Jon_T
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Veteran Member
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Posts: 6,393
Re: Compacts and dust on the sensor (again) - is it time to go mirrorless?
2
LorneBMT wrote:
... Anyway, all new responses welcome.
Other than the "rugged" type cameras not aware of any P&S fixed-lens camera that has any environmental sealing to prevent dust intrusion.
Generally the dust intrusion is dust that collects on the outer lens' barrels, when the lens is retracted via zooming and/ or turning off the dust that collects on the outer lens' barrels carried into the camera.
When lens is extended via zooming and/ or turning on, the vacuum by the lens extending can draw the dust on the outer lens' barrels into the camera; setting on the sensor.
This has been occurring since the use of zoom lenses that extend out from the camera body.
Are you shooting in dusty areas, and/ or carrying your cameras in a pocket?
I still have my old Powershot A720 IS, G15, S110 and Panasonic ZS50 with no sensor dust spots. I did have sensor dust spots with SX50 HS but was able to remove by carefully using a vacuum.
I ALWAYS carry compact/ pocketable cameras in CASE; would zoom lens fully, check the lens barrels for dust and if any dust I would wipe dust off with micro fiber cloth prior to turning camera off. If you really want to carry a camera in pocket, get a small "snack" size zip-lock baggie to keep camera inside the baggie while carrying the camera inside your pocket.
There are YouTube videos on using vacuum to suck out dust from inside camera and/ or on sensor; e.g., HERE.
There's also some YouTube videos like the one HERE that I would 'NOT' place the end of the vacuum hose on/ over the lens; e.g.:
IMO BAD Idea
IMO BAD Idea
... unless the vacuum hose has a suction adjustment to reduce the amount of suction to prevent damage to lens.
The way I've used a vacuum is like below:

Even mirrorless ILC's and DSLR's have dust intrusion if camera bodies and lenses are not specified as having environmental sealing. And even then have the chance of dust intrusion each time you change a lens out in the field; e.g., there are numerous online articles on how to clean sensors; e.g., DPR's
"The right and wrong way to clean your camera's sensor" HERE.
If your shooting a in dusty environments and/ or inclement weather conditions frequently you might consider on getting one of the "Rugged" / "Waterproof" cameras listed in the DPR "Best waterproof cameras of 2021" HERE and possibly do online search for "rugged cameras".
Cheers,
Jon