How do I fix my camera from overheating?

Beat the Heat: How to Stop Your Camera from Overheating When Streaming or Recording

Quick Fixes: Simple Steps to Reduce Camera Temperature

• Open doors and flaps: Michael emphasises leaving the camera’s battery door and other flaps open to help dissipate heat.
• Move the screen away from the back: If your camera has a flip-out screen, keep it away from the body rather than flush against it, allowing more heat to escape.
• Remove heat sources: Keep your camera away from computers, monitors, or other electronics that radiate heat upwards if possible.
• Improved airflow: If possible, move to a larger, better-ventilated space. (Just in case you’re trying to justify having the bigger room as your studio)

Before you jump into buying new gear, first try these immediate changes:

These minor adjustments can sometimes be enough, especially if you’re recording in bursts rather than continuous streams of two hours or more.

Why Do Cameras Overheat?

Modern cameras are equipped with powerful processing capabilities, high-resolution sensors, and compact designs. While this results in stunning visuals, it also means a significant amount of heat is trapped inside a small enclosure. Add to that the naturally hot environment of a closed office or studio, along with additional heat sources like monitors and computers, and your camera may start to struggle.

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Watch How to STOP Your Camera From Overheating When Streaming or Recording

Michael Hele notes that his Sony camera would quickly alert him if the room temperature climbed too high, often resulting in shutdowns during critical moments. He points out, “Even right now my camera says it’s overheating…” a situation familiar to many creators.

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Measuring and Monitoring: Understanding Your Hotspots

Michael goes a step further by measuring temperatures at various camera points: above the dial, the top mount, and the bottom mount near the lens ring. By tracking these, he knows where your camera generates the most heat.

He found that, in a small, unventilated office, the heat built up quickly, especially with all the tech running. This highlights the importance of environmental factors—your camera setup isn’t just about the camera, but everything else that contributes to heat.

Camera Temperature Test in the Office

Spot	Off °C	Off °F	2 Hours °C	2 Hours °F	Temp Up %	With Fan °C	With Fan °F	Down %
1	23.7	74.6	31.3	88.3	32.07	27.5	81.5	-12.14
2	23.2	73.8	37.5	99.5	61.64	27.3	81.1	-27.2
3	23	73.4	43.7	100.7	90	29.4	84.9	-32.72
4	23.9	75	35.3	95.5	47.7	27.3	81.1	-22.66
5	23	73.4	37.2	99	61.74	27.3	82	-26.61
6	22.9	73.2	32	89.6	39.74	27.8	85.8	-13.13
7	22.4	72.3	31.9	89.4	42.41	29.9	79.2	-6.27
8	22.4	72.3	31	87.8	38.39	26.2	81.1	-15.48

Camera Temperature Test in the Studio (Hot)

Spot	Off °C	Off °F	2 Hours °C	2 Hours °F	Temp Up %	With Fan °C	With Fan °F	Temp Down %
1	33.5	92.3	36	96.8	7.46	27.3	81.1	-24.17
2	33.3	95.5	49.4	120.9	48.35	31.5	88.7	-36.23
3	34.8	94.5	38.6	101.5	10.92	34.4	93.9	-10.88
4	35	95	38.9	102	11.14	28.9	84	-25.71
5	32.7	90.9	37.8	100	15.6	29.5	85.1	-21.96
6	33.3	91.9	36.8	98.2	10.51	29.5	85.1	-19.84
7	32.8	91	34.1	93.4	3.96	31.8	89.2	-6.74
8	34.3	93.7	36.9	98.4	7.58	32.4	90.3	-12.2

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DIY Cooling: Building a Camera Cooling Rig

When simple fixes aren’t enough, it’s time to get creative. Michael’s solution? A custom cooling rig using a high-quality PC fan—his choice: the renowned Noctua fan, known for its efficiency and quiet operation.

What You’ll Need:

• Noctua fan (120mm or 200mm): Bigger fans generally move more air with less noise.
• Mounting clamps: Michael uses SmallRig clamps to secure the fan in the right position, blowing across the back and front of the camera body.
• USB power: Use a USB extension lead or a USB power bank to power the fan wherever you’re shooting.

He found that with the fan running, camera temperatures dropped significantly—even to levels LOWER than the initial starting temperature in some setups!

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Results: How Much Difference Does Cooling Make?

By running real-world tests, Michael documented dramatic reductions in operating temperatures:

• In his warm office, the custom fan setup resulted in a 30%+ decrease at key hotspots.
• In a sun-soaked studio, the camera’s running temperature sometimes dropped below its “off” point.
• Cooling both the front of the camera, via the lens, and the back (battery bay, screen) had the most impact.

A well-positioned fan can keep your camera running for hours, even in harsh conditions.

Tips to Avoid Overheating When Recording Video on Mirrorless

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Average Temperatures:

• The average temperature when the camera is off is approximately 33.71°C.
• After 2 hours, the average temperature rises to about 38.56°C.
• With a fan, the average temperature drops to approximately 30.66°C.

Temperature Changes:

• On average, the temperature increases by about 14.44% after 2 hours without a fan.
• With a fan, the temperature decreases by an average of 19.72%.

Key Takeaways:

• Significant Temperature Increase Over Time: Without active cooling, camera temperatures tend to rise considerably over two hours, with an average increase of more than 14%. This suggests that prolonged operation without cooling could lead to overheating.
• Effectiveness of Fan Cooling: The use of a fan is highly effective in reducing camera temperatures, bringing them down by an average of 19.72%. This highlights the importance of proper ventilation and cooling solutions in a studio environment to maintain optimal operating temperatures.