The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II has a mechanical shutter rated at 200,000 actuations. Olympus ORF files do not store a confirmed shutter-count tag — the most reliable way to check is via the camera menu or ExifTool's Olympus MakerNote data.
Check Shutter Count →The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II (2016) was Olympus's flagship Micro Four Thirds body, succeeding the original E-M1. It introduced a 20.4 MP LiveMOS sensor with phase-detection AF across the sensor plane, 18 fps silent shooting, 5.5-stop 5-axis IBIS, and pro-grade weather sealing. The mechanical shutter is rated at 200,000 actuations.
| Model | Release | Sensor | Rated Shutter Life | RAW Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II | 2016 | 20.4 MP M4/3 | 200,000 | ORF |
| Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III (successor) | 2020 | 20.4 MP M4/3 | 200,000 | ORF |
| OM System OM-1 (successor line) | 2022 | 20.4 MP M4/3 stacked | 400,000 | ORF |
| Panasonic Lumix GH6 (competitor) | 2022 | 25.2 MP M4/3 | 200,000 | RW2 |
exiftool -ShutterCount yourfile.ORF. On many E-M1 Mark II firmware versions, ExifTool reads the count from Olympus MakerNote data. Results are not guaranteed across all firmware versions.| Actuation Count | % of Rated Life | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 10,000 | 0 – 5 % | Very low use — near new |
| 10,000 – 60,000 | 5 – 30 % | Low use |
| 60,000 – 130,000 | 30 – 65 % | Moderate use — normal for active shooters |
| 130,000 – 170,000 | 65 – 85 % | High use — negotiate price |
| 170,000 + | 85 %+ | Near or past rated life |
The E-M1 Mark II mechanical shutter is rated at 200,000 actuations. This rating is consistent with other professional M4/3 bodies of the same era. Note that the E-M1 Mark II also has a fully electronic (silent) shutter that bypasses the mechanical curtain entirely and does not contribute to shutter wear.
Both share the 20.4 MP LiveMOS sensor and 200,000-actuation shutter rating. The Mark III added Handheld High-Res Shot mode (50 MP), Live ND filter, improved computational modes, a higher-magnification EVF, and enhanced AI subject detection. For used buyers focused purely on image quality and shutter durability, the Mark II offers nearly identical output at a lower price point.
No. Video recording uses the sensor's electronic readout, not the mechanical shutter. Only still photographs taken in mechanical shutter mode increment the actuation counter. The E-M1 Mark II's Pro Capture mode uses the electronic shutter in pre-burst mode and also does not wear the mechanical shutter.
Focus on: IBIS function (shoot at 1/15s and verify sharpness), sensor cleanliness, weather sealing integrity, battery health (BLH-1 battery), EVF clarity, and the condition of the dual SD card slots. The E-M1 Mark II was a popular event and wildlife camera, so many units have seen demanding field use.