Compacts and dust on the sensor (again) - is it time to go mirrorless?

Hey there,

That's two high-end compacts, two cameras with dust-on-the-sensor issues.

First it was my Canon S95 (though I found a guy who was able to fix it for not too much money), and just recently, my g9x II (Canon's asking $400 CDN for repair, which hardly seems worth it).

So it looks like it's time for a new camera, and I'm trying to decide which route to go.

The case for sticking with the Canon g series is the size, particularly of the g9x II, which fits so easily in a pocket.

The case for going mirrorless is the repeated experience with dust, and the potential for having a camera that can do more than a compact.

Wondering about any thoughts you might have on that, and also on this...is there something in between that you would recommend?  Let's say a compact that might not quite fit in a pocket but would easily fit on a belt?  Similarly, any mirrorless cameras also light enough to fit on a belt that you'd recommend?

Thanks,

LBMT

OP again...

Tried to remove my post, as I realize I asked basically the same question a couple of years ago, when the problem first occurred with the g9x II, but was unable to.  Hadn't realized it had been two years since I first posed the question; how time flies when you're wading through a pandemic

Anyway, all new responses welcome.

LorneBMT wrote:

Hey there,

That's two high-end compacts, two cameras with dust-on-the-sensor issues.

First it was my Canon S95 (though I found a guy who was able to fix it for not too much money), and just recently, my g9x II (Canon's asking $400 CDN for repair, which hardly seems worth it).

So it looks like it's time for a new camera, and I'm trying to decide which route to go.

The case for sticking with the Canon g series is the size, particularly of the g9x II, which fits so easily in a pocket.

The case for going mirrorless is the repeated experience with dust, and the potential for having a camera that can do more than a compact.

Wondering about any thoughts you might have on that, and also on this...is there something in between that you would recommend? Let's say a compact that might not quite fit in a pocket but would easily fit on a belt? Similarly, any mirrorless cameras also light enough to fit on a belt that you'd recommend?

Thanks,

LBMT

I don't know if you would be interested in a Sony compact but can show you a comparison in size between two Canons and the Sony RX100VII.  I've kept my Canons for many years and think my daughter still has the S95.

The Sony is obviously larger, thicker, and weighs more.  However I've been very pleased with the performance and size.  I've carried it in a fitted case (see below) with a wrist strap.  But also carried it in a Lowepro case with a belt loop (see below).  I've used neck straps as well.  I spend time in the Sony forum and haven't heard of anyone having dust problems to my knowledge.

Sony has several series in the RX100.  The 7 is the newest.  However there are other compacts to consider.  Not as many as in the past with cell phones taking over the compact market to a great degree.  I'm not very knowledgeable about mirrorless yet

Hope this helps some,

Mina

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

Mina J wrote:

The Sony is obviously larger, thicker, and weighs more. However I've been very pleased with the performance and size. I've carried it in a fitted case (see below) with a wrist strap. But also carried it in a Lowepro case with a belt loop (see below). I've used neck straps as well. I spend time in the Sony forum and haven't heard of anyone having dust problems to my knowledge.

Sony has several series in the RX100. The 7 is the newest. However there are other compacts to consider. Not as many as in the past with cell phones taking over the compact market to a great degree. I'm not very knowledgeable about mirrorless yet

Hope this helps some,

Mina

Thanks very much, Mina.

If I continue with compacts, I'll definitely be looking at keeping them out of my pocket, so I appreciate the case and belt loop suggestions.

Lorne

filibuster wrote:

I’m still with Canon, having owned many compacts and a couple of the superzooms, in the past. Currently however, I shoot with the Canon M6II, and totally love it. Perhaps the most fun camera I have ever owned, with that gorgeous 32mpx sensor, and super sharp, crisp results. Mine is kitted with the 18-150 for general use, although I do have the smaller 11-22. Size and weight matters when one is ancient, like me. It has a feature set beyond my expectations. Sometimes I fit the Raynox 250 and use the focus stacking feature for some interesting results.

Sorry! Don't understand why the exif has disappeared from the first two!

Compare the specs here: -

Side by Side Comparison Canon EOS M6 II vs. Canon G9 X II: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

And for size comparison: -

Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II vs Canon EOS M6 Mark II Camera Size Comparison

Ok: You can see it is a tad bigger and heavier, but that is compensated by a nice hand grip, so you would probably not notice. I have dispensed with the shoulder strap in favour of a wrist-strap. I treated myself to the DC2 clip-on viewfinder, which I use about 50% of the time. At 78 yrs, I can still get down on my knees (and get up again) but the tilt LCD is beneficial for those low to the ground shots.

Dust on the sensor? Never had an issue yet. But when the camera is switched off, there is an automatic sensor cleaning operation. I understand it shakes dust from the front of the sensor.

Keith

Thanks for all of this, Keith.

You certainly make a strong case for mirrorless.  Someone's giving me his Sony A6000 to try for a while, so I can get a feeling for it.  Even though it's an APS-C, I was surprised to see how much smaller it was than I'd expected, and it seems to be similar in size to your Canon.  Those photographs are breathtaking.

This could be a difficult rabbit hole to climb out of, I fear

On the other hand, I do wonder if I would ultimately invest enough in developing my photography skills to justify the investment.

And kudos for down on your knees and back up again.

Lorne

LorneBMT wrote:

Hey there,

That's two high-end compacts, two cameras with dust-on-the-sensor issues.

First it was my Canon S95 (though I found a guy who was able to fix it for not too much money), and just recently, my g9x II (Canon's asking $400 CDN for repair, which hardly seems worth it).

So it looks like it's time for a new camera, and I'm trying to decide which route to go.

The case for sticking with the Canon g series is the size, particularly of the g9x II, which fits so easily in a pocket.

The case for going mirrorless is the repeated experience with dust, and the potential for having a camera that can do more than a compact.

Wondering about any thoughts you might have on that, and also on this...is there something in between that you would recommend? Let's say a compact that might not quite fit in a pocket but would easily fit on a belt? Similarly, any mirrorless cameras also light enough to fit on a belt that you'd recommend?

Thanks,

LBMT

I also have the dust inside the lens (not sensor) issue with my G7Xii before. Tried the vacuum method which others have recommended before and it works. Not too sure whether it will works for the dust-on-sensor though. You might want to try it out and see.

I also have a Canon EOS M200. The size of the body (without mounting a lens) is close to the size of the G7Xii. But once you mount a lens onto it, it is certainty not going to be pocketable. The only exception is the EF-M 22mm lens which is small enough and when mounted on the M200, can fit easily into jacket pocket. But the EF-M 22mm is a prime lens, so you will lose the zoom.

Chris 222 wrote:

Easy answer: get a Canon G1X3.

Excellent APSC sensor (plus you can push files quite a bit in post) lens and WR (zero dust or water intrusion, even in the extreme weather conditions I've encountered while hiking around the world (think hot deserts to super cold mountain tops) among many other qualities. It's hands down the best high-end compact cam out there. Feel free to check my previous posts on this forum.

Interesting response, Chris222.  Thanks.  I'd actually been looking at it.

Mirrorless is a language I'm only now starting to speak, and what I say below may reveal that, but here I go...

I'm wondering, though, if I wouldn't do just as well to get a mirrorless of comparable size, so that I could have the option of switching lenses on those occasions when I'm happy to cart them around, and otherwise, work with a main, prime lens (or perhaps a lens that has a modest degree of zoom).

Curious to know the soundness of my logic.

Thanks again, Chris.

Some really good food for thought, here.

Hey there.  In case any of you are still following this thread, I wanted to thank you for your input and let you now where I landed.

I saw an RX100 VI on eBay for about $500 CDN (~$400 USD), and decided to take my chances with it.  I'm not certain it will be for me, but its praises are so widely sung, I thought I'd give it a go (and resell it if it's in the good condition promised by the seller, in the event I don't like it).

And the plan is to keep it in a case, not in a pocket!

Good luck,

But, if it doesn't work out, you might find a small Panasonic or Olympic m4/3 and a pancake lens handy.