Nikon MB-D12 vs MB-D14: Which Battery Grip Fits Your DSLR?
By The Camera Gear Shop | Published: 2026-11-03
Category: Buying Guides
The MB-D12 fits only the D800 and D810; the MB-D14 fits only the D600 and D610. Compare trays, handling gains, and price before you buy.
Quick answer
Buy the Nikon MB-D12 only if you shoot a D800 or D810, and the MB-D14 only if you shoot a D600 or D610. The two grips are not interchangeable, so match the grip to your camera body first, then decide whether the extra power and hold are worth the price.
Compatibility is the whole decision
Nikon built these grips for specific camera bodies: the MB-D12 for the D800 and D810, and the MB-D14 for the D600 and D610. Neither grip is listed as fitting the other camera family, so there is no cross-shopping decision to make once you know your body. Check the model badge on the front of your camera before ordering, especially if you bought used or own more than one Nikon DSLR.
This is also why a generic 'Nikon battery grip buying guide' can mislead you: the right grip is determined by the camera mount and body shape, not by brand alone. If you are shopping for a different Nikon body, these two grips are not the answer.
What both grips actually add
Both the MB-D12 and MB-D14 are Multi Power Battery Packs that extend battery power using batteries placed in the grip, and both give you a better, more secure and stable hold on the camera. That stability makes handheld shooting at lower shutter speeds easier, which matters for available-light work and long lenses.
Each grip ships with two battery trays: one for an EN-EL15 rechargeable battery and one for 8 AA batteries. Batteries are not included, so budget for them separately. The AA tray is useful as a fallback when you cannot recharge an EN-EL15, but it means carrying disposable or rechargeable AAs and accepting the trade-offs that come with them.
Where the two grips differ for buyers
The practical difference is price and the camera each one serves. The MB-D12 is the higher-priced grip in this catalog, which reflects its fit for the higher-tier D800/D810 bodies. The MB-D14 costs less, matching the D600/D610 tier. Neither price changes what the grip does; it changes what you pay to add the same kind of power and handling benefit to your specific camera.
If you are weighing a grip against another accessory, remember that the grip cannot move to a different camera family later. That makes it a body-specific purchase rather than a long-term upgrade you can carry forward.
Decision rules for choosing your grip
- Camera body is a D800 or D810: Choose the Nikon MB-D12. It is the grip listed for that body, and no other grip in this comparison is stated to fit it. Confirm the body model before checkout; the grip will not transfer to a D600/D610.
- Camera body is a D600 or D610: Choose the Nikon MB-D14. It is the grip listed for that body and costs less than the MB-D12 in this catalog. Do not buy the MB-D12 as a cheaper alternative; it is not listed for this body.
- You mainly shoot handheld at low shutter speeds: Either grip can help by providing a more secure and stable hold, which makes handheld shooting at lower shutter speeds easier. The benefit applies to your own body's matching grip, not across models.
- You need a battery fallback: Both grips include an 8-AA tray alongside the EN-EL15 tray, so you can run on AAs when a charged EN-EL15 is not available. Batteries are not included in either pack. Add batteries to your order if you do not already own EN-EL15 cells or AAs.
- You own both a D800/D810 and a D600/D610: Treat these as two separate purchases. Each grip is matched to its body, so one grip cannot serve both cameras.
Product facts at a glance
- Nikon MB-D12 Original Multi Power Battery Grip Pack for D800/D810 Camera: Nikon MB-D12 is the Multi Power Battery Pack for the D800 and D810, supplied with an EN-EL15 tray and an 8-AA tray; batteries are not included. D800/D810 owners get extended power and a more stable hold, but must supply their own batteries.
Nikon MB-D12 Original Multi Power Battery Grip Pack for D800/D810 Camera - Nikon MB-D14 Multi Power Battery Pack for the Nikon D600/D610 Camera.: Nikon MB-D14 is the Multi Power Battery Pack for the D600 and D610, also supplied with EN-EL15 and 8-AA trays; batteries are not included. D600/D610 owners get the same tray flexibility at a lower catalog price than the MB-D12.
Nikon MB-D14 Multi Power Battery Pack for the Nikon D600/D610 Camera.
Who should buy which
Best for
- D800 and D810 owners who want extended power and a more stable handheld hold
- D600 and D610 owners who want the same benefits at a lower catalog price
- Shooters who want an AA fallback tray for situations where recharging is not possible
Not for
- Owners of other Nikon bodies, since neither grip is listed for cameras outside the D800/D810 and D600/D610 families
- Buyers who want one grip to share across multiple camera models
- Anyone expecting batteries to be included in the box
