How to Check Olympus Camera Shutter Count

It is imporant to know how many mechanical shutter actuations a camera has been through. This is because the mechanical shutter actuation count can be helpful for judging the shutter life expectancy.

Depending on the camera model, mechanical shutters have life expectancies rated for 100,000+ or more actuations. Higher-end and professional-grade cameras will be have a shutter count raiting that is for 250,000+ actuations.

An electronic shutter count is not important as there are no mechanical parts involved.

The number of shutter actuations can be checked by using a button sequence to bring up a diagnostics menu. An alternative method would be to check the exif image data for a jpeg, but that takes longer.

This should work for all Olympus PEN and OM-D Micro Four Thirds cameras and compacts made from around 2009 onward and the TG-5. It should also work for OM Systems cameras.

Steps to Check Mechanical Shutter Actuations

Here are the steps to check the shutter count on Olympus mirrorless digital cameras.

1. Hold the MENU button down and turn the camera on.
2. Once the camera is on release the MENU button.
3. Press the MENU button again.
4. On the left, scroll to the SETUP MENU, which has the wrench icon.
5. Go to the DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS AND COLOR TEMPERATURE MENU, you can press OK or RIGHT.
6. Press RIGHT, INFO, and then OK
7. A screen that shows the model number of the camera will appear.
8. Press UP, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT, SHUTTER, and then UP.
9. There are four pages of information.
10. Pressing RIGHT will get you to the screen that shows the shutter count.
11. The shutter count will be displayed on the top line.

Turning off the camera and turning it back on will have it operating as normal.

Meaning of Letters in the Menu

S is the number of times the flash has been fired.

I don’t know what C is.

U is the Ultra Sonic Filter count.

I don’t know what V is.

B is the number of shots taken using IBIS.

Pressing down should bring up page 3. Here you should see the serial number that is on the bottom of the camera under the CS.

The MCS represent information about the CPU and manufacture date.that displays the serial number of the camera.

Left is blank.

Up brings you back to the first page.

Lack of Camera Shutter Count Importance on Mirrorless Cameras

The shutter count of a camera refers to the number of times its shutter has been actuated, or in simpler terms, the number of times the shutter button has been pressed. It is an important piece of information for photographers to have when buying or selling a used camera because it can provide insight into the camera’s overall mechanical condition as they are rated for a certain shutter lifespan.

Knowing the shutter count can help you assess the amount of wear and tear on the camera’s mechanical components, particularly the shutter mechanism. A high shutter count indicates that the camera has been used extensively and may be more prone to malfunctions or breakdowns.

On the other hand, a low shutter count suggests that the camera has been used less frequently and may be in better condition. Keep in mind that a camera heavily used in a studio environemnt will fare better than one that was barely used for documenting field research in a jungle.

A camera with a low shutter actuation count is generally more desirable and can command a higher price than one with a high shutter count. It is also important to note that some camera manufacturers may void the warranty if the shutter count exceeds a shutter count limit.

Mechanical vs Electronic Shutter Count for Digital Cameras

The main difference between a mechanical and electronic shutter is the way they operate on digital cameras.

A mechanical shutter physically blocks the light from reaching the camera’s sensor by using a set of curtains that move across the sensor. This type of shutter is typically found in DSLRs and film cameras.

A mechinical shutter is useful for flash photography, when LED lighting causes banding, and to eliminate rolling shutter artifacts that cause photos to look like jello.

The mechanical shutter is a physical component that can wear out over time with repeated use, and the number of actuations is referred to as the shutter count. A high shutter count can indicate a greater likelihood of wear and tear on the camera’s mechanical components, which can lead to a shorter lifespan.

An electronic shutter, does not have any physical moving parts. Instead, when the shutter button is pressed, the camera’s sensor is used to control the exposure time, electronically opening and closing the sensor to capture the image. Since there are no physical components involved, an electronic shutter count is basically useless as they do not experience mechanical wear.

Electronic shutters and hybrid shutters are features more commonly seen on mirrorless cameras. The newest do away with a physical shutter as the sensor read out speeds have become fast enough to no longer require the use of a first curtain electronic shutter.

In summary, mechanical shutters have physical components that can wear out over time and with repeated use, whereas electronic shutters do not have any physical components and are less prone to wear and tear.

What is a High Shutter Count for Olympus Cameras?

The expected lifespan of the shutter for Olympus mirrorless cameras can vary depending on the camera model and usage conditions.

However, in general, Olympus cameras have an estimated shutter rating of at least 150,000 actuations, which means that the shutter should last for at least that many actuations before it may start to show signs of wear.

Helpful Links for Photographers

biofos.com has information on accessing hidden menus on older DSLR Four Thirds cameras and olders compacts.