How do I check the shutter count of my Sony Alpha 200?

Shoot a RAW photo with your Sony Alpha 200, locate the .ARW file, and drop it into shuttercount.app. The tool reads unencrypted MakerNote tag 0x014a in your browser — no upload required.

What is the rated shutter life of the Sony Alpha 200?

Sony rates the Alpha 200 (DSLR-A200) shutter at 100,000 actuations — the standard for entry-level consumer DSLRs of its 2008 era.

Is the Sony Alpha 200 worth buying used?

The A200 is now nearly 20 years old. It is worth buying for A-mount lens owners who want an affordable body, or as a film-era transition camera. At current prices (often €20–60), it offers the full A-mount lens system for very little investment. Always verify the shutter count from an ARW file before purchase.

What is the difference between the Sony Alpha 200 and Alpha 350?

The Alpha 350 (launched simultaneously in 2008) has a higher 14.2 MP sensor (vs 10.2 MP on the A200) and a tilting LCD with a live view system using a secondary sensor. The A200 has a fixed LCD and no live view. Both share the same A-mount system, unencrypted ARW shutter count tag 0x014a, and 100,000-actuation rating.

🔒 No upload — 100% local

Sony Alpha 200 Shutter Count:
Check It Free in Your Browser

Drop an ARW RAW file from your Sony Alpha 200 and get the shutter actuation count in seconds — processed entirely in your browser. The DSLR-A200 stores its shutter count in unencrypted MakerNote tag 0x014a.

Check Shutter Count →

Sony Alpha 200 — Shutter Rating & Context

The Sony Alpha 200 (DSLR-A200, 2008) was Sony's entry-level APS-C DSLR, positioned as the most affordable way into the A-mount system after the Alpha 100. It features a 10.2 MP APS-C CMOS sensor, Super SteadyShot optical image stabilisation (in-body, not in-lens — a key Sony advantage over Canon and Nikon of the era), 3 fps burst, an 9-point AF system, and a fixed 2.5-inch rear LCD. It accepts all Sony/Minolta A-mount lenses including vintage Minolta AF glass.

Sony rates the Alpha 200 mechanical shutter at 100,000 actuations.

Model	Release	Sensor	Rated Shutter Life	RAW Format
Sony Alpha 200 (DSLR-A200)	2008	10.2 MP APS-C CMOS	100,000 actuations	ARW
Sony Alpha 300 (DSLR-A300) (mid sibling)	2008	10.2 MP APS-C CMOS	100,000 actuations	ARW
Sony Alpha 350 (DSLR-A350) (higher sibling)	2008	14.2 MP APS-C CMOS	100,000 actuations	ARW

    Unencrypted shutter count — tag 0x014a: The Alpha 200 (and Alpha 100, 300, 350, 380) store the shutter count in unencrypted Sony MakerNote tag 0x014a. ShutterCount reads this directly in your browser — no decryption needed, unlike the encrypted tag 0x9050 used by modern Sony cameras.
  

How to Check Shutter Count on the Sony Alpha 200

Take any still photo with your Sony Alpha 200 and locate the resulting .ARW file on the SD card.
Open shuttercount.app in any modern browser.
Drag the ARW file onto the drop zone, or click to open a file picker.
The shutter count appears instantly — no upload, no account required.

What if the camera only has JPEGs?

The shutter count is not reliably stored in in-camera JPEGs. Ask the seller for a fresh ARW file if you are evaluating the camera for purchase.

What Is a Good Shutter Count for a Used Sony Alpha 200?

Actuation Count	% of Rated Life	Assessment
0 – 10,000	0 – 10 %	Very low use — near new
10,000 – 40,000	10 – 40 %	Low to moderate use
40,000 – 75,000	40 – 75 %	Moderate to heavy use
75,000 – 95,000	75 – 95 %	High use — negotiate price
95,000 +	95 %+	Near or past rated life

Many A200 units were used lightly by hobbyists. At current market prices (€20–50), the shutter count matters primarily if you rely on the camera for shooting rather than collecting. Shutter replacements on DSLR-A bodies are possible but parts availability is declining.

How Does ShutterCount Read the Alpha 200 Shutter Count?

The Alpha 200 uses the early Sony DSLR-A MakerNote format with unencrypted tag 0x014a for the shutter count. ShutterCount parses the ARW file, locates this tag in the Sony IFD, and reads the counter directly. This differs from modern Sony Alpha cameras (A7, A9, A6000+ series), which use encrypted tag 0x9050 requiring a cubic residue decryption step.

Sony Alpha 200 Shutter Count:Check It Free in Your Browser