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M.k.singh of Indore . Mp. India OTHER (07/04/08)
i owned Canon camera Powershot A 700 one and half year back. within a month of use of camera I noticed the flaw of improper colour of photo. It is giving yellowish tint in all photo. I complained about the same to service centre. The engineer response was The company is not responsible to colour of photos shoot. This is a strange thing. later I purchased sony cybershot and compared the photo again shooted with both camera. The photo shooted with canon camera was having dirty look due to aforesaid problem. Again I showed this to camera service centre. But again canon engineer replied He is not responsible for colour.
What Sony is giving has no value to him. I told argued him that It is not sony performence but the sony results are matching to natural one and your's are not. He replied I do'nt care. You take away this camera. Next day I phoned to one of computer shop for purchase of double sided laser printer. He replied you take HP priner. I casually asked him how is canon printer. He suggested Don't take Canon -There service is very poor. This is a general feeling praveling about canon products in India. And I am facing the same about my camera alos.
I have lost many good photographs as well as money used to purchase the camera as well
Sandra of Covington GA (06/17/08)
I purchase a Canon and my warranty was up. I sent the unworking camcorder back, and the Canon Company repair it, at no cost to me as a courtesy. They sent it back to me free of charge. I was wonderfully surpise that they would, be so honorable and take the action they did on my behalf. Please, recognized theis wonderful company to me.
A working camcorder that I can now capture all my family and friends.
Amory of Martinez CA (06/16/08)
I own two Canon EOS Digital Rebels 300D's. I bought the first one four years ago and loved it. While in Hawaii two years ago the auto focus ability went out. I thought it might be from the humidity in Hawaii. I got two years of beautiful photos out of it. So I then bought the exact same camera from a friend who had never used his. Yesterday, June 15, 2008, two years later, the exact same auto focus ability has gone out!
So two years use out of each camera! Apparently this is a common event ... I found this out today Googling Focus problems with a Canon Digital Rebel and found lots of people who have had the same problem. I plan on sending both cameras down to Canon Repair today to see what they have to say about the problem and how much to fix it. Hopefully, with pointing out that this is a common problem with referral to complaint websites, they may repair no charge as a courtesy. We'll see.
Jessica of Redlands CA (05/17/08)
I recieved my Canon PowershotSD450 2 years ago for my birthday. I chose the camera and did my research online before buying it. I have bought Canons in the past and fully believed I chose the best compact digital for the price. Two years to the date, I was at an amusement park celebrating my son's birthday and we were just beginning our day when I tried to take a picture of him and the screen went black and the E18 came on the screen. It was useless.
Up till a couple of days earlier, I had noticed some issues and just thought maybe the battery would need replacing, thinking it just wasn't holding the charges anymore. The worst part was that I was forced to spend $20 on a one-time use disposable camera for the day! If I had known the camera would only last 2 years, I wouldn't have spent the money. I thought a Canon would last longer.
Michael of Boise ID (05/17/08)
I bought a new Canon PowerShot S2-IS from an online merchant. It worked great for a year. I babied the camera, leaving it in a doubly-protected case the entire time I wasn't using it. I used it only rarely, perhaps taking 200 pictures. After about 1.5 years, I turned it on and got the black screen of death. It turns on but the viewfinder is black (there is still the digital lettering/numbering/etc. around the edges). I talked to Canon customer service and they said to mail it to them. I was just about to when I found a website that had a section about the problem. MANY Many other people had the exact same problem.
This problem is a sticky iris in the lens. Grease gets inside from the microphones built into the lens and this builds up and eventually freezes up the ability of the lens to open. There is a temporary fix noted there. However the problem is expected to keep on coming back. And most likely after awhile it will the camera will cease to work altogether. There are instructions on how to physically open the lens and clean it off, but this is a highly delicate operation best suited for professionals. Looking at the experiences of many people on that website, it is by no means a sure thing that Canon will repair for free what is obviously a design flaw. And they really can't repair it, they can just clean the lens for each case but it will most likely foul up again after 1-2 years. The S1-IS model (as opposed to my S2-IS) is getting a free replacement because the fault for that camera's problems lies with a third party vendor of theirs who foots the bill for repairs. But when Canon itself has to pay for the repairs, they get stingy. They lie to people calling in, saying they've never heard of the problem which they almost CERTAINLY have. If you keep calling in at different times of day and asking for supervisors you may eventually get a free courtesy repair (many people have), but this is by no means certain. I will be VERY hesitant before purchasing another Canon product after this experience.
I expected this camera to last for years, and I find it can barely take 200 pictures without breaking down. $1.50 per picture is not my idea of a bargain. I will be on the lookout for a class action lawsuit for this camera because what this company is doing is just shameful. Everytime I get an opportunity now I will spread the word about Canon's poor customer support and unwillingness to stand behind their products.
Every time I power on the camera, it is a crap shoot on whether the iris will open or not. If not, I will have to use a time-consuming procedure to try to get it to open. Also when it does open, the camera now seems to have other problems. It has an almost impossible time taking pictures with practically any level of sunlight. So I have to restrict myself to indoor pictures only, unless it is nighttime (even partly cloudly days have too much light for this pathetic camera).
Shernell of Ny, NY (05/12/08)
My camera stoped recording images properly and I sent it into the canon factory center. After three weeks of no reply I called them.They said that they couldn't find it. I had to call the post office and they said that someone recieved it the 4th of april from the canon factory center. I called back and then they said that they have located it.
After they located it they said that they couldn't fix it because they needed a recipt so I faxed them the recipt. When I faxed the recipt the fist and second time they claimed that they didn't recieve it. fINALLY THE THIRD time they said they recieved it.
Then they said that I will be recieving an email to let me know when my camera was going to be shiped back out to me. I never recieved that e-mail and the camera was shiped and I wasn't home so when I got the letter from fed ex stating that they came and I wasn't home I called the canon factory center and they said that they wrote my e-mail address wrong;which is a lie because they had sent me e-mails before.
Fast forward to today my camera was sent back to me today and still doesn't work.
Drew of Charleston SC (05/12/08)
Canon is too cheap and too indifferent to their customer's to adequately staff their customer support departments with knowledgable, competent tech's who will answer customer inquiries on a timely basis. After calling this morning and being directed to a recording recommending that I call back Tuesday through Thursday, because of heavy call volumes on Monday's and Friday's, I then called back and tried to reach Mr. Adachi's office. He has set-up a protocol to see to it that he never has to burden himself with speaking to a lowly customer. Instead, he surrounds himself with arrogant operators and staffers with no interest whatsover, in helping the customer.
I suggest that people should boycott Canon. They can start by going to their local Staples, Office Depot and any other nearby stores that sell Canon and tell the store manager, just how awful the Canon customer support is. Also, a YouTube destination, allowing others to voice their own dissatisfaction with Canon, will gain the company's attention. Be sure to record your conversations whenever you call Canon, so that they may be posted on YouTube. Many people live in single-consent states, so that there is no legal requirement to inform the party whom you've called, that you are recording the conversation. It is obvious that Canon is not a company that does the right thing, because it is the right thing to do. They will only treat customer's with respect, through public pressure. Next, it is time to let their shareholder's know how shabbily they are treating their customer's.
Maria of Stigler OK (05/06/08)
I have had a Canon S2 IS power shot camera since July of 2006. Used it frequently at first, then after a few months, I didn't use the camera much. When I did decide to use the camera, I had what is being called on most forums the black screen of death..meaning I could not see the object that I was trying to take picture of. I changed batteries, did all that I knew to do, but still could not see through the viewfinder nor the LCD. I could however take a picture, which was nothing but a black picture. I could view the icons listed on the menu, but I could not take a picture.
I called a Canon, talked to a rep, mailed my camera in at the suggestion of the rep and all that I had read concerning service on the Canon site. Filled out the form that was available on Canon's site. Mailed the camera into the Canon's repair site. Was informed by them, since my camera was out of warranty(two months only),it would cost me $127 or I had the option of buying an already refurbished S3 IS for $175.. I've checked several forums, there are numerous people with the same problems and getting the same results from Canon.
Please keep in mind here that the Canon S1 IS camera had the very same problem, which Canon did repair at no cost to the consumer. I believe that the difference, so I was told is that the image sensor in the S1 IS was produced by Sony, so this is why they were repairing this camera free of charge regardless of the whether or not the camera was out of warranty. If you could help in this matter, it would be appreciated.
Threse of Brook Park MN (04/29/08)
I purchased 10 sd200 cameras for the school I work for. I now have over 4 cameras with the e18 error code and they all are past warranty. It also costs $90 per camera just to be sent in to look at. We are a school district and I purchased these cameras so that they would hold up to students use. The cost to just look at the camera is close to almost purchasing.
I would have never bought canon product if this would be not cost effective for the school district. I have now no way of replacing these cameras and the district is out $800. I have had these cameras only 2 years. We only use once a semester. The other issue is that those cameras that are damaged by misuse by the student is still not cost effective for repairing.
Juan of West Covina CA (04/29/08)
False advertising on Canon 430Ex, they upgraded to another camara that cost $50 more because it was a better one I spend $280.00 and I found it on the web of $100-$150 I then called customer service and pretended to be a new customer and ask them if they had the Digital Compcepts Flash AF 952 on stock and they said yes.
Then I ask them what was the price for the flash and they responded $150 so then I told them that that's funny because I Purchase the same Flash unit for $280.00 and his respond was to put me on hold and when he returned he said that the Flash for $150.00 was a cheap one and that it was just for looks and the one that I spend $280.00 was the good quality one. Originaly my Canon Flash was going to be $199.00 $150 cheaper than Best Buy but I guess I ended Loosing more than $150, so much for saving.
Carol of Moorestown NJ (04/28/08)
I bought a brand new GL2 mini dv camcorder w/kit 3 years ago for around $2250. Worked perfectly of course until 2 months after the warranty was up. (I never got a reminder in the mail for a new one) sent it to canon for a repair estimate. They sent me an email back stating that the repair would cost $269.64. I approved the repair and paid for it. Two weeks later they sent me another email stating that the repair would now be $993.26. I called and spoke with a cocky employee who said that that is exactly right and if i didnt want to get it repaired, fine, we'll send it back to you.
So, needless to say, I had it sent back. I was not going to pay nearly a thousand dollars to get it repaired when I can now buy something else around that same price. Hard to believe that when you spend so much money for a product, that they, (the manufacturer) cant find a way to repair it for a lot less than they do. $500 for parts and $400 for labor seems very excessive to me. i highly doubt it cost half that much to begin with. Now Im stuck with a camera that shoots perfectly beautiful video, however i can not download it to my computer, which is a most important task that I need to be able to accomplish.
Still havent been able to buy a new camera. I just dont have the money right now. I will never buy another canon product again of course. I know that this can go no where because of my lack of warranty; however it is incredibly disappointing and frustrating to find that when you spend that kind of money, a company can be so negligent and unconcerned for its customers. Thanks for letting me vent...
I have a camera that will not dowlaod to my computer and can no longer make the dvds for the high school programs that i have done for the last few years.
Terri of Edgar WI (04/27/08)
E18 error message on Canon S2 IS Powershot camera
Kristina of Evergreen Park IL (04/22/08)
My Canon SD1000 digital camera is less than a year old. It has locked up with the lens not retracting. I understand this is a common problem with this camera.
Jennifer of Northampton MA (04/15/08)
I had purchased a Canon Powershot S2 IS from Best Buy in August 2005 for $599. After about two to two and a half years of normal use, one day I had turned on the camera to find that it simply would no longer take pictures, and the lens was no longer transmitting an image to the viewfinder or the LCD screen. The rest of the camera was functioning, but the lens, apparently, was not.
Upon researching my problem on the internet, I found hundreds upon hundreds of other Canon owners who have the same model of camera who have also experienced the exact same problem. Some of them got free repair through Canon, some got charged $130, some got various discounts on the repair fees depending on how much they pushed and who they were lucky enough to talk to. For many of us, however, unless we got the right person, Canon simply denied knowledge of any problem with the camera of all, and of what is known now on the internet as the black screen of death.
This is apparently an extremely common optical display problem that should be fixed for free as it is a defect in the camera, but instead we get repair estimates that are delivered without even looking at the camera to see what is wrong with it first - it is a flat rate estimate.
Either way it goes, I am either out a $600 camera, or out a $130 repair cost for something that is not in any way my fault, plus the shipping it took to get to the factory where they didn't even examine the camera before slapping down a repair fee.
Dan of Seattle, WA (03/23/08)
I am very protective of my camera. It's always been kept in its padded case, never had it in a dusty location, or been bumped or dropped. We took two pictures but then the camera would not focus. I assumed there was something in range that was causing this, but then I saw the dreaded Lens Error, Restart Camera message.
Sadly, I was unable to restart camera and the lens was completely extended. I thought maybe the batteries were dead/dying but after spending $12 dollars on 4 new batteries, I find that not only does the lens still not retract, the screen doesn't seem to be working any longer. It lights up, but there is no text shown on the screen. I can hear a high-pitched whine that continues until I remove the batteries.
This is the 2nd A630 (we had to replace one under warranty last year) and this will be the last Canon I purchase.
Mary of Berkey OH (03/15/08)
My Power Shot S400 quit working. I received an E18 error code. Which after reading material on the website seems to be rather common with the camera. I thought I'd do some research before I called the service number, but I guess that won't work. I cannot afford to buy a camera. My husband and I are extremely strapped. I think it is a shame that this company can get away with this. Obviously, if I was able to go out and buy a new camera it would not be a CANON.
Lisa of Brookeland TX (03/14/08)
I purchased a Canon S2IS 12/23/05 and paid roughly $500.00 for it. It served us very well until the black LCD screen issue began. Google the camera model, and it's often referred to as the black screen of death. This began once my camera was beyond the 12 month warranty period by 9-10 months. I sent in my camera for repair after calling and troubleshooting any possible issues with Canon customer service... and after trying the TV setting, on/off trick that is mentioned in the Digital Adviser Q&A thread--had no luck. I was sent an estimate of $135.57. I phoned them that I would not approve an estimate of repair when it had not been inspected and then could cost me even more... but "especially" when this issue is becoming more prominent among other Canon S2IS customers as time goes on.
I was offered a 20% discount on my repair which would only cover what I had already paid to have my camera shipped for repair in the first place. I then refused repair and had them send it back to me. The next time I shop for an expensive camera (for our budget anyhow), I will also shop for who has the best customer service with regard to standing behind their products. I certainly will not shop for a $500 camera every year and a half and will no longer be looking for a Canon.
Our camera is used for our family, not business. However, I feel that missing out on shots as our 1 1/2-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter grow--and inability to share with family through our home computer-- is a personal loss for us.
Gary of El Sobranate CA (03/12/08)
Our 2-year-old Canon SD450 just stopped working. We got the E18 message as our lens sticks out and won't retract. We kept real good care of our expensive camera. Canon said to mail it in for repairs (costs unknown, or they will give us 50% off a SD750 camera for about $175, plus tax and shipping. At this time, I would recommend a boycott of Canon cameras.
Leah of Daytona Beach FL (03/11/08)
Lens error, reset camera, or known as E18, with SD600 canon camera. The camera was not dropped or otherwise abused. The camera worked one evening, took a couple quick pictures, and the following day I turned the camera on and received the error. The camera is always kept in a soft case in my purse. I purchased the camera in October of 2006, so it is out of warranty. I took the camera to a local repair shop, and they said it would have to be sent to Canon and have the lens replaced and would cost around $130.
Annette of Manly OTHER (03/11/08)
I have a Canon IXUS 60 digital camera that worked fine and produced lovely photos for 18 months until a lens error occurred rendering the camera useless. The official error message is 'lens error, restart camera.' Restarting the camera does not fix the problem. I took the camera into the Canon headquarters in Sydney, Australia, and they told me the lens was bent; and therefore I must have damaged the camera. I assured them I had not damaged the camera and basically how the error occurred. I had turned the camera on with a low battery. The camera shut down with the lens extended. Upon recharging and replacing the battery, the lens error occurred. I was told that to replace the lens would cost me $270--more than the camera is worth. It was $399 new 18 months ago.
It is clear that Canon does not want to repair cameras as I'm sure it is not financially worthwhile to them. They know the average customer isn't going to fork over that kind of money when they can buy a new camera for less. You would think Canon would offer to fix the camera for a much lower price in favor of retaining a customer, but obviously customer satisfaction isn't high on their list of priorities. I have since done research on the net and found this error occurs not only on the model I mentioned above, but across a whole range of Canon cameras. Customers have reported similar issues with Canon's non-existent customer service and lack of concern at what is clearly a design flaw in their cameras. Had I done the research before I bought the camera, there is no way I would have purchased it. I will go back to Sony and Nikon and NEVER buy another Canon product.
Alison of Huntingdon Valley PA (03/06/08)
On 11/29/05 I bought the Canon Elura 85 for approx $475 for the upcoming birth of our first child. Within 1 year I started receiving a "remove cassette error". My husband suggested a use a new tape which worked for the next 3 uses, and then the error appeared again. I can record, play, rewind or fast-forward any tapes that I put in the camera. I decided to trouble shoot and Googled Canon "remove cassette error" only to find pages upon pages of others with the same error. This can't just be coincidence.
I contacted Canon explaining what I've just mentioned above. They told me how to trouble shoot (which I had already done), and if that didn't work to send the camcorder in for servicing. I logged onto their website to find that I would have to pay approx $150 to service the camera. I refuse to pay money to fix a 2-year-old camera that I did not damage and obviously has a defect. I've always bought Canon cameras and camcorders, but now with 2 children under 2, I can't take this risk with cameras/camcorders not working. Never again!
Dan of Burke MA (03/05/08)
In December 2007, I bought a Canon Digital Camera (Powershot A720 IS). I used it for the first time in February 2008, taking less than two dozen pictures in Key West, when the screen went blank. I sent it to Canon to be repaired and was told they wouldn't because of corrosion caused by liquid damage. When I protested that the camera had only been used for a couple of days, was never out of my control, and not exposed to anything harsher than being outdoors in 80 degree Florida weather, I was told there's nothing I can do.
Unless the camera had been doused in the ocean (which it wasn't), how could corrosion occur in a matter of a few days outdoors? Are Canon's cameras only useful in sealed, sterile environments? I'm out $200, a dozen pictures, and no recourse -- not even an offer to repair for a price, although well within the warranty period.
Gerald of Tyler TX (02/25/08)
My Canon PowerShot A540 Camera Stopped working--buttons locked up when taking pics of sunrise. The camera was bought in 12-06 and was under warranty The customer service, Call Center, Troy and Michelle, and the Factory Service Center gave the $75 refurbished quote and said it is the Sand/Impact/Water damage Story: BEYOND ECONOMICAL REPAIR. They gave a $105 estimates to repair and the $114 refurbished camera quote later--after I sent the camera back and called Troy at The VA Greenbriar call center. This time they paid for the shipping.
The Camera was on a tripod with a 6 sec exposure as I am into sunrise and sunset pics which require a tripod for long exposures. The WATER DAMAGE AND SAND DEBRIS STORY BY THE CANON FACTORY and customer service is a lie made up just to avoid the Warranty repair and to make money even out of warranty. After inspecting this site and several other online sites about problems with Point and Shoot Cannon Cameras, I requested that my camera be returned not repaired as $144 is about the price of a new P& S Digicam.
I was out of a camera for about two months until I bought another Digicam.
Javier of Commerce City CO (02/17/08)
Just like many other customers, my camera, a PowerShot G7 started to freeze intermitently all of a sudden. This is a camera that I use for work and the inconveniences of not being able to perform at work cost me time and money. When I called Canon, they said that never heard about this problem before and that the repair was not covered by warranty because I bought the camera over one year ago. They offered to repair it for $147.00 or to replace it for a refurbished one for $275.00.
Alan of Kings Lynn OTHER (02/16/08)
Another Canon S2 IS problem. When I took the 18 month old camera out of the cupboard after a couple of weeks without using it ,the only pictures I could take were black. The Canon authorized repair centre quoted GBP152.22 (about USD300) to dismantle the camera, replace the optical unit and recalibrate the camera. The Canon Support Unit via the Canon Europe self-service support website have simply confirmed it is not an S1 IS CCD problem, so there are no known common faults. A little bit of research on digitalcamera-hq.com and other sites leads me to believe I have the same stuck iris/shutter many others have suffered.
Given that manufacturer refurbished S2s have been selling for GBP132.00, I decided to pay to have the faulty camera shipped back to me not repaired in the hope that Canon would eventually admit to the problem and offer proper customer service for a GBP350.00 product. I have seen quite a few faulty S2s on eBay in the last few months, so there are plenty for Canon to find if they look. Not surprisingly they mostly have the same fault - only taking black pictures! I am now in contact with several other owners of similarly faulty S2s in the UK who are equally unhappy with the situation.
In summary, I have bought a high-end consumer product and have had much less than the expected life from it through no fault of my own, probably due to a design or manufacturing fault.
Mark of Cumberland ME (02/16/08)
Purchased a new Canon SD800 IS for my wife in July '07; it came with a 1 year warranty. In December '07 it stopped working while we were on a hike outdoors. The camera had not been dropped or abused in any way, however it was being used outdoors in cold weather.
We returned the camera to Canon for warranty repair - the warranty stated that it would be repaired or replaced. They returned it not repaired, stating that it has sustained liquid damage and that it was not economical to repair.
Gerard of Crawley, West Sussex OTHER (02/11/08)
Their Camera model S2 IS displays a fault where it will not take pictures at all as the optical assembly has stuck. This fault occurs on average when the camera is approximately 2 months out of guarantee. Other models have displayed similar symptoms and Canon have repaired them at no charge. Canon maintains that it is not a common fault, although there are many people writing into websites about the identical fault. These are not cheap cameras and I feel that there should be some kind of action I can take to have the camera repaired. The quote for repair of the camera is half of the cost of a new one. This is out of all proportion.I was told by Canon UK to send the camera to their authorized repair shop for evaluation and it has cost me postage and packing to send it there, the quote is higher than Canon quoted me and now they also want me to pay P&P to return it to me. Surely Canon should accept responsibility for a flawed camera model.
Because of this faulty camera I was left on an overseas holiday without a usable camera and missed many shots.
John of Leicester OTHER (02/10/08)
My Cannon MV850i Camcorder was completely dead. So I sent it back to the service dept in the United Kingdom for repair. Saying that I had only had it of 22 months and had only used it for 15hours DVD recording. Only to have it send to Videotech UK LTD Cannons authorized agent without my permission. They wanted to charge me 41.13 before they would even look at it to find out what was wrong with it. As far as I am concerned these agents that cannon use are no good. Cannon should repair or replace my Camcorder free of charge as it not of the qualty I expect from them. I will never ever buy anything from them again.
Jill of Fergus Falls MN (02/03/08)
I have had my Canon S2IS for about two years. I bought it 12/05. September '07 I was taking pictures of family members. I got a black screen. Turned it on and it worked. Then it went totally black one day. I have to turn it on and use some special procedures..then it will work once or twice, then turn black again. I have been to this site where a bunch of people are also experiencing this.
Sure, this camera ran out of warranty--but all these people are experiencing the same problems. Why not a recall? Canon won't stand up for this. I emailed them, and I was supposed to send it in. After reading other people's problems with them wanting a $150 charge, I don't think so. I think for what I paid for this camera it should have lasted longer than 2 years. Canon will fix the camera for some people, but not for others.
Tony of Brampton OTHER (02/03/08)
Canon s2is defective CCD. Sent my camera into Canon to get it checked because I was getting black screen. Have read many reports of people with same camera having exact same problem. Got a call back from Canon Repair stating repair on bad CCD was going to cost me $170. There is already a recall on a few of these camera's, and I believe that my camera has the same defective chip. I paid close to $700 for this camera, and feel totally ripped off. Please have a look at this website, and even Google for Canon S2 IS problem. http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/digital-cameras/canon-powershot-s2is_question.html?qid=3894
Johann of George Town DC (02/02/08)
I have bought about $100,000.00 worth of Canon equipment--most of it professional grade; most of it malfunctions in a relatively short period of time. The worst problem inherent in all Canon cameras and equipment is the power supply. Canon knows that, and because of profits ignores it and stonewalls their customers. Most consumers do not know the disadvantages, dangers, cause of short life time of lithion batteries, camera circuit malfunctioning because of low voltage, low current situations and a host of other problems inherent in li-ion batteries powered equipment (no pacemaker, back up battery system is run with li-ion batteries because of this problem).
If you ever go to trial you need to have a li-ion battery expert and a power supply circuit engineer with you and a lot of research on these two subjects to have a successful crack at Canon. I have a lot of very expensive canon paperweights i.e useless cameras. I will never ever buy another Canon product.
Robert of Arlington TX (01/29/08)
I was taking photos of my daughter at her high school soccer game the other night with my Canon S2-IS when the lens locked up and would not retract, giving me an E18 error. This camera is only about 18 months old, and now it is unusable.
I missed several key shots and am now out $400. From the Canon website I understand they are aware of this error but will charge me almost $200 to fix a major manufacturing defect of which they are aware.
Christopher of Hoboken NJ (01/29/08)
I purchased a Canon PowerShot A70 several years ago. My wife dropped the camera, and of course it broke, so I sent it in to have it repaired for $100. About 8 months after repair, the optical sensor failed with no physical damage occurring to the camera. I sent it in for another $100 repair. About a 10-12 months later again, it failed with no physical damage done to it. The optical sensor on this unit is clearly faulty and was never replaced/repaired as stated. I now find out that several years ago Canon recognized that issues with these cameras occur on a grand scale and did not fix my camera for free.
Spent $200 for two failed repairs of my camera.
Jennifer of Huntington Beach CA (01/28/08)
I purchased a Canon power shot sd750 digital elph 11/0,7 and on 1/23/08 I took my camera up the the mountain with my 13 month daughter and turned the camera on to take some precious pictures of her in the snow. I got a lens error, and "restart camera" appeared on the screen with no way around it. I am and was devestated. So I called the warranty company, and I have to wait for them to send me some paper so I can send it in. I am completely bummed and now without a camera for a minimum of 2 1/2 weeks. I wish I would have stuck with Sony. I have never had a problem with any product I have purchased. I wish I did some research before to see all the existing problems they are having. So just a warning to others NOT to waste their money or time with Canon products.
I will never get the moments back of my daughter in the snow and the next few weeks' worth of pictures I will miss out on taking. I'm sad that I will not have pictures to share with her or any one else over the next month.
Mark of San Jose CA (01/26/08)
I have several Canon S2-IS cameras with failed CCD sensors (all black image, camera otherwise working). Canon denies that this is a manufacturing defect, but they do cover the earlier similar model S1-IS in a recall. This is the same size sensor, so I assume it is the same one from Sony that has wirebond failures due to iodine contaminants in the package. Canon so far is charging me $127 per camera to repair the failed CCDs (two done, two pending). This is a very high failure rate of a particular component (sony CCD sensor) known to have manufacturing defects, but Canon will not take responsibility for it and repair gratis. They need to expand the recall to cover this model and others with the same sensor. They did this in 2006, expanding the original 2005 recall, but refuse to do more than that.
Each CCD sensor repair costs $127 plus taxes, times at least 4. Over $500 total loss.
Michael of Smithtown NY (01/11/08)
I bought the camera, a POWER SHOT SD800 IS, at Amazon.com for $305. Last June the camera took blurry pictures so I sent it in to Canon and they sent it back the same way. I was leaving the US the next day so I called Canon and as I was right near their USA Headquaters I asked if I could get a working camera. They said it was not their policy, I would have to send it in again. They didn't care that I could not send it back for a 2nd time as I was leaving for 6 months. As it happened, I had to come back for the funeral of my father so I emailed canon ( after many email complaining - but was told they could do nothing but I had to resend the camera) they offered this time to send me a form so they would pay for shipping and asked them to send the form to my father's address in Nevda THEY DID NOTHING. After I took care of the arrangments, I emailed Canon and they sent me a USP ground and then the camera got lost. I had to leave and come back to Thailand and had canon send the camera to a friend in NY who has the same camera. He has checked it after being sent back again and it still takes pictures out of focus. I had to buy a new camera as it has been 8 months with canon. I would like at least my money back and think I deserve more for what they have put me through
I lost all last summer's pictures as they were all blurry. After I sent the camera in and it came back the same, I left for Thailand and bought a new camera here. And now the camera is in NY and still not working
Manny of Cliffside Park NJ (01/07/08)
My Model S2-IS was sent to the Elgin, ILL. service center for the CCD blank screen and viewfinder problem. I checked my tracking everyday to see if the camera had arrived yet, and also decided to call the 1-800 number. The rep informed me that they had not received it. I proceded to inform her that I was interested in the refurbished S3 upgrade and she said they would have to receive my S2 first and determine the problem before I could take advantage of the upgrade offer. Next thing I know my camera has been repaired, my credit card billed out and my S2 is on it's way back to me, no E-mail, no phone call end of story. Way to lose a customer Cannon!
Sarah of Lafayette LA (12/28/07)
I bought the Canon Powershot sd-30 for a friend for Christmas. She called me today to tell me she had an error E18 on the LCD screen. So I went online to look it up. I could not believe that the problem is as common as it is. Only SONY for me from now on! For those of you that like to take things apart and put them back together, I found this site: http://www.ixus-world.de/index.htm?tips/repair_guide/e18_01en.htm. Hope it helps someone.
Gabriel of East Meadow NY (12/25/07)
I was browsing through pictures in my Canon camera. The battery ran out and the lens retracted. I charged the battery, but when I tried to power up the camera, the lens would not retract completely. The picture viewer just remained blank and kept showing, what I now know as the E18 Error that so many people have been having problems with. After about 2 seconds, the camera will just shut off.
It resulted in me not having a camera after paying approximately $300 for one just 4 years ago. I did not drop or damage the camera; it just stopped working.
Alan of Framingham MA (12/24/07)
My Canon PowerShot S30 experienced the e18 (lens locking) error that you have mentioned in your articles, such as this one: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/09/canon_judge.html The camera is made in such a way that the front plate needs to be moved manually in order to turn the camera on or off. It so happened that the first day of a trip, after I had bought a new battery and new memory card, the camera suddenly broke. Admittedly this occurred when the camera was four years old, but there was no warning, and it seemed to be in perfectly fine working order.
We had to buy a new camera. We were abroad, the currency rate was unfavorable, and there were few camera stores that we could find. So the new camera cost us probably about $100 more than it would have if we'd been in the States. And the new battery pack and memory card that I had just bought (for a total of about $90) were suddenly worthless. Fortunately, we were in a city where we were able to buy a camera, or we would have had no ability to take pictures of the remainder of our trip.
Mary of Mesa AZ (12/24/07)
After 3 great years with my Canon Powershot S60, I got the e18 message.
I will not replace with another Canon, so it looks like another $400 to buy a brand I can trust.
Terry of Fairfield IA (12/18/07)
I have a Canon Powershot A60, and it died last night after uploading photos to my PC. This camera was not dropped and has no signs of error. Too bad: I just got a new 2GB memory card. What a waste of money, both camera and memory card.
Gus of Foster City CA (12/06/07)
I have a Canon PowerShot S400 that started giving me a memory card error and data corrupted error. I changed the memory card several times and still getting the same error. Keeping in mind that this problem had cost me to lose a lot of precious photos. I checked Canon's website and learned that there is a recall specifically for this error. I called them and the customer help person assured me that this is a commonly known issue with this model and a recall notice had been sent out. They gave me a case number so I can send it to the repair center in Illinois to be fixed at no charge. So I sent it in. After a few weeks a received an email that there will be a charge $127.00 to fix the camera, because their Certified Technician found a dent in a corner of the camera which is called PHYSICAL DAMAGE and they cannot fix the problem unless he changes the cover (housing) on the camera.
Another alternative is to pay $150.00 for another refurbished camera SD600 as a replacement exchange. I can get the same discontinued model on many sites on the Net for about $70.00. I spoke to the operation supervisor who goes by the name Raymond, and no last name or ID number, because everybody knows him, and there is one Raymond in the Illinois center. I told him that even though there is a little dent on the corner of the camera, it operated for many months and the dent did not effect the physical and mechanical or quality performance of the camera, and I just wanted to fix the Known Issue which is software related that Canon has a recall on. Raymond was very rude and loud with commanding authority. He reminded me that I don't understand anything about anything. And they cannot fix the problem with out changing the housing because they want every camera that leaves the repair center to look good. In my opinion, Technical Support at Canon need a lot of improvement in how to talk to consumer and not to underestimate their knowledge. I used to think somewhat highly of Canon, but now I have to think twice before approaching any of their products. Customer service is not only before you buy a product, it is still and always should be there after the sale is made.
I asked Raymond to send me back my useless camera, (with me paying the shipping). Because for $250.00 or less I can buy myself a brand new one (not refurbished) that has better and more advanced options. My loss was wasting my time dealing with Canon, losing many photos for a factory error, and depending on a product that was none-dependable.
Doug of Tampa, FL (11/23/07)
I purchased a Canon SD400 camera about 2 1/2 years ago. It just stopped working (we have not dropped it or abused it) and we get the E18 message on the screen. Camera will not take pictures and the lens will not close. We paid over $300 for this camera.
David of Gainesville, VA (11/23/07)
My Canon S400 has failed twice. The final failure is the CCD failure.
Canon wants to charge me $127.00 to fix a known defect. It will cost $500 to purchase a new camera.
M of Hollywood FL (11/13/07)
Canon has denied several rebates that we submitted over the past year. Their denial reasons have been untrue (i.e. receipt not received, no proof of purchase) even though we ALWAYS SUBMITTED EVERYTHING REQUIRED--and kept receipts. According to posts by other consumers, Canon appears to be engaging in dubious business practices.
We were denied nearly $200 worth of rebates on items that cost $2000. Shame on Canon.
Elise of Spring Hill TN (11/05/07)
I purchased a Canon SD 550 camera, and it shows the E 18 error message and has caused the camera to completely stop working. I have discussed this issue with Canon, who blamed it on me, for supposedly mistreating the product. After doing research, this is a common excuse Canon gives to consumers for their camera problems. I do not feel I need to pay for this to be resolved.
I'm without a functioning camera.
Vanda of Keyworth OTHER (11/04/07)
Bought a Canon IXUS 430 Digital Camera 2 years ago, showing E18 error for no reason. Research on the internet shows common problem with Canon cameras.
Phil of Apo OTHER (10/28/07)
Purchased Cannon A80 in Summer/Fall of 04. Great camera until last week. Various issues include problems with no display, lens opens and retracts, grinding noise, flashes in lower left corner, turns itself off.
Many lost picture opportunities plus having to replace this camera with another one of equal quality at cost of approximately $400.
Venkatesh of San Jose CA (10/24/07)
My canon s230 shows an e18 error and stopped working. Please let me know if I can do something from my side. I went on trip to India for a marriage and couldn't get the wonderful moments in my camera.
A. of Fort Riley KS (09/22/07)
Our office purchased two Canon PowerShot SD500 cameras. Both now have cracked LCD screens. We are now out two digital cameras, at around $350 each.
Chris of Brownsburg IN (09/21/07)
I purchased a Canon Elph SD700 IS on November 25, 2006. In August, I started noticing a grinding noise when zooming in and out. Shortly after, I saw a spot on the inside of LCD screen and within hours, another spot appeared. I sent the camera to Canon on September,2006 while it was still under the factory warranty. They attest the spots are do to pressure damage even though the camera was kept in a padded case and there is no scratch or indentation on the LCD screen or the camera casing.
The repair department refuses to fix the LCD screen under warranty and will not fix the zoom unless I pay the LCD screen repair charges. I am now stuck with a 10 month old, 300 dollar camera that is defective.
Carol of Toms River NJ (09/19/07)
I received a Canon SureShot A540 as a gift from my son for Christmas. After only using it on 5 occasions the screen went funny and had a wierd image on the display screen. Upon checking the Canon web site I discovered that this has happened to many of their Sure Shot cameras; it is a defect. I wrote to Canon and they told me that MY camera model was not on the list even though it obviously suffered from the same problem!
I sent the camera to Canon for repair stating that it was a defect and it should be repaired free of charge. I just got a bill for $103. IF I choose to have it repaired! My son spend $200 of what little money he had to buy his mom a nice gift and now Canon wants to be paid to repair a defective camera?
Andrew of New York NY (07/31/07)
Bought the Canon Powershot S400, and am receiving the well known Memory Card Errors. It is occurring more often that not, but not every time. Whenever I take it to the repair shop, it works, so I'm told that they can't do anything about it.
Linda of Greeley CO (06/15/07)
2-month old Canon A540 Powershot lens cover suddenly wouldn't open. Camera in new condition. Sent in for warranty repair and Canon told me it would cost $90.00 to repair because the lens ring was dented. It wasn't dented when camera was sent to Canon, and it was packaged extremely carefully. I declined repair and asked for the camera to be returned to me. The lens ring WAS dented when it came back to me. $200.00 camera now worthless.
Tabitha of Orem UT (05/06/07)
I bought TWO Canon SD500 cameras in Jan 2006 for my teenage daughters and each was NOT abused and the LCD screens have cracked on BOTH. One cracked while sitting on our desk and the other one cracked while in a desk drawer sitting on top of copy paper.
We paid approximately $400 for each of these cameras and $80 each for two 1- gig SD cards and so we are out $960 for cameras that worked only a few months.
Jenny of Minneapolis MN (05/05/07)
I own the $1329.95 20d and have since 7/28/05. I liked the camera until I came to the sad revelation that it completely lacks the ability to focus. This happens in auto focus and in manual - my preferred method of focus. I sent the camera to the Canon Factory Service Center three or four times now...I am loosing track. Canon wants me to send it in again, this time with a CD of images shot with all of the different focal length lenses I own.
The economic damage from this terrible situation is that every time I need a dependable camera, I have to rent one for $80. As I am a professional photographer, I have to eat this cost. How can I explain to my clients that the tools I have do not work and then on top of this charge them for this cost?
Gary of Duenweg MO (04/09/07)
Defective camcorder, model Optura 50, getting the Remove the Cassette error, it is just over 14 months old, so now out of warranty.
I paid about $450 for this camcorder. I believe repair costs start at $180 for them to look at it.
Richard of Omaha NE (03/19/07)
I bought my Canon Power ShotA610 on 11/05/05. It worked fine till Febuary 2007 when I put it away. I got it out again early March 2007 and found after a month sleep at room temp the Image sensor had gone out. I contacted Canon about this because of their ongoing problem as well as a lot of other camera makes problems with the Sony image sensor chips in so many problem cameras. They wern't very willing to help other then charge me $115 to repair the defective sensor. But to make matters worse when they sent me the repair estimate they said on it the LCD screen war defective! Not the Image Sensor! How strange as when I sent in the defective camara for repair the LCD screen was working just fine!!
I think this is still part of the ongoing image sensor problem from the past 2-3 years. They have got a racket going here to cover their butts. Canon has had a lot of problems with their cameras. One of the biggest problems was the infamous E-18 lens code that got who knows how many people.
I bought this camera to last 3-4-5 years. After the problem and checking complaint sites did I fine out that this camera is realy a low budget camera and its life span wasn't what I expected or paid for. These are generally considered throw-away pieces with a life span of a few years only. The only way one should buy one of these or any of these small light duty cameras is buying the Mack 5 year warranty with them to protect your investment! and also these cameras are $200 to $300 dollar units. My A610 was $275 in November 2005!
Rick of Portola Valley CA (03/19/07)
I had a similar error to the others mentioned in this thread: My Canon Powershot SD200 Digital Elph was working fine for over a year. One day, I had just recharged the battery, was about to take a picture, tried to zoom, and got an E18 error, the camera shuts off, and repeated attempts get the same: E18 error, beeps, shuts off, lens extended, will not retract. I searched the web and found this thread, and discovered that it was a lens error. Now, I have been hearing a grinding sound there for some time time when the lens extends or retracts. So, since it looks from the thread that the only recourse with Canon is an expensive repair, I tried gently moving the lens and it worked. The next time I tried the power on, the camera started to work again! I tried a number of shots, and power cycles... It really seems to be working again. Those of you unfortunate enough to get stuck with this situation, I would advise the same: Try gently moving the lens in.
Elaine of San Jose, CA (03/13/07)
I have a Canon SD500 camera that I purchased new approximately 18 months ago. It has worked perfectly until this past Sunday.
In the hope of finding a way to resolve the problem, I came across this site. Over 800 reports of Canon cameras that recently exhibited the same problem? I have used non-digital Canon cameras since the 70's with no problems. I think Canon should admit there is a design fault and repair or replace our cameras at no cost to us.
Lauri of Trabuco Canyon CA (02/26/07)
Camera A60 has a stuck lens and Canon said I could send it in and get a refurbished model for $99.00 I heard you had a class action law suit on it.
Gregory of Santa Fe NM (02/01/07)
I have a Canon SD-450 whose screen mysteriously cracked recently under really normal use. I purchased the camera a little less than 60 days ago and Canon says it's my fault. This is the second Canon camera I've had whose screen cracked - the first was a Canon SD-200. In both cases, the camera was in its bag and in a safe place. The very first Canon camera I had was a SD-100, which had a different kind of protection for its LCD screens. I'm out $250.
Derek of Brooklyn NY (02/01/07)
I recently purchased an SD700 IS camera manufactured by Canon. Less than two months after purchasing the camera, its LCD screen "cracked" (only internally). This seems to have happened when the camera was stored overnight- it was working before being put away and was broken the next day. After reading the article available at www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/09/canon_judge.html, I suspect that it may have been broken by minimal pressure; in any case the camera did not sustain any trauma.
Aaron of Monrovia, CA (11/08/06)
I have 2 Canon SD digital cameras with the E18 error problem.
The 1st camera, an SD110 worked for a year or two before the problem rendered the camera useless. Then I bought an SD400 to replace it, and it only lasted 6 mo before taking a dump. Unfortunately the camera was used, so it was already out of warranty.
Now I have approx. $600 invested in Canon Paperweights. After reading all the internet blogs it's clear that Canon does not support it's products.
Nancy of Novi MI (11/02/06)
Canon SD400 was working fine, was not dropped or jarred. Was sat on the counter. The next day turned it on an the lcd screen was cracked. The screen does light up but only displays cracks. Camera is less than a year old, Contacted Canon they indicated that is was probably was not covered under warranty and will want 35$ to look at it and then 135$ to 155$ to replace the screen.
We bought this camera for 249$ as a Christams present for our daughter last year. The 135$ to have it repaired is unacceptable as from the complaints that I have read it will most likely happen again due to the poor quality of screen the camer's design which does not provide adequate support for the screen.
Patrick of Kearneysville, WV (10/02/06)
It has been about five years since my Canon Powershot A50 quite working, claiming that the Compact Flash was not properly formated. I bought a new CF memory card, but that didn't do any good. I contacted Canon directly, and they refused to do anything. I took the camera to Ritz Camera, and they wanted more than a new one to attempt repair. The camera was only slightly more than one year old, just beyond the warranty period. I did not realize, until I read the following report on ConsumerAffairs, that so many others have the problems with Canon cameras.
Evelyn Nathan of Kingston NH (09/03/06)
My husband spent a small fortune, over $700, last Christmas for a mini DV camcorder for me. I've used and been loyal to Canon, so we went with a Canon camcorder. It said on the box that it was compatible with Mac OSX, and had the software.
It took me ages to figure this camera out but now, more than a half year later, we find out after days and hours spent on research, that it is actually incompatible withour two Macs!!!!
How is it possiblt that Mac compatible was on the box, the man who sold it to us said it was, and now, to use it I need a new computer????
Gary of San Francisco, CA (09/03/06)
I have a 3 month old $300 Canon SD 450 digital camera and the screen is cracked. We were camping, and before going to sleep we locked it up in our car and the next morning it was cracked. Temp never got below 60 or 65 degrees that night, and it did not get hot in the morning until after about noon.
Canon will fix my new camera for somewhere around $150 but everything I am reading online shows this is a defect.
Mark of Munster IN (09/01/06)
Shutter Button came off my Power Shot SD400 digital camera. Camera was bought in October of 2005. Called they said it was under warranty. So I sent it in with proof of purchase.
Received Repair est. in mail for $107.48 with the option to purchase a refurbished camera for $149.00. I called and they said there was other damage.Dents,scratches to AV Connection cover. I explained the camera worked fine. I have had it since October and it should look like it is used. I also stated the camera did work, it just was missing the shutter button. In fact it could still take pictures if I pushed inside where the button was with my finger. The C/S agent stated they would not just fix the button. Everything listed had to be fixed. After trying to reason with the guy...my camera is coming back unfixed.
Martin of Pickering Canada (06/19/06)
I was using my brand new Canon Powershot SD300. I took it out of my pocket and out of its protective case, only to find the LCD screen cracked. After doing some research on the net, I found this is a huge widespread problem. Needless to say, Cannon refused to stand behind their product.
Wendy of Yuma AZ (06/11/06)
My digital camera, purchased on 12/05, stoped working only five months after purchase. This camera was only used a few times with not more than 60 pictures taken total. The LCD monitor stopped working making the images come out dark. This camera was only used a few times and was never neglected, since it did cost close to $400.00. The company was contacted by e-mail to let them know of the occurrance and requesting help. The costumer rep who responded said I had to send it to them and they will contact me with a quote of the price it will take to fix it.
I mailed my camera this last week. I have not heard from them yet. I really feel they should replace the product, since is obviously a manufacturing defect.
Cynthia of Cordova AL (04/05/06)
I purchased a canon powershot S50 camera. I haven't taken 50 pictures (some of the pictures were erased) total with camera the original 32mg cf card is still in camera. I turned on camera, noticed camera shows low battery symbol. I turned off camera, charged battery up. Installed battery back in camera, turned it back on, got ready to take a picture, pressed down shutter button.
I heard a "pop" sound like a flash bulb going off. The LCD was so dark you couldn't see anything on screen. I contacted Canon and they said the flash was worn out or it had blown. I was told Canon could fix it for me for about $150. I paid a lot for this camera -- it will not take 50 pictures without problems. I am thinking of buying another brand.
Serafin of Paranaque City, Panama (02/21/06)
I acquired a Canon Powershot A70 recently and was using it well until last Christmas when it bogged down (Maybe due to numerous pictures during the season). I complained to Canon on Dec 28, 2005 why the digicam suddenly went blank without any reason and they seem to know the reason and volunteered to repair it immediately for free. They were so nice they even promised to lend me a service unit which they did not fulfill unitl now. They promised to repair it for 14 days but until this writing, I have no news what happened to my digicam. Their operators answering the customers questions are so evasive about the status of my camera. I read from the internet that there is a class suit being readied against Canon. I want to join it.
Amber of Napanoch NY (11/03/05)
I recently purchsed a Canon Powershot A520 digital camera for my vacation. While I was away, I checked the memory of my memory card, using the only place it will tell you how much memory you used, the formatting option. I accidently hit format, and it erased all of my pictures I had taken. When asking Canon if they could help, they told me to search the web for maybe a recovery program, and offered me no further help.
My complaints are:
#1- They should make another option for you to check your memory besides the format option.
#2- They ask you if you are sure you want to earse your pictures if you do it through the erase button, why don't they double check before erasing pictures in the format option.
#3- I found the support team did not want to help me and basically said its not their probelm. They feel the one line in the manual is enough warning that you could erase all your pictures. I would not recommend buying any more products from Canon due to my experience with them.
I lost all my pictures on my trip, which caused me to not enjoy my vacation, that I had saved for 2 1/2 years to go on. Also, when I returned I was able to recover some of the photos, becuase I did not use that memory card anymore, I had to get a different one, but the recovery program and memory card reader cost $55.00 plus some of the pictures and video did not come out. These are not replacable.
Manmohan of Fremont CA (10/15/05)
i bought canon a 95 digital camera 11 months back suddenly i noticed that there is a gap between the eye lens and the body. i have send this camera for repair they repaired something else and sent my camera back with the same problem i dont know what to do i called them so many times but they dont listen to my complaints i think there is a problem in this model thats the reason they discontinued this and came up with new model
i think this model canon a95 digital camera is not up to the mark thats the reason they came with the new one
David of Epe, Netherlands (10/10/05)
I recently bought a brand new Canon eos 350d digital slr camera. I am a tourleader for a Dutch company and spend most of my time abroad. I use the camera professionally (work related). A week after I bought the camera, I discovered a hair BEHIND the lcd screen. I contacted Canon and they sent me an email, stating that I should send them my camera, so they could fix it.
I thought it was ridiculous, since I bought the camera a week before. I told them so, but they never replied me. A couple of days later I went to Russia, Mongolia and China (work) and forgot about it. I thought I'd just learn to live with a hair behind the lcd screen. Some weeks later the lcd screen started acting funny: the hair had disappeared, but now my lcd screen ripples and shakes like a broken tv set. Of course I contacted Canon again, and once more they sent me this email, stating I should send them the camera.
I wrote them yet another email, explaining my situation (I can't send them the camera as A. I am abroad, B. I use it every day and don't own another one). Canon never replied me. So here I am, a brand new, but broken camera and a company which does not react. I believe that when I buy a brand new product, it should be free from defects. When it is not, the company should replace the broken item for a new one. I don't think that I should have a brand new item repaired; an item which had a defect from day one.
Geraldine of Bellevue WA (09/19/05)
I too purchased a Canon A-70 camera in 2003. I immediately began having trouble with it. It instantly drained the rechargable batteries, lens stayed open and couldn't be closed. I the first year I sent it to the factory 3 times for repair. I contacted the head of Canon asking for a refund and also the store Broadway Camera in New York. Of course you know where that got me. Used on a trip this year and again the batteries were drained almost instantly. Had to switch to disposable camera which I sued up in no short order.
Put in 4 different sets of rechargables yesterday and each set was drained instantly. Contact Canon by email yesterday. The response: buy Canon batteries. Yeh! like they have some magic powers. Next called tech service and for only $99.00 they would replace the camera with a reconditioned A-75. Went ahead and did it. THEN I read your e-mail about the class action law suite. I wish I had checked your site before buying the camera, it would have prevented a lot of agrivation.
Time of sending the camera back and forth. Time writing and sending letters to no avail. Time and money lost on the trip because I had to buy overpriced throw-away camera. Countless hours on the phone trying to convince Canon the camera was a lemon. They knew this but still stalled and stalled.
Vicky of Monterey Park CA (08/23/05)
I own a Canon S400 bought it in 5/2003 when it first came out, i had to pre order it. Long story short, my camera was treated with good condition, never been drop or hit, after 2 years of usage in 03/2005 camera start having memory card error, constantly having that issue, regardless of what type of memory card or brand. It erases all my pix off from my memory card. I have to format it so many time to have it work sometimes. I know at least 4 people owns the same exact model with the same exact problem. I've contacted Canon, all they're telling me is your camera is out of warranty to fix it you need to pay $150-300 or you can have the option of a refurbished S500 for $199.
This is a scam. Canon makes their camera have the common problem and have it break down after the warranty period and then lure you into buying their refurb camera. My coworker have the same problem, call and they told her that she does not format her memory card enough. That is not correct, everytime i finish loading, i format my card with the camera....how is that an answer to our problem. I am sure a lot of the people have the same problem. We need to speak up or else don't trust canon again. I will never buy canon again. Next camera will be casio!
Justin of Gig Harbor WA (08/23/05)
I bought a Canon S500 camera in April of 2005. About one week after receiving the camera it came time to recharge the battery. When I inserted the battery into the charger the light almost immediately turned green which clearly indicated that the battery was not receiving a charge. I called Canon and they suggested I send in the battery which I did. I called after about two weeks to check on the progress of the repair and was told that they'd nver received my battery and I would have to buy a new one at $70, which I did.The day AFTER my new battery arrived my original battery came in the mail supposedly replaced and in working order, so they HAD received my battery and then I bought a new one for no reason.
I used the camera for another month and in mid June I had the same problem....the battery wouldn't receive a charge. AGAIN I sent everything in and when I called two weeks later to check on the status of the repair I was told yet again that they had never received anything from me and they fed me some story about the holidays and it might be late.....however I don't know of any holidays where employees get TWO weeks off...??? At any rate I finally received everything back in the mail (to the wrong address might I add)...and the repair report said that everything was in working order.
NOW it came time for me to recharge another battery and guess what....YES....it won't work yet again. I just called Canon back and they are FINALLY going to pay for shipping this time and supposedly have Sr. Tech look into the issue. Apparently in the past they couldn't recreate the problem I am having in the their service center....WHATEVER! All I know is that I will NEVER EVER EVER buy another $400 paperweight from Canon. Their attitude has been since the beginning "That's just too bad for you..." In other words I am S.O.L......and there's no compensation.
Time without a camera stinks especially when I paid $400 for it, as well as money spent having the items shipped, insured etc.
Dr Raj Paramjothy of Ipoh OTHER (07/19/05)
I have acquired a Canon ixus 40 used about 3 months and suddenly the LCD sreen - do not know how. as per guarantee breakage is covered once in first six months. I have always followed the precaution of storing the camera in the case in the proper way.
Canon malaysia wants me to pay for the lcd screen -- I have used handphones, pda's and never have had a problem like this. Why use such a fragile lcd screen?
Herbert of Cherry Hill NJ (11/24/04):
I have a S30 Canon Sure Shot digital camera that is approximately 3 to 3.5 years old. I was completely satisfied with the pictures that I took. In late August 2004, I was vacationing in Vancouver, BC Canada. One day I was taking pictures and everything was fine and the next day, the first time I went to use the camera, the LCD screen was cream colored with what appeared to be a half opened black umbrella diagonally across the screen. No menu functions or previously taken pictures could be viewed on the screen. The LCD could not be used for picture taking, only the viewfinder.
The camera was working perfectly, but I could not adjust any functions that required the LCD screen (i.e. various flash functions or picture size and resolution). I contacted Canon via email and they responded that for $225 plus S&H they would trade my camera for a reconditioned and discontinued S50. I thought that an "ice in the winter" type offer. I wrote a letter to Mr. Uchida, the President and CEO of Canon USA. He referred the letter to Ms. Jo Davis who proceeded to give me a "cock and bull" story about "excessive" pressure on the LCD causing the failure.
I wasn't buying it so I convinced her to pick up my camera and have it examined by Canon technicians. My contention was that some manufacturing or design defect caused an electrical failure and even though the camera was out of warranty, this should not have happened for the life of the camera. After the technicians examined the camera, and saw there was not even a scratch on it, they comfirmed that it was indeed excessive pressure that caused the failure. Ms. Davis told me that even the pressure need to crack an egg shell was enough to cause the LCD to fail. When I found out that they never opened the camera to actually determine the cause of the failure, I was furious.
I wrote to Mr. Uchida again and suggested that due to the fagility of the LCD that Canon should put a warning label on the screen alerting potential buyers and owners that the LCD was subject to failure with the slightest pressure applied to it. I also suggested to Mr. Uchida that since I have owned 3 Canon cameras, 3 Canon copiers and a Canon scanner, I was a good enough customer for Canon to repair my camera at no charge. He again referred the letter to the very same Ms. Jo Davis who proceeded to explain to me how my abuse had caused the failure as though she had never spoken to me before.
I calmly explained that neither she, nor Mr. Uchida nor the Canon technicians could tell why the screen failed since the camera was never opened. She told me that they know from other cameras what caused the failure and they did not have to open my camera. As a courtesy to me, they would repair my camera for the flat fee of $150 + $9 tax + $5 shipping.
Malcolm of York, Yorkshire, UK (8/23/04):
I am writing to alert you to the problems I have had with a Canon PowerShot A70 digital camera that I bought at the start of 2004. For the first 6 months I did not use it much but on my holiday in early June I took about 200 photos over 10 days after which, and for no apparent reason, the camera “died” on me.
I sent it to Canon (UK) for repair in mid-June. After a gap of 7 weeks, during which I tried several times without success to e-mail and phone Canon to find out if they had received the camera and when it would be repaired or replaced, it was returned with no explanation for the delay or any apology. I immediately tried the camera out but after taking two photographs successfully, it again died. I therefore returned it to Canon (UK) asking that they either send me a refund or a replacement without further extended delay.
To date (now over 10 weeks since I originally sent it for repair) I have heard nothing more from Canon. Although it would be nice, having paid nearly Ł250, to have a product which worked, I realise that with such technology things may go wrong. However, what I do not find acceptable and what I would like to alert others to is the almost arrogant disregard Canon (UK) has shown towards me, and will presumably therefore show to other customers who have bought their products, and the abysmal level of support you are likely to receive under their standard one-year “guarantee”.
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