Have you ever found yourself shooting in the scorching sun, only to notice that your mirrorless camera is overheating and shutting down? As a photographer, I can tell you that it’s not only frustrating but can also cause damage to your equipment.
But the good news is that you’re not alone. Mirrorless cameras tend to overheat, especially during prolonged usage under direct sunlight or when shooting high-resolution videos.
However, the degree to which each camera overheats can vary, depending on factors like size, battery life, and usage. That’s why I decided to do some extensive research to help you understand the specifics of overheating and how to prevent it.
In this article, we’ll not only answer the fundamental question of whether mirrorless cameras overheat but also explain why they do. We’ll also discuss the impact of overheating on your camera and suggest ways to avoid it. And to top it off, we’ll recommend some excellent mirrorless cameras that are perfect for extended shooting sessions.
So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting in the world of photography, this article is a must-read for anyone looking to avoid camera overheating issues.
Key Takeaways
- Mirrorless cameras overheat due to shooting under direct sunlight, continuous shooting, lack of ventilation, slow memory cards, and weak battery life.
- Overheating can damage the image sensors and lenses of the camera, which is why prevention is necessary.
- To prevent overheating, stop shooting for a while and place the camera in a cool, well-ventilated area, carry a mini umbrella, use a fan, keep the battery door and memory card slot open, cover the camera with a towel or use cold gel packs, use faster memory cards, and use external batteries or a spare camera for long shoots.
- Some mirrorless cameras, such as Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85, Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85, and Panasonic Lumix GH4, are less prone to overheating and can shoot for extended hours without any complaints of overheating.
- Proper prevention methods and investing in the right mirrorless camera can save your camera from overheating and extend its lifespan.
Why do mirrorless cameras overheat?
Shooting under direct sunlight. But, this is not the only cause. The other reasons can be continuous shooting, lack of ventilation, slow memory cards and sometimes even weak battery life. The size of a mirrorless camera can also be one of the reasons for overheating; a compact size does not allow the heat to release or air to circulate within the circuits.
Why and how can we prevent mirrorless cameras from overheating?
Some mirrorless cameras such as the Canon EOS R6 have been reported to shut down while shooting because of the overheating issue and taking quite some time to restart. Prolonged exposure to heat can damage the image sensors and lenses of the camera. You wouldn’t want that to happen with our cameras now, would we? Here are some tips that you can practice to avoid further damage to your camera due to overheating.
- The first thing that you can do is stop your shooting for a while if possible and place your camera in a cool, well-ventilated area with proper airflow.
- If you know that stopping the shoot will not be possible, then carrying a mini umbrella would help in cutting out the sun’s rays and provide the shade needed for the camera to remain cool.
- Pointing a fan at your camera will also help in speeding up the cooling process.
- Keeping the battery door and memory card slot open is also proven to be an effective way to prevent the insides of the camera from overheating.
Note: The opened battery door and memory card slot will not affect your shooting or damage the battery or your memory card.
- Cover your camera with a towel to help control its temperature. You can also use cold gel packs along with a towel – as long as the packs don’t get wet, they are a great defender against the heat.
- Use faster memory cards, so that your camera won’t have to work twice as hard and the production of the internal heat would be minimal.
- Since batteries get hot a lot faster than any other part of a camera, use external batteries.
- If you’re a professional photographer or a videographer, having a spare camera would be useful in case the above methods do not work.
- After finishing the shoot, be sure to put the camera back in the bag – as cameras can get heated even when they are not used.
Great mirrorless cameras that are not prone to overheating
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85
Panasonic introduced this mirrorless camera for all the serious videographers out there. It is capable of shooting high-resolution videos for up to 1 hour without any complaints of overheating.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85
The GX85 has a 30-minute time limit for 1080p but will shoot 4k for up to 5 & 1/2 hours into a 256 Gb SD card. The overheating span for this camera only on a high-temperature day is 22 minutes, but it can still function for up to 3 hours with the help of the cooling methods mentioned above.
Panasonic Lumix GH4
The sleek design of this mirrorless camera is for video shooting. It won’t overheat even with extended hours of shooting. This camera offers up to 3.5 hours of battery life and it does not power down without warning.
Note: Other mirrorless cameras such as Sony, and Olympus, are infamous for overheating, you should go for Panasonic as your rock-solid choice according to your budget range.
Conclusion
In conclusion, overheating is a common issue with mirrorless cameras, but it can be prevented by following a few simple tips and tricks. By avoiding direct sunlight, having cold gel packs and towels on hand, and carrying extra batteries or a spare camera, you can ensure that your camera stays cool and ready for action.
So, don’t let the fear of overheating stop you from capturing your best shots. With these prevention methods in mind, go ahead and enjoy your photography without worrying about the consequences of overheating. Happy photographing!