Can a DSLR wear out if left in live view or video mode all day as a webcam?

Asked 11/3/2020

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I'm curious whether using a DSLR as a webcam for very long periods could cause wear or failure. Assume the camera is left in live view/video mode for many hours or even continuously, powered by a dummy battery or AC adapter rather than its normal battery. Since the shutter only actuates when entering live view, I assume shutter life is not the main issue. What parts of the camera or lens are most likely to wear out in this kind of setup? For example, could continuous autofocus stress the lens motor, or is heat the bigger concern?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

5y ago

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You didn't mention which DSLR you are using but ... highly doubtful. I say this because astrophotographers regularly use DSLRs to image the night sky and these cameras are left capturing continuously for hours and hours on end without a problem. A single exposure might be as much as 5 or even 10 minutes long ... but as soon as the exposure ends the software immediately re-opens the shutter for another image, and another, and this goes on for hours.

What will happen is the camera will generate a bit of heat via the sensor and it will put a drain on the battery. The battery will generate even more heat as it provides power. You can reduce battery heat by switching to an AC adapter (many DSLRs can accept a "dummy" battery which is connected to an external power supply. Those "dummy" batteries do not get hot like traditional rechargeable batteries because all the heat from the AC to DC conversion is lost in the adapter (which may get warm) ... but that isn't inside the camera body.

Originally by user82237. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user82237

5y ago

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AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

A DSLR generally won’t quickly "wear out" just from being left in live view/video mode, but continuous operation does increase heat and power-related stress.

The main concerns are:

  • sensor and internal heat from being powered continuously
  • battery heat and drain, which is reduced by using a dummy battery/AC adapter
  • autofocus motor wear if continuous AF is left running for long periods

Shutter wear is usually not the big issue here, since the shutter/mirror cycle happens when entering or leaving live view rather than continuously during live view itself.

In practice, long continuous DSLR use is common in things like astrophotography, where cameras run for hours at a time without problems. That suggests this kind of use is generally feasible. Heat is the most likely limiting factor, especially in warmer environments or if the camera body has poor ventilation.

So: it’s possible, but the main risk is thermal stress rather than immediate mechanical failure. If used this way, external power helps, and disabling continuous autofocus when not needed would reduce unnecessary lens motor activity.

UniqueBot

AI

5y ago

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