Short answer: the EN-EL25 is a compact battery Nikon developed specifically for its APS-C mirrorless bodies, rated 7.6V, 1120mAh and about 8.5Wh, and it fits only the Z50, Z fc and Z30 — it is completely incompatible with the EN-EL15 family used by full-frame bodies. Its absolute capacity is half that of the EN-EL15c, but because the sensor is smaller and the processor load lighter, frame counts do not shrink proportionally; a single pack covers roughly 300 shots.
The basics
The EN-EL25 uses a 7.6V nominal voltage, slightly higher than the 7.0V of the EN-EL15 series. That is one reason the two cannot be swapped: it is not only the size, the operating voltage window differs too. Energy is about 8.5Wh, which against typical airline thresholds is far below the carry-on limits most carriers apply.
| Item | EN-EL25 | EN-EL15c (for comparison) |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal voltage | 7.6V | 7.0V |
| Capacity | 1120mAh | 2280mAh |
| Energy | About 8.5Wh | About 16Wh |
| Compatible bodies | Z50, Z fc, Z30 (the Z50 II takes the EN-EL25a) | Z5, Z6 series, Z7 series, Z8 |
| Stock dock charger | MH-32 | MH-25 series |
The Z50 II deserves a separate note. That 2024 body ships with the EN-EL25a, which holds slightly more than the original; the two can be used interchangeably in either body. If you own both a Z50 and a Z50 II, buying the EN-EL25a is the more universal choice — going the other way simply means a little less capacity.
Runtime across the three bodies
The Z50, Z fc and Z30 share the same generation of 20.88-megapixel APS-C sensor and the EXPEED 6 processor, so power draw is similar. The body shapes differ, though, and they pull your habits along with them.
Z50: the one with an EVF
The Z50 has an electronic viewfinder, which is the main reason it draws more than the Z30. Composing through the EVF keeps the sensor reading out at full speed continuously. The CIPA rating sits at the 300-shot level, and real street shooting usually lands between the low 200s and the mid 300s. Dropping the EVF refresh rate to 60fps and turning off automatic switching reclaims a noticeable amount of power.
Z fc: retro looks, ordinary draw
The Z fc has both an EVF and a tilting screen, so its power profile is close to the Z50’s. What sets it apart is the body and the controls — dial-based operation tends to make people change settings more deliberately and shoot more slowly, which indirectly saves power. Runtime is essentially on par with the Z50.
Z30: no EVF, the most frugal
The Z30 drops the viewfinder and relies on the screen alone, making it the most economical of the three. It is also the most video-oriented, and video is exactly where power goes fastest, so “most frugal” holds only for stills. Recording 4K continuously, one EN-EL25 lasts a little over an hour.
Charging: dock or in-body
All three bodies use the MH-32 as the stock dock, which remains the most dependable way to charge. In-body charging has to be considered per model rather than assumed.
- Z50: the body uses a Micro-B USB port, so day-to-day charging relies on the MH-32 dock. Do not expect a phone charger to feed it directly.
- Z fc and Z30: these moved to USB-C and can be charged from a USB PD supply as described in the manual, which means one less dock to pack.
- Power bank route: choose a model that supports PD and outputs 18W or more. A plain 5V/2A port does little for a camera battery.
If you have only one pack and need to shoot all day, charging while shooting is a workable supplement, but it depends on supply wattage and firmware version, and the experience is less clean than simply swapping packs. For specific Z fc charging combinations, see the articles on the EN-EL25 category page.
One more caution: shell tolerances on the EN-EL25 vary slightly between production batches. If a third-party pack is a little too thick, it can be awkward to remove from a tight compartment such as the Z fc’s. Before buying, scan the reviews for complaints about a tight fit — that is more useful than the spec sheet.
How many spares
- Everyday stills: one stock pack plus one spare. The Z30 can be more relaxed; if you shoot the Z50 mostly through the EVF, plan on two.
- Travel: two packs plus a PD power bank. The EN-EL25 is small enough that an extra one adds almost nothing to the bag.
- Video-first work: three and up. During continuous recording the drain is linear and no setting trick changes that.
- Cold conditions: keep spares against your body and rotate them. Losing charge quickly below freezing is chemistry, not brand, and the approach is the same everywhere — see our minus 10°C test.
Third-party EN-EL25 packs are usually inexpensive. When choosing, check that the label states 7.6V / 1120mAh explicitly. Single-model specialists such as YO print the supported bodies on the packaging, which is more dependable than a vague “fits Nikon mirrorless” claim. If you plan to fly, read up on carry-on rules for lithium batteries first — this explainer covers the logic.
FAQ
Will the EN-EL25 work in a Z5 or Z6?
No. The Z5, Z6, Z7 and Z8 take the EN-EL15 series, which differs in both voltage and dimensions, so it will not physically fit. Nikon keeps separate battery systems for its APS-C and full-frame mirrorless lines.
What is the difference between the EN-EL25 and EN-EL25a?
Mainly capacity — the “a” holds a little more and ships with the Z50 II. The two are interchangeable, and there is no compatibility issue using the “a” in a Z50, Z fc or Z30.
Roughly how many shots does one EN-EL25 give?
Around 300 by the CIPA measure. In practice, heavy EVF use, frequent playback and wireless left on will push it into the low 200s, while a screen-first body like the Z30 often exceeds 300.
Can I charge the Z30 from a phone charger?
Yes, provided the charger supports USB PD with enough wattage and the cable handles the current. A plain 5V slow charger may only maintain the supply, so the level climbs very slowly or not at all.