The purpose of this article is to provide guidance on properly cleaning your camera to mitigate the chance of your equipment being contaminated with COVID-19. By following the below guidelines, the risk of being infected by the virus or transmitting the virus via contact with your gear is reduced; however, it is not a guarantee that you will avoid the transfer or contraction of the virus.
Olympus makes cameras and lenses that are “weathersealed” and some that are not. Therefore, the cleaning method is different for each type of camera and lens. You can find information about your camera or lens and whether it is weathersealed on its product page, which will be linked below.
General Cleaning Guidelines for NON-WEATHERSEALED Cameras and Lenses
This guideline is applicable to all non-weathersealed Olympus cameras and lenses, including but not limited to: PEN E-PL9, PEN E-PL10, OM-D E-M10 Mark II, OM-D E-M10 Mark III, PEN-F, and select M.Zuiko lenses. If you are unsure about the weathersealed nature of your product, please use this guideline for cleaning your product.
- Use a camera body cap if no lens is attached, and ensure all covers are closed and sealed (including battery door, SD card door, USB door, grip cover, hot shoe cover, sync cap, etc.).
- For lenses detached from the camera body, ensure that the front and rear caps are on.
- Wipe down the exterior of your product with alcohol-based sanitizing wipes. We recommend choosing products that are labelled as effective for killing 99.9% of bacteria and viruses and are also bleach-free. Lysol or Clorox wipes are examples of suitable products, although any product meeting the above requirements may be used.
General Cleaning Guidelines for WEATHERSEALED Cameras and Lenses
This guideline is applicable to all weathersealed Olympus cameras and lenses, including but not limited to: OM-D E-M1X, OM-D E-M1 Mark II, OM-D E-M1 Mark III, OM-D E-M5 Mark II, OM-D E-M5 Mark III, TG-5, TG-6, M.Zuiko PRO lenses, and select M.Zuiko lenses. If you are unsure about the weathersealed nature of your product, please use the NON-WEATHERSEALED guideline above.
- Use a camera body cap if no lens is attached, and ensure all covers are closed and sealed (including battery door, SD card door, USB door, grip cover, hot shoe cover, sync cap, etc.).
- Ensure the lens is weathersealed as well.
- For lenses detached from the camera body, ensure the front and rear caps are on. If the lens attached to the camera body, ensure the lens cap is on.
- To reiterate: if a lens is attached, please ensure it is a weathersealed lens. Spray with a disinfectant solution that contains over 70% Alcohol, and dry with a towel. An example of an appropriate solution is Lysol, but any product meeting the requirement of over 70% alcohol may be used.
Lens Glass Cleaning
Use a glass cleaner or a store-bought solution for cleaning lenses. Apply a small amount to soft lens tissue or a microfiber cloth. Gently rub in a circular motion until clean and repeat if necessary.
We recommend cleaning the outside of your camera equipment regularly, especially if it has been loaned to, or handled by, another person (loans to family and friends, events, service, bag check, etc.). Please visit the following CDC link to obtain more information on virus protection: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html