Drop an ARW file from your Sony A9 (ILCE-9, original 2017 model) and get the exact mechanical shutter actuation count in seconds — processed entirely in your browser, never uploaded anywhere.
Check Shutter Count →The Sony A9 (ILCE-9), released in 2017, was Sony's first dedicated sports and photojournalism mirrorless camera. It introduced a then-revolutionary 20fps blackout-free electronic viewfinder, a stacked BSI CMOS sensor enabling high-speed continuous shooting without distortion, and an AF/AE tracking system previously unseen in mirrorless cameras. The mechanical shutter is rated at 200,000 actuations. The A9 II (2019) more than doubled this to 500,000, and the A9 III (2023) kept 500,000 while introducing a global shutter.
| Model | Release | Rated Shutter | Max Mech. Burst | ARW Offset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony A9 (ILCE-9) | 2017 | 200,000 | 20 fps | 0x003a |
| Sony A9 II (ILCE-9M2) | 2019 | 500,000 | 20 fps | 0x003a |
| Sony A9 III (ILCE-9M3) | 2023 | 500,000 | 120 fps (electronic) | 0x003a |
Use a file shot with the mechanical shutter. The A9's electronic shutter mode does not increment the mechanical counter.
| Shutter Count | % of Rated Life | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 20,000 | < 10 % | Lightly used for a 7-year-old body |
| 20,000 – 80,000 | 10 – 40 % | Moderate sports use |
| 80,000 – 140,000 | 40 – 70 % | Heavy use — inspect carefully and price accordingly |
| 140,000 – 180,000 | 70 – 90 % | Very heavy — shutter replacement likely needed soon |
| 180,000 + | 90 %+ | Near or past rated life — significant risk |
The Sony A9 stores its mechanical shutter count encrypted in ARW MakerNote tag 0x9050. ShutterCount applies Sony's cubic residue decryption algorithm (modulo 249) and reads the count from byte offset 0x003a. This is the same method and offset used by the A9 II, A7 III, A7S III, A7R IV, A7R V, and A1. All decryption is performed locally in your browser.
Shoot a mechanical ARW frame and drop it into shuttercount.app. The count is decrypted from tag 0x9050 at offset 0x003a in your browser, instantly and privately.
Sony rates the original A9 at 200,000 actuations. The A9 II (2019) more than doubled this to 500,000. If buying a used sports body, the A9 II is a significantly safer long-term investment.
Technically capable: 20fps burst, excellent phase-detect AF, blackout-free EVF. The main risks are the age of the body, potentially high shutter count, and the autofocus system being outpaced by newer AI-driven tracking. For amateur or enthusiast sports use at a very low price with a verified low count, the A9 remains usable. For professional work, the A9 II or A9 III offer substantially more reliability and performance.
Only Sony authorised service centres can reset the hardware counter. Always verify from an original ARW file.