ShutterOdo

Sony α9 shutter count

Drop an original JPEG or ARW file from the α9. The count is stored in the photo's maker notes, and ShutterOdo reads it in your browser.

How to read itPhoto (JPEG, ARW)
StatusSupported ExifTool decodes the count for this model.
TypeMirrorless
Rated shutter life500,000 cycles
Also sold asILCE-9
Sony α9Ready
Rated life 500,000

Drop a photo

Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Fujifilm, and the Canon R5 and R6. Use the original file from the memory card.

No camera handy? Try a sample:

Connect by USB

For Canon EOS bodies that keep the count out of their photos, like the 7D Mark II, 5D Mark III and 70D. Works in desktop Chrome or Edge.

Read-only. Camera settings stay as they are.

USB setup for Mac, Windows and Linux

Charge the battery, switch the camera on, turn Wi-Fi off and use a USB cable that carries data. Many micro-USB cables only charge. Quit EOS Utility, Lightroom, Photos and Image Capture first.

Mac: right before you click Connect, run killall -9 PTPCamera ptpcamerad in Terminal. macOS grabs cameras the moment they're plugged in.

Windows: Windows puts Canon cameras on its own driver, which Chrome can't use. Switch it to Windows' built-in WinUSB driver in Device Manager, no download needed. Step-by-step Windows guide. Or skip the computer and use Chrome on an Android phone with a USB OTG adapter.

Linux, ChromeOS and Android Chrome with a USB OTG adapter: usually works as is.

Technical log
If a camera doesn't give a count, copy this report and email it to us. It shows exactly what the camera sent.
Nothing read yet.

What counts as high for the α9

Shutter countShare of rated lifeWhat it suggests
Under 50,000Under 10%Lightly used
50,000 to 250,00010% to 50%Normal use, plenty of expected life left
250,000 to 500,00050% to 100%Heavily used. Price it accordingly
Over 500,000Over 100%Past its rating. Many shutters keep going, but budget for a replacement
Buying or selling a used α9?

MPB lists the shutter count on its used bodies, so you can compare a camera against others for sale.

ShutterOdo earns a commission from MPB if you buy or sell through these links. Your price stays the same.

α9 questions

How do I check the shutter count on a Sony α9?

Drop an original JPEG or ARW file from the α9. The count is stored in the photo's maker notes, and ShutterOdo reads it in your browser.

What is the Sony α9's rated shutter life?

The α9 is commonly rated for 500,000 shutter cycles. That's an average expectation from the maker's testing, not a guarantee.

Why doesn't my α9 photo show a count?

The file was probably edited, exported or sent through a messaging app, which strips the maker notes. Copy an original file straight off the memory card.

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