The shutter count generally corresponds to the number of images a camera has captured with its mechanical shutter.  Every actuation, that is every shutter opening and closing, will cause some wear and tear that will eventually result in malfunction and the need for repair or replacement. A shutter can fail completely in one incident, but more likely it will deteriorate gradually indicated by erratic exposures. 

That said, the actuation count is not just an indicator on whether or not the shutter might soon need to be replaced, but more generally on the overall condition of the camera. A high shutter count indicates that the camera has been intensively used and probably also been subject to more bumps and knocks, more frequent exposure to dust, and more recurrent usage in the rain than a camera that has been kept in a drawer most of the time and therefore shows a low actuation count. As a result, second-hand buyers on sites like Ebay maybe willing to offer a higher price for a camera with a low number of shutter releases than for the same model with a high actuation count.

Bridge cameras do not have the bigger focal plane shutters that are found in mirrorless and DSLR cameras but have an in the lens leaf shutter which has less mass and doesn't have as many moving parts and may last significantly longer.

Using the electronic shutter does not lead to any actuation of the mechanical shutter and does not increase the camera's shutter count.

Similarly shooting video only uses the electronic shutter so no increase in shutter count either.

Methods to determine the Shutter Count

 FZ100, FZ150 & FZ200 shutter count procedure

With your camera's battery with a good charge and a memory card installed, perform the following steps in this  sequence:

Set the mode dial to P (Program AE mode);

While pressing both the RED MOVIE and UP buttons simultaneously, turn the camera ON;

Press the RED MOVIE, MENU/SET and LEFT buttons simultaneously;

Again, press the RED MOVIE, MENU/SET and LEFT buttons simultaneously;

Now the Operations History Display appears;

PWRCNT. This is how many times the camera has been powered up;

SHTCNT. This is the shutter activation count;

STBCNT. This is the number of times the flash has fired;

Switch the camera off to revert back to normal operating mode.

FZ300/330 shutter count procedure

With your camera's battery with a good charge and a memory card installed, perform the following steps in this  sequence:

Turn the camera ON and take a picture;

Turn the camera OFF;

Select AFS mode on the AFS/AFF/AFC/MF lever;

Press and hold both the DISPLAY and AF/AE LOCK buttons, while turning the camera ON;

Now, press and hold the AF/AE LOCK button together with the MENU/SET and LEFT ARROW buttons;

Repeat the last step, that is press and hold the AF/AE LOCK button while pressing the MENU/SET and LEFT ARROW buttons.

A two-page operation history display will appear;

Press DISPLAY to toggle between the two information menus;

PWRCNT. This is how many times the camera has been powered up;

SHTCNT. This is the shutter activation count;

STBCNT. This is the number of times the flash has fired;

Switch the camera off to revert back to normal operating mode.

FZ80/82 shutter count procedure

With your camera's battery with a good charge and a memory card installed, perform the following steps in this  sequence:

Set the mode dial to P (Program AE mode);

Press and hold simultaneously the AF/AE LOCK, DISPLAY and RIGHT ARROW (WB) buttons, while turning the camera ON;

Now, press and hold the AF/AE LOCK button together with the MENU/SET and LEFT ARROW buttons;

Repeat the last step, hold the AF/AE LOCK button, while pressing the MENU/SET and LEFT ARROW buttons

PWRCNT. This is how many times the camera has been powered up;

SHTCNT. This is the shutter activation count;

STBCNT. This is the number of times the flash has fired;

Switch the camera off to revert back to normal operating mode.

Panasonic FZ1000/FZ2000/FZ2500 shutter count

With your camera's battery with a good charge and a memory card installed, perform the following steps in this  sequence:

Turn the camera ON and take a picture;

Turn the camera OFF;

Select the Single Shot Mode on the  DRIVE DIAL

Select AFS mode on the AFS/AFF/AFC/MF lever;

Press and hold both the DISPLAY and AF/AE LOCK buttons, while turning the camera ON;

Now, press and hold the AF/AE LOCK button together with the MENU/SET and LEFT ARROW buttons;

Repeat the last step, that is press and hold the AF/AE LOCK button, while pressing the MENU/SET and LEFT ARROW buttons.

Repeat the last step once again, press and hold the AF/AE LOCK button, while pressing the MENU/SET and LEFT ARROW buttons. A two-page operation history display will appear;

Press DISPLAY to toggle between the two information menus;

PWRCNT. This is how many times the camera has been powered up;

SHTCNT. This is the shutter activation count;

STBCNT. This is the number of times the flash has fired;

Switch the camera off to revert back to normal operating mode.

AutoFocus Modes and Styles and Affects on Burst Modes

In Part 4 of this series I took a look at the Autofocus facility of the bridge camera range.

The normal way to initiate AF is to half depress the camera shutter button ( I'm assuming that the default mode of Shutter AF is set ON).

However there is an alternative method that is popular with sports and wildlife photographers - Back Button Focus

Because each camera in the bridge camera range is slightly different when looking at the setup for this mode I am detailing each camera here to show the actual setup for each camera.