Drop an ARW file from your Sony Alpha a5000 and get the exact mechanical shutter actuation count in seconds — processed entirely in your browser, never uploaded anywhere.
Check Shutter Count →The Sony Alpha a5000 (2014) was Sony's most compact interchangeable-lens camera at its launch. Featuring a 20.1 MP APS-C Exmor sensor with Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity in a body weighing just 211 g, it was aimed at photographers upgrading from smartphones or compact cameras. Sony does not publish a formal shutter durability rating for the a5000, but based on community data and its entry-level classification, the estimated mechanical shutter life is approximately 100,000 actuations.
| Camera | Release | Sensor | Est. Shutter Life | RAW Tag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony a5000 | 2014 | 20.1 MP APS-C | ~100,000 | 0x9050 |
| Sony a5100 | 2014 | 24.3 MP APS-C | ~100,000 | 0x9050 |
| Sony a6000 | 2014 | 24.3 MP APS-C | ~100,000 | 0x9050 |
The Sony a5000 does not display the shutter count in its menus. The count is embedded in the MakerNote section of every ARW RAW file the camera produces. ShutterCount reads it directly:
When evaluating a second-hand a5000, the shutter count helps you assess wear relative to its estimated 100,000-actuation lifespan:
| Actuation Count | % of Est. Life | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 10,000 | 0 – 10 % | Very low use — near new |
| 10,000 – 30,000 | 10 – 30 % | Low use — plenty of life remaining |
| 30,000 – 60,000 | 30 – 60 % | Moderate use — normal for active shooters |
| 60,000 – 90,000 | 60 – 90 % | High use — negotiate price accordingly |
| 90,000 + | 90 %+ | Near estimated limit — shutter replacement may be required |
Because the a5000 was primarily a casual and beginner camera, most used examples on the market have low shutter counts. Counts below 5,000 are not unusual for bodies that were lightly used before the owner upgraded.
Sony stores the shutter count in an encrypted MakerNote section within the ARW (Advanced RAW) file's EXIF data. ShutterCount reads the relevant MakerNote tag (0x9050) and extracts the shutter actuation count. This tag is consistent across Sony Alpha APS-C and full-frame bodies from this era.
Sony often strips or truncates the MakerNote in in-camera JPEG files. For a reliable count, always use the original .ARW RAW file from the memory card. If you shoot RAW+JPEG, use the ARW.
Take a photo, locate the ARW file, and drop it into shuttercount.app. The count is read from MakerNote tag 0x9050 in your browser — no upload, no account required.
Sony does not publish an official shutter rating for the a5000. The community-estimated lifespan is ~100,000 actuations, consistent with other entry-level Sony APS-C mirrorless cameras.
The a5100 (2014, concurrent release) added on-sensor phase-detection AF (179 points), a touchscreen LCD, and a higher 24.3 MP sensor. The a5000 uses contrast-only AF and 20.1 MP. For shutter count purposes, both use the same ARW MakerNote tag 0x9050.
The internal hardware counter can only be reset by Sony service after a shutter replacement. EXIF editing tools do not change the hardware counter. Always verify from an original ARW file — never from a screenshot or social-media export.
Yes, completely free. ShutterCount.app runs entirely in your browser. No account, no upload, no limit on the number of files.