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General discussion

Blank Screen on a Canon Powershot A610. HELP PLEASE!

Apr 13, 2007 11:52PM PDT

I've had my Powershot A610 (swivel LCD) for a little less than a year and half. It hasn't had any major problems, except for an E18 error last August from a lens that wouldn't retract, which was fixed by Canon and covered by my warranty.

Starting a little while ago, I would power up my camera and the screen would be black. All the icons were still visible, and I was able to take a picture, but when I switched over the mode to view the picture, it too was all black. However, after taking one or two of these "black" pictures, the camera would return to normal and function as it always had.

Today, I turned on my camera and the screen was black. However, even after taking HUNDREDS of blank photos, the LCD is still black (still, icons and the blue "Canon" logo appear at startup). I went onto the Canon website and typed in my serial number, etc. and was informed that the repair would be at least $107 plus applicable taxes and shipping (I'm not under warranty anymore), but of course that quote might go up once they receive the camera. I've read online that dead CCD repairs can be quite costly, but I don't really know.

What I'm really wondering is the rough estimate for the repair of my camera. I would send it to Canon and wait to receive the final quote, but I do need a camera in about 3 weeks. I was kind of hoping to purchase a smaller model, like an SD600 or SD1000 anyway, and if the repair is going to be substantially more than the original Canon quote, I'd prefer to just purchase a new camera now. I found an SD1000 for only $260 at Circuit City, so any repair costing more than $150 doesn't seem too worthwile to me at this point.

Also, by no means am I a camera expert. Based on my research I think the problem could be a dead LCD or CCD, but I really have no idea. I'm pretty sure that I've covered all the possible troubleshooting options (new batteries, switching shooting modes, pressing the display button), but any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks!

Discussion is locked

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CANON: Heroic or Despicable, Generous or Obfuscating
Nov 21, 2007 5:18AM PST

Concerning the faulty CCD sensor issue:

It seems like some people get the repairs they want from CANON--others are not. Here are some tips from one of those who got a free A610 repair.

Please note: I strongly suggest that you return an A610 for a defective CCD sensor problem only if you feel fairly confident (from others' comments here or feedback from a professional camera shop) that you have a CCD problem. Otherwise, it makes it more difficult for others.

A. Canon's Stance.
Canon has NOT put the A610 on its advisory list (i.e., they will fix it for free), because their position is that the purchase of faulty CCD sensors from Sony occurred before the manufacture of the A610. (Interesting, though, that so many of us have similar problems, with cameras purchased around the same date.) It appears that Canon will NEVER acknowledge that the CCD is faulty on the A610.

B. Starting the Complaint.
1. Emailing customer service will do no good, other than getting a standard form with a repair estimate of over $100. Perhaps it will at least increase your anger and frustration; paradoxically, you'll need these emotions for the persistence required by the free repair pursuit.

2. Phoning Customer Service does some good, if you're very persistent. You'll get the standard, 'the CANON is not on our list of "advisories."' Do mention the CNET thread, and the similairy of the complaints. NOTE: See if someone (and get their name) will cede that if the CCD sensor is the problem, CANON will fix the camera for free. Also insist on free mailing there and back.

3. As mentioned above, take your A610 to a camera shop for an estimate, and get an opinion on what is wrong with the problem.

4. Call Factory Repair. Here's what may happen:
a. Rep. says it's not on the advisory.
b. You ask for supervisor, she or he repeats the line above.
c. After stating that you will not pay full price for an apparently defective sensor, the supervisor will give you the "good news" that CANON will fix it for 1/2 price--with time the supervisor may take an additional 25% off.
d. You ask for anther supervisor, preferable one of the two names that people have already recommended here. Politely but firmly and-- most of all, truthfully--plead your case. State when you bought it, other CANON products you own (and that you won't buy in the future--perhaps save that as a last resort), that you didn't mishandle the camera, that a CANON rep. said a CCD problem willl be repaired for free (if this indeed happened--see point 2 above), etc. Politely insist on a 100% free repair, and free postage there and back, if you have not done so already.
e. If you get a nice supervisor, have been persistent but polite, and detailed (have dates ands names of anyone who talked with you, if they said anything at all helpful), the supervisor may give you a one-time 100% free repair--as a "courtesy" from CANON. They will NOT ADMIT that there is anything wrong with the CCD sensor. Fine, just get it repaired.

C. Getting the Camera Back--Finding Out What was Wrong
1. If it was the CCD sensor, you should get a working A610 back within 7-10 days. The invoice may be completely uninformative. It may state that there was a repair to the "optical system." Hey, CANON--the entire camera is an optical system! The invoice will probably not state anything specific abut what was repaired.

D. CANON--Tear Down Your Wall of Silence!
SO, either CANON is exceptionally nice and consumer-oriented--fixing problems that aren't their fault as a "courtesy," or there is a defective part--that CANON doesn't want added to the "advisory list." Adding a camera is a costly proposition for CANON, because it means that they will fix the defective part for free. Another hypothesis: Perhaps it is NOT the CCD sensor that's faulty, but another part that is defective beyond what one should reasonably expect.

E. Recourses, Legal and Economic.
1. CANON USA (headquartered in New York City) is a division of CANON, INC., of Japan. Your state's consumer protection agency/division may offer some protection; however, if you're out of warranty, it's possible that finding legal liability will be difficult. A lawyer on this thread would be helpful.
2. Always purchase an extended warranty when buying a CANON product.
3. Never buy a CANON product.
4. If you really feel that CANON did not act in good faith, let others know via word of mouth and review, especially on widely read sites such as CNET and AMAZON.com. Many have done this already.

F. CANON--Hero or Goat. All this may sound harsh. However, if CANON knows, or should know, that the A610 has a faulty component and is not telling us, and, as a result, we're wasting time and energy to persuade company reps. to fix the camera, then they deserve it.

Conversely, if all of these similar complaints conform to what one should reasonably expect from a $300 camera, then perhaps CANON has done nothing wrong, and CANON deserves our GRATITUDE for responding to so many of us with a free or discounted repair.

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CANON: Heroic or Despicable, Generous or Obfuscating
Dec 3, 2007 5:49AM PST

Concerning the faulty CCD sensor issue:

It seems like some people get the repairs they want from CANON--others are not. Here are some tips from one of those who got a free A610 repair.

Please note: I strongly suggest that you return an A610 for a defective CCD sensor problem only if you feel fairly confident (from others' comments here or feedback from a professional camera shop) that you have a CCD problem. Otherwise, it makes it more difficult for others.

A. Canon's Stance.
Canon has NOT put the A610 on its advisory list (i.e., they will fix it for free), because their position is that the purchase of faulty CCD sensors from Sony occurred before the manufacture of the A610. (Interesting, though, that so many of us have similar problems, with cameras purchased around the same date.) It appears that Canon will NEVER acknowledge that the CCD is faulty on the A610.

B. Starting the Complaint.
1. Emailing customer service will do no good, other than getting a standard form with a repair estimate of over $100. Perhaps it will at least increase your anger and frustration; paradoxically, you'll need these emotions for the persistence required by the free repair pursuit.

2. Phoning Customer Service does some good, if you're very persistent. You'll get the standard, 'the CANON is not on our list of "advisories."' Do mention the CNET thread, and the similairy of the complaints. NOTE: See if someone (and get their name) will cede that if the CCD sensor is the problem, CANON will fix the camera for free. Also insist on free mailing there and back.

3. As mentioned above, take your A610 to a camera shop for an estimate, and get an opinion on what is wrong with the problem.

4. Call Factory Repair. Here's what may happen:
a. Rep. says it's not on the advisory.
b. You ask for supervisor, she or he repeats the line above.
c. After stating that you will not pay full price for an apparently defective sensor, the supervisor will give you the "good news" that CANON will fix it for 1/2 price--with time the supervisor may take an additional 25% off.
d. You ask for anther supervisor, preferable one of the two names that people have already recommended here. Politely but firmly and-- most of all, truthfully--plead your case. State when you bought it, other CANON products you own (and that you won't buy in the future--perhaps save that as a last resort), that you didn't mishandle the camera, that a CANON rep. said a CCD problem willl be repaired for free (if this indeed happened--see point 2 above), etc. Politely insist on a 100% free repair, and free postage there and back, if you have not done so already.
e. If you get a nice supervisor, have been persistent but polite, and detailed (have dates ands names of anyone who talked with you, if they said anything at all helpful), the supervisor may give you a one-time 100% free repair--as a "courtesy" from CANON. They will NOT ADMIT that there is anything wrong with the CCD sensor. Fine, just get it repaired.

C. Getting the Camera Back--Finding Out What was Wrong
1. If it was the CCD sensor, you should get a working A610 back within 7-10 days. The invoice may be completely uninformative. It may state that there was a repair to the "optical system." Hey, CANON--the entire camera is an optical system! The invoice will probably not state anything specific abut what was repaired.

D. CANON--Tear Down Your Wall of Silence!
SO, either CANON is exceptionally nice and consumer-oriented--fixing problems that aren't their fault as a "courtesy," or there is a defective part--that CANON doesn't want added to the "advisory list." Adding a camera is a costly proposition for CANON, because it means that they will fix the defective part for free. Another hypothesis: Perhaps it is NOT the CCD sensor that's faulty, but another part that is defective beyond what one should reasonably expect.

E. Recourses, Legal and Economic.
1. CANON USA (headquartered in New York City) is a division of CANON, INC., of Japan. Your state's consumer protection agency/division may offer some protection; however, if you're out of warranty, it's possible that finding legal liability will be difficult. A lawyer on this thread would be helpful.
2. Always purchase an extended warranty when buying a CANON product.
3. Never buy a CANON product.
4. If you really feel that CANON did not act in good faith, let others know via word of mouth and review, especially on widely read sites such as CNET and AMAZON.com. Many have done this already.

F. CANON--Hero or Goat. All this may sound harsh. However, if CANON knows, or should know, that the A610 has a faulty component and is not telling us, and, as a result, we're wasting time and energy to persuade company reps. to fix the camera, then they deserve it.

Conversely, if all of these similar complaints conform to what one should reasonably expect from a $300 camera, then perhaps CANON has done nothing wrong, and CANON deserves our GRATITUDE for responding to so many of us with a free or discounted repair.

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Same problem in Oz - purchased December 05
Dec 18, 2007 2:43PM PST

Adding another me too to the list. My A610 experienced the same problems. Initially by cycling the display setting, the CCD would come on. Now it is all black.

Canon advised to take it to a local repair shop. Neither they or the repair shop will advise over the phone if the repair is covered.

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Got back, working fine... NOW GETTING E18 ERROR!
Dec 27, 2007 1:15AM PST

Hi all, I finally got my A610 fixed after talking them down to $25 for the repair. I have had it back for over a month and all was fine UNTIL a week b/f Xmas at my son's Xmas program I started getting the dreaded E18 Error. The lens would not retract, it seemed like the lens cover was stuck. Now it is working sparatically. I saw somewhere how to deal with the E18 problem, can't find it now... So, off to try to talk Cannon into fixing this now... UGH!!! Are these problems related?

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E18
Dec 27, 2007 8:28AM PST

The problem is probably related since they replaced the entire lens/sensor assembly to fix your original problem.

.....

If you saw the Canon E18 problem on this forum, be careful.
That entire E18 thread was about a different model Canon camera that has a fragile lens motor gearbox.
The fixes show in that thread do not apply to your camera.

...
..
.

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Add me to the list!!
Jan 21, 2008 12:29AM PST

I've made two phone calls to Canon Factory with no luck. This morning I spoke with a supervisor named Norris who refused to budge. I have a very small dent in the top corner of my camera so naturally that's their excuse for charging me (even though it's been dented for over a year and I've taken well over 1000 pictures since and in spite of the "known" CCD problem). I politely mentioned all the cases on dpreview, Amazon and CNET in which consumers are having the CCD problem with their A610's and that Canon HAS made repairs to some A610's free of charge. He quickly and somewhat nastily cut me off saying they don't consider internet reviews as fact. He proceeded to tell me that the A610 CCD has different components than those on the advisory so I asked him who the manufacturer of the CCD was in the A610 and he told me he didn't know (yeah, right!!). I even asked him point blank a second time if it was Sony and he said again that he didn't know. He instead told me that I could have them repair my camera and if Canon later added the A610 to the list my money would be refunded. I told him to send my camera back to me unrepaired because I wasn't going to give Canon any more of my money (another one here who has spent nearly $1000 on camera gear and has recommended Canon cameras countless times on photography boards). So avoid Norris as a supervisor if possible, he wasn't friendly and when I told him to send my camera back unrepaired he said okay and hung up on me, not even a goodbye!! I tried to get Nate or Troy but unfortunately they weren't there, or so I was told.

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Take Action
Jan 21, 2008 1:03AM PST

Write it up on Amazon.

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Amazon
Jan 21, 2008 4:17AM PST

Trust me, I will MOST certainly be writing this up on Amazon. Before I told "Norris" to return my camera unrepaired I told him I would NEVER buy another Canon product, I would NEVER recommend another Canon product (like I have countless times in the past) and I would be VERY vocal on the internet about my experience.

For whatever it's worth I'm also going to send a letter to their customer resoluation dept in VA. It will probably end up in the garbage but at least I'll have the satisfaction of knowing I did everything I could to tell Canon how dissatisfied I am as a once loyal customer.

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CANON's response is inexcusable. FIght back!
Jan 21, 2008 5:46AM PST

SInce a lot of people have written about the A610 on Amazon, pick one of the other CANON models (especially a currently popular one), and write that while your review is not about THAT camera, you DO think that potential consumers should know about Canon's awful (and rude, in your case) customer service!

You can also write to CANON USA, headquarted in NY.

The supervisor described in your first post, an unhelpful and especially rude person, really irked me. In my own (long) first post describing my experience with CANON, I strove for balance and giving CANON a fair shot--even the benefit of the doubt. The experience you had with them is inexcusable. I URGE everyone here to take appropriate (i.e., non-libelous, truthful) actions, including letting potential buyers of ANY Canon camera know about their customer service. Thank you!

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Another unhappy a610 customer

I too bought a Conon Powershot A610 December 24th, 2005. This fall (October, 2007) the screen went blank. I received this message from Canon:

Response (Canon Staff) 02/04/2008 03:25 PM
Thank you for your E-mail inquiry regarding your PowerShot A610.
We have determined that the noted service bulletin occurs on a limited number of Canon PowerShot & digital video models. Your (model name) is not subject to this potential malfunction as such, the no charge repair program does not apply to your situation.
If you have a concern with your Canon product and would like to have it addressed, we invite you to please send your equipment to your nearest Authorized Service Facility for inspection / evaluation. If your product is within the one (1) year manufacturers warranty please include a copy of your bill of sale when submitting your product for inspection.

RICK ELECTRONICS
3105 Unity Dr Suite 20
Mississauga, ON, L5L 4L2
Tel.: 905/820-7018

CANON CANADA INC.
1400 Courtneypark Dr E
Mississauga, ON, L5T 1H1
Tel.: 905/795-2005

Should you require further assistance, please feel free to email us or visit our customer support website at http://www.canon.ca

Sincerely,
James D.

Technical Support Representative
Customer Information Centre
Canon Canada Inc.

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Emails to and from CANON do almost no good, and they know it
Feb 18, 2008 1:48AM PST

Emails to CANON Service will get you absolutely nothing.

If you really want to do something, we'll all need to think of the big picture here...letters to CANON USA HQ in New York, possible legal action, flooding review sites with your experiences, and never buying a CANON for home or office again.

Just think of pickets in front of CANON Headquarters and media coverage. Of course, very few people have time for that, and it takes organization. CANON, like many other corporations, depends on its customers taking very little action.

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Another A610 down
Jan 29, 2008 7:20PM PST

I bought my camera in Jan 2006 in US and the dreaded problem happened this week. The camera LCD screen would not display the image even though the icons etc are displayed. The pictures clicked before are also displayed so it was not a LCD issue.
Since I am living in India, I sent the camera for repair to the Master service center which reports the problem being "optical problem" and refuse to acknowlege it as a CCD problem. They are asking for Rs6000/- or arnd USD 150.
I have used my camera sparingly over the 2 years and is in top shape.. no dents/drops.
It is time Canon accepts that this model has a problem and fixes it for free... are there any lawyers on this thread who could guide on how this can be taken up legally against Canon... i have already paid up quite a sum for the camera and its accessories and paying another 150 is impossible.
Someone please helpppp!!!!

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Might not be same issue
Jan 30, 2008 3:08AM PST

When my camera went bad, it wouldn't display icons - it was totally black. You could view old pictures, but nothing new.

I would still call back, keep bugging, until you get the answer you desire or can live with. $150 to fix a $200 camera is a bit out there.

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Legal Action
Jan 30, 2008 4:52AM PST

There are hundreds of firms specializing in class action lawsuits based on faulty products. Here's one I found by Googling Class Action Law Firms for Consumer Products:

http://www.alexanderlaw.com/class-action-cases.html

You may want to find an attorney in your area. It looks like CANON recently decided to clamp down on any relief for A610 owners. You might want to forward this chain to an attorney willing to write an appropriate letter to CANON.

There is apparently a pattern here, not only in the type of problem, but the date on which these cameras were purchased. Even when CANON does issues full or partial repair discounts, the company will not specify the nature of the problem that they fixed, other than the vague 'optical system problem.' As I've stated previously, a camera IS an optical system, so this tells us nothing. My belief is that CANON won't specify the fault becuase it fears a recall or an eventual lawsuit.

Meanwhile, boycott CANON, and spread the word if you feel you have been treated poorly. See posts above for suggestions about letting others know, and for what is apparently CANON's new stance towards the consumer.

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Canon IXUS i blank screen problem!!
Feb 16, 2008 12:59AM PST

Hi, I have a Canon IXUS i 4mg Pixel bought Nov 2004 from the web. Only used it once when I was in Vegas (Dec 2004) - reason I bought it really. Just after Dec 2005 everytime it was turned on the screen was black and wouldn't display anything (this actually happened while I was in Vegas but seemed to correct itself). I have looked after it well and its been wrapped up in its box in a cupboard since then. I recently got it back out to test and it's still the same. Even though this happened just after the year's guarantee way back in 2005 is there anything I can do as I'm peeved that I only used it once back in Vegas and it seems like I've flushed money down the drain. I seem to remember reading somewhere (consumer column in a paper perhaps) that it's still possible even after the guarantee runs out to do something. Any info would be much appreciated. Many thanks.

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Another Sucky Canon
Feb 16, 2008 5:07AM PST

GO to Canon website and see uf there is an "advisory" (i.e. recall) on your model. If not...you're probably out of luck. However, review Canon (ANY MODEL, preferably their most popular ones) on Amazon.com. Your review should warn possible buyers about Canon's customer service and apparent lack of quality control, and that, therefore, they should be very very cautious about buying ANY camera from Canon.
Of course, do this only if YOU feel this is a fair thing to do.

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Canon SUCKS!!!
Apr 17, 2008 1:20AM PDT

And yet another A610 with a blank screen problem. I know I bought it a few years ago but if I get conflicting reports on some people getting theirs fixed for free and some do not then something is really wrong here. I'm pretty sure Canon already know this issue and should have already issued a recall by this time.

Anyway here how my story goes:
'Called Canon Canada support (which by the way I think is non-existent) like 3 times and each time asked for a supervisor to call me back. Got 1 VM from a customer support rep asking if wanted to go ahead with the $111 repair but I called back saying I wanted a supervisor to call me instead.

No calls ever since. This has been going on for about 2 months now and camera has been sitting idel with their service center. I'm just hoping to get this fixed so it can be my back up camera.

Anyway, I already bought a replacement: Nikon D60 DSLR which is fantastic btw. Longer warranty (2 yrs) and 24/7 support. While shopping for a replacement, I also noticed a lot of camera salespeople from professional camera shops telling me "good luck dealing with Canon support when it breaks..". They've also had high marks on Nikon support the reason for my switch.

I'M NEVER BUYING ANOTHER CANON CAMERA EVER !!!

People beware of Canon and their non-existent support. Cameras are good when they work but if they break then you're on your own.

neo

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Another Canon A610 bites the dust!!!
Apr 18, 2008 12:03AM PDT

After fighting with Canon via e-mail and then sending my camera in to be "examined", and then fighting with them on the phone yesterday,I will NEVER, EVER, EVER!!! buy anything that bears the Canon name. Their customer service absolutely sucks!! I got transferred to a supervisor who was a condescending little weasel on a power-trip. They quoted me $107.75 to fix my piece of crap A610 camera. I refuse to pay for something that is defective! This camera has been well taken care of, no dents, never dropped, nothing! And yet Canon refuses to do anything! I am now posting everywhere I can reporting their lack of customer service. I'm not giving up! I may not win, but the more people I inform, then thats more who won't buy their products. I will now be buying Nikon cameras from now on! This should not be a disposable camera! They are returning it to me unrepaired, where it'll probably end up in a landfill somewhere. But I don't want Canon to profit one cent off of my camera that they would fix to sell to someone else at a discount. Jerks!
DON'T BUY ANYTHING THAT BEARS THE NAME CANON!!! They will NOT back up their products AT ALL!!!

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canon sucks!!!
Apr 21, 2008 11:52AM PDT

how dare you!! canon is king!! i challenge to a duel of a lifetime.. where do we start?

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A Duel with No Gun
Apr 21, 2008 12:14PM PDT

By all means, the two of you should have a shootout!

You with your sucky Canon, your adversary with ANYTHING in a similar price range. Your seconds will be supervisors from their respective customer service depts. I think the outcome will be clear to anyone with the misfortune to have bought a Canon A610. And, as long as you're bringing up this long-abandoned American custom, let's drag out that old chestnut, with a slight revision for modern times:

"CANON--last in war, last in peace, and last in the hearts of consumers."

BOYCOTT CANON! REVIEW ON AMAZON! SPREAD THE WORD!

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Canon sucks!!!
Apr 24, 2008 9:49AM PDT

I forgot to mention in my previous post that this is the 2nd defective Canon camera I had in about 5 years and to think I don't use my camera that often.

To add to this, the buttons on my sister's Canon Powershot s45 stopped working only after 3 short years.

THAT MAKES 3 NON-WORKING CAMERAS IN OUR FAMILY IN THE PAST 5 YEARS!!! HEY CANON, ARE YOUR CAMERAS SUPPOSED TO BE DISPOSABLE??? ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO YOUR CUSTOMERS??? THE BRANDS TOTALLY SUCKS!!!

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CANONS ARE DISPOSABLE CAMERAS !!!
Apr 30, 2008 12:07AM PDT

As expected, Canon shipped me the A610 without unrepaired and didn't even diagnose it. This what I get for being a Canon customer for the last five years - 3 broken digital cameras !!!

PEOPLE BE WARY ABOUT BUYING ANYTHING CANON !!! THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE SUCKS BIGTIME !!!

People, keep posting negative reviews here and other camera forums. Let our voices be heard!

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Support this thread on the dpreview.com site
May 1, 2008 11:48AM PDT
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Amazon.com Canon Review Sites
May 1, 2008 2:24PM PDT

Good going on reporting this to the BBB! That's what we need to make more people aware of Canon's shoddy customer service! YOu might want to give "Yes, this was helpful" votes to the following tow Amazon.com reviews on Canon products: They'll be placed in a more prominent position with more votes.

http://www.amazon.com/review/product/B000AYKV4G/ref=cm_cr_dp_synop?%5Fencoding=UTF8&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending#R3PEBJ4JZHZYE0

http://www.amazon.com/review/RCKR6W44ZBE1Q/ref=cm_srch_res_rtr_alt_1

Boycott CANON, and tell a friend!

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Another victim of A610 black LCD
May 12, 2008 2:04AM PDT

I am another casulty in A610 black LCD. I bought the camera at the end of 2005 and I used my carmera infrequently. After reading all the post, I am convinced this is a CANON problem. The chance for all this happen at about the same age of use cannot happen by chance. Not recommend anyone to buy a CANON product.

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Me too!
Nov 15, 2008 1:38AM PST

I bought my Canon Powershot A610 on 01-2006. Thank goodness I purchased a THREE YR. WARRANTY with the store I bought it from. They sent me a label and I'm shipping it off right now (FOR FREE). I emailed Canon and I got the same response every other person has received "IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY...YOU CAN PAY SHIPPING...WE WILL GIVE YOU AN ESTIMATE...(and) I would have to PAY for the REPAIRS!!! With all of the comments from everyone else I hope I get a resolution. I will keep you all informed. CROSS YOUR FINGERS Happy

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I got a refurb a710 IS for only $120 from Canon
May 12, 2008 3:45AM PDT

BBB got back to me with a reply from a Canon support manager offering me 20% off any Canon product from their eStore. I took the offer and got a refurb a710 with image stabilization for only $120 (will be giving it instead as a bday gift to my sis).

I just thought this'd be a good deal considering I bought the a610 a few years ago for $499 and just get this over with.

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Canon could care less about customer service
Jun 16, 2008 9:06AM PDT

Back in January, after owning my Canon PowerShot A630 for about a month, the camera began not focusing in Portrait mode. The only way I could get it to work was to push extremely hard on the shutter button and it was as if it pushed something back into place.

Since my camera was new I called up Canon, sent the camera to them to repair, and waited.

Now, I've owned digital cameras from the time they were 1 megapixel. First a Kodak, then two Olympus, then the Canon. The only reason I got the Canon is because my Olympus cost over $1000 and the smaller camera was easier to take to places where I might get knocked around (concerts, moshpits, etc.). And I liked the cool flip screen.

They sent my camera back with the problem undiagnosed, stating they cleaned it. They also stated that the camera had damage. It didn't have ANY.

Fast forward, and I'm at a friend's house and I drop my camera out of my hand onto the coffee table, leaves a few dents on the case. My camera had STILL been not focusing, but I had found a quick fix - slam the bottom of it on a flat surface and it worked. Feeling that I shouldn't have paid $300 for a camera with a problem, I contact Canon again. I tell them that when I sent my camera in that it had NO damage, and the document I received back said that it did. Now that the camera had damage, my fear was that they would blame me for the malfunctioning focus, and make me pay for the repairs. I got back a form email telling me to send the camera to them.

Uhm... no.

I call them today and talk to someone explaining why I didn't want to send the camera back, just to see if they would simply offer to send me a replacement camera. Nope! They said that I could send it back to them at their expense, but they wouldn't know anything about the repairs until they were able to look at it.

When I looked up the problem in the database originally it didn't even give a diagnosis, it just said to send it to them for repair, so I assumed they knew what the issue was. Waste of my time and money buying this camera. And the amusing thing is that I told them I'll never buy another Canon camera and they seemed to not care. Why should they? Camera is paid for!

Hate hate hate them and will never purchase another item from them again as long as I suck air.

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a610 powershot with totally blank screen
May 30, 2008 12:19PM PDT

I don't have any powerup on mine. I have a completely blank screen and the lens will not open up either. Changed batteries, double checked memory card, still without luck.

Is there a reset button of some kind?

thanks in advance

AO

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Reset button
May 30, 2008 1:26PM PDT

Good question-none that I'm aware of, but maybe CANON MIGHT tell you for free if there is such a thing.

Most likely, you've joined the growing number of people who have been Ripped Off by Canon. As for the previous poster, yeah, curious that all these camera were bought about the same time!

Never, ever buy a CANON!