Originally posted by c.a.m I was interested in the GR II at one point, but decided not to get one because of the 'sensor dust issue'. Some time ago, I had recurring problems with dust in my Canon Powershot G7, and became somewhat frustrated.
It seems to be a problem with most fixed lens cameras, especially those with zoom lenses but even the fixed focal length models. Even Sony's RX1-series (MkII version currently selling for GBP £2,999 over here!!
) seems to suffer from the possibility.
I suspect it's largely luck of the draw, and so long as you keep the camera out of very dusty / windy environments it's relatively unlikely you'd have a problem. Even so, wherever a camera has moving parts near the sensor - e.g. a mechanical shutter - there's always going to be potential for tiny debris landing on it.
A weather-resistant camera with fixed focal length lens and electronic-only shutter might be the safest design, but then you have the limitations imposed by such technology...