A camera’s shutter count, the number of times the shutter has fired, is the best single measure of how worn a body is. That makes it the first thing to check when buying or selling a used camera. This checker reads the count from the maker notes inside an original photo: Nikon’s plain ShutterCount tag, Sony’s enciphered camera data, and Pentax’s date-encrypted counter. Each decoding step was verified against ExifTool’s published tag tables, and when a brand or model doesn’t record a real count, the tool tells you why instead of showing a made-up number.
Want to see everything else a photo reveals? The image metadata viewer shows dimensions, dates, and camera settings. Before you share photos of a camera you’re selling, run them through the EXIF remover to strip GPS location and serial numbers. iPhone shots can be converted with HEIC to JPG.
Frequently asked questions
Which cameras does this shutter count checker support?
Nikon, Sony, and Pentax: the three brands whose photos carry a documented, decodable count. Nikon DSLRs and Z bodies store it in plain form, and Z models also record a mechanical-only count. Sony Alpha bodies (SLT, NEX, and most ILCE/ILCA models) keep it in an enciphered block that we decode with the layout for your model family. Pentax DSLRs encrypt it with the photo’s date and time, and we decrypt that too. Every tag and offset was checked against ExifTool, the reference metadata decoder. If a model isn’t covered, the tool says so instead of guessing.
Why can’t it read my Canon shutter count?
Most Canon EOS cameras don’t write the shutter count into their photos. A handful of bodies (the EOS-1D series, EOS R5, and EOS R6 Mark II) hide it inside model-specific data, and even that isn’t consistent across firmware versions, so we don’t read it. The reliable options for Canon are a USB utility that asks the camera directly, or a Canon service center, which reads the count as part of a checkup. Be wary of any website that claims to read any Canon count from a JPEG.
Why does it say the maker notes are missing?
The shutter count lives in the “maker notes”, a manufacturer-specific section of the EXIF data. Editing and export tools often drop it: Lightroom and Photos exports, phone gallery apps, messaging apps, and every major social network. Resizing or re-saving a JPEG can also remove it. Copy a file straight off the memory card, without opening it in an editor, and try that. A RAW file (NEF, ARW, PEF, DNG) straight from the card is the safest choice. If you’re checking a used camera before buying, ask the seller for an untouched file.
Is the shutter count the same as the number of photos taken?
Not exactly, and it depends on the brand. Nikon’s ShutterCount includes electronic-shutter frames on bodies that have one, which is why Z cameras also show a separate mechanical count. Sony counts image exposures, and on newer models it doesn’t increase during silent (electronic) shooting. Pentax excludes Live View and video actuations, and a service center can reset its count. On some older Sony bodies, such as the original A7R, the counter wraps back to zero after 65,535. Treat the number as a good indicator of wear, not an exact odometer.
Are my photos uploaded anywhere?
No. The file is read with JavaScript in your browser and never leaves your device. There is no upload, no server processing, and nothing is stored. The tool reads only the metadata near the start of the file (the first 32 MB, or the whole file if needed) and ignores the image pixels. That keeps it fast even with 60 MB RAW files, and you can disconnect from the internet after the page loads and it keeps working. That makes it safe to check a seller’s sample files too.
What is a normal shutter count, and when should I worry?
Manufacturers rate shutters for a certain number of actuations. Entry-level DSLRs are typically rated around 100,000–150,000, and pro bodies 300,000–500,000. Your model’s spec sheet has the exact figure. A rating is an average expectation, not a deadline: many shutters outlive it, and a few fail early. When buying used, a count well under half the rating is generally good. A high count isn’t a dealbreaker if the price reflects it, because shutter replacement is a routine repair. Compare the count against the camera’s age and the seller’s description.