Scratches on Camera Lens Affect Pictures?

[AC Question]

Hi.
Have an s7 edge with many HAIRLINE scratches on the camera lens and one small-medium scratch which is a little deeper than the hairline scratches. Was wondering if that affects picture quality? Thanks

 

[belodion]

Yes, light will be scattered, causing a softer image.

 

[ManiacJoe]

In theory, yes, every scratch has an effect.
In practice, the scratches need to be severe to have any noticeable effect.

See this link for an example from the DSLR world:
https://wordpress.lensrentals.com/blog/2008/10/front-element-scratches/

 

[thoots]

Generally, in "real camera" discussions, small imperfections on the face of a camera lens will not adversely affect anything -- the camera doesn't focus on them, but rather focuses on the subject that is some distance away from the lens. Though, as others have mentioned, it depends upon how severe the scratches are. If they're not really quite severe, they're probably not anything to worry about. But if they're bad enough, yes, they could still get in the way of a "perfect" image.