Shutter count & used-camera verification
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JPG · PNG · HEIC · DNG · CR2 · CR3 · NEF · ARW · ORF · RAF · RW2
Read the model-specific reference
Our camera shutter-count reference explains counter types, parser limitations, and a reproducible inspection workflow. See the Canon reference for documented EOS counters and the Nikon reference for NEF and JPEG MakerNotes.
Some counters include electronic exposures. A missing browser field does not establish that the original lacks a counter, and an image number should not be substituted for a documented shutter count. A count alone cannot predict remaining mechanical life.
Verifying a used camera: a quick checklist
Shutter count is one signal. Combine it with the metadata ExifGrabber shows to sanity-check a listing:
- Shutter count vs. rating. Compare the actuations to the model's published rating, if the counter measures the relevant mechanical actuations. A rating is not a remaining-life guarantee.
- Serial number. Confirm the body serial in the EXIF matches the physical camera and the listing.
- Consistent history. The camera model, lens data, and dates should be internally consistent and plausible.
- Ask for a fresh sample. Request an unedited photo taken that day, recent, original files are the most trustworthy.
Remember that metadata can be edited, so treat it as a strong signal rather than proof. Drop a sample photo above and open the full EXIF viewer to check everything at once.
How to check shutter count from a photo
- 1
Use an unedited original
Take a fresh photo and transfer the original file. Editing or exporting often strips the MakerNote where the count lives.
- 2
Drop it into the tool
Load the JPEG or RAW into the viewer above, it stays in your browser.
- 3
Search the raw data dump
Open the Raw data tab for supported fields. If no documented counter is decoded, use ExifTool on the original and consult the model-specific references below.
Frequently asked questions
What does a camera shutter count measure?+
It depends on the model. A counter may describe mechanical actuations, total exposures including electronic shutter use, or another event. Check the documented meaning before interpreting it as wear.
Can I check shutter count from a photo?+
Some original files contain a counter in proprietary MakerNotes. A compatible decoder is required. Canon and Nikon both have documented examples; support varies by model and parser.
Why does the browser viewer show no count?+
The field may be absent or unsupported by the browser parser. Try a dedicated MakerNote decoder such as ExifTool on an unedited original. Missing output does not mean zero.
Is the image number the shutter count?+
Do not assume so. Filenames and image numbers can wrap or restart. Use a field whose meaning is documented for the exact camera model.