MILC vs DSLR question: I have always wondered if there more pronounced problem with mirrorless bodies picking up more dust on the sensor than DSLR's. Has anyone noticed this issue?

jonyrot

I have always wondered if there more pronounced problem with mirrorless bodies picking up more dust on the sensor than DSLR's. Has anyone noticed this issue?

kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy

jonyrot wrote:

I have always wondered if there more pronounced problem with mirrorless bodies picking up more dust on the sensor than DSLR's. Has anyone noticed this issue?

My experience is that that is true. I'm constantly battling dust, and the sensor cleaning function of my Sony is nowhere near as good as on my former Nikon.

JohnR Loc: The Gates of Hell

jonyrot wrote:

I have always wondered if there more pronounced problem with mirrorless bodies picking up more dust on the sensor than DSLR's. Has anyone noticed this issue?

I would say it would be little different. Dust mainly enters the camera while changing lenses. Yes the DSLR has a mirror in front of the sensor so dust does not fall directly onto the sensor and the mirrorless obviously doesn't have this protection. However dust isn't attracted to a sensor until the sensor is energised. The mirrorless sensor is energised as soon as the camera is turned on with the DSLR (I think) it isn't energised until you press the shutter (maybe?) Anyway as both would have similar dust amounts from changing lenses then both would have it attracted to the sensor similarly. The moral of course is don't change lenses in dusty environments

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

My Sony a7II is far worse for dust than any DSLR. Canon is leading the way with a closure over the mirrorless sensor when the camera is turned off, as it should be for changing lenses. Even Sony is now following this idea.

kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy

I had a situation in Greenland where I was changing lenses on a boat speeding down the fjords, and managed to damage the sensor swapping them in the strong wind. A closure should he been in the design from day one!

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

jonyrot wrote:

I have always wondered if there more pronounced problem with mirrorless bodies picking up more dust on the sensor than DSLR's. Has anyone noticed this issue?

Depends on the mirrorless camera.
Canon has a closed shutter over the sensor when the lens is off so there is no difference between mirrorless and a DSLR.
I believe Sony leaves the sensor exposed all the time and do not know what others do but likely they are like Sony as it was a big deal when Canon covered the sensor.

Ltgk20 Loc: Salisbury, NC

I've never had much of a problem on my DSLRs or my mirrorless (all Sony), but try to be careful (camera off, pointed down, not too dusty an environment). I also choose not to have my shutter close when changing lenses as I feel the shutter is more susceptible to damage from potential external forces than the sensor is.

BebuLamar

Ltgk20 wrote:

I've never had much of a problem on my DSLRs or my mirrorless (all Sony), but try to be careful (camera off, pointed down, not too dusty an environment). I also choose not to have my shutter close when changing lenses as I feel the shutter is more susceptible to damage from potential external forces than the sensor is.

If you have fast lenses and tend to shoot wide open you may not see the dust.

Ltgk20 Loc: Salisbury, NC

BebuLamar wrote:

If you have fast lenses and tend to shoot wide open you may not see the dust.

That's a good point. I shoot some birds in flight at f6.3 and f8 against white and blue skies and still don't see an issue, but that's a very good point.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

jonyrot wrote:

I have always wondered if there more pronounced problem with mirrorless bodies picking up more dust on the sensor than DSLR's. Has anyone noticed this issue?

I have cleaned my A7R4 about 3-4 during the past year with my rocket blaster...wet cleaning not needed. Probably less when shooting DSLR's several years ago. I suspect the flopping mirror shakes off some sensor dust.

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

joer wrote:

I have cleaned my A7R4 about 3-4 during the past year with my rocket blaster...wet cleaning not needed. Probably less when shooting DSLR's several years ago. I suspect the flopping mirror shakes off some sensor dust.

I'm with joer on frequency of cleaning. I've not had to use a wet cleaning system on my A7RIII. When I change lenses, I try to hold the body facing down so there's less chance of dust settling on the sensor.

Peterfiore Loc: Where DR goes south

kymarto wrote:

I had a situation in Greenland where I was changing lenses on a boat speeding down the fjords and managed to damage the sensor swapping them in the strong wind. A closure should be in the design from day one!

Hi kymarto, I do understand...I went on a trip to Newfoundland in 2018 to photograph. My goal was to gather reference material for icebergs. I knew I'd be on boats a lot, and the need to change lenses would arise. I didn't want to risk that, so I purchased a Sony rX10 IV. All in one, and it worked wonderfully. 24-600mm Zoom and weather sealed. Now it has become the main camera when I photograph my reference for my paintings in all conditions.

tcthome Loc: NJ

CHG_CANON wrote:

My Sony a7II is far worse for dust than any DSLR. Canon is leading the way with a closure over the mirrorless sensor when the camera is turned off, as it should be for changing lenses. Even Sony is now following this idea.

I think Sony might be starting to have a shutter close over the sensor on some of their new cameras when turned off also.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

jonyrot wrote:

I have always wondered if there more pronounced problem with mirrorless bodies picking up more dust on the sensor than DSLR's. Has anyone noticed this issue?

I have been shooting with a Canon R5 for 8 months or so now and have not had to yet clean the sensor, Sony's are notorious for having to clean the sensor with great frequency, the Canon closes the shutter when turned off and that seems to make a big difference.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Yes, I have heard that.

https://fstoptraining.com/dust-spots-and-mirrorless-cameras/
https://www.halfhalftravel.com/photography-advice/how-to-clean-your-mirrorless-camera-sensor.html
https://www.sansmirror.com/articles/mirrorless-accessories/sensor-cleaning-in-mirrorle.html