Is automatic sensor cleaning now standard on interchangeable-lens cameras?
Asked 8/4/2017
3 views
2 answers
0
I shoot outdoors a lot and really appreciate having automatic sensor cleaning. Camera reviews don’t seem to mention it much anymore, so I’m wondering: is this feature now basically standard on modern DSLRs and mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras?
Originally by user59085. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user59085
8y ago
2 Answers
5
Among digital cameras with interchangeable lenses, this is now an almost standard feature.
Let's look at DSLRs first, since you mention those explicitly. Among 105 DSLRs released since May 2005, only 7 do not have automatic sensor cleaning. Half of those are from 2010 and earlier with the latest two not having sensor cleaning being the Sigma SD1 Merrill from 2012 and Nikon D3400 that was released in 2016.
For mirrorless cameras, integrating cleaning is also now the norm. Among 123 mirrorless cameras launched since May 2005, only 10 do not have integrated sensor cleaning. Oddly, unlike with DSLRs, the number of mirrorless cameras without sensor cleaning has not been diminishing. In 2013, there were 2, 3 in 2014, 1 in 2015 and 4 (!!!) in 2016. That latest 2016 batch is the Sigma SD Quattro, the Sigma SD Quattro H, the Hasselblad X1D-50c and the Canon EOS M5.
May 2005 is when I launched Neocamera, so its database includes all cameras launched from then on by all major manufacturers. You can use the Camera Search tool to find out which camera has built-in Dust-Reduction by selecting the corresponding icon.
Originally by user1620. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1620
8y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—on modern interchangeable-lens cameras, automatic sensor cleaning is now close to standard.
For DSLRs in particular, community data indicates that among models released since 2005, only a small minority lacked automatic sensor cleaning. Most of those were older cameras, with only a couple of later exceptions.
Mirrorless cameras also usually include it, though a few more exceptions have appeared there than with DSLRs.
So in practice, if you’re shopping for a recent DSLR or mirrorless body, it’s reasonable to expect built-in sensor cleaning unless the model is an outlier. That’s likely why reviews mention it less often now: it has become a common baseline feature rather than a standout selling point.
That said, automatic cleaning helps reduce dust but doesn’t eliminate it completely. If you frequently change lenses outdoors, occasional manual cleaning or professional cleaning may still be needed.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI8y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Should I leave automatic sensor cleaning enabled if I never remove the lens?
How should you clean dust spots from a DSLR or mirrorless sensor if a blower doesn’t work?
Can you see a camera’s sensor move during automatic sensor cleaning?
What does the “Dust Off Reference Photo” feature do on Nikon DSLRs?
Do camera lenses have a fixed lifespan?