Canon’s New Lens Features Sensor Airflow

Such technology can clean the image sensor of dust more efficiently than a standard vibration-based system.

Canon has developed a lens that blows dust off the sensor by itself. Air enters the lens through special channels and, swirling it in the camera’s mirror box, cleans the image sensor of dust particles that can cause dark spots to appear in the photo. Then the air goes back through the blow channels, also located in front of the lens. In order to start the air-releasing mechanism, you should raise the camera mirror up. 

The current sensor cleaning technology is based on vibration and shaking off the dust. The recent development will simplify the process. Canon has already filed a patent for the invention, which also includes a dust removal confirmation system. 

It is not yet clear whether photo enthusiasts will see such lenses in the near future or whether the technology will remain at the application level.