Photo: Mitchell Clark If you regularly change lenses on your camera, dust or debris will eventually end up on your sensor. There are things you can do to mitigate that, but any time you expose your camera's interior to the surrounding environment, you risk particles entering, resulting in sensor spots.
Dealing with that is simply a normal part of camera maintenance, so there's no need to panic. Here's what to do if you notice a dirty sensor in your camera.
Edit them out
The Adobe Camera Raw "Visualize Spots" feature makes it easier to quickly see and edit out those dark specks.
First and foremost, you don't need to delete all the images you just took that have spots. Editing software like Adobe Photoshop makes it easy to edit them out. Of course, if your sensor is filled with debris, it may be quite time-consuming, but a few here and there will be quick and easy.
Adobe Camera Raw even has a feature specifically for editing out those pesky specks. If you navigate to the Remove Tool, there is a check box for Visualize Spots. Photoshop will apply a filter that makes it easier to identify them, with a slider to adjust the sensitivity. Then, you can use the brush tool to quickly edit them out. If you open multiple images in Camera Raw at once, you can even edit them all at once, since the spots will be in the same place every time.
Start with the camera's sensor cleaning function
Many cameras have a cleaning mode that tries to shake debris off the sensor.
If you don't want to deal with editing out those annoying marks, there are multiple ways to clean your sensor. Many modern cameras feature a built-in sensor cleaning mode, which is a good place to start. When activated, it vibrates the sensor to help shake off loose dust. In some cases, that can be enough to leave you contaminant-free. That's not always the case, though.
Use a bulb blower
Bulb blowers are very useful tools for photographers.
If the sensor cleaning function wasn't enough, the next step is to use a bulb blower. It's safe, easy, only requires an affordable item and may completely take care of the problem. For mirrorless cameras, simply remove your lens, point the lens opening towards the ground to use gravity, and squeeze some air towards it.
With DSLRs, use the "mirror lock-up" or "sensor cleaning" mode in your settings menu to raise the mirror and access the sensor. Then, as with a mirrorless camera, point the camera down so that the dust you blow off doesn't fall back onto the sensor. For both types of cameras, it's also a good idea to blow off the rear element of the lens before reattaching it.
The key here is that you choose the right type of blower. Using your mouth to blow into the camera can just introduce more debris, while canned air and similar products can severely damage your sensor. A bulb blower is safe and effective. Just be sure to keep the tip at a safe distance.
Try a sensor brush
Sometimes, debris can be a little stubborn, and a blower may not always cut it. If that's the case, you could try a sensor brush. These look similar to paintbrushes, but to be clear, you shouldn't use just any old brush you have lying around. Those will only introduce more dust or other contaminants. Sensor brushes are specifically designed to use static charge to attract and lift dust. They are also reusable, so you don't need to buy disposable products, which is always a plus for your wallet and the planet.
Wet cleaning for stubborn spots
Stubborn contaminants or seriously dirty sensors call for wet cleaning.
Photo: Nurma Agung Firmansyah / iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
Finally, if you've tried the above methods and still have spots, you may need to do some wet sensor cleaning. Sometimes sensors may have oil spots or stubborn dust that a bulb blower won't remove. In those cases, wet cleaning is necessary.
When wet cleaning, only use purpose-made sensor cleaning fluid. To be clear, this is not the same as lens cleaning fluid. You will also need purpose-made sensor cleaning swabs that are designed for your sensor size. Using a smaller swab on a larger sensor could add streaks, so make sure you have the right size.
Each kit will have specific directions. Generally speaking, you will put a few drops of fluid onto the swab and gently wipe all the way across in one fluid motion. Many will have you wipe in each direction after you rotate the swab to use the fresh side.
What to do about compact cameras
While sensor spots are more common in interchangeable lens systems, compact cameras aren't immune. Dust can find its way into odd places. For compact cameras, start by checking if the camera is still under warranty. If so, you may want to send it back to the manufacturer for a proper cleaning. If it's not, your only real course of action is to use a vacuum pointed at the lens attachment point.
What you shouldn't use to clean your sensor
A photography student cleaned this sensor, which resulted in permanent damage because they used products not meant for sensors.
Photo: Myra Holt
We've touched on what you should use to clean your sensor, but it's also worth pointing out what you shouldn't use. As mentioned (though it can't be said enough), do not use canned air or other spray-type blowers. These can cause all sorts of problems, including residue from the liquid propellants, freezing and moisture risks.
You should also never use lens cleaning liquid or general-purpose screen cleaners. Sensor cleaning liquids are purpose-made to ensure they don't damage any special coatings. They are also made to evaporate rapidly, contain minimal dissolved solids and use pure solvents that won't leave streaks or spots. That's not the case for lens cleaning liquid and screen cleaners, which could leave your sensor in worse shape than before, potentially causing permanent damage.
You should also never use lens cleaning liquid or general-purpose screen cleaners.
While it can be tempting to use a microfiber cloth, especially for a quick touch-up, these can trap dust and grit that could scratch your sensor's protective glass. Similarly, lens pens, while perfect for lenses, can transfer grease and particles to your sensor, potentially resulting in scratches or smears.
Finally, general cleaning products like cotton buds (Q-tips), cleaning brushes and household cleaners should also be kept away from your sensor. These will only introduce more debris and can cause permanent damage.
When in doubt, send it out
Cleaning your sensor can be intimidating. There's always a risk of adding more spots or, even worse, damaging your sensor. Although there is a protective layer of glass over your sensor to help prevent damage, tackling more robust cleanings can still be nerve-wracking.
If you're nervous about cleaning it yourself, or your sensor is exceptionally dirty, you can send it out to let professionals handle it. Most camera companies have service centers that will do this, or you may be able to find a local camera shop that offers cleaning. Just be aware that you may need to be without your camera for a while.
. dpreview.com2025-8-3 16:00
