Mirrorless camera sensor damage

Amir T. , Nov 21, 2016; 10:19 p.m.

Hi In DSLR Cameras the mirror blocks the light to sensor until you press capture button. But in mirrorless cameras the sensor is always exposed to light. My question is when the camera is turned off, is the sensor still exposed to light? Does it damage or shorten the sensor quality? Thank

Gerry Siegel (Honolulu) , Nov 21, 2016; 11:30 p.m.

I am no expert elex engineer but I think not. My video cam in the carport has been ON for years and I see no degradation of the silicon chip picture. Photons in the visible spectrum are not all that powerful as radiation goes to my understanding. Are you really concerned? The voltages generated are indeed small and have to be amplified to do anything at all with the light energy. Anyone else have a view or better speculaton on Bayer arrays or the physical behaviour of CMOS chips?

Kenneth Katz , Nov 21, 2016; 11:33 p.m.

The sensor is exposed when the camera is on or off. I have used mirrorless cameras for over 5 years and so far no damage to the sensor. Of course when the camera is off, the sensor is not powered up.

Jochen Schrey , Nov 21, 2016; 11:33 p.m.

If you do an online search on "surveillance camera lifespan" you get results in the 9 years or more range for quality products and I assume those are years working powered up.So I would not worry about light hitting a powered down sensor.

John Tran , Nov 22, 2016; 12:08 a.m.

For DSLR, the sensor is also covered by the shutter. I thought that would be the same for MILC, but many MILC have no shutters?

Louis Meluso , Nov 22, 2016; 12:58 a.m.

My question is when the camera is turned off, is the sensor still exposed to light?

Yes, but it doesn't matter because....

Does it damage or shorten the sensor quality?

In normal use, no.

Jochen Schrey , Nov 22, 2016; 01:39 a.m.

@John: IDK, but if they have shutters those can't treat the sensor like film since the sensor is needed to generate the EVF image and do the AF thing.Removing the lens from a Fuji I see sensor. - Only mirrorless (with a stretch) that can keep sensors shutter covered would be Epson & Leica M.A MILC can use a shutter the same way as a DSLR in live view: close it an instant before the exposure and opening it up ASAP after it to continue feeding the screen or EVF.

Amir T. , Nov 22, 2016; 01:43 a.m.

Thanks for all responses My worry is because my camera was in show window when I bought it and l don't know if sun was shining to its sensor at those time of being showcased. Should I mind it?

Barry Fisher , Nov 22, 2016; 02:22 a.m.

Also, if you are really panicked about it, just keep a lens cap on it when not in use :)

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