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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