How the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and Canon EOS R6 compare on rated shutter life, sensor and value — and how to read the exact actuation count of either from a RAW file, free and in your browser.
Check Your Shutter Count →| Spec | 5D Mark IV | R6 |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Canon EOS 5D Mark IV | Canon EOS R6 |
| Released | 2016 | 2020 |
| Sensor | 30.4 MP full-frame | 20.1 MP full-frame |
| Category | full-frame DSLR | full-frame mirrorless |
| RAW format | CR2 | CR3 |
| Shutter type | Mechanical + electronic | Mechanical + electronic |
| Rated shutter life | 300,000 | 300,000 |
Both bodies carry the same 300,000-actuation rating, so shutter durability is a wash — your buying decision comes down to sensor, features and price, not shutter wear.
Rated figures are manufacturer estimates, not hard limits. Many bodies shoot well past their rating, while a small number fail earlier — the rating is best read as a durability class, not a countdown. When buying used, what matters is the actual actuation count relative to that rating, which you can read for free below.
The R6 is the newer design (2020 vs 2016), which usually means longer firmware support, a more current autofocus system and a stronger residual value — but also a higher used price.
On resolution the 5D Mark IV leads at 30.4 MP full-frame against the R6’s 20.1 MP full-frame — worth having if you crop hard or print large, while the R6 keeps file sizes and low-light noise in check.
Because both are Canon bodies, your existing lenses and accessories carry straight across — the decision is purely about the body itself.
The 5D Mark IV writes CR2 files and the R6 writes CR3 files — ShutterCount handles both formats natively.
See the full model guides for each body: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV shutter count and Canon EOS R6 shutter count.
Both the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and the Canon EOS R6 are rated for 300,000 shutter actuations, so neither has a durability edge on paper.
Take a photo, then drop the resulting CR2 (5D Mark IV) or CR3 (R6) RAW file into shuttercount.app. The count is read from the file’s MakerNote entirely in your browser — no upload, no account.
The R6 is newer (2020), which tends to mean better resale value and longer support; the 5D Mark IV is often the better bargain used. Always verify the actual shutter count from an original RAW file before buying.
No. Only the manufacturer’s service centre can reset the hardware counter, and only after a physical shutter replacement. EXIF editors can rewrite surrounding metadata but cannot alter the in-camera counter, which is why you should always read it from an untouched CR2/CR3 RAW file.
Compare shutter life and value across other popular bodies: