How to find the Shutter Actuation Count on the Olympus OM-D
Mirrorless Olympus cameras have a computerized focal-plane shutter unlike DSLRs that use a mirror that flips up prior to taking an exposure.
The number of shutter count actuations is still important on these Olympus mirrorless cameras. Olympus rates the shutter life of the OM-D E-M5 camera at 100,000 shutter actuations. This means that after (or possibly before) 100,000 actuations the shutter may fail and need to be replaced.
Olympus Hidden Menu with Shutter Actuations
Unlike Canon, Olympus has a built in way to tell the number of shutter actuations. Although, it is not necessary easy to get at. Olympus has a hidden menu that is displayed only after a series of button presses and menu selections.
How to Find the Shutter Count on the OM System OM-1 Camera
This method to see the number of shutter actuations also works with the PEN series of cameras and the Olympus OM-D camera series. I’ve tested this on the newer Olympus OM-D cameras (E-M1X, E-M10 Mark III, and E-M1 Mark III) and this method to find the shutter actuation count still works.
Steps to Tell the Number of Shutter Actuations on Olympus Cameras
- Start with the Camera Off
- Hold down the menu button and turn the camera on.
- Release the Menu button and press the Menu button again to bring up the menus
- Select LCD Brightness (third selection from the top) in the “Wrench” menu.
- Press the Right Arrow to show the screen adjusters
- Press INFO and then OK. Something like this will appear on your screen OLYMPUS E-M5 02 01 01 01.
- Press the Up Arrow, Down Arrow, Left Arrow, Right Arrow, Shutter Button, and Up Arrow in this order and page 1 of the hidden menu will appear.
- The shutter actuation count is located on page 2. Press the Right Arrow for page 2.
Note for Newer Olympus OM-D Cameras
On newer Olympus OM-D cameras, the LCD Brightness menu is located under the Wrench Menu. The shutter count on Page 2 is prefaced by an MS: instead of an R:
Navigation to Access Other Pages of the Hidden Menu
- Press the Up Arrow for Page 1
- Press the Right Arrow for page 2
- Press the Down Arrow for page 3
- Press the Left Arrow for Page 4
Olympus Shutter Life Expectancy Ratings
Olympus doesn’t publish shutter life expectancy ratings on all of their cameras. Below are the cameras where I could find shutter life expectancy ratings.
- Olympus OM-D E-M1X – 400,000
- Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III – 400,000
- Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II – 200,000
- Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark I – 150,000
- Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark I – 100,000
Related Blog Posts
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ShutterCount – An Easy way to Find the Number of Canon DSLR Shutter Actuations on your Mac?
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20 Comments
RedPanda
Excellent stuff Martin, thank you!
Martin Belan
Thanks for the comment!
Geoff
Didn't work for me until I set the mode dial to AUTO
Tony
Thanks very much, had a "legacy" lens and adapter on and wouldn't work, removed the lens and adapter, fitted body cap, all worked perfectly. Very reassuring as I bought the camera on eBay and wasn't sure of the shutter count. Love the camera, find the menus a bit tough compared with a panasonic but I'm sure I'll get used to them.
Martin Belan
Tony,
Thanks for leaving the comment and the tip about removing the adapter!
Martin
hanss
Thank you for your instructions . Bought a second hand OMD EM5 with 7901 clicks. I 'm the lucky bastard.
Martin Belan
Hanss, thanks for reading the blog. Sounds like a good find on that camera.
bill bourdon
Very interesting info on finding the shutter count. Thankyou. Would you possibly know what the other abbreviations mean on pages 1-4?
bill bourdon
One more question….. Is the shutter count a total of the mechanical and electronic shutters?
Will Bicknell
I bought an Olympus E M5 2 at the photography show and had a few issues with it and thoughtid check the shutter count , id taken maybe 30-40 shots and there were over 200 on the counter- i returned/exchanged the camera-as it also had a battery in it when i opened the box- so must have been ex display. Ive just done the same shutter count on this next model and it s reading 49- is that a rasonable amount of shutter releases that may have been done while testing it or have i been sold another secondhand camera?
George Gawlik
Thanks for the information. Worked for me the first time.
George Gawlik
Martin Belan
Glad we could help George!
Brian
Well written. Something, from time to time, I had wondered about. Thank you Martin
rfphotoart
Thanks! Worked perfectly.
davawt
Thanks, Excellent Info Martin,
alfredo mario baldo
great data! worked on my pen f, pen epl7, m5 i, and m10 ii.
Michael Messner
Thanks. I was able to access the menu. I just updated the firmware on my OMD EM1 MK2 to version 3.6. It doesn’t work now. All glitchy won’t start, wont turn off. I went on the Light Snow and got Version 2.3 and 3.5. I can install them but the problem remains. Is there a way to clear it out completely?. I am awaiting my OM1.
Thanks Mike
Martin Belan
Hi Mike,
Did the updates completely finish. I had a firmware update stop half way on my E-M1X and the only way to resolve it was to send it in to Olympus to repair.
Mark Baker
Very helpful Martin, thank you. Very clearly explained, for a convoluted process!
Martin Belan
Thank you for the feedback Mark!