Surprisingly Easy Sensor Cleaning and Dust Removal: Panasonic Lumix FX37 Digital Camera

[MrPtrdkstr]

I assume this method is also appliable to the dmc FX40? I'm in Thailand right now, and have like 3 of those black spots... I kept my camera in the smoke, quite stupid!!

Please let me know

[Ralz100]

great pointers,,,,,,,,

[snifnscratch]

To remove dust from your camera, use a small paint brush and a vacuum cleaner nozzle. Works on my d3x

[Real454545]

Works for a ZR1, slightly different screw positions but same thing and the main part where sensor is with 3 screws is the same. Was going to throw it out then looked at repair prices, they wanted $90, After following this video I got it back to 100%, and when I opened to see the sensor before giving it the blower you could see the spec of dust. I don't know how it got in there, I have had camera for years but with this tutorial it is BRAND NEW, 100% Clear.

Thanks Mike ;-)

[ibanez2010]

How did you not get shocked with the battery in there?

[mrfoxtalbot]

Shouldn´t you have removed the battery before starting taking it apart?

[mcwhitenyc]

Great video. I looked at it and then opened up my Panasonic DMC-ZS7. The process wasn't exactly the same, but very similar. Definitely helped me figure out where the sensor was and how to clean it. Worked perfectly!

[idiosyncrazy1980]

@mcwhitenyc Is it possible to clean *inside* the lens this way ? I've got a ZS3. I don't know exactly where the dust is located, but it doesn't seem to be on the sensor.

[mcwhitenyc]

@idiosyncrazy1980 If you open the case up as shown in the video, you might be able to use a blower like the Giottos rocket to blow the dust around from the inside instead of the outside. I didn't pay attention to see if I could take the actual lens unit apart. I would imagine it's a bit more intricate though.

[WhynotJollyJumper]

Excellent! I dared to open my DMC-FX50 after watching your video.

Thanks Mike!

[johntindog]

Hi Mike

Like your video, I have a Lumax DCM-ZS3 with a stuck open lens, well the lens goes in when you turn it on but then comes out and stays out and camera says system error. I have tried blowing into lens parts with no luck. Do you have any suggestion. I have bought a phillips No .0 and it seems too big.

Kind Regards

john

[atyafi140]

Thanks your video!

This evening I'll try it as well. :-)

[thefunkyfarmer]

brilliant. did this on my tz10 after watching. you saved me £40 which is what the camera shop wanted to do this job. thanks



[joeteegee]

Hi- I have a DMC-FS10, and it's broadly similar- nothing that caused problems anyway. Your excellent video gave me the confidence to open up my camera that had gathered so much dust, it was beyond use. Ten minutes later, and it's as good as new! Awesome, thanks so much!

[dweldredge]

Thanks, this helped a lot!

[sclogse1]

My dust is visible as sitting on the inside of the lens......

[Boondoxatron]

Excellent. I have a TZ8 and your guide helped me too. Saved me quite a considerable chunk of cash. Thanks very much.

[TheDrmedITation]

Works almost similar for the DMC-FS5. Thanks a lot.

Gave it once to Panasonic for repair and paid 60€ but one month later it was dusty again. With this nice tutorial I could do it on my own! THX!!

[remiz01]

You just saved my DMC-FX35, I owe you big man, I loved this camera and was pissed of these spots when I zoomed, now it's crystal clear...

[tjrockford]

You TOTALLY ROCK! This worked great for my Lumix DMC-FH20.

[hojubort]

I tried this on my DMC-FX30 and it matched the instructions perfectly. The FX30 must be the older version of this camera. Thanks for the video, it made the process much easier!

[Tintamar5678]

I'm gonna have to give this a try with my DMC-ZS3

[mucwendel]

5. Unscrew the 3 black screws holding the sensor in place

6. Gently lift the sensor

7. Now using a blow tool to remove the dust from the sensor+ inner lens.

I did also switch on the camera and move it to tele and low again inside the area below the sensor.

[mucwendel]

I had the same Problem with my ZR1.

There was a big long dot which got sharper if turning to full tele mode.

1. Remove 4 black screws left, 4 right, 3 bottom

2. Take away covers

3. Remove the 3 silver screws holding the metal shield in place

4. Remove the metal shield

[ebart158]

Awesome! Thank You! I have a little different model but very similar. I really appreciate this.

[WIZOOZ1]

Awesome video! I have a Lumix DMC-ZR1 that is a little different than this model but the procedure is basically the same. I first tried to blow compressed air into/around the lens from the front, don't do that! it just made things a lot worse. I then tried to use a vacuum hose over the lens which helped but there were still a few spots that moved around as I zoomed in. This video and procedure made the thing like new......at least I think so for now. Great, Great Video!!!!!!

[robbinw1]

Terrific help thanks. De-dusted a TZ7 and TZ10. From now on will carry a Phillips #0 screwdriver with me on trips.

[johnisnot]

My nearly new DMC-ZS8 had sucked up a bunch of dust. I was about ready to throw it off a cliff, but this video showed me how easy it was to take apart. THANKS. The process was a little different, but similar enough to be very useful.

[hagenar]

Thanks to this video I recently did a sensor cleaning to a Lumix ZX3. Screw positions were different for back removal. The bracket inside was also different. The essentials were the same. I finished the job in ten minutes and now enjoy an unmarred image. Thanks!

(Tip: Use the best quality Philips #0 screwdriver you can find. Mine has a weak magnet which holds the screws on the end when removing or installing screws. Very handy.)

[khaloud71]

thanks man ur the best i have a lumix tz10 and it had the same problem but now its all good , keep up the good work ;)

[Beethoven80]

Great video, THANK YOU! We have a Lumix ZX1 that eventually got dirty on the sensor. We were about to throw it away - until I saw your video which gave courage for a last try. And it worked out!! You need to remove the rear and front cover since the metal bracket is held back by the front cover for whatever reason.

[ixion1010]

This process is similar for other Lumix models. The video was a good guide for my DMC-ZR1 disassembly in order to clean dust on the sensor. There were a few more screws for my model. I had to remove a few screws from the front hosing to access the inner chassis. I would have posted the video but I did not have another camera to record it.

[grumpa1928]

By the way, I suggest you keep your little cameras in a ziplock sandwich bag , especially in pant or jacket pockets, and under very dusty conditions.

[grumpa1928]

Dear Mike;

Thank yuo for the excellent instructions. I have a DMC-ZS7 which is very easy to open up. I did the whole job in less than ten minuets. By the way I noticed they use some kind of glue on the screws.Use firm but gentle pressure and they will come out. Best regards, Grumpa.

[mrweb6]

Thanks a lot! I have Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZX1 which is slightly different - I had to open both covers in order to get room enough for releasing that metal plate. But your couraging video was enough for me to dare to try - and succeed! Mini screwdriver PH000 costed EUR 9,47 and the blower EUR 9,90 - no other costs!

[Vasc062]

Great video, just saved me 200 euro's which they would charge me for this "very delicate" operation, thanks a lot!

[jandejong93]

Great video! I just have cleaned 2 camera's succesfully. I didn't know how easy it could be. I was on the point of reparing in a photoshop, which is terribly expensive.

[kyostears89]

We just took apart my camera and succesfully cleaned it thanks to your video. Thank you so much!!! You don't know how grateful I am that you put this up.

[kyostears89]

This is a wonderful video. When I asked someone in a shop how much it would cost to clean the sensor of my Lumix camera they quoted me a price almost exactly as much as what this model would cost now. We were about ready to just get another camera because the quote was so pricey, but we'll go ahead and try this in the near future. Thank you

[GarbageState]

i thought canons were bad because after 3 years i had dust in the lens assembly and under the back cover on lcd. sensor developed several annoying hot pixels but no dust.

[TomBrooklyn]

Thanks for this instruction, Mike.

Any comment on wiping the senson with a PecPad or other damp cleaner?

[scootscott6]

mike, a great video, except now nothing shows up on my screen? I don't think I pulled the ribbon, although one does not know. Would you have any suggestions?? Thx. S

[earthdream100]

This video is great. I was able to save our Lumix with his easy to follow directions. This camera has been to Italy, Japan, Taiwan and Egypt. I generally keep it in my pocket and, after almost five years it developed dust on the sensor. I was ready to upgrade to a newer model, but this video saved me some bucks! Thanks!

[CheapSafari]

Thanks! Very useful!

[epiclectic1]

15 minutes ago, I noticed dust that would not come off the lens. Found, the video, and now have restored my camera to "out of the box" condition. Thanks for the post!

[DietmarLoehndorf]

Perfect, can't be better expalined! Thanks Mike

[alepupa81]

I have a problem when trying to remove the screws, some are very easy to remove and some, i cant get them off because they are stuck. I tried to loose them by putting some drops of 3 in 1 oil, but it didnt work... suggestions?

[jtsu1]

Great instructions. I have a dmc fs15 that also suffers from dust problems. Methinks this is a chronic design flaw for Panasonic P&S digicams. Has anyone tried to install some gasketting material to prevent dust from entering the sensor area?

[bestamerica]

'

mike i have a DMC-FX7,,,

show me repair on this video