Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Forgive me in advance for not doing any research ahead of asking this question on this topic.

Say I simply put a UV filter on a micro 4/3s camera (ie, mirrorless, light goes though lens and straight onto sensor) and dont keep a lens CAP on the camera at any time, is there potential for the sensor to get damaged since light is always sitting on it? In other words, I guess I am trying to make an analogy as to how LCD TVs can burn an image onto their screens if one channel is left on for too long - ie, can i burn a light pattern onto the sensor if it sits around all day and all week and all month without a lens CAP on when the camera is not in use and turned off?

Please share your thoughts.

IIRC, there is still a shutter on m43 cameras.

That analogy for display technology is kind of a thing of the past. Newer display technoligies do not function the same as the old CRT's or Cathode Ray Tubes. CRT display system's were very prone to screen burn-in. Especially back in the days of amber and green monochrome monitors.

Anyhow -- not to worry, as Chris mentioned, you still have a shutter at play, so your sensor will not suffer from any kind of light exposure.

What Hotwire said. Just don't ever point a laser beam at the camera lens or sensor.

great. this is reassuring to hear. it is exactly the answer i was looking for, without having to google it.

thanks for all the input everybody!

Or take a Leica with a cloth shutter out for a walk on a sunny day

wait a second. so when i remove the lens, i see the sensor. putting 2 and 2 together this means that the shutter is nestsed inside the lens? where exactly is this protective shutter you speak of?

pardon my ignorance. i am not seeking google for an answer haha.

Actually, you should ask in a Micro4/3 forum where they know the camera best.

The issue with the Micro4/3 cameras is the shutter is normally open, unlike a traditional camera where it's closed. If the lens is continually pointing at the sun (even if you're not using it) there is a potential for damage.

Also, the main purpose of the lenscap is to protect the lens from dust and getting scratched. While a UV filter will protect the lens, nothing will protect the filter. Some people suggest using the hood for that level of protection, but it isn't 100%, a lenscap is.

If I'm walking around I keep the lenscap on as it only takes a fraction of a second to take it off.

ummm...be on the safe side and just use a cap?