Is it safe to screen-protect the camera?

[Nthn]

I don't want my camera lens to get scratched and thus permanently lose photo quality, and one of the ways I'm considering avoiding this is to slap a screen protector on it. However, will this leave residue? will it reduce the quality itself?

 

[AZgl1500]

I have never, ever, covered the camera lens, and never had it scratched.

been thru 5 phones with cameras so far, and no problems.

if you cover it, you will loose clarity, that is just a given.