In the video below, you can see how the mirror swings upward, and the shutter opens and closes to allow light to land on the digital sensor. Between the two of these devices, the mechanical shutter is drastically more delicate and prone to failures over the life of the camera. The two largest (and most important) moving parts are the main reflex mirror (the mirror that allows you to look through the lens from the viewfinder and swings upward as you take the picture) and the shutter. Why the number of shutters is importantĭSLR cameras, like the SLR cameras they replaced, have very few moving parts. To note: The techniques described in this article can be used to check the shutter count on mirrorless cameras, like the compact Nikon 1, as well as on digital SLR cameras. Read on as we explain why a DSLR camera’s shutter count is important and how to check it. You wouldn’t buy a used car without checking the number of kilometers driven, and you shouldn’t buy a used DSLR without knowing the number of clicks on the shutter.

Exiftool shutter count