Why does my Sony A55 make a whirring noise during long exposures?

Asked 4/4/2012

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I use a Sony Alpha a55, and during a long-exposure shot I hear a faint whirring noise while the shutter is still open. Interface sounds are turned off, so it seems to be coming from the camera hardware. What is causing that noise, and is it normal?

tripod sony long-exposure camera-noise image-stabilization

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

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

14y ago

2 Answers

I'm familiar with Canon lenses featuring Image Stabilization that can emit a faint "whir" as IS operates. Your Sony body has a form of image stabilization built into the body, and if that's on during a long exposure, you might be hearing that as it operates.

If you're shooting long-exposure shots with the camera mounted on a tripod (which would be best), it's usually recommended that image stabilization be turned off (I believe this to be the case for your a55).

Originally by user269. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user269

14y ago

AI Answer

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The most likely cause is the A55’s built-in image stabilization system operating during the exposure. Stabilization mechanisms can make a faint whirring sound as they actively compensate for movement, and that’s normal.

If you’re taking long exposures handheld, the sound is likely just the stabilization doing its job. If the camera is on a tripod, it’s usually recommended to turn image stabilization off for long exposures, since the camera is already steady and stabilization can sometimes work against a perfectly fixed setup.

Why does my Sony A55 make a whirring noise during long exposures?

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