The number of times a camera’s shutter has been released is called its “shutter count.” It’s like an odometer in your car but instead of showing how many miles you’ve driven, it shows how many pictures you’ve taken with the camera.
It’s an important number to know if you’re going to buy a used camera. The more often a camera is used, the greater its shutter count will be. And the greater chance exists for shutter wear and tear—especially if the shutter count is above 100,000.
Canon Shutter Lifespan: How Does it Compare to Other Camera Brands?
The shutter lifespan for each model varies greatly. Some Canon cameras have a shutter life expectancy of 400,000 while others have around 100,000.
I’m thrilled to share with you the impressive shutter ratings of Canon’s exceptional range of mid-level and professional cameras. Among them, the EOS 1D X Mark II truly stands out with an outstanding rating of 400,000 cycles.
Additionally, we have the EOS 7D II at 200,000 cycles, the EOS 5D II, III, and IV at 150,000 cycles, and the EOS 6D II, 60D, 70D, 80D, and EOS 750D at 100,000 cycles.
Canon Cameras Shutter Count Guide
Canon Entry-Level DSLR Cameras
Canon EOS 400D
Canon EOS 350D
Canon EOS 300D
Canon Pro Mirrorless Cameras
Canon Advanced Mirrorless Cameras
Canon EOS R100
Canon EOS R50
Canon EOS R8
Canon Advanced DSLR Cameras
Finding Shutter Count
Shutter count numbers are well hidden, so you won’t be able to find them in your camera’s menu. Instead, you’ll have to use a third-party app or website that can read the camera’s EXIF information inside the image metadata.
Here are some great shutter count apps for Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows:
- Camera Shutter Count
- EOS MSG
- Free Shutter Count
- Shutter Count Mobile
- Shutter Check
Shutter Count May Affect The Value of a Camera
Believe it or not, the number of shutter clicks on a camera can affect the value of the camera.
If a DSLR or a mirrorless camera has only been used sparingly, it’s going to have a lower shutter count compared to a camera that’s been used for professional photo shoots.
From my experience, a camera that has a shutter count of under 10,000 is considered to be in mint condition.
Resulting in a much higher sale value (usually 10% to 30% higher) compared to a camera that has more than 50k clicks on it. Of course, given that the camera is still in great condition and works perfectly.
FAQs
What happens when the shutter count is reached?
If your camera has reached its shutter life expectancy, no need to worry! Your camera will still work just fine and take good photos. Some cameras have been through double or triple their shutter lifespan and are still going strong.
Should I buy a camera with a high shutter count?
It depends on what you consider “high”. I personally wouldn’t buy a camera with more than 100k clicks, but that’s just me. I would say a good starting point would be to look for cameras with a shutter count between 5k to 50k.
Can you reset the shutter count?
No, you can’t. Unless you change the shutter itself, which is a very difficult process that requires you to open up your camera and use special tools to replace the shutter.
Emma Lucy is the Founder & CEO of Emma Lucy Photography. She has over a decade of experience shooting weddings and other intimate events. She also tests the latest digital camera bodies, lenses, analog cameras, and other gear from Canon, Nikon, Sony, and other camera brands. She is From London and currently lives in the United States of America, where she spends most of her time as a self-employed professional photographer and writer.