David, I have a 5 year old a100, which is on its last legs, and still manages a better job of cleaning than the a580!David Kilpatrick wrote:If the process you mention can't remove the dirt, then it is not loose dust and therefore will not be shaken off by the vibration-based sensor cleaning.
It may be any of the following: particles of mucus, caused by anyone coughing or sneezing in the room shortly before the sensor is exposed for cleaning, or otherwise; particle of greasy adhesive dust, such as dandruff, aerially carried cooking oil particles, oil particles from vehicle exhaust, and some types of pollen which are sticky; or particles of oil and perhaps fine particles resulting from mechanical wear inside the camera (or both combined).
But it's definitely sticky dust not just dry dust, because the sensor cleaning mechanism is pretty good at shifting that. It is no more effective than any of the similar mechanisms in Canon, Nikon and Pentax (all work the same way, and have about the same effect). It's slightly less effective than Olympus's ultrasonic membrane.
David
Since my previous post, Sony have got their act together, and the a580 is winging its way to Pencoed courtesy of RM special delivery. I am assured that it will be thoroughly cleaned, and the cleaning mechanisms checked.
Watch this space.....
