The shutter count of the camera gives the number of actuations of the shutter in the camera. It is one of the parameters that indicate the lifespan of the camera. Different cameras require different techniques to find this shutter count value.
In this article, I will show you how to find the shutter count for Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Panasonic, and Olympus cameras. So, let us get started.
Some websites will tell your camera shutter count based on the image taken from your camera. These websites make use of the EXIF information in the picture to retrieve the shutter count value. However, some cameras require specialized software programs to get the shutter count.
Why is shutter count important?
Cameras come with an estimated shutter count range that the camera is likely to achieve in its lifetime. This shutter count value will be different for different camera models. For example, high-end cameras will come with a higher shutter count value.
The shutter count of a camera indicates how many photos you can capture with the camera without having any issues with the camera shutter.
When you buy a used camera, you need to ask the seller for the shutter count value. This value is one of the parameters that decide the cost of a used camera. If the person has used the camera a lot, then the camera will have a high shutter count value. Once the shutter actuation crosses the safe limit mentioned by the camera manufacturer, the shutter system of the camera can fail at any time. Therefore, if you buy such a camera, you will likley end up replacing the shutter soon.
Does shutter count matter on mirrorless cameras?
Many people believe that the mirrorless camera only comes with an electronic shutter. But, it is not true. The mirrorless camera also comes with a mechanical shutter, just like DSLR cameras.
There are many advantages of using electronic shutters when compared to mechanical ones. It includes silent shooting, increased frame rate, etc. But there are some disadvantages also. For example, there can be banding in your images when you use speedlights or strobes with the electronic shutter. So the camera manufacturers have included the mechanical shutter also in the mirrorless camera to prevent these issues.
So, there will be a shutter count for the mirrorless camera also. This shutter count value corresponds to the actuations made by the mechanical shutter of the mirrorless cameras. This mechanical shutter is also designed to work for a certain number of shutter actuations. Once you cross this value, there is no guarantee that the mechanical shutter will work. It can fail at any time. So, the shutter count does matter for a mirrorless camera.
How to Check the Shutter Count of a Canon Camera?
We will look at the different options to check the shutter count of a Canon camera.
Website to Check Shutter Count for Canon
You can use the camerashuttercount.com website to find the shutter count of your Canon camera. You need to capture a new image using your Canon camera. Upload this image to this website. Make sure that you are not doing any edits on this image. The website will display the shutter count value. This website only supports some Canon cameras. So, if this website does not support your camera model, you need another method to find the shutter count.
If you dont want to upload the image from your Canon camera to a website to know the shutter count, you also have the option to install software programs on your Mac and PC to see the shutter count.
Shuttercheck app for Mac for Canon
If you are a Mac user, you can use the Shuttercheck app to know the shutter count value. You can download this app from the shuttercheck.app website. This app is compatible with Mac OS Sierra 10.12 and above.
Another app you can consider using for the Mac is the ShutterCount app from the DIRE studio. It is not a free app. It will cost you $6.99. First, you need to connect the Canon camera via USB or WiFi to your Mac. After that, you can open this app to know the shutter count value. One main advantage of using this software program is that it works with the latest Mirrorless cameras like Canon EOS R3 and R5.
EOSMSG application for Windows for Canon
Another software program that you can use on your Windows computer to find the shutter count value for the Canon camera is the EOSMSG software. It is a free software. You can download it from their website. This software supports most Canon Mirrorless and DSLR camera bodies. Again, check their site to know if this software supports your Canon camera.
Canon EOS Digital Info Files for Windows
If you are a Windows user, you can consider using the Canon EOS Digital Info Files to check the shutter count of the Canon camera. This program works only for certain canon DSLR models. It is a free software program.
If you are still unable to retrieve the shutter count value, you can always consider taking your camera to the Canon service center. They can help you to retrieve this value.
How to Check the Shutter Count of a Nikon Camera?
We will look at the various options to find the shutter count of a Nikon camera.
Using a Website for Nikon
In the case of Nikon cameras, the shutter count value is stored in the EXIF data of the image. But you cannot use any EXIF data viewer to see this shutter count value. This data is stored deep inside the EXIF file. To find this value, you can capture a new photo using the Nikon camera and upload it to myshuttercount.com website. This website will read the shutter count value from the uploaded image and display it.
There are a few other sites also that are capable of telling you the shutter count by uploading the images. They include camerashuttercount.com and shuttercounter.com.
Software for Mac for Nikon
If you are a Mac user, you can use the built-in Live Preview software to find the shutter count of the Nikon camera. First, take a photo with your Nikon camera. Then, connect your memory card or the Nikon camera to your Mac so that you can see this new image. You can capture the image in JPEG or RAW format.
Right-click on this picture and select the “Open with” option. Choose the Live Preview app to open this image. Next, go to the top toolbar in the Preview app. Click on the Tools and select the “Show Inspector” option. You can also use the ”Cmd+I” shortcut. A new window will open, showing the EXIF information of the image. Next, you need to click on the Nikon tab. Here, you will be able to see the shutter count value. The main advantage of using this method is that you don’t have to install any new software to know the shutter value.
If you are not able to get the shutter count value for your Nikon camera with any of these methods, you can always check with the Nikon service center.
Software for Windows for Nikon
You can use the EOSMSG software on your Windows computer to find the shutter count value for the Nikon camera. You can download this free software from their website. This software supports most of the Nikon Mirrorless and DSLR camera bodies.
How to Check the Shutter Count of a Sony Camera?
Using Website for Sony
If you are a Sony user looking to find your camera’s shutter count, you can use this website, shuttertool.com. You can upload the picture captured using your Sony camera to this website. The website will read the EXIF data of the image and display the camera’s shutter count. You can upload an unedited JPG or the RAW ARW file to this website to get the shutter activation value.
You can also upload the latest image to camerashuttercount.com to get this value. You can look at this site to know the different Sony cameras supported by this site.
Software for Windows for Sony
You can use the EOSMSG software on your Windows computer to find the shutter count value for the Sony camera.
Suppose you are still unable to find the shutter count for your Sony camera using any of the techniques. In that case, you can get the camera to the Sony service center and retrieve this information.
How to Check the Shutter Count of a Panasonic Camera?
In the case of Panasonic cameras, you can get the shutter count value directly from the camera itself.
The procedure to check the shutter count of the Panasonic Lumix S series and G series cameras is given below. You can apply this procedure for S1H, S1R, S1, S5, G1, GH1, G2, GH2, GH3, GH4, GH5 and G9 cameras.
- Fully charge the battery of the camera and switch off the camera.
- Insert the memory card into the memory card slot of the camera.
- Now, choose the single shot mode in the camera.
- If there are no pictures in the memory card, you can capture a random image using the camera. If there are images on the memory card, you don’t have to capture any new image.
- Press and hold the AF/AE Lock button and the Playback button.
- Now, you will be able to view the temporary service mode in the Lumix camera.
- Now, press the Menu/Set button along with the Playback button and press the left button of the click wheel.
- You need to click the left button again to view the actual information.
- You can easily toggle between the two menus by pressing the Display button.
- Now, you can see a number corresponding to the parameter SHTCNT. It is the shutter count of your Panasonic Lumix camera.
- You can note down this number and switch off the camera. If you power ON the camera again, it will start in the normal operating mode.
How to Check the Shutter Count of an Olympus Camera?
Olympus has developed a proprietary way to find the shutter count of Olympus cameras. In order to see the shutter count value, you need to press a series of buttons in the camera. Also, this series of buttons is different for different camera models. So, you need to refer to the instructions manual of the specific camera model to know the series of buttons that can show you the shutter count. You can also get these button details from the Olympus website.
The typical procedure to find the shutter count of an Olympus camera is given below. (This method works for most of the Olympus camera models).
- Switch ON your Olympus camera.
- Open the memory card compartment door.
- Now, you need to hold the OK and play buttons simultaneously
- Now comes the sequence. You need to press the following buttons in the following order – Up, Down, Left, Right
- Once you are done with the above sequence, press the shutter trigger button.
- Go and choose the Up on the dial.
- Now, you can see the shutter count of the Olympus camera in the display.
If you are still not able to get the shutter actuation value, you need to take the camera to the Olympus authorized service center to get the value.
How to Check the Shutter Count of a Pentax Camera?
Pentax embeds the shutter activation information in the EXIF data of the image. There are many ways to find this value.
Using Website for Pentax
You can use the Pentax forum website to find the shutter count of your Pentax camera. You need to take a random picture with your Pentax camera. After capturing, upload the image in this link. Next, click on the “Check Camera Data” button. You will be able to see the shutter count number. You can use this method to find the shutter activation for most Pentax camera models.
You can also use camerashuttercount.com to get this value.
Software for Windows for Pentax
You can use the EOSMSG software on your Windows computer to find the shutter count value for the Pentax camera.
Conclusion
I hope this article was helpful in figuring out how to find your camera shutter count based on the brand and model of camera you have. It seems a bit complicated at first but once you figure out the particulars for your brand its a rather simple process.
Consider reading this article to find out why mirrorless cameras have a shutter.
