Mechanical shutters physically fire the camera’s shutter just like in a DSLR camera. If you’re using a mirrorless camera, you may have access to two different types of shutter actuation. After all, you wouldn’t replace the brakes and ball joints in a car that’s unlikely to last another month of use. If you plan to sell a camera, knowing its shutter count will help you assess the camera’s value.įinally, if your camera becomes damaged in a way that doesn’t affect the shutter, it’s helpful to know if your shutter has much life left to it before deciding on costly repairs or on buying a replacement camera. Before agreeing on a price or bringing a used camera home, it’s important to check the shutter count. A camera that’s barely been used will have a much longer shutter life expectancy than a camera that a sports photographer uses day in and day out. If you’re planning to purchase a used DSLR camera, this is a very important specification to check. Photo by Marco Xu on Unsplash Why Do You Need to Know Your Digital Camera’s Shutter Count?

Sometimes, cameras surpass the expected shutter count and sometimes, they fall short and require a replacement shutter.įortunately, all cameras have a means of determining the count, so you can get a basic idea of how much lifespan remains for your shutter. This is the average expected amount of shutter actuations your camera will most likely deliver before the shutter fails. When shopping for a new camera, you may have noticed a specification called a shutter rating. This number matters because all digital cameras have different shutter life expectancies.

Your camera’s shutter count or shutter actuation number is the number of times you’ve physically fired your camera’s mechanical shutter. So, if your digital camera doesn’t spend most of its time on a shelf collecting dust or nestled safely in a camera bag, it’s important to know your shutter count. The age of your camera has less to do with its lifespan than its amount of use. Unless your digital camera or DSLR camera is brand new, it’s a good idea to periodically check your shutter count.

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