Drop an ARW RAW file from your Sony A7 IV (ILCE-7M4) and get the exact shutter actuation count in seconds — processed entirely in your browser, never uploaded anywhere.
Check Shutter Count →The Sony A7 IV is Sony's 2021 entry-level full-frame mirrorless camera, featuring a 33 MP BSI sensor, 4K 60p video, and real-time subject recognition AF. It is one of the best-selling full-frame mirrorless cameras globally, making it one of the most frequently checked bodies on ShutterCount.
| Model | Release | Sensor | Rated Shutter Life | RAW Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony A7 IV (ILCE-7M4) | 2021 | 33 MP full-frame BSI | 150,000 | ARW |
The Sony A7 IV stores the shutter count encrypted in MakerNote tag 0x9050 of every ARW RAW file. ShutterCount decrypts and reads it automatically.
You can drop multiple ARW files at once to check counts across an entire shoot.
With a rated lifespan of only 150,000 actuations, the A7 IV's shutter wears out faster proportionally than most competitors. Buying a used A7 IV at a high count requires careful evaluation:
| Actuation Count | % of Rated Life | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 15,000 | 0 – 10 % | Very low use — near new |
| 15,000 – 45,000 | 10 – 30 % | Low use — plenty of life remaining |
| 45,000 – 90,000 | 30 – 60 % | Moderate use — normal for active shooters |
| 90,000 – 135,000 | 60 – 90 % | High use — negotiate price; shutter service likely soon |
| 135,000 + | 90 %+ | Near or past rated life — budget for shutter replacement |
Sony stores the shutter count in ARW files in an encrypted form within MakerNote tag 0x9050. The encryption is a cubic residue cipher modulo 249: each byte is cubed modulo 249 to produce the decrypted value, using a per-model key derived from the first bytes of the tag.
After decryption, ShutterCount reads the 32-bit count from byte offset 0x003a within the decrypted block. This offset applies to the A7 IV, A7 III, A9 III, A1, and several other current Sony full-frame bodies.
Sony does not embed the shutter count in JPEG files from the A7 IV. You must use an .ARW RAW file. If you normally shoot JPEG-only, shoot one RAW frame specifically to check the count.
No. The A7 IV's silent shooting mode uses a fully electronic readout that bypasses the mechanical curtain. Those shots are not counted. Only mechanical shutter and EFCS (Electronic Front Curtain Shutter) exposures increment the counter.
Shoot an ARW RAW file, then drop it into shuttercount.app. The tool decrypts and reads the shutter count from MakerNote tag 0x9050 entirely in your browser.
Sony rates the A7 IV at 150,000 actuations — the lowest among major full-frame mirrorless cameras in its price range. By comparison, Canon R6 is rated at 300,000 and Nikon Z6 III at 400,000.
Sony's 150,000-actuation rating for the A7 IV reflects its positioning as an entry-level full-frame body. Sony's professional bodies (A9 III, A1, A7R V) use heavier-duty shutter mechanisms rated at 500,000. The A7 IV's shutter assembly is built to a different cost and durability specification.
The hardware counter can only be reset by a Sony authorised service centre after a physical shutter replacement. The encrypted 0x9050 tag cannot be forged without the correct decryption key and algorithm. Always verify from an original ARW file, not a screenshot.
At 80,000 actuations, a Sony A7 IV has used approximately 53% of its rated 150,000-shot lifespan — moderate to moderately high use. There is still meaningful life remaining, but shutter replacement may be needed within the next 50,000–70,000 shots.
ShutterCount supports all Sony ARW bodies and Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm. See related guides: