Mirrorless Camera Care & Maintenance Guide

Mirrorless cameras are an investment and require basic care and maintenance for them to perform their best. In this guide, we will provide you with care and maintenance instructions and tips to make sure your mirrorless camera lasts for years to come! Follow the sections below to get started.

• Keep the Firmware Updated
• Clean Your Camera
  • Camera Body
  • Camera Sensor
• Preventative Care

Keep the Firmware Updated

Camera manufacturers will release firmware updates that will often add new features, address bugs, and optimize performance, so keeping your camera firmware up to date will ensure it runs smoothly. While it may seem like a simple step, it can make a big difference!

Often, you’re required to either connect it to your computer and use a dedicated app or transfer the firmware file via a formatted SD card. The process is product-specific, however, so refer to your owner’s manual for detailed firmware-update instructions.

Always Back Up Your Work!

If you’re updating the camera firmware using an SD card, then you’ll likely need to format it beforehand. If this is the case, then make sure to back up your work first, as formatting the SD card will erase all data on it!

Clean Your Camera

IMPORTANT! Never use compressed air on camera elements; the propellant can leave more debris and potentially damage your camera.

Regular cleaning can extend your camera’s lifespan and maintain its appearance and performance. Cleaning every 3 to 6 months is sufficient unless the camera is heavily used, especially outdoors, or becomes visibly dirty.

First, always make sure you’re in a clean environment. There are also a few items you need before you get started.

TIP:Keep these items in a plastic sandwich bag and store them in your camera bag in case you need to perform a quick clean.

• Bulb blower
• Microfiber cloths
• Lens cleaner spray or lens cleaning wipes
• Camera sensor cleaning kit (these come in different sizes, so make sure to get the correct size for your camera!)
• Camera brush

Camera Body

TIP:Use distilled water when cleaning. If you’re doing a deep clean or removing grease or fingerprints, then you can use a small amount of 99% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) sparingly. Do not use it regularly, however!

The camera’s body is easy to clean. The main components you want to make sure are clean are the buttons and dials, as they may become sticky with grime buildup over time.

1. Turn the camera off, remove the lens, and remove the SD card.
2. Point the lens mount downward and use a bulb blower to knock out any dirt or dust that has accumulated. Don’t forget the USB and SD card ports!
   • Pointing the camera downward will allow the dirt and dust to fall naturally without getting inside the sensor.
3. Use the camera brush to remove any stubborn bits.
   • NEVER use a brush on the sensor element.
4. Wipe the display and the viewfinder with lens cleaner.
5. Wipe the camera body with a damp microfiber cloth and immediately wipe it dry.
6. Wipe the lens mount with a dry microfiber cloth.
7. Use the bulb blower and brush to clean the body cap.

Camera Sensor

IMPORTANT! Only use cleaning kits made specifically for camera sensors! Lens cleaners, distilled water, and alcohol can smudge or potentially damage the sensor.

Cleaning your camera sensor is important, especially if you frequently change lenses or shoot outdoors. Dust and other particles can reach the sensor and cause spots on your images or videos.

TIP:Some cameras have an auto-clean feature that triggers the sensor to vibrate to remove particles that may resolve the problem. Refer to the camera’s owner’s manual for more information.

1. Point the camera downward, remove the lens, then use a bulb blower to blow air on the sensor. Please note that the sensor must be locked in the open position.
   • Your camera may have a “cleaning” mode (not to be confused with auto-clean), which locks the sensor in the open position. Refer to the camera’s owner’s manual for more information.
2. Use a sensor cleaning kit to remove any remaining smudges or debris.
3. Follow the cleaning kit’s instructions to the letter! This often involves placing only 2 to 3 drops of cleaner on the applicator and swiping it across the sensor just once.

Cleaning a sensor using a sensor cleaning kit.

How to Check for Sensor Spots

If you see spots on your images or videos after cleaning the lens, then the sensor may be dirty. You can easily check the sensor’s condition using the following method.

1. Update your camera to the following settings:
   • Aperture Priority
   • Focus mode: Manual, set to infinity
   • F-stop:f/22
   • ISO: Lowest number
   • Shutter speed: ~1 second
2. Aim the camera at a nontextured white surface, such as a wall, a sheet of paper, a white computer screen, or a bright sky, and take a photo.
   • The point of this is to adjust the exposure, so the histogram is as far right as possible without overexposing the image.
3. Zoom in on the camera’s display to look for specks. Alternatively, import the photo into photo editing software and zoom in. Increasing the contrast can make spots more visible.
   • Some editing software also includes dedicated spot-detection tools. Review the software-specific features for more information.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 after cleaning to make sure the sensor is fully cleaned.

Preventative Care

While deep cleaning is a great way to keep your camera in like-new condition, there are everyday steps you can take to help, too!

• Always put the body cap on when a lens isn’t attached to your camera.
• Point your camera down when changing the lens and don’t leave the lens off for long.
• Store your gear in a controlled environment. Extreme temperatures may harm the camera and its components.
• While cameras are resilient, it’s best practice to keep them secure at all times! This means using a camera strap or, for a long, stationary video or photo shoot, a stable tripod.

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