Drop an ARW RAW file from your Sony Alpha A77 and get the shutter actuation count in seconds — processed entirely in your browser, never uploaded anywhere. The A77's shutter count is stored encrypted in the Sony ARW MakerNote.
Check Shutter Count →The Sony Alpha A77 (SLT-A77, 2011) was Sony's flagship APS-C camera at the time of its release. It introduced a 24.3 MP sensor — the highest APS-C resolution then available — alongside a 12 fps continuous burst with full-time phase-detect AF, an articulating OLED EVF, weather sealing, and Sony's SLT (Single Lens Translucent) mirror system. The fixed semi-transparent mirror allowed continuous phase-detect AF during both stills and video without mirror blackout.
Sony rates the A77 mechanical shutter at 150,000 actuations — notably higher than most APS-C DSLRs from competing brands, which typically ship with 100,000-actuation ratings at equivalent price points.
| Model | Release | Sensor | Rated Shutter Life | RAW Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony Alpha A77 (SLT-A77) | 2011 | 24.3 MP APS-C SLT | 150,000 actuations | ARW |
| Sony Alpha A77 II (ILCA-77M2) (successor) | 2014 | 24.3 MP APS-C SLT | 150,000 actuations | ARW |
| Sony Alpha A65 (entry SLT sibling) | 2011 | 24.3 MP APS-C SLT | 100,000 actuations | ARW |
| Sony Alpha A6700 (modern APS-C) | 2023 | 26 MP APS-C E-mount | 200,000 actuations | ARW |
The Sony A77 does not display the shutter count in its on-screen menus. The count is written into every ARW RAW file.
Sony does not reliably embed the shutter counter in JPEG files. Use an ARW RAW file for accurate results. If you shoot RAW+JPEG, use the ARW side of the pair.
The A77's 12 fps burst mode and sports-photography appeal mean that used bodies can have accumulated counts quickly. When buying a used A77, verifying the count from an ARW file is straightforward and takes seconds.
| Actuation Count | % of Rated Life | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 15,000 | 0 – 10 % | Very low use — near new |
| 15,000 – 50,000 | 10 – 33 % | Low to moderate use |
| 50,000 – 100,000 | 33 – 67 % | Moderate to heavy use — normal for active shooters |
| 100,000 – 135,000 | 67 – 90 % | High use — negotiate price |
| 135,000 + | 90 %+ | Near or past rated life — budget for shutter replacement |
Sony stores the shutter count encrypted in ARW MakerNote tag 0x9050. ShutterCount applies Sony's decryption algorithm (cubic residue modulo 249) and reads the counter at the appropriate byte offset for the A77's firmware generation. All processing happens in your browser — the file never leaves your device.
Yes. Unlike a traditional DSLR where the mirror flips before each shot, the SLT mirror in the A77 is fixed and transparent. This means:
The ARW shutter count tag reflects the total mechanical shutter actuations, which corresponds directly to the number of stills captured (minus any shots taken with silent electronic shutter, if applicable). This is different from the file numbering sequence, which resets when the card is formatted.
The Sony Alpha A77 II (2014) upgraded the AF system to 79 phase-detect points (from 19 on the original), improved continuous shooting to 12 fps with better tracking, and added NFC. Both cameras use the same 24.3 MP APS-C sensor and share a 150,000-actuation shutter rating. The ARW shutter count check method is identical for both.
Only a Sony authorised service centre can reset the hardware counter after a physical shutter replacement. EXIF-editing software cannot alter the in-camera counter. Always verify from an original ARW RAW file rather than a JPEG or edited file.