Can condensation be formed in the camera sensor?

Question

When entering a hot place after leaving a cold place, some condensation can be formed in the lens and manufacturers recommend you to avoid using the equipment in this state.

So, if condensation can be formed in the lens, could it be also formed in the sensor? Is this dangerous? Will this condensation have any impact in the final image?

Answer

Condensation occurs when warm air meets a cold surface and when that air cools down, its ability to carry moisture reduces, so the water will distill and cling to the nearest surface (the same cold one).

As long as you don't detach the lens while the inside of your camera is colder, you should be fine. The little amount of air oozing through between lens and mount won't contain enough moisture to do harm.

You might also want to limit zooming actions to minimum - many lenses act as air pumps during zooming.

Using the camera, especially with live view or for capturing video, will heat up the sensor fairly fast. The rest of camera takes a bit longer to heat up, however; so ventilating its inside might still condensate some other important electronics, or the mirror.

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How do I dry water condensation off my camera?

Question

OK, I did something very very stupid. I know it. I just wasn't thinking. :( In a nutshell, I didn't follow the advice here: How do I prevent condensation on a lens when outdoors?

So it's a very hot and humid day here... 95 °F (= 35 °C) and 70% humidity... the heat index is hanging around 110. I'm inside in a well air conditioned building, my camera was sitting in it's bag, very close to the air conditioner (dumb placement, I know) so it is very cold. I just grabbed it and walked out side to get a shot of a bird. The lens fogged up almost immediately. I then realized my stupidity and came back inside. After drying the front element of the lens, and the lcd and the view finder eyepiece, I sighted out a shot and realized it's still fogged, so the internal surfaces are too. :(

How best can I recover from this incident without condensation damage to the camera? (I've already powered it down and pulled the battery.) Should I take the lens off? (this is a 5D2 with an L series lens)

Answer

Cameras handle worse conditions all the time. Chances are very good you just had condensation on the inside of your lens or on the sensor itself. Let it be for a few hours and try again. I wouldn't take the lens off yet, because if the sensor is wet from condensation you'll have a higher chance of having dust adhere to it. If it isn't clear in a few hours, let the gear sit overnight in normal temperature.

If you end up with an image that is still foggy then, remove your lens and see if you've damaged your lens by having condensation inside the barrel of the lens. If that's the case, it'll probably be time to replace it unless you happen to be under warranty (and they'll cover it).

If the lens is clear, or your images seem to have permanent marks on them, you may have gotten dust stuck to your sensor when it was humidified and need to clean it. I can highly recommend Sensor Swabs by Photographic Solutions. You'll have to verify which "type" your camera sensor needs. If uncomfortable with this, you may need to visit your local camera service center.

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