Sensor scratch

Is this a sensor scratch, or is there like a protective layer above the sensor. There was some dirt on the sensor, i used some compressed air to remove.and this scratch was made in the process.

It doest seem to have any effect on IQ, but just curious what impact it may have and if it is repariable.

I'm not sure what you are calling a scratch. All I see is a lot of dust. I would think that the two big ones are visible especially as the aperture closes. I'm not sure what type of compressed air you used but might want to try a bulb type blower instead, something like a rocket blower. Can you highlight the thing you see as a scratch?

These marks seem to not be removable. But as far as I can tell have no effect on IQ, or at least no obvious ones. Ive tried a few different test backgrounds and can see anything.

I'm using a general air compressor with regulator, running around 40 psi on the regulator.

I was always told to never use compressed air to clean the sensor. Don't use anything stronger than a squeeze bulb.

I would try a wet sensor cleaning and see if the marks go away. Otherwise, you're either going to need to pay for a new sensor or just live with the problem.

Do not used compressed air to clean a sensor. NEVER. EVER. Damage to the sensor can occur.

If those marks on the sensor cannot be removed, they are affecting image quality.

Cleaning with a compressor is fine assuming that you have it properly outfitted. I would not use the same compressor that I use to run my air tools though. Though it does have moisture scrubber, it also has a lubricator so in essence I would be spraying a fine mist of oil onto the sensor. In addition, the hose I use is rather dirty. Not a problem for air tools but I don't want to shoot crumbs at a camera sensor at a rather high speed.

The particles you highlighted are most likely dust that has stuck. It's time for a good wet cleaning. There are many way to do so none clearly better than another but here are a few links to cleaning methods. Choose what works best for you. Link / Link / Link .

I prefer using a pec pad on a swab with Eclipse solution but have used other methods as well. The Eclipse/Pec Pad methods seems to work best for me.

I am almost certain I once read somewhere on this board the sensor has a glass cover.

chuckmiller wrote in post #19123030
I am almost certain I once read somewhere on this board the sensor has a glass cover.

There are several filters in front of the image sensor. Take a peek at THIS, it shows a typical SLR sensor setup. However, the filters are not something that are easily replaceable. Odds are if you sent it in for servicing, Canon would swap out the entire sensor assembly.