Does leaving a video camera running for extended periods wear anything out?

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Mr Basil

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Camera is a Sony AX700 on a mains PSU without a battery fitted. I use it to record bird table comings and goings to my PC via an HDMI cable. I have started to wonder if the extended usage can wear the image receptor out prematurely? The camera itself shows no sign of heating up, it's outside under the eaves (but comes in at night....) Anyone any insight on this lease? Thank you.
 
Well, I've never tried anytthing like that but, I'd be guessing it's only meant to be on for a few hours at a time? Overheating would be my main concern, although your not having any issues.
 
Yes, it will 'burn' an image into the sensor unless the viewed picture is constantly changing. :(

You can help avoid it if the camera is moving or rotating a little . . .
 
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Yet. It's only a matter of time . . .
 
You might be better off with a trail cam, perhaps.
 
Sky said:
Yes, it will 'burn' an image into the sensor unless the viewed picture is constantly changing. :(

You can help avoid it if the camera is moving or rotating a little . . .
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I've been told this was a thing with older sensors and some older tv screens, but now doesn't apply. That said, I'm not an expert and I've not tried it, so take that at your own risk.
Trevor probably knows more about it than I do.
 
Watch this video not a video camera but a dslr thats been running constantly for the last 10years, he doesnt seem to have any sensor burn issues.
 
Well things have certainly improved and from what I can determine, this isn't the issue it once was. When I was in the 'game' years ago, cameras and monitors had to be replaced regularly because of this problem.

If Elliot's cameras show no sign of it after four years - this is living proof. (y)

I still wouldn't want to do it with a nice camera though. Why not just get a good quality CCTV video camera that's designed for it?
 
Having a camcorder with a built in cooling fan is helpful. I had no issues in Portugal with the temperature of 35/45c using the Panasonic HC-X1500. In 13+years of using camcorders my Panasonic HC-X900m eventually wore out afer about 10years, the cost of repair was not worth it. Had a brief time with a Sony AX53 but could not get on with it so it went
 
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I think cameras can generate hot pixels over time but you probably won't notice.

When it is on it will be keeping the camera and lens slightly warmer. This will be less destructive than moisture build up from a daily warm-cold cycle.

Complex electrical gear doesn't like being left outside switched off. Aeroplanes which are used daily are much more reliable than ones which are left parked up.
 
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Sky said:
Yes, it will 'burn' an image into the sensor unless the viewed picture is constantly changing. :(
Click to expand...
No, a CMOS sensor cannot "burn in". The only concern for the sensor itself is heat, but any decent camera should shut itself down well before then.

However many cameras, to include the AX700, do have an OLED viewfinder. And that can, in fact, burn in from displaying a static image. The LCD panel is much less prone to burn in, but possible after many thousands of hours. Since you are using an HDMI live feed I'm guessing neither display is active, so it shouldn't be an issue.
 
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Thanks for the replies, Sony confirmed the sensor cannot suffer image retention, so that's one less concern. I added a sacrificial male / female HDMI cable, one a few inches long to save wear on the camera's HDMI socket with daily plugging and unplugging. I have also decided to only use manual focus as I was made aware of running the focus drive constantly would perhaps cause wear.

The fold out viewfinder is constantly on, I must investigate if the camera will run with neither the fold out panel or the pull out viewfinder engaged. I didn't think it would.... good point.

Thanks all.
 
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