ShutterCount: What This Metadata Tag Means
ShutterCount is the number of photos a camera has taken over its life. Many cameras record it in their maker notes; phones do not.
Last updated: November 13, 2026
What it means
The shutter count shows how much a camera has been used, which matters when you buy or sell a used body. Shutters are rated for a number of cycles, so a high count suggests wear.
Example
- Tag
- ShutterCount
- Group in ExifMeta
- MakerNotes
- Example value
- 48213
This is how the tag appears in ExifMeta’s results. The value in your file will differ.
Typical values
Values are plain counts, such as 48213. Entry-level cameras are often rated for around 100,000 to 200,000 shots and professional bodies for 300,000 or more, though a shutter can last much longer or fail sooner.
Where it comes from
It sits in the manufacturer-specific MakerNotes, not in standard EXIF. ExifTool decodes it for many Nikon, Pentax, and Sony models; most Canon cameras do not store it in the image file.
What it is useful for
It is the first thing to check when you buy a used camera. Ask the seller for an unedited photo taken just now and read the count from that file.
Watch out for
Use a file straight from the camera: editing and exporting usually remove maker notes, and the tag with them. If a straight-from-camera file shows no ShutterCount, the camera probably does not record it.
Find it in your file
Upload a file to ExifMeta, then type ShutterCount into the “Search tags and values” box under All metadata. If nothing matches, the file does not contain this tag.
Learn more in the guide: How to See What Camera Settings a Photo Used
See the tags in your own file
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