Does the Sun damage the Camera Sensor and Lens?

Ever thought about taking pictures of the Sun directly with your camera? The reaction of your thought would be different if you got to know what will happen to your camera sensor and lenses if you point the camera directly to the sun. Does the sun damage the camera sensor and lenses? 

Yes, taking direct photos of the Sun can cause permanent damage to your camera. Capturing still photos are generally safer than the videos because the camera’s light sensor will be permanently affected if it’s open. If you have a DSLR, you will be fine up to some extent, but if you have point and shoot mode, you need to re-think it.

Let’s read more to know about how to protect your DSLR cameras if you are taking a lot of pictures and videos in the sunlight. Now the question comes, if you are talking about using the camera directly to shoot a camera or if you are using it in the sunlight, the answers will change. 

Pointing your camera with or without lenses directly affects the camera sensor and lenses. No need to mention about eyes, the simple line is, whatever the brightness level that can damage your eyes may affect your cameras as well.

How long can you keep the Camera in the sunlight?

Even if you are not shooting the sun directly, keeping the camera and lenses too long in the sunlight means you are causing permanent damage to the camera and lens. So, how long can you exactly keep the camera?

You can take your camera and expose it to the sun directly only for a few hours. You need to use some UV filters and even using them too, you can keep them only for a few hours. 

So the lens will act as a magnifier and multiply the sun’s intensity on your cameras but the effects may vary. Generally, sunrise and sunshine photography won’t affect your camera much and you know the reason.

It all depends on the camera gear, time of the shooting, and the filters you are using. If you are shooting videos when the sun is over your head, you are more exposing it for the damage.

The best way to take videos of the Sun is in the morning or evening. Again, it is recommended to use UV filters. And the best time to click pictures is anytime rather than mid-afternoon. 

What happens when the Sun hits your sensor?

Here is how the sun can damage your camera sensor and lenses. Suppose if you are filming in the sunlight for a long time, the shutter will be exposed to the Sun over a long period. 

And if you think lenses will decrease the intensity level, you are yet to be afraid. Because the lens will act as a Magnifier and multiply the sun intensity right on your camera’s internals.

The effect can vary if you use any filters to avoid direct sunlight but the long exposure against or under the sunlight can cause permanent damage to your camera sensor. You are likely to expose shutter curtains and other sensors as well. 

How to Protect your camera sensor and Lens from the Sunlight

The best thing is not to focus the Sun directly through your camera sensors and lens and even though if you have to do it, you should close the shutter immediately after taking the shot otherwise it burns up.

What’s the best way to avoid getting heated with the Sun rays? The best thing is to keep the camera under the shadow or to use some filters as mentioned below. I always want to protect my camera from dust but sunlight is another danger you must take care of.

The worst-case scenario would be using a telephoto lens in live view and even though you use the highest aperture, the blades will open more but the amount of light reaching the sensor and aperture is likely to be open until you click the shutter. 

Capturing still photos is safer than capturing videos to avoid light sensors exposed to the sunlight for long. And, only point the camera at the sun when you are ready to press the shutter

1 Use Wide Angle lens

At very wide angles the danger is less and taking photos with the sun and entire field of view doesn’t normally harm any camera sensor and lens. When the sun is low on the horizon, the intensity is also reduced and the camera sensor less likely to absorb the camera intensity. 

If you look at the lens and camera sensors advertising, no manufacturer said that they are fine against the sun. And also, looking from the viewfinder is extremely dangerous to your eyes as well.

Now, let us know some technical theory. Generally, Humans pupils have a minimum opening of 2 to 4mm. When it comes to the lens, the 200mm lens is more popular and the aperture is f/2.8. The amount of sunlight, infrared light passing through the lens is almost 300 times more. 

The bigger the f value is, the more shutter tends to absorb the light. And no need to talk about the afternoon photography. The energy of the sun is strong enough and your lens will take the heat. If the heat doesn’t damage the lens, the voltages in the sensor’s electronics may damage them. 

Fisheye and wide angle lenses are less likely to get damage compared to the medium and Super telephoto lens.

Picture – DAMAGE to the SENSOR

2  Filters Reduce the strength of the Sun

Now, it is true that the Sun can damage the sensor and lenses. But what if you are a passionate photographer and looking to find a way to sort this problem out? Yes, you can use some filters. Here is the one I use often in the sunlight. 

K&F Concept MC UV Protection Filter from Amazon is very slim in design and can filter the sun’s strength. This particular UV filter is available in most sizes from 37mm to 82mm. 

ND400 filter is the one I recommend for Canon and Nikon users. It was made with optical glasses to avoid vignetting. Also, you have to verify your camera lens thread size for a better fit. 

When one of my friends was shooting into the Sun with the camera, the camera simply went to shutdown mode during one of the shots. Even if the camera is not making any sense during the daylight, remember that your lens is taking heat and slowly it will affect your gear.

I’ve written a detailed article on the effect of flash on cats. Does Flash hurt cats’ eyes? Where I said, how can you take flash photos of cats without hurting the cats’ eyes?

Can the Sun damage a DSLR?

Yes, Sun rays can damage a DSLR if you keep the camera for too long. Compared to the SLRs and Point and Shoot cameras, DSLR has a more premium body and can withhold the sun rays longer than these cameras. Still, use some filters to protect from the sun rays.

Conclusion

So, whatever the situation and lens you use. Ultimately, saving the camera sensor and lens are the priority. If you are also having bad experiences of using the camera in the Sun for too long, you have to think of it.

If you ever noticed your lens getting warm in the Sun, it means the sun’s intensity is troubling the lens. Slowly, it will turn into big damage to the lens and sensor as well. Especially when you are using mirrorless cameras. 

There are some discussions on using Point and shoot cameras to use in the sunlight for too long but as per my experience, any camera or equipment will slowly ruin the quality. Remember one thing, any intensity that can damage your eyes will damage the camera well.