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Does Live View Count as Shutter Actuations?

One of the most misunderstood numbers in photography. Here’s exactly what Live View and video do to your Canon’s shutter count.

The rule: photos taken in Live View DO count as shutter actuations — the mechanical shutter curtains still cycle for each shot. Time spent in Live View preview does not add anything. Video recording barely registers (the shutter opens once at the start and closes at the end — a 10-minute clip adds roughly one or two actuations).

Why photos in Live View still wear the shutter

On a DSLR, entering Live View flips the mirror up and opens the shutter so the sensor sees the scene. But the moment you take a photo, the shutter must close, then open and close again for the exposure — that’s a full mechanical cycle, and the camera counts it. (This is why tools like ShutterCount can show separate “live view actuations” figures on some bodies.)

What this means for used buyers

A camera with heavy video use can show a deceptively low shutter count while the sensor, mirror mechanism and electronics are well worn. Low count ≠ lightly used.
A camera used mostly for Live View stills wears its shutter exactly like one shot through the viewfinder. No discount, no penalty — it counts the same.
Always combine the count with a physical inspection — see our used buying checklist.

Buying a used Canon?

Check the shutter count before you pay — then buy where used gear is graded and returnable:

Browse used Canon at KEH Browse used Canon at MPB Used Canon DSLRs on eBay

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Frequently asked questions

Does recording video increase the shutter count?
Barely. The mechanical shutter opens once when recording starts and closes when it stops — minutes of video add only one or two actuations. But video wears other components, so don’t judge a video-heavy camera by its count alone.

Does just using Live View preview wear the shutter?
No. Preview time with no photos taken adds zero actuations — though the sensor is powered and generating heat the whole time.

Why do some tools show two different counts?
Some apps split ‘photo actuations’ from ‘live view actuations’. Both are real mechanical cycles; the total is what matters against the rated life.