Here’s what I know in terms of compatibility (√ works, X doesn’t work). Listings in italics have not been verified by me personally.
D300 body:
√ Lenmar DLNEL3E (7.4V 1500mAh)
√ Phottix EN-EL3e repl “New Version” (7.4V 1600mAh)*
√ Adorama EN-EL3e repl “for Nikon D300″
√ Delkin EN-EL3e repl (7.4V 1600mAh)**
X Adorama EN-EL3e repl “for Nikon D200, D80, D70s and D50″
X Phottix EN-EL3e repl (7.4V 1600mAh)*
MB-D10 grip:
√ Lenmar DLNEL3E (7.4V 1500mAh) (w/ MS-D10EN)
√ Phottix EN-EL3e repl “New Version” (7.4V 1600mAh) (w/ MS-D10EN)*
√ Phottix Kosmo EN-EL4a+BL-3 repl (11.1v 2200mAh)***
√ Delkin EN-EL3e repl (7.4V 1600mAh) (w/ MS-D10EN)**
X Lenmar DLNEL4 (11.1V 2000mAh) (works w/D2H)
X Delkin EN-EL4 repl (11.1V 2000mAh) (works w/D2H)
X Powersmart EN-EL4 repl (11.1V 1800-2000mAh)
* The “New Version” Phottix batteries from eBay are compatible with the D300. The seller (etefore) is still marketing the older, incompatible batteries as well, so be sure to read the auction description carefully for D300 compatibility information.
** Delkin’s site claims compatibility but some users report otherwise. I sent an inquiry to Delkin on April 5 and was told their battery product manager would get back to me, but to date I’ve heard nothing from them on the issue. The Delkin EN-EL3e replacement I purchased direct in December of 2008 does work in my D300.
*** While marked as 2200mAh vs Nikon’s 1900mAh, I’ve found the Phottix Kosmo to be good for about 2,500 frames per charge against 5,000 frames for the Nikon original in very unscientific testing.
I can personally recommend the Lenmar DLNEL3E replacement batteries. I’ve owned mine for about 18 months and have used them in the D300, D200, and D80 with no issues; they last longer than original Nikon EN-EL3e’s and are about $10 cheaper.
13 responses so far ↓
1 philip // Sep 12, 2008 at 5:49 pm
have you heard any whispers about the chinease copy/fake battery grips, i picked one up for peanuts and the battery that came with it wont charge adn it doesnt want to power up off AAs either!
2 The Sports Photo Guy // Sep 13, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Not whispers; I have one and mine works great. Full article to come.
3 john walker // Oct 5, 2008 at 6:48 am
Hi folks
the non-compatibility isssue is of Nikon’s making. This is their reply when asked why generics didn’t work in the D300 but did work in the D80
There is a contact on genuine Nikon batteries that supplies battery information to the camera that allows it to determine that it is a genuine battery and allows it to work. Your battery does not have the information of a genuine battery and it will not work with the D300.
There you have it – screwed over by a greedy manufacturer
4 John T // Nov 23, 2008 at 10:51 pm
John, Please explain why one “off brand” battery from the “greedy” manufacturer would work, but the 2nd would not? This is something I have ran into.
5 The Sports Photo Guy // Nov 24, 2008 at 6:35 am
This is not hard to figure out: when Nikon added the 3rd contact (which also supplies the frame count information) to the EN-EL3 series, it didn’t take long for the 3rd party manufacturers to reverse-engineer that process and add it to their own batteries. Ditto with the EN-EL4 series and the sudden incompatibility of off-brand versions of that battery with the MB-D10.
6 John T // Nov 24, 2008 at 10:10 am
Chuck, I can see what you’re saying, but this happened to me last week. I bought 2 batteries at the same time, one worked, one didn’t….the boxes were both stamped with the same manufacture date info………..maybe just a bad apple in the bunch……….another thing, this is the first issue I’ve ever had with an off brand battery.
7 Bill // Jan 2, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Hello Chuck,
I just got a Nikon D90 and am quite happy about the performance. Am still exploring the features and capability. Anyway, my question for you is that the D90 uses EN-EL3 (7.4V 1500mAh) battery. I want to upside it to a higher capacity battery (e.g. 2000mAh). Do you have any recommendation?
Look forward to hearing from you. Take care and have a Happy New Year. Cheers.
Bill
8 The Sports Photo Guy // Jan 2, 2009 at 1:48 pm
I’m not aware of any EN-EL3e replacements rated any higher than 1600 mAh, and the MB-D80 grip for the D90 won’t accept an EN-EL4.
9 Dane // Jan 21, 2009 at 6:10 am
I just purchased a Phottix kosmo for my d-300 and can’t seem to get the 8fps??? I’ve tried all the different battery setting options with no luck. Each time I check the info setting it still reads 6fps. Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks
10 The Sports Photo Guy // Jan 21, 2009 at 7:19 am
Whether it is with the MB-D10 or the Phottix BP-D300, I’ve found that the most common culprit for problems like this is the contact between the grip and the body. Even when the connection is “tight,” I’ve found that backing it off and re-seating the grip can fix things. Beyond that, it’s hard to say.
11 Norm // May 3, 2009 at 9:58 am
My experience with the Phottix batteries has been less than stellar. First, I can’t get them to charge at all on all rechargers. Second, I can’t get them to charge 100% – stick them in the camera after charger and they read around 86%. Third, I can’t get as many shots with them as I can with the Nikon batteries. Fourth, I’ve read of several instances of them actually catching fire and burning up a camera.
I have stopped using the Phottix totally!!!
12 The Sports Photo Guy // May 3, 2009 at 10:19 am
Your mileage may vary.
I’ve seen several warnings about third party batteries exploding, etc., but never actually heard of a case of that happening. If you can refer me to such a posting, I’d love to investigate and link to it from here.
13 Mc // Jul 29, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Does the Adorama EN-EL3e repl “for Nikon D200, D80, D70s and D50″ work with the MB-D10 grip?
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