About shutter count
Every camera's shutter (or, on many mirrorless bodies, the sensor's exposure count) is rated for a certain number of actuations before it's likely to need servicing. Manufacturers embed this running total in the file's metadata on many models, hidden inside a manufacturer-specific block that ordinary EXIF viewers don't parse. This tool reads that value directly out of the file's raw bytes: for Nikon cameras, from a documented, unencrypted field in the MakerNote; for Canon EOS R5, R6, R6 Mark II, R8, and R50 (CR3 files), from a publicly documented location inside the camera's CR3 container. This lets you check a used camera's shutter count yourself before buying it, or keep an eye on your own body's wear over time. It never sends your photo anywhere; everything happens in your browser.
How it reads the value
Many cameras record the shutter count in a manufacturer-specific area inside the photo file, called the MakerNote. Ordinary EXIF viewers do not interpret that area, so the value stays hidden, but this tool reads the file's raw bytes and finds it directly.
For Nikon it reads the unencrypted shutter count field inside the MakerNote. For Canon it reads a publicly documented storage location in CR3 files from the EOS R5, R6, R6 Mark II, R8 and R50. Everything runs in your browser and your photo is never sent anywhere.
How to use it and what is supported
- Drop in a Nikon RAW (.NEF), an in-camera JPEG or a Canon CR3 file, and the camera model and shutter count appear.
- Supported are Nikon NEF and in-camera JPEG, and CR3 files from the five Canon models above.
- Other Canon bodies, Sony, Fujifilm, Olympus, Panasonic and Pentax are not supported yet, because they either do not store the value in the file or store it differently per model, which needs separate work.
- If you upload a file from an unsupported camera, the tool does not force a number; it tells you the camera is not supported.
When to use it
It is useful before buying a used camera, to check the shutter count yourself from the original photo the seller sends. You can also use it to keep an eye on your own camera's usage over time.
Limits and common mistakes
- Photos that went through editing or social media may have had their metadata removed, so the value can be missing. Use the original file straight from the camera.
- Shutter count is only a reference for judging a camera's condition. Rated shutter durability differs by model, and passing it does not mean the camera fails right away.
- Some mirrorless bodies count sensor exposures rather than mechanical shutter actuations, so the number can mean something different.
- Some older or entry-level models never record this value at all, so no tool can read it.
- Canon R5/R6 support is based on published data and has not been verified against every individual unit and firmware version. If a count looks wrong, let us know.
Guides that pair well with this tool
Shutter count support depends on the camera manufacturer and model. Some older or lower-end bodies never record this value at all, regardless of which tool you use. Canon EOS R5/R6 support is based on published camera data rather than verified against every individual unit and firmware version — if a count looks wrong, please let us know.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does this only support Nikon and a few Canon models right now?+
Nikon documents this field (ShutterCount) as a plain, unencrypted number inside its MakerNote block, which we've independently verified against real camera files. Canon publishes the storage location for a handful of recent EOS R bodies — the R5, R6, R6 Mark II, R8, and R50 — so we support those too. Other manufacturers (Sony, Fujifilm, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax) either don't store an equivalent value in the file at all, or store it in a way that varies by model and needs separate work per camera — we're expanding brand support gradually.
Does this support Canon cameras?+
Yes, for a handful of models. Currently supported: the EOS R5, EOS R6, EOS R6 Mark II, EOS R8, and EOS R50 (CR3 files only). Unlike Nikon, Canon stores this value at a different byte location for nearly every camera model, and a publicly documented location currently exists only for those five bodies. Every other Canon camera, old or new, isn't mapped yet — we'll add more as documented locations become available.
Does this work with JPEG files, or only RAW?+
Both. In-camera JPEGs carry the same MakerNote data as NEF files, as long as they haven't been re-saved or edited by another program (which typically strips or rewrites this metadata).
Is my photo uploaded anywhere?+
No. The file is read and parsed entirely in your browser using JavaScript — it's never sent to any server, matching how every other tool on ExifLens handles your files.