On a ride in June my usual jersey pocket camera, a Lumix FX35 developed a sizeable dark blob on the sensor/image. It's a great little camera with 25-100mm 'Leica' lens, easy to use one-handed, but old enough for a commercial servicing to be uneconomic. The other day I found a vid on YT for the structurally identical FX37, showing the removal of back and sensor cover etc. So I took it apart, lifted up the sensor attached to a 'ribbon', and could actually see a largeish dust particle on the sensor. Quick puff with blower bulb to remove and reassembled - about 15-20mins in all, image is fine - no blob. Job's a good'un.
Surprisingly Easy Sensor Cleaning and Dust Removal: Panasonic Lumix FX37 Digital Camera
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_sP4yLf6lASo with an older camera it's def worth trying a bit of DIY...
