<p>With the Sony alpha 5000 camera specifically, you will run into trouble trying to do continuous video capture (10 hours or more).</p>

<p><strong>It will stop recording after 29min and 50seconds and then you will have to start it recording again.</strong></p>

<p><strong>Update:</strong> Per @John this only applies to actual recording. If you plugin the HDMI out to a video capture device, you can stream the live viewer-display for as long as the battery lasts.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-18T21:03:55.893Z
Exactly what I was thinking.
user3643
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-18T22:20:57.233Z
Thanks for the information. I will try it myself and see how it goes. I will not record per say, but rather just stream the live viewer. Maybe it will only last as long as you say though.
John
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-24T06:23:54.347Z
I just wanted to say I tried it with my Sony camera, and I was streaming non stop for 1 hour and 30 minutes. I figured I could not stream with the power cable attached to the camera at the same time though, so the only limitation I found was the battery capacity of the camera itself. Note that I did not hit the record button on the camera. I only plugged the HDMI out to a video capture device, and then I used computer software to stream the live viewer-display. I used 50% of the battery for that time, so I am guessing I can stream up to 3 hours in one go.
John
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-03-06T08:22:48.210Z
I've also seen cameras which have a forced "power saving" mode, and the camera powers off after 30mins if it's not recording, with no way to change this.
Jonas Czech
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-18T20:39:09.650Z
2017-07-24T13:31:39.843Z
2017-07-24T13:31:39.843Z
MrCodeWeaver
<p>It depends on the camera.  Digital sensors such as those used in DSLRs produce heat as they capture images.  The main issue with extended video capture is the accumulation of heat in the sensor.  If it gets hot enough, it is possible that either a) quality can be reduced temporarily due to increased noise or b) at the extreme end, damage to the sensor could result.</p>

<p>In many dedicated video cameras, even high end professional models, fans or other cooling solutions are used to keep the sensor cool, but smaller sensors (such as in devices like gopros) are able to cool from simple convection.</p>

<p>Most modern cameras have temperature monitoring and can shut down when they get too hot, so you are unlikely to cause damage, but you might not be able to film as long as you'd like to.  The environment you are shooting in will also make a big difference.  If you are shooting inside in a cool room, it will be much easier for the sensor to keep itself cool than if you are shooting outside on a hot day.</p>

<p>Other than thermal issues, I can't think of anything other than just the general wear on the sensor.  Video obviously requires far more constant sampling of the sensor, so it has the potential to wear the sensor out more quickly, but the sensor was also designed for video and it's unlikely that the sensor will die due to use prior to the camera being significantly outdated, so it probably isn't a major concern unless you are planning on running it 10 hours a day, every day, for a long time.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-18T06:26:39.590Z
Thank you for your in-depth answer. I feel more confident using my camera now.
John
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-17T14:06:38.473Z
2017-07-17T14:06:38.473Z
AJ Henderson
<p>I am thinking about doing some streaming on Twitch, and I thought I would use some equipment I already have instead of buying new. I have a Sony alpha 5000 DSLR camera. Would continuous video capture (10 hours or more) damage the camera in some way? I am thinking of having it on a tripod, and filming my 3DS.</p>

<streaming><dslr><live-recording>
Can continuous video capture damage my DSLR?
John
# Can continuous video capture damage my DSLR?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-07-17)

I am thinking about doing some streaming on Twitch, and I thought I would use some equipment I already have instead of buying new. I have a Sony alpha 5000 DSLR camera. Would continuous video capture (10 hours or more) damage the camera in some way? I am thinking of having it on a tripod, and filming my 3DS.

**Tags:** streaming, dslr, live-recording


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2017-07-17. Score: 7 | Accepted answer

It depends on the camera. Digital sensors such as those used in DSLRs produce heat as they capture images. The main issue with extended video capture is the accumulation of heat in the sensor. If it gets hot enough, it is possible that either a) quality can be reduced temporarily due to increased noise or b) at the extreme end, damage to the sensor could result.

In many dedicated video cameras, even high end professional models, fans or other cooling solutions are used to keep the sensor cool, but smaller sensors (such as in devices like gopros) are able to cool from simple convection.

Most modern cameras have temperature monitoring and can shut down when they get too hot, so you are unlikely to cause damage, but you might not be able to film as long as you'd like to. The environment you are shooting in will also make a big difference. If you are shooting inside in a cool room, it will be much easier for the sensor to keep itself cool than if you are shooting outside on a hot day.

Other than thermal issues, I can't think of anything other than just the general wear on the sensor. Video obviously requires far more constant sampling of the sensor, so it has the potential to wear the sensor out more quickly, but the sensor was also designed for video and it's unlikely that the sensor will die due to use prior to the camera being significantly outdated, so it probably isn't a major concern unless you are planning on running it 10 hours a day, every day, for a long time.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thank you for your in-depth answer. I feel more confident using my camera now.  

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### Answer by username_1 on 2017-07-18. Score: 5

With the Sony alpha 5000 camera specifically, you will run into trouble trying to do continuous video capture (10 hours or more).

**It will stop recording after 29min and 50seconds and then you will have to start it recording again.**

**Update:** Per @username_0 this only applies to actual recording. If you plugin the HDMI out to a video capture device, you can stream the live viewer-display for as long as the battery lasts.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Exactly what I was thinking.  
> **username_0**: Thanks for the information. I will try it myself and see how it goes. I will not record per say, but rather just stream the live viewer. Maybe it will only last as long as you say though.  
> **username_0**: I just wanted to say I tried it with my Sony camera, and I was streaming non stop for 1 hour and 30 minutes. I figured I could not stream with the power cable attached to the camera at the same time though, so the only limitation I found was the battery capacity of the camera itself. Note that I did not hit the record button on the camera. I only plugged the HDMI out to a video capture device, and then I used computer software to stream the live viewer-display. I used 50% of the battery for that time, so I am guessing I can stream up to 3 hours in one go.  
> **username_3**: I've also seen cameras which have a forced "power saving" mode, and the camera powers off after 30mins if it's not recording, with no way to change this.  

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