Nikon are offering a free battery exchange for D500 owners that are have EN-EL15 batteries that were made prior to summer 2013. The camera dose not provide an accurate battery life indicator with the older batteries. The older versions are marked as “Li-ion01” whilst the newer are “Li-ion20”.

Please contact your local Nikon office for details of the replacement scheme. Proof of purchase of a D500 will be required.

Press release

Thank you for choosing Nikon for your photographic needs.

We have received reports indicating that when a fully charged, earlier generation of the Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL15 is used with the Nikon D500 digital SLR camera, the maximum number of shots possible is low (battery life is short). It was also reported that the amount of charge remaining, displayed by the D500’s Battery info option, is significantly less than that displayed by the Battery info function of other model cameras using the EN-EL15 battery.

The later version of the EN-EL15 batteries supplied with the Nikon D500 have been tested in accordance with CIPA standards, and do support the maximum number of shots possible (battery life) indicated in brochures and other documentation. However, when some EN-EL15 batteries, either purchased separately or supplied with another model of camera, are used with the D500, those batteries may not be capable of the maximum number of shots possible (battery life) indicated in D500 documentation.*

The electric discharge characteristics of the EN-EL15 rechargeable battery have been modified without changing battery capacity. If you have purchased a D500, the modified battery is included. If you have additional, EN-EL15 batteries, Nikon will replace them free of charge.

In order for this offer to be fulfilled, a copy of the D500 sales receipt must be provided.

• The maximum number of shots possible with (battery life) , and the remaining charge displayed for, a particular battery may differ slightly by camera model due to the fact that the amount of power consumed and the systems used to display remaining charge differ with each model of digital camera.

Identifying eligible batteries:

EN-EL15 rechargeable Li-ion batteries with Li-ion01 printed on the back of the battery are eligible for replacement. (see image below, top) EN-EL15 batteries with Li-ion20 printed on the back of the battery are the same post-modification batteries as those supplied with the D500, and do not require nor are they eligible for replacement. (see image below, bottom)

If you have purchased a D500 and own EN-EL15 Li-ion01 batteries that are eligible for replacement, please contact Nikon. We will replace the EN-EL15 Li-ion01-type battery (ies) with an EN-EL15 Li-ion20 -type battery (ies). Nikon will also pay all shipping costs.

Please contact Nikon Service Relations at 1-800-645-6687 from Monday -Friday from 9:00am - 8:00pm EST for details, Click Here for online assistance.

Once again, thank you for choosing Nikon for your photographic needs.