Sony Alpha Shutter Counter

[Nancy Benigar]

Im using Sony a57. I want to check its shutter actuation count. I try the software OPANDA but doesn't work. Anyone knows how to check it? Also i want to know the shutter life expectancy of Sony a57...

3:57AM, 3 November 2012 PDT(permalink)

There's no direct way to look at your camera's shutter count. You can however look at the shutter count at the last time you took a picture by viewing the metadata of the picture. So the first step is to take a picture. The shutter count is typically embedded as metadata into the files from your camera. It can then be extracted and displayed using such tools as Opanda or even by viewing the EXIF data in flickr (once you've uploaded the latest image to flickr).

However, if you process/post-process using some software (most notoriously Adobe software) then there's a good chance that data will get stripped out... especially if you chose the "Save for web" option.

The easiest way to check your shutter count is to set your camera to JPEG, take a picture, transfer that to a computer and then run that picture through an EXIF viewer... or upload it to flickr and view the EXIF data.

I personally like Phil Harvey's exiftool because it offers the most complete and unadulterated EXIF viewing and manipulation capability of any of the available tools out there. That said, being a command-line tool, it's not what most people would call "user friendly". There are a bunch of GUI front-ends that have been developed for it though. However, if you're so inclined, there's an online version which someone has set up and just requires that you upload your picture through its website.

Jeffrey's Exif Viewer

ages ago(permalink)

Baring any miracles there is no accurate way unless you used a single filing method and a single memory card from day one.

Sony does not store their actuations in the EXIF. Trust me I've looked into it deeply because this fact angers me. At the same time I'm a bit relieved because I'd be the type to watch my actuations like a hawk feeling like my camera is getting closer to the end with every check.

ages ago(permalink)

Shutter counts are like hard drives who state MTBF, it's just a rough estimate, and a camera could fail before of long after that magic number is reached. Hard to tell. Basically, it's a manufacturers rough estimate of the shutters reliability.

ages ago(permalink)

Yes but it's nice to be able to check if your selling or buying a camera on the used market. A rough estimate is better than no estimate.

It just makes no sense that Sony would not include this in their cameras when it costs them virtually nothing and some people want it.

ages ago(permalink)

centraljava:

Tried that myself and I reckon it may be the real deal... tried a file from my old a580 with a reset counter so called DSC00009.jpg and got a shutter count of 20,183 which I estimate to be correct.

The exif parts for this data have been a well kept secret with Sony but its obviously in there somewhere. Would be interested in anyone elses thoughts on that script.

ages ago(permalink)

I'm willing to buy an "as new" A6000 from someone who said to have quit photography and used this same A6000 for 2 recordings only. I can't visit the seller to see it for myself and I'd have three days to check it out before I could open a complaint (on the online store, against the seller).

As far as I can tell from my sony alpha (5100 - mostly same internals), there's no 'obvious' setting that shows "lifetime" recording/usage statistics. There's a media information menu but that shows shots/time remaining on the SD card

Mechanical shutters have a finite life and eventually break down. With most higher-end cameras, the shutter can last for hundreds of thousands of shots, and there are a few cameras that have even reached a million actuations without failing.

Thus, checking your shutter count can tell you on average how much life is left in your shutter, which is especially useful for selling your camera. But this applies to the mechanical shutter. If you use a mirrorless camera and have it on electronic shutter mode, then there is no mechanical part wearing down, and the shutter count is not as important.

If you use a Panasonic or Olympus camera, you will need to use the methods described later in the article to find your shutter count. If you use a Canon camera, you may need to travel to another dimension.

Another option for Nikon, Sony, Fuji, or Pentax cameras is an online shutter count tool like Camera Shutter Count that simply reads the shutter count data from the EXIF information embedded in a Raw or JPEG file. This is the easiest method because it does not require downloading any program or using the command line.

An interesting alternative for Sony cameras is SONY Alpha shutter counter. I like this website because it does not upload your image to any server. Instead, it uses a script in the browser to extract the number of shutter actuations from your Sony Alpha camera. Not only is this a bit more secure than other websites, it also is much faster, especially if you are uploading a Raw file.

Hopefully, you were able to determine your shutter count, especially if you shoot with a DSLR. Mirrorless cameras offer electronic shutter mode for silent shooting, and so for most people, the mechanical shutter on your camera will last even longer. Do you worry about the life of your shutter? Let me know in the comments about your harrowing experiences with determining your shutter count.

Nasim Mansurov is the author and founder of Photography Life, based out of Denver, Colorado. He is recognized as one of the leading educators in the photography industry, conducting workshops, producing educational videos and frequently writing content for Photography Life. You can follow him on Instagram and Facebook. Read more about Nasim here.

I have a Panasonic DC ZS-200 and I am not able to find the Shutter Count by following the instructions below listed under Panasonic. I am also not able to find this info using the EXIF data. What else can I do? Trying to sell the camera and everyone is asking for this info. Thank you.

1.Card must be in slot 1

2.Select single shooting mode

3.Turn the mode dial to aperture priority or some other photo mode, not video

4.Turn the camera on and take a picture

5.Turn the camera off

6.Press and hold the play button and the AE/AF lock button

7.Turn the camera on while pressing the Play & AE/AF lock button

8.Keep pressing Play & AE/AF lock button plus press menu and simultaneously press the navigation wheel left twice.

The shutter count of the camera will now be displayed under the SHTCNT field.

I have been following your publication for last 5 years, and my compliments to you for your effort.

I am an avid armature photographer by hobby and engineer by profession retired after 51 years of service.

Recently Picked up an A7 Mark 2 upgraded from an A6000 so far really enjoying the camera purchased it with the kit lens and the Ziess 55mm F1.8 to go with it. But I had some questions regarding the weather sealing on the camera. Does anyone know just how wet it can get before you need to start worrying about it turning into a brick obviously I'm not expecting gopro waterproofing. but could i be out in a rain showing without having to worry or do i need to take the shot and immediately throw it back in the camera bag. Same question for the two lenses again i don't expect to be able to take them under water but if I need to get a few shots it would be nice to know how long they can be out in the harsh environment. and my final question is about the shutter count I know the shutter is rated very high on the A7R Mark 2 does anyone know the rating for my camera. Any answers would be greatly appreciated.

The weather-resistance has never been very clear: officially is't dust- and moisture resistant which does not mean that it's weatherproof. Some people have used it succesfully in the rain, but it's nowhere near as weather sealed as a Pentax camera for instance. My personal advice would be to somewhat be careful as Sony probably won't fix it when bricked under warranty...

As for the shutter count: there are no official numbers for the other A7 models. But Sony says in an interview "double the life expectance of the previous model", meaning the A7R. My safe bet would be that the A7 models are good for 100 000 - 200 000 clicks. Some will get more, some will get less. You won't find an official number for it (as they don't want to make promises).

Thanks For you reply appreciate it. I will just have to play it safe grab the shot then throw it back in the bag I haven't seen any gaskets on the back of the lens nor any of the doors so I imagine it can take a bit of rain or a splash but I don't think I'll be shooting in a downpour.

And I wanted to know the rated shutter count more for when I come to getting rid of the camera if the rating is say fifty thousand when i sell it I like to know there is good life left in the shutter for the person purchasing it from me but i did get a three year world wide warranty with it so if the shutter packs up it isn't really my problem. but thanks for your reply and input.

And regarding weather sealing: yeah, they are not officially weather sealed. They can take some rain but I'd never use them in pouring rain. I've heard reports from people whose a7 got broken in light rain, but I also heard people saying they used it in quiet extreme weather conditions. I wouldn't take my chances.

I think if it's pouring with rain but I need to grab the shot i'll just have to take the camera out grab the shot then dry it off it seems like they've pulled a lot of stuff about them being weather resistant from there product pages.

And as for the shutter it sounds almost identical to the a7r ii shutter perhaps they use the same one it's not out of the relm of possibility but i've got a three year warrenty on the camera so i think i'll just keep on snapping away and if it breaks its there problem to fix it

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