Can sunlight damage a point-and-shoot camera sensor when the camera is off?

Asked 8/14/2013

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In a typical point-and-shoot camera, is the image sensor exposed when the camera is powered off? If the camera is off and pointed toward the sun, can sunlight still damage the sensor?

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

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

13y ago

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While I may not have seen every point-and-shoot, I have seen and used a huge number. In all those, I have never seen the sensor be exposed while the camera is off. First of all, nearly all such cameras cover the lens when off. At the very least is a must to keep the optics clean.

Even those cameras which do not cover the lens, which are principally underwater cameras with internal optics, there is a shutter which remains closed when the camera is off.

Originally by user1620. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user1620

13y ago

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Usually, no. On most point-and-shoot cameras, the lens is covered or the internal shutter closes when the camera is off, so the sensor is not exposed to incoming light.

Even on designs without an external lens cover, there is typically a closed shutter or similar protection when powered down. That means direct sunlight normally will not reach the sensor while the camera is off.

More generally, sensor damage from the sun is mainly a risk when the sensor is active—such as during live view, composing on the LCD, or taking a photo—because intense light focused by the lens can overload or overheat sensor circuitry. Lasers can pose a similar risk.

So for a normal point-and-shoot that is powered off, sunlight is generally not a significant sensor-damage concern. It is still wise not to leave any camera aimed at the sun unnecessarily for long periods, but under normal use an off camera is well protected.

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13y ago

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