SHUTTER COUNT
Mileage for cameras
Each firing of the mechanical shutter is one actuation. Under half the rated shutter life, most buyers need not worry about the number.
Check a countBUYING SECOND-HAND
Read the mileage,
then look closer.
Every press of a mechanical shutter adds one to a counter.
Check a count
Half the ratinga calm rule of thumb
- Compare with the rated life
- Inspect sensor and body
- Know who is selling
- Condition beats a low number
That running total, the shutter count, is the number sellers quote. It is worth knowing how to read it, and what tells you more about a used camera than the count alone.
Updated
THE SHORT ANSWER
A count is a guide,
not a verdict.
Shutters are rated for a number of firings.
Condition and the seller matter just as much.
CONDITION
Look past the number
Battery health, wear and the sensor matter as much or more. Scratches on the sensor or physical damage are a bigger worry than a high count.
What to inspect
YOUR RIGHTS
Shop or private sale
From a trader, second-hand goods carry the same legal rights as new. From a private seller, they only have to be as described.
See the numbersA QUICK COUNT CHECK
What does
the count tell you?
Pick what you have found out about a used body. The bar shows how much it should weigh on your decision.
Rated shutter life is a reference point, not a guarantee in either direction.
TWO NUMBERS WORTH KNOWING
How long shutters last,
how long you have.
One figure on shutter ratings,
one on your rights when buying from a shop.
100k–500k
Typical ratings, entry-level to top bodies
Entry-level bodies are typically rated around 100,000 actuations, mid-range ones 200,000 to 300,000, and top professional bodies up to 500,000.
RATED SHUTTER LIFE · DIYPHOTOGRAPHY
30 days
Faulty goods bought from a trader
You can reject faulty goods from a trader for a full refund within 30 days. Second-hand goods carry the same rights, judged realistically for their age.
RIGHT TO REJECT · CONSUMER RIGHTS ACT 2015
After 30 days you can ask a trader for a repair or replacement. If a fault appears within six months, in most cases it is presumed to have been there from the start. Private sales are different: 'let the buyer beware' applies.
FOUR CHECKS BEFORE YOU PAY
Count, condition,
seller, receipt.
None of these needs special kit beyond a memory card and a little time with the camera.
Ask for the shutter count
Some cameras record it in each photo's data, readable with a free online tool; others need USB software or a service menu. Search the model with "shutter count".
Compare it with the rating
Find the rated shutter life for that model. Under half is reassuring; near the limit, expect a lower price.
Inspect the body and sensor
Check battery health, wear and any knocks, and look at the sensor for scratches. These outweigh a high count.
Check thoroughly before buying
Faults that were pointed out, or that you ought to have noticed, cannot be claimed for later. Keep proof of purchase.
HOW A SHUTTER WEARS
Two curtains,
one count.
A focal-plane shutter uses two curtains or sets of blades. The first opens to start the exposure and the second follows to end it; at fast speeds the second starts before the first has finished, so a narrow slit travels across the sensor.
Most modern 35 mm and digital SLR shutters use metal blades that travel vertically, only 24 mm rather than 36 mm. Each firing is one actuation; an electronic shutter switches the sensor instead, with no moving parts to wear.
Questions
Questions people ask
What is a shutter count?
The running total of how many times the mechanical shutter has fired since the camera was new. It is often compared with the mileage on a used car.
How do I find a camera's shutter count?
It depends on the camera. Some write it into each photo's data, which a free online tool can read; others need USB software or a hidden service menu. Searching the model name with "shutter count" usually finds the method.
Is a high shutter count a dealbreaker?
Not necessarily. Below half the rated shutter life it is rarely a worry, near the limit the price should reflect it, and a failed shutter can be replaced, which resets the count to zero.
What rights do I have buying from a private seller?
Fewer than from a trader. A council trading standards guide says private sellers' goods need not be of satisfactory quality or fit for purpose, but they must still be accurately described.
What if a used camera from a shop develops a fault?
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 you have 30 days to reject faulty goods for a refund, then a right to repair or replacement. A fault found within six months is in most cases presumed to have been there at the start.