The era of Z-series mirrorless cameras: A virtual run has appeared

With the release of the **Nikon Z** system, my workshop has had more work to do with consultations before purchasing out-of-pocket. The main question that clients ask: * “The description on Avito says 200,000 frames. Is the camera dying?

Don't rush to panic! Mirrorless cameras (Nikon Z5, Z6, Z6 II, Z7, Z7 II, Z50, Z fc) have a matrix shutter system, but there is also a completely silent electronic shutter **Silent Shutter**.

How Nikon engineers divided the counter in the Z-series

When writing EXIF ​​to .NEF files of mirrorless cameras, two key parameters are formed:

1. MechanicalShutterCount— shows only those frames when the physical curtains slammed.
2. ShutterCount(Total) - shows the total amount of frames (mechanical + electronic shutter).

What about the flagship **Nikon Z9**? The Nikon Z9 has no physical mechanical shutter at all! There is an ultra-fast Stacked CMOS sensor matrix, so `MechanicalShutterCount` is always 0 there.

A living example from service practice

Recently brought in a Z7 II after a time lapse photographer. The total mileage in the ad was listed as 180,000 frames. We ran the file through our algorithm:

• Total Shutter Count: 180,000
• Mechanical Shutter Count: Only 4,200!

A man took 175 thousand frames of the starry sky in silent mode. The bolt block is brand new. The buyer saved about 35 thousand rubles upon purchase!

Summary table of Nikon Z shutter parameters

Model Nikon Z	Mechanics passport resource	What is important to look at EXIF
Nikon Z5/Z50/Z30	150,000	MechanicalShutterCount
Nikon Z6 / Z6 II / Z7 / Z7 II	200,000	MechanicalShutterCount
Nikon Z8/Z9	Endless (no mechanics)	TotalShutterCount (for estimating button resource)