Are airport X-ray scanners safe for DSLR cameras, lenses, and SD cards?
Asked 1/4/2011
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2 answers
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When flying, airport security often asks you to place electronics in a separate tray for X-ray screening. Is it safe to send a DSLR such as a Nikon D90 or D3100, along with lenses and the SD card inside the camera, through the scanner? Or should you request a manual inspection instead?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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I've done a lot of travel with dSLR equipment and cards, I've never had an issue, it's safe to send through. The issue, historically, was with film since x-rays are light and could affect the film.
Originally by user472. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user472
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes — airport carry-on X-ray scanners are generally safe for DSLR bodies, lenses, and SD cards. Based on traveler experience, modern digital camera equipment and memory cards are not harmed by normal security screening.
The historical concern was mainly with photographic film, which can be affected by repeated or strong X-ray exposure. Digital cameras and flash memory do not have that issue in normal airport use.
Electronics are often screened separately not because the scanner is dangerous to them, but so security staff can see the devices more clearly.
So for a DSLR like a Nikon D90 or D3100, plus lenses and SD cards, it is normally fine to send them through the carry-on X-ray machine. A manual inspection usually isn’t necessary unless airport staff specifically direct otherwise.
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