SETUP MENU > USB power delivery

Camera state	USB power delivery ON	USB power delivery OFF
Off	Charges the battery	Charges the battery
On, standby timer expired (camera asleep)	Charges the battery	Charges the battery
On and awake (standby timer running)	Powers the camera	Nothing

Three practical results:

• A camera that’s on and awake never charges. If you’ve set the standby timer to No limit, the battery won’t charge until you turn the camera off.
• For long shoots, turn USB power delivery ON. Time-lapse, long video takes, tethering. The camera then runs from the USB source instead of draining the battery.
• A battery has to be in the camera. The Z8 won’t run on USB power with the battery chamber empty.

An empty battery takes about 2 hours 40 minutes to charge in the camera. When the camera is running on USB power, a small USB power delivery icon appears in the shooting display and the control panel.

Official Nikon USB chargers

Nikon has two AC power chargers that are officially supported for the Nikon Z8.

• EH-8P AC Adapter. This is a Nikon-branded PD-compatible AC adapter and is the preferred option for the Z8. The EH-8P does not come with a USB cable, and Nikon recommends their own UC-E25 USB cable, which, once again, comes at a premium price point.
• EH‑7P AC Adapter. This is an older and different design, but it is also a PD-compatible AC adapter. The EH-7P includes the USB-C cable, but it’s of a different design.
  

Non-official USB chargers

The safe bets are obviously to stick with Nikon’s official chargers and cables. They come with the assurance that they’re officially supported by Nikon and the confidence that they’ll work. The catch is that they’re not cheap.

If you’re after a less-expensive option, I know from personal experience that it is possible to use non-Nikon chargers and cables to charge the EN-EL15C in a Nikon Z8.

Nikon now says so too, and it gives a minimum. Its manual says third-party chargers can be used if they:

• have USB-C ports and support USB PD (Power Delivery),
• have a minimum output of 27 W (9 V/3 A), and
• connect with a cable that has USB-C at both ends.

Nikon adds that it doesn’t guarantee every third-party charger and cable will work. But that 27 W figure is the threshold I hadn’t been able to pin down. It fits what I found: the chargers that worked for me, like the Anker 100W below, are well above it. A small 20 W phone charger falls short of it.

But the PD label on the Z8’s USB port is probably a good clue that the charger should be at least PD compatible. And if you’re looking to buy a charger or use one you already have on hand, that’s an easy thing to see on the box or on the device itself. Typically, a charger that specifically has PD compatibility will have “PD” marked next to the ports. You can even see an example on the Z8 itself, next to one of the USB-C ports.

I have also had good results with high-output GaN chargers even if they don’t specifically carry the PD specification. Some examples I’ve tried include chargers from Anker, Hyper, and RAVPower. Anker, for instance, doesn’t use the specific PD nomenclature separately, but it’s one of the charging technologies encompassed by their PowerIQ umbrella technology, and this Anker 100W charger has worked well for me with the Z8.

Nikon’s guidance specifies USB PD, so if you’re buying a charger for the Z8, look for PD on the label.

USB power banks

It’s not just wall chargers. A USB power bank can also charge the battery or run the camera, and Nikon’s guidance is the same as for wall chargers: USB-C, USB PD, 27 W (9 V/3 A) or more, and a USB-C to USB-C cable. Many power banks don’t put out that much, so check the rating on the bank itself.

Nikon has tested one model and lists it in the manual: the Anker PowerCore III Elite 25600 87W. Nikon says it gives about five times the shots of an EN-EL15c alone, or about four full charges of the battery.

As another example, I take a Zendure SuperTank Pro with me when I travel, which is a high-output USB power bank. It works well for me with the Z8.

Two things to know. Only the EN-EL15c and EN-EL15b charge from a power bank. And the bank has to go into the PD port, not the data port.

A power bank on a long time-lapse. If you’re running a long time-lapse from a power bank, turn USB power delivery ON before you start. While the camera is recording with its built-in time-lapse video feature, the standby timer doesn’t expire, so the camera never reaches the “asleep” state where the battery would charge. With USB power delivery ON, the power bank runs the camera and the battery stays as it was. With it OFF, the camera runs on the battery until it’s empty, with the power bank plugged in and doing nothing.

Charging via computer USB

I haven’t tried this option, but since it’s in the manual, I’ll include it here for completeness.

Specifically, the manual says:

Computers will supply current to power the camera or charge the battery only via an optional UC‑E25 USB cable (which has Type C connectors at both ends) connected to a built-in Type C USB port on the computer.

The cable has to go into the camera’s USB Power Delivery port. The UC-E24 cable that comes with the Z8 (USB-C to USB-A) can’t be used for this. And Nikon notes that, depending on the model, some computers won’t supply the current to power the camera or charge the battery.

The reality is that the USB power output from many computers is going to be too low for this to be a viable option. But if that’s your preferred method, the manual says it’s possible if you have the right hardware.

Cables

NB: The Z8 also comes with a UC-E24 USB cable. That is designed for data transfer, not power delivery. It has not worked for me for providing power to the Z8.

Nikon is quite insistent that the UC-E25 cable is required for charging the EN-EL15C in the camera. It’s a 12-inch USB-C cable with an MSRP of USD 39.95.

That’s quite expensive for a USB cable. In my own experience, I’ve found other USB-C cables that work just fine when used with aftermarket chargers (I have not tried other cables with the EH-8P charger).

But the key thing to know is that not all USB-C cables are created equal. You’ll want to specifically look for one that supports fast-charging power delivery. That’s not necessarily the same thing as data transfer such as video output; some cables support one or the other. Fast-charging cables are often marketed for devices like high-end phones, tablets, and laptops.

The Nikon Z8’s charging port: Which USB-C port to use

If you’re using the USB method of charging the battery inside the camera, make sure to use the correct USB-C port on the camera. The Nikon Z8 has two USB-C ports side-by-side. Use the one with the small PD label next to it (PD stands for Power Delivery). The other is for data transfer.

Nikon MB-N12 grip’s USB-C power delivery port

If you’re using the MB-N12 battery pack grip, it has its own USB-C Power Delivery port built into it. Use that port for charging the grip (there’s no USB data port on the grip).

One trap: with the MB-N12 attached, plugging the charger into the camera’s own PD port won’t charge the batteries. The cable has to go into the grip’s charging connector. With two empty batteries, Nikon quotes about 5 hours, and the battery in Chamber B charges first. The grip follows the same rule as the camera: its batteries charge when the camera is off or asleep, not while external power is running the camera.

Fun fact: You can charge EN-EL15C batteries in the MB-N12 grip even when the grip is not attached to the camera. Which makes it functionally a standalone dual-battery charger (via USB).

Things worth knowing

• This is a post that I will keep updating as I come across new information or run into new issues. Battery and charger manufacturers will come out with new models. Firmware will be updated. And who knows what licensing agreements are being made behind the scenes that govern the compatibility of third-party accessories?
  
  As an example of what I mean, several years ago GoPro suddenly blocked compatibility with all existing replacement batteries made by other manufacturers. They subsequently started allowing some third-party manufacturers to produce (mostly) compatible batteries. So I’m referring here to at least some precedent, even if it’s a different company in this case.
  
  But my objective here is to report my own findings, not predict the future. In other words, while I’m doing my best to present accurate information so far as I know it, it’s also quite possible that your mileage might vary. And, if in doubt, just stick with the original Nikon accessories.
• There are two ways to see whether the camera is charging or external power is connected. Firstly, there’s a small orange LED light on the side of the camera (same side as the charging port, at the top). Secondly, there’s a small AC plug icon that comes on the top panel or back screen (if you’re using the status screen) next to the battery status indicator.
• The Nikon Z8, like others in Nikon’s Z mirrorless range, has a battery health check feature. I have more detailed post on how to know when it’s time to replace your Nikon Z8 battery, but the short version is that you can go to SETUP MENU > Battery Info.

Frequently asked questions

What battery does the Nikon Z8 use?

The EN-EL15c (7.0 V, 2280 mAh). The EN-EL15b and EN-EL15a also work, with fewer shots per charge.

Can you charge the Nikon Z8 battery in the camera?

Yes, over the USB-C port marked PD, with the camera off or asleep. Only the EN-EL15c and EN-EL15b charge in the camera.

Can I charge the Nikon Z8 with a USB-C phone charger?

Only if it’s a USB PD charger rated at 27 W (9 V/3 A) or more, per Nikon. Most small phone chargers are below that.

Why won’t my Z8 charge when it’s turned on?

The battery charges with the camera on only after the standby timer expires. While the camera is awake, a USB source either powers the camera (with USB power delivery ON) or does nothing.

Wrap up

The safest option for charging the EN-EL15C batteries for the Nikon Z8 is to use genuine Nikon-branded batteries and chargers.

So far, I’ve only come across one aftermarket version of the EN-ELC battery that works in my Z8: the SmallRig EN-EL15C replacement battery.

But I have found several aftermarket charger and cable combinations that have been working well for me to charge the battery in the camera via USB Power Delivery. The key seems to be that the charger supports at least PD specification output and that the cable support fast-charging.