Drop an ARW RAW file from your Sony Alpha A99 and get the shutter actuation count in seconds — processed entirely in your browser, never uploaded anywhere.
Check Shutter Count →The Sony Alpha A99 (SLT-A99, 2012) was Sony’s flagship full-frame A-mount camera and the pinnacle of Sony’s SLT (Single-Lens Translucent) technology. It uses a fixed translucent mirror to allow continuous phase-detection AF at full frame rate, a 24.3 MP full-frame Exmor sensor, and produces ARW RAW files. Sony rates its focal-plane shutter at 200,000 actuations.
| Model | Release | Sensor | Rated Shutter Life | RAW Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony Alpha A99 (SLT-A99) | 2012 | 24.3 MP full-frame | 200,000 actuations | ARW |
| Sony Alpha A99 II (SLT-A99M2) | 2016 | 42.4 MP full-frame | 500,000 actuations | ARW |
| Sony Alpha A7 III | 2018 | 24.2 MP full-frame | 200,000 actuations | ARW |
The Sony A99 does not display the shutter count in its on-screen menus. The count is written into the MakerNote of every ARW RAW file.
The A99 was popular with wedding, portrait, and event photographers who value its continuous AF during burst shooting. These use cases accumulate actuations faster than landscape or studio work. The rated life is 200,000 actuations.
| Actuation Count | % of Rated Life | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 20,000 | 0 – 10 % | Very low use — near new |
| 20,000 – 60,000 | 10 – 30 % | Low use — plenty of life remaining |
| 60,000 – 120,000 | 30 – 60 % | Moderate use — typical for an event photographer |
| 120,000 – 180,000 | 60 – 90 % | High use — negotiate price accordingly |
| 180,000 + | 90 %+ | Near or past rated life — budget for shutter replacement |
The Sony A99 writes images in Sony’s ARW format — a TIFF-based container with embedded Sony MakerNote metadata. ShutterCount parses the TIFF IFD chain to locate the Sony MakerNote block and reads the shutter count tag directly.
All processing happens in your browser — the file never leaves your device.
Sony does not reliably embed the shutter counter in JPEG files on older A-mount bodies. Use an ARW RAW file for accurate results.
On SLT cameras, the focal-plane shutter closes and opens at the start and end of each video recording. Long video sessions can therefore add to the mechanical shutter count. Photographers who used the A99 extensively for video should have a higher-than-expected count relative to the number of still images taken.
Shoot an ARW RAW file with your A99, then drop it into shuttercount.app. The metadata is read entirely in your browser — no upload needed.
Sony rates the Alpha A99 at 200,000 actuations. This is a median estimate; individual shutters often last significantly longer.
The A99 II (2016) upgrades to a 42.4 MP sensor (from 24.3 MP), doubles the rated shutter life to 500,000 actuations, adds a 79-point phase-detection AF array on the imaging plane, and shoots 12 fps. It is the last Sony A-mount body and the highest-spec SLT Sony ever made.
Only a Sony authorised service centre can reset the hardware counter after a physical shutter replacement. EXIF-editing tools overwrite metadata but cannot alter the in-camera counter. Always verify from an original ARW RAW file.
If you own a collection of Sony A-mount or Minolta AF lenses, the A99 offers native compatibility without adapters. For new lens purchases, Sony’s E-mount (a7 series) has a far larger and more modern selection. The LA-EA5 adapter lets you use A-mount glass on E-mount bodies with full AF, making it possible to migrate gradually.
ShutterCount supports the full Sony Alpha system. See related guides: