Pocket Lint: I just finished picking lint out of the charging socket of my iPhone and thought I should ask if this could happen to my RX100 or any of the other "pocket cameras" out...

Thruxton Loc: Indiana / California

I just finished picking lint out of the charging socket of my iPhone and thought I should ask if this could happen to my RX100 or any of the other "pocket cameras" out there. Do you think they are built tight enough to avoid this hazard? Are those sliding blinds that protect the lens vulnerable?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Thruxton wrote:

I just finished picking lint out of the charging socket of my iPhone and thought I should ask if this could happen to my RX100 or any of the other "pocket cameras" out there. Do you think they are built tight enough to avoid this hazard? Are those sliding blinds that protect the lens vulnerable?

I've never has a problem with any lint getting into the lens cover blades on my Sony DSC-S60.
(I usually "de-lint" my pockets anyway as I dislike pulling out coins at a checkout that include lint ball(s).)

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

Most small cameras come with a simple case (Fold over magnetic 'lid')or a zip up bag. If not they are available as an accessory.
The fibers you see are the big ones - most pockets also have micro-fibers, grit, hair etc which may get forced into crevices by the action of walking etc. As for loose change, pocket knife, bunch of keys, metal comb, Handkerchief, toffees, tablets in foil, and all the rest of the paraphernalia that people have in their pockets - keeping your camera there probably is not the best idea. Plus when you sit down it is likely to fall out.

have fun

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Thruxton wrote:

I just finished picking lint out of the charging socket of my iPhone and thought I should ask if this could happen to my RX100 or any of the other "pocket cameras" out there. Do you think they are built tight enough to avoid this hazard? Are those sliding blinds that protect the lens vulnerable?

Yes, the sliding blinds on the lens of the RX100 type of camera's are vulnerable to lint. That is why my pocket Sony's go in a belt pouch, no lint, no muss. Manfrotto makes a nice one.
https://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-MB-SCP-2SW-Camera-Pouch/dp/B004TA6YVQ/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=manfrotto+camera+pouch&qid=1563794104&s=gateway&sr=8-6

Thruxton Loc: Indiana / California

Even though there are no reports of damage caused by pocket lint, I believe the message is clear: “why take a chance.” For The price of belt pouch it’s not worth it. Thanks.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Thruxton wrote:

Even though there are no reports of damage caused by pocket lint, I believe the message is clear: “why take a chance.” For The price of belt pouch it’s not worth it. Thanks.

Or just remove the lint from your pocket before placing the camera in it. Shake the pocket out, use a brush, vacuum cleaner, whatever. Easy enough. Besides, you would have to periodically do that with a belt pouch anyway. "Why take a chance" is the typical response of paranoid people. You don't want to become one of them.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

rook2c4 wrote:

Or just remove the lint from your pocket before placing the camera in it. Shake the pocket out, use a brush, vacuum cleaner, whatever. Easy enough. Besides, you would have to periodically do that with a belt pouch anyway. "Why take a chance" is the typical response of paranoid people. You don't want to become one of them.

Interesting, I have owned my belt pouch for 5 years and no lint yet. Yet my shirt pockets continue to grow a crop of lint all the time. Interesting.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

billnikon wrote:

Interesting, I have owned my belt pouch for 5 years and no lint yet. Yet my shirt pockets continue to grow a crop of lint all the time. Interesting.

Maybe no lint in your belt pouch, but dirt and dust finds its way in there eventually if you don't ever clean it. Also interesting, I suppose.

hassighedgehog Loc: Corona, CA

Think about it for a while, what is the source of pocket lint? Kleenex, hard items that wear the lining. Keep a pocket free of those items and it should not accumulate.

n3eg Loc: West coast USA

My phone never sits in my pocket. I also don't use it as a camera.

11bravo

I use a black sleeve that came with a pair of sunglasses to cover my mobile. Besides protecting from pocket crude, also prevents a pocket lightshow if my screen lights up. For my Olympus tg4, a wrap around neoprene case. Besides, the TG4 is waterproof.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

rook2c4 wrote:

Maybe no lint in your belt pouch, but dirt and dust finds its way in there eventually if you don't ever clean it. Also interesting, I suppose.

Really, dust finds it's way in? How many belt pouch's do you own, and what experience do you have with them. I own 4 for all of my camera's. They stay closed except for when the camera is in my hand and being used. NEVER had to clean one.
So, you comment on belt pouch's, what personal experience have you had with them. Or is this another BS post which is common here. You post about something you really know NOTHING about but feel the need to add you 2 cents worth.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Thruxton wrote:

I just finished picking lint out of the charging socket of my iPhone and thought I should ask if this could happen to my RX100 or any of the other "pocket cameras" out there. Do you think they are built tight enough to avoid this hazard? Are those sliding blinds that protect the lens vulnerable?

Is that a regular problem for you with significant amounts of pocket lint? Someone else mentioned it in these pages a year or so ago and many of us thought it was a joke at the time. Perhaps it's a real problem for some people. From my point of view I've been carrying cell phones in my pants pockets everyday for over 25 years and I don't recall a single incidence of pocket lint adhering to any of my phones or phone sockets, or anything else carried in my pockets for that matter. Out of curiosity, do you know where all this lint is coming from? While probably not a serious issue, I would guess that a build up of any foreign matter in the socket is best avoided.

Thruxton Loc: Indiana / California

Fact is, this has happened twice for me over a 3yr period. I generally keep my iPhone (no cover or case) in the right back pocket of my jeans to which the wear outline will attest. They are laundered once a week with no special attention given to lint. The grayish color of the accumulation would suggest it’s coming primarily from that pocket. So even though I could never squeeze the RX100 into them, I believe the prudent thing to do is to use the belt pouch recommendations. I’m a little surprised none of you have ever had to deal with this but maybe I would see it on a iPhone forum. In the meantime consider this cautionary. Thanks for your comments.