Unless your compact digital, mirrorless, or DSLR camera is brand new, periodically checking your shutter count is a good idea. The age of your camera has less to do with its lifespan than its amount of use. So, if your digital camera doesn’t spend most of its time on a shelf collecting dust or nestled safely in a camera bag, it’s important to know your shutter count.
What is a Camera Shutter Count?
Your camera’s shutter count or shutter actuation number is the number of times you’ve physically fired your camera’s mechanical shutter. This number matters because all digital cameras have different shutter life expectancies.
When shopping for a new camera, you may have noticed a specification called a shutter rating. This figure is the average expected amount of shutter actuations your camera will most likely deliver before the shutter fails. Sometimes, cameras surpass the expected shutter count and, sometimes, they fall short and require a replacement shutter mechanism.
Fortunately, all cameras have a means of determining the count, so you can get a basic idea of how much lifespan remains for your shutter.
Why Do You Need to Know Your Digital Camera’s Shutter Count?
If you’re planning to purchase a used mirrorless or DSLR camera, this is a very important specification to check. A camera that’s barely been used will have a much longer shutter life expectancy than a camera that a sports photographer uses day in and day out. Checking the shutter count is important before agreeing on a price or bringing a used camera home.
Knowing its shutter count will help you assess the camera’s value if you plan to sell a camera.
Finally, suppose your camera becomes damaged in a way that doesn’t affect the shutter. In that case, it’s helpful to know if your shutter has much life left before deciding on costly repairs or buying a replacement camera. After all, you wouldn’t replace the brakes and ball joints in a car that’s unlikely to last another month of use.
How Does a Mechanical Shutter Work?
A mechanical shutter consists of two curtains that open and close in sequence to expose the camera sensor to light, thereby creating an image. The first curtain opens to start the exposure; the second curtain ends it. This entire process happens incredibly quickly, often in fractions of a second.
Mirrorless cameras often come equipped with an additional electronic shutter feature, which operates without any physical movement, reducing wear and tear on the mechanical shutter. However, the mechanical shutter is still essential in certain shooting conditions. Critically, electronic shutters may create a rolling shutter effect with fast-moving subjects. Additionally, banding can occur under very bright light sources, such as LEDs, which are prone to flickering.
What Shutter Count Can You Expect?
Shutter counts vary based on camera models and manufacturers. Entry-level DSLRs and mirrorless cameras often have a shutter rating of around 50,000 to 100,000 actuations. Meanwhile, professional-grade cameras can range from 200,000 to 400,000 actuations. Below are some examples of what you may find based on the brand and camera model:
- Canon EOS 5D Mark IV: 150,000 actuations
- Nikon D850: 200,000 actuations
- Sony A7R III: 200,000 actuations
It is important to note that manufacturers state these numbers as estimates, and the actual shutter life of a camera can vary depending on how it is used. For example, a camera used for sports photography will likely have a shorter shutter life than one used for landscape photography.
DSLR Shutter Counts vs. Mirrorless Shutter Counts
As previously mentioned, if you’re using a mirrorless camera, you may have access to two different types of shutter actuation. Mechanical shutters physically fire the camera’s shutter, just like in a DSLR camera. Electronic shutters don’t engage the physical shutter, so you’re prolonging your camera’s shutter lifespan by using the electronic shutter. Therefore, if you plan to take many photos that aren’t of fast-moving objects, the electronic shutter on a mirrorless camera can be the better option.
What is a High Shutter Count?
A high shutter count generally refers to a camera that has reached 80-90% of its shutter rating. For a camera with a rating of 100,000, a shutter count of 80,000 or more would be considered high and indicate the camera is nearing the end of its expected lifespan.
Unfortunately, there are no warning messages built-in into the camera to tell you when you are approaching a threshold. It is important to take it upon yourself to check the shutter count at least every year or two.
Best Way to Check Shutter Actuations
The easiest way to check the shutter actuations for most camera models by brands like Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax, and some Fujifilm models is by uploading an unedited JPEG image from your camera to the website camerashuttercount.com. The site will read the image’s EXIF data and display your current number.
Want a specific way to check your camera brand’s shutter actuation without using that website? See the instructions below.
Accessing the Number of Shutter Actuations for Your Camera Model
Canon
Unfortunately, the EOS Utility software does not show the shutter count of Canon cameras. Canon EOS DIGITAL Info is a popular option, but may not work with all models. The surest way to get an accurate shutter count is to send you camera to Canon for service.
Nikon
Nikon cameras require a similar process as Canon cameras. All you need is the software and a USB cable to connect the camera:
- Turn on your camera and connect it to your computer using a USB cable.
- Open the Nikon software provided with your camera or download it from Nikon’s website.
- Once installed, look for the “Camera Information” tab.
- The shutter count will be displayed in the “Shutter Count” section of the “Camera Information” window.
Sony
To check your Sony camera, plug it into the computer using the supplied USB cable and follow these steps:
- Turn on your camera once the camera is connected via USB to the computer.
- Open the Imaging Edge Mobile app on your smartphone or tablet.
- In the Imaging Edge Mobile app, tap on the “Camera” tab.
- In the “Camera” tab, tap the “Info” button.
- The shutter count will be displayed in the “Shutter Count” section of the “Info” window.
Olympus and OM System Cameras
Olympus and OM SYSTEM cameras allow you to check the shutter count on the firmware screen. While getting to the menu is a bit convoluted, it negates the need to check with a computer.
- Ensure the camera is initially powered off.
- Depress the menu button while simultaneously powering on the camera.
- Let go of the menu button and then push it again to display the menu screen.
- Operate the front and rear dials to reach the third sub-menu of the Wrench Menu.
- Press the down button on the Arrow Pad to access the “Monitor Adjust” Menu Item.
- Confirm by pressing “OK.”
- Now, hit the “Info” button.
- Confirm again by pressing “OK.” You will see a screen presenting the camera mode and some other digits. Be patient, as it can take a moment to load.
- Navigate upwards by pressing up on the Arrow Pad.
- Then, navigate downwards by pressing down on the Arrow Pad.
- Press left on the Arrow Pad.
- Proceed by pressing right on the Arrow Pad.
- Push the Shutter Release Button.
- Press up on the Arrow Pad to view the first page of the concealed menu.
- To access the second page of the hidden menu, press right on the Arrow Pad. The shutter count is located next to “MS” (Mechanical Shutter).
- Lastly, power down your OM System camera to revert to the regular mode.
Fujifilm
Fujifilm only provides a direct way to check the shutter count within some camera models. If you have an X100 series camera, you can navigate to the “Setup Menu” and locate “Shutter Count.” You can check your menu for the same function; however, if it isn’t shown, you must rely on a third-party tool or online service like camerashuttercount.com.
Pentax
It’s a very straightforward process for Pentax mirrorless cameras. You can, fortunately, check in-camera without the need for additional software:
- Turn on your camera.
- Press the “Info” button.
- Use the Up and Down buttons to navigate to the “Camera Status” option.
- Press the Right button to enter the “Camera Status” option.
- The shutter count will be displayed in the “Shutter Count” section of the “Camera Status” window.
Shutter Count: Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is like the mileage on a car. It gives an indication of the camera’s usage and remaining lifespan. Always ask for the shutter count if you are buying a secondhand camera as it can affect the value and resale value after use. If you are unable to obtain the shutter count you can always ask for the seller to send a recent photo which you can then upload to camerashuttercount.com
When a camera reaches its shutter count limit, it increases the likelihood of the shutter failing. This doesn’t mean the camera will immediately stop working, but it may require shutter replacement or service.
Yes, mirrorless cameras do have a shutter count. While they also have an electronic shutter option which does not contribute to the mechanical shutter’s wear, they still utilize a mechanical shutter for certain shooting conditions.
No, the shutter count on a working camera is embedded in the camera’s firmware and cannot be reset. It’s designed to provide an accurate account of the camera’s use. The only way it can be reset is when it is in the state of a refurbishment. A qualified service technician who has access to the Operating System firmware will be able to hard reset the camera’s internals.
