My digicam (2003 vintage) comes with the warning "don't point at the sun, may get damage". No damage yet and I've done it a few times (you kinda have to for silhouette photos), but I try to avoid it. I believe all cameras come with this sort of warning, even if it wasn't necessary, as a butt-cover. Fact is though that direct sunlight exceeds the sensitivity range of the sensor by quite some magnitudes, so caution seems to be sensible esp for extended periods. Masking the part of the sky where the sun goes through seems the best option to me (or else pointing the camera elsewhere of course).
Volker -- Volker Kuhlmann is possibly list0570 with the domain in header http://volker.dnsalias.net/ Please do not CC list postings to me.
