Can a consumer DSLR operate under sustained high g-forces?
Asked 1/8/2013
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2 answers
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Can entry-level DSLRs such as the Canon EOS 550D or Nikon D5100 survive and still work in sustained acceleration environments like fighter aircraft or spacecraft, roughly from 0g up to about 10g? I’m not asking about a brief impact, such as dropping the camera, but about continuous high g-loading while trying to use the camera.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
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The camera would survive and probably even function correctly during that acceleration. The camera must be robust enough to withstand normal use, so it's going to handle a 10g static load just fine. Nothing in a DSLR depends on gravity to work, so 0g is fine. Extended time in an environment like a fighter plane will eventually break a consumer camera, but from shock and vibration rather than static g-loading.
I'd be more concerned with safely holding onto the camera in a fighter cockpit. The plane is designed not only to pull tight turns, but also roll and pitch very quickly. You don't want something like a DSLR bouncing around in there, as much for your and the plane's safety as the camera's.
There are cameras for this sort of application: no moving parts, small, light, easily mounted. Something like a GoPro costs less than the gas to get the plane off the ground.
Originally by user2139. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user2139
13y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Generally, yes: a consumer DSLR would likely survive and may function under sustained g-loads in the 0–10g range. A steady load is very different from an impact shock, and most of the camera’s structure should tolerate static acceleration reasonably well. Likewise, 0g itself is not usually a problem because the camera does not rely on gravity to operate.
The bigger concerns are use during high-g maneuvers and the operating environment. Mirror and shutter mechanisms may be affected while shooting under high g, and results can vary by camera model. Over time, vibration and repeated shock are more likely to cause problems than the steady g-load alone.
In aircraft, safety is also critical: a loose DSLR in a cockpit can be hazardous. For these environments, smaller solid-state cameras with no moving parts are often a better choice, especially if they can be securely mounted.
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