Strange dots on my R5

[andydub]

what is this?

[wq9nsc]

Probably noise.  The EXIF data has been stripped from the small image you uploaded.  What was the ISO for this capture?  With higher ISO and/or longer exposures then noise becomes more likely.  It is removable during processing and will be done automatically by some programs.

Rodger

[Peter]

Hard to tell without a raw file.

• Bad pixels
• If only going for the purple colour, laser damage

[shadowsports]

My initial thought was hot pixels.  If you can do some high ISO, longer exposure shooting with a darker background at night, this might tell you.  

[andydub]

here is another example

[Peter]

If you want a better answer you upload a raw file, but it looks more and more like laser damage. Have you taken pictures at a party/club/concert?

A thread about R6 hit by laser https://community.usa.canon.com/t5/EOS-DSLR-Mirrorless-Cameras/Pink-line-on-all-R6-images/m-p/401100

[wq9nsc]

I agree with Peter that it could very well be damage from a laser (as in light show).  If you are fortunate, it could be from contamination on the sensor refracting light but it looks very much like actual damage. 

One of the cautions with mirrorless is the sensor is exposed anytime the camera is active since that is part of its viewfinder system, a concern it shares with its close cousin the video camera.  Unlike a DSLR that only exposes the sensor during actual exposure (assuming you aren't using live view with the DSLR), the mirrorless sensor must always be protected from laser, strong direct sunlight into the lens, etc. when the camera is on with the viewfinder active.

Rodger

[ebiggs1]

Before you do anything I would have a pro clean the sensor. Since the sensor is exposed a lot it can become contaminated. Laser damage is a possibility but I think a small probability.

[Stephen]

Agreed. Send it in for maintenance. If they find the sensor is actually damaged, they'll let you know. That way, you're not paying for a repair upfront. If you have CPS, it'll be one of your included cleanings. You can get started at canon.us/account