How to check camera mileage

When you buy a camera, you want to be sure of its quality. When purchasing a new one, it is important to know that it was not previously in use, and if you buy the device from your hands, it is advisable to find out how long it has been used. To diagnose the device, you can use several options: contact a specialized service center or independently check the camera’s mileage, i.e. determine the number of pictures that have already been taken.

Modern cameras have a decent shutter resource, on average, this indicator varies from 300 to 500 thousand shots. It is important to note that these numbers indicate the guaranteed number of frames that can be captured by this device if it is used correctly. Often, even after overcoming the maximum boundaries, the shutter continues to function properly.

What is the camera shutter mileage?

The shutter of the camera is a special device that adjusts the duration of light exposure on the camera matrix. At the moment you press the shutter, the shutter opens and passes the light flux, and then closes. The whole process takes only a fraction of a second.

Camera mileage is the direct number of shutter releases for the entire life of the device. Manufacturers set a certain number of responses for each model.

Why is it necessary to check the shutter distance of the camera?

This parameter indicates the status of the camera and the intensity of its use. Amateur cameras do not differ in a large allowable number of responses without failures - on average, this value fluctuates at the level of 50 thousand, in turn, professional DSLRs give out 100 thousand, after which there is a high probability of malfunctions or deterioration in the quality of shooting.

If the shutter has already stepped over these "critical" numbers, then it makes sense to periodically diagnose it in order to extend the service life. When buying a camera, it is desirable that the mileage indicator is minimal.

How to check the camera shutter mileage

You can use different methods to find out how many frames were shot. This can be a check using the individual camera menu or using special programs.

Camera shutter count

Using this service, you can easily determine how many operations the shutter had. It is noteworthy that the service interacts with a wide range of models, for example, Pentax, Nikon, Sony or Canon. To find out the number of shutter releases it is enough to upload the necessary file to the service (it is important that the file has not yet been processed in RAW or JPEG format). After that, the result will be displayed on the screen.

The main page of the site for uploading a snapshot. Below are the models with which the service interacts.

Window where the result of testing the image is displayed

EOSMSG program

This is a special utility designed for installation on a personal computer. It allows you to check the number of shots taken by the camera. One of its advantages is the support of most modern models, a full list of which can be found on the official website of the application. As for the disadvantages - when using Windows 10, working with it is possible only when you enable compatibility mode with the version of Windows XP.

Program window after mileage detection for Sony ILCA-99M2

How to find out the mileage for a Nikon camera

To solve this problem, you need only a couple of actions. You need to get a special utility that is designed to view the properties of images, namely EXIF ​​frames. One of these programs is Picasa 3. It combines ease of use and wide functionality.

For illustrative purposes, the program window and an open test image are presented below. In the same window, the shutter mileage of the camera is displayed in the "Image Number" column.

Picasa 3 Window

To display the necessary parameters, it is enough to call a special window with properties, which opens thanks to the combination of Alt and Enter keys. In the column with the image number you can see the actual shutter mileage.

How to reliably check the mileage of a Canon camera

To understand how to see the shutter mileage in the Canon model range, it will take a little more effort, as the manufacturer has taken steps to reliably protect this information from prying eyes.

To access the desired information, you need either the help of a service center or additional specialized programs designed specifically to be able to obtain the necessary data about the analyzed camera. The second option seems less expensive. Among such utilities, the program is EOSMSG, which can easily determine the mileage of both modern models and those who have already managed to occupy their niche in the market of photographic equipment.

To use the program, you must download it from the official site. Then you need to run the installation file by double-clicking on the right mouse button. When the program is installed, it will immediately be ready to work. To start it, you just need to double-click on the shortcut that appears on the desktop. To check the camera, you must connect it to a personal computer using a usb cable. In the window that appears, a window with data on the mileage of the camera in the ShotCount column will be displayed.

EOSMSG window

Determining the number of shutter releases by the built-in camera functions

Regardless of the manufacturer or model, the camera has a built-in counter for captured images. Often it can be found in the right corner at the bottom of the display, it is displayed when using the photo mode.

An example of the location of the snapshot counter

By comparing the difference between the already captured frames and the maximum allowable number of operations, it is easy to conclude that the camera’s mileage, that is, the greater the difference, the lower the mileage, therefore, the device was less used.

However, this method is not able to reflect the whole reality of the picture, as it has many pitfalls. For example, if there was a software failure, then this counter could be reset, respectively, the data will be invalid. Also, the seller, wanting to get the maximum benefit, can independently replace the shutter or reflash the device, as a result of which the counter will reset to zero and the buyer will not be able to check the mileage. Therefore, to obtain reliable information, it is advisable to use third-party methods.

Having studied all the nuances of the camera, its mileage, the buyer can be sure of its quality and reliability.