Canon has issued a service notice on its Asian Website for some of its CCD-based digital still cameras and camcorders but so far is not notifying American customers of the problem. Nor has it taken any action for customers affected by the so-called "e18" error.
The Asian advisory addressed a problem that supposedly manifests itself at high temperatures and humidities. It causes the camera to stop recording images or to record distorted images. The problem is apparently caused because parts of the camera's wiring come loose.
Canon Asia is directing customers to their service centers in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia. Cameras found to be suffering from the problem will be fixed free of charge, regardless of warranty status, the company said.
Canon USA says only that "reports of this malfunction have been rare in the United States," but said that it will likewise repair cameras found to be suffering from the problem free of charge, whether still under warranty coverage or not. Customers are advised to call Canon Customer Support.
But Canon has so far not addressed the e18 error, which occurs when the lens sticks and will not move in or out. A class action lawsuit was filed in September in U.S. District Court in New York.
"Canon has refused to stand behind the cameras, and offers consumers who paid approximately $400 for what they thought was a high-quality digital camera the option of a repair costing at least $150 or the opportunity to purchase a refurbished, used camera for $175," according to Chicago attorney Richard Doherty, who filed the suit.
