By: Olga Kornilova

Spring Cleaning: How to Clean a Mirrorless Camera

Springtime is here and it is time to dust off those cameras and get ready to shoot! We know this year has been hectic but with the sun coming out and things clearing up, we hope to see a lot more from creators all over the world. 

By: Olga Kornilova

Mirrorless cameras have been gaining popularity in recent years and we expect the trend to grow this 2021. They offer great performance in lighter and more compact sizes and now have a growing variety of lenses and accessories. JPEGmini is all about helping artists through their process, so we wanted to share some spring cleaning tips for photographers using mirrorless cameras this year.

Mirrorless cameras are more susceptible, so clean them often: 

It is important to stress that mirrorless camera sensors are more prone to dust and debris because the sensors are more exposed. These sensors are integral parts for clean and professional-looking images, making upkeep extremely important. When changing lenses, the sensors can be opened to pollen particles from the breeze, moisture in the air, or any other foreign debris. This is why learning to clean your mirrorless camera can be very beneficial. 

Check your settings first: 

Unfortunately, many of us can relate to that awful feeling when you get home from a shoot only to realize you had dust or debris on your sensor/lens. Mirrorless cameras can cause this issue often so be sure to check your settings for an easy fix. 

Start by finding out if your camera has a self-cleaning mode by looking in your settings. Most cameras will have an image sensor cleaning built-in that can get rid of most of the dust particles. Though this tool can be extremely effective, it may not solve all of your cleaning needs. 

Cleaning your sensor:

It can be intimidating to work with such delicate parts but patience and the correct tools will help you through.

 Rocket blower will be your best friend while resisting the urge to blow in your camera. Flip your camera upside down and use your rocket blower to force any other dust out on your camera and sensor. Change angles while blowing air in multiple directions to get all the loose debris. Do not shake your camera to dislodge debris as it can throw off the calibration for image stabilization features. 

Invest in sensor swabs/sensor cleaning solution.  There are a variety of brands and sizes to choose from, go down to your local camera store or order some online. Do some research and get the correct size for your camera.  Make sure you are in a clean environment with no breeze. Turn off any image stabilization features so that the sensor is locked in place, if you forget this step you could easily damage your camera movement. Turn off your camera and start to swab. 

(above is not a mirrorless camera though the same technique applies)

Carefully pull the swab out of the package and add 2-3 drops of solution to it. Gently start at one end of your sensor gliding across until you come to the other side. Now clean in the reverse direction, back and forth until finished. Try not to touch the sides of the shutter chamber when cleaning, this can dislodge particles onto the sensor. Carefully remove the swab and close the camera shutter and start to shoot. 

The last tip for spring cleaning is to utilize tools that help you keep your computer clean. JPEGmini helps reduce file size without compromising the image itself. With this software, you can upload Hi-Res photos faster, save tons of hard drive space and improve the customer viewing experience.