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Digital Camera Failures

An anonymous reader writes "In the past week, four major camera makers have quietly published service advisories admitting their digital cameras are dying. In each case, the flaw appears to involve Sony CCD sensors using epoxy packaging that eventually lets in moisture. Sony's own cameras are among those affected, and the company also has dozens of affected camcorder models. Sony is believed to be picking up the tab for the repairs for the other camera makers as well, regardless of warranty status. (If true, a laudable approach.) Given the large numbers of cameras that are potentially involved, this can't be good news for Sony, who apparently already is expecting losses, and who has also recently announced major layoffs."

10 of 316 comments (clear)

  1. sony and lack of QC by jstroebe · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Maybe I'm the only one, but I've vowed to stop buying Sony products after the last two things I've bought from them have been total pieces of S#!t. I had a Vaio laptop that lasted a year, and a camcorder that didn't last much longer. The name Sony use to be one I related to quality but anymore I steer clear.

  2. Re:Dammit!! by Milkyman · · Score: 5, Informative

    its not the LCD its the CCD, the sensor that picks up the light through the lens, i have one of the effected camcorders and it just shows and records blackness.

  3. Re:Grammar by DCstewieG · · Score: 5, Funny

    Slashdot article description ... FREE
    Grammar nazi correcting something that isn't wrong with something that is ... FREE
    Having that post moderated +1 Informative ... PRICELESS

  4. Re:Dammit!! by LoverOfJoy · · Score: 5, Informative
    If you go to the US site there is information about a return there, too. Here's what I found about my Cannon A75.

    It has recently come to our attention that the vendor-supplied CCD image sensor used in this Canon digital camera may cause the following malfunction: When the product is used in recording or playback mode, the LCD screen and/or electronic viewfinder may exhibit either a distorted image or no image at all. While reports of this malfunction have been rare in the United States, we have determined that it may occur if the product is exposed to hot and humid environments.

    Effective immediately, and regardless of warranty status, Canon will repair, free of charge, products exhibiting the above-mentioned malfunction if the malfunction is caused by the CCD image sensor. Canon will also cover the cost of shipping and handling in connection with this repair.

    U.S. residents are kindly directed to contact the Canon Customer Support Center for further assistance at 1-800-828-4040. Support hours are Monday thru Friday - 8:00 AM to 12:00 midnight; and Saturday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM (all times EST). Alternatively, if electronic support is preferred, please send your email to carecenter@cits.canon.com

    This information is for residents of the United States of America and Puerto Rico only. If you do not reside in the USA or Puerto Rico, please contact the Canon Customer Support Center in your region.

    We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused by this issue, and appreciate your understanding in this matter. Thank you for your support and patronage of Canon products

    found here: http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=Pg ComSmModDisplayAct&keycode=2112&fcategoryid=221&mo delid=9828act=PgComSmModDisplayAct&keycode=2112&fc ategoryid=221&modelid=9828

  5. Re:They're complex. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    At least they're usually not used for mission-critical applications.

    Digital cameras are used for pr0n!!!!! You don't get more misson-critical than that!

  6. Use film or buy a real camera. by BrianH · · Score: 5, Insightful

    A $250 digital camera, for all practical purposes, is the equivalent of a $50 35mm film camera (technically the $50 film camera has a higher resolution, but that's another discussion). These low end digitals replace the snapshot cameras of yore, but shouldn't be confused with actual professional quality cameras. If you know that you're going to be shooting a "once in a lifetime" event like a wedding, first birthday, or something along those lines, you should either be shooting it in higher quality (and more reliable) film, or invest in a higher end digital.

    If you lose that once in a lifetime shot because you trusted it to a cheap snapshot camera, that's as much your fault as the vendors.

    --

    There is nothing so pathetic as seeing a beautiful young theory roughed up by a tough gang of facts.
  7. Re:Dammit!! by cei · · Score: 5, Funny

    Indeed. One body for 35mm chrome (Velvia 50 or EPP), one for 35mm black & white (Tri-X), maybe another for infrared, Hasselblad backs loaded with 120 chrome and B&W (and Polaroid back with Type 665P/N), digital SLR at the minimum. Add to that the Holga, maybe a pinhole or two depending on format, lighting conditions, and the durability of the model. Then maybe I can leave the house for a shoot.

    --
    This sig intentionally left justified.
  8. Full list of affected cameras by achurch · · Score: 5, Informative
    . . . just for the hell of it: (includes Japanese models as well)

    Digital still cameras

    • Canon:
      • Digital IXUS V3, Digital IXUS II, Digital IXUS II2
      • IXY DIGITAL 320, IXY DIGITAL 30, IXY DIGITAL 30a
      • PowerShot A60, PowerShot A70, PowerShot A75, PowerShot A300, PowerShot A310

    • Fujifilm:
      • FinePix A303 (serial 3100****, 3101****, 3JA4****, 3JA5****)
      • FinePix F410 (serial 3100****-3105****, 32A1****, 32A6****, 32A7****, 32A9****)
      • FinePix F700 (serial 3312****, 3313****, 33A0****, 3402****, 34A1****)
      • FinePix S2Pro (serial 310110**-310115**, 320000**-320008**, 330000**-340001**)

    • Konica Minolta:
      • DiMAGE 7i, DiMAGE 7Hi, DiMAGE A1, DiMAGE F300, DiMAGE S414, DiMAGE Xi, DiMAGE Xt, DiMAGE X20
      • Digital Genba Kantoku DG-2, DG-3Z, DG-4W

    • Sony:
      • DSC-F717
      • DSC-P2, DSC-P7, DSC-P8, DSC-P10, DSC-P12, DSC-P31, DSC-P32, DSC-P51, DSC-P52, DSC-P71, DSC-P72, DSC-P92
      • DSC-U10, DSC-U20, DSC-U30, DSC-U60
      • DSC-V1
      • MVC-CD250, MVC-CD400, MVC-CD500
      • MVC-FD100, MVC-FD200

    Digital video cameras

    • Canon:
      • Elura 40 MC, Elura 50
      • FV40, FV50, FV300, FV400
      • IXY DV3, IXY DV5
      • MV5i, MV5i MC, MV6i MC, MV600i, MV630i, MV650i, MV700i, MV730i, MV750i
      • ZR60, ZR65 MC, ZR70MC, ZR80, ZR85, ZR90

    • Sony:
      • CCD-MC100
      • CCD-TRV106K, CCD-TRV107E, CCD-TRV116, CCD-TRV118, CCD-TRV128, CCD-TRV218E, CCD-TRV228, CCD-TRV228E, CCD-TRV318, CCD-TRV328, CCD-TRV418, CCD-TRV418E, CCD-TRV428, CCD-TRV428E
      • DCR-DVD91E, DCR-DVD100, DCR-DVD100E, DCR-DVD101, DCR-DVD101E, DCR-DVD200, DCR-DVD200E, DCR-DVD300
      • DCR-HC14E, DCR-HC15, DCR-HC15E, DCR-HC16E, DCR-HC18E, DCR-HC20, DCR-HC20E, DCR-HC30, DCR-HC30E
      • DCR-IP5, DCR-IP5E, DCR-IP7E, DCR-IP45, DCR-IP45E, DCR-IP55, DCR-IP55E
      • DCR-PC101, DCR-PC101E, DCR-PC101K, DCR-PC103E, DCR-PC105, DCR-PC105E, DCR-PC105K, DCR-PC106E, DCR-PC107E, DCR-PC108, DCR-PC108E, DCR-PC115, DCR-PC115E, DCR-PC120, DCR-PC120E
      • DCR-TRV14E, DCR-TRV16, DCR-TRV16E, DCR-TRV18, DCR-TRV18E, DCR-TRV18K, DCR-TRV19, DCR-TRV19E, DCR-TRV22, DCR-TRV22E, DCR-TRV22K, DCR-TRV24E, DCR-TRV25, DCR-TRV25E, DCR-TRV27, DCR-TRV27E, DCR-TRV27PK, DCR-TRV33, DCR-TRV33E, DCR-TRV33K, DCR-TRV33PK, DCR-TRV38, DCR-TRV38E, DCR-TRV39, DCR-TRV40, DCR-TRV40E, DCR-TRV50, DCR-TRV50E, DCR-TRV147E, DCR-TRV240E, DCR-TRV250, DCR-TRV250E, DCR-TRV255E, DCR-TRV260, DCR-TRV265, DCR-TRV265E, DCR-TRV340, DCR-TRV340E, DCR-TRV361, DCR-TRV460, DCR-TRV460E, DCR-TRV461E, DCR-TRV740, DCR-TRV740E, DCR-TRV840, DCR-TRV940, DCR-TRV940E, DCR-TRV950, DCR-TRV950E
      • DCR-VX2000, DCR-VX200E, DCR-VX2100, DCR-VX2100E

    Professional camcorders

    • Sony:
      • DSR-250, DSR-250P
      • DSR-PD150, DSR-PD150P, DSR-PD170, DSR-PD170P, DSR-PDX10, DSR-PDX10P

    Other products

    • Sony:
      • Clie PEG-NZ90
  9. Re:They're complex. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Any professional photographer will bring a backup camera to a shoot. A wedding, s/he should probably have multiple backup cameras.

    I was shooting a wedding a few weeks ago and the lens mount on my D2X just broke while I was shooting the bride getting ready. No warning or anything. Lens falls to the floor (lens didn't break, thank goodness, but the plastic hood just shattered- very dramatic). Bride goes "Oh shit!", convinced her wedding pictures were ruined. I just reached into my bag and pulled out my spare, swapped the CF card, and kept shooting. If that camera had failed for whatever reason, I've got a Hasselblad and film in the van.

  10. Happened to me (with pictures!) by mardoen · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I have a PowerShot A70, and after gradually introducing noise to images it finally "died" a couple of weeks ago. This actually looks rather amazing -- I've documented this in a short Flickr set at http://flickr.com/photos/dekstop/sets/1026874/ and I'll post some more information at http://dekstop.de/weblog/ as soon as I find some time... I even have some video clips made with the camera.

    To quote from the Flickr page: "my only digital camera has finally degraded into a first-class piece of alien surveillance equipment. instant live show, one-button entertainment, subjective electronics."