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Canon PowerShot A300

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Possibly Answered (20 points for the best answer)

jch (jctn) 5 pts

June 10, 2007 3:25 PM

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LCD image on Canon A300 is looks like a horror-movie image. Wolf Camera in says the chip has gone bad

When I turn on camera, the image comes up like something out of a parapsychology photo-shoot! Took to Wolf Camera in Ft. Worth who said chip is bad. I then checked Canon's web site, and sure enough, it says this problem is possible in hot and humid areas. We are in Texas, but I never leave my camera where it gets overheated. Camera is out of warranty, so will Canon repair; how long do they take and how much do they charge? Or do I have to cut my losses, chunk it, buy another? Bad thing is...I like this little camera.

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This question has replies but the author has not yet indicated whether it's answered after a long time. Can you answer the question, or post a clarifying follow-up?

Rich Watson (Richio) 5683 pts

June 14, 2007 9:13 AM

Isn't this like 3-4 years old???? That is a long time in the digicam world. Free up the pocketbook and treat yourself to a new model. Repairing this is like putting new wine in old wineskins, throwing good money after bad.

Get in the car and boogie down to Best Buy or Wolfer's and get a new one.

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jch (jctn) 5 pts

June 17, 2007 8:00 PM

There's no need to chunk my Canon A300 and buy another. I looked at website USA.CANON.com. Their advisories said that this was a known problem. I called their 800 number last Monday morning. They said they knew about the defect...they would repair it (gratis) and even pay for shipping both ways. Would repair and return to me in 5-7 working days. Canon bent over backwards to make this okay for me.

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cz 1 pts

June 23, 2007 3:53 AM

I bought 2 of these, one used everyday, one hardly ever used.
Both blanked out or had pink screen at the same time.
Had to run out and buy a Nikon.
I will contact Canon tomorrow, thanks for the help.

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Rich Watson (Richio) 5683 pts

June 27, 2007 7:13 PM

It's always good news when a company goes beyond what's obligatory.

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taterpicker (taterpicker) 1 pts

July 31, 2007 4:09 AM

I had same problem with an A500 cannon. I contacted Cannon an they even emailed me a shipping lable. I sent it in , they fixed at no charge. They even covered shipping. I understand they said it was a falty image sensor an if i understood them right the sensor was made by Sony ??? I had it back in less than 10 days after i shipped it to them.

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whirligrli 1 pts

October 31, 2007 10:07 AM

I have the same problem with my A300 and went to the website usa.canon.com did a product search on the support page. Entered the word "chip" in the search box and the first response was the "The LCD/Electronic Viewfinder will not display an image or the image is distorted." Information given below from Canon:

Details
Issue: The LCD/Electronic Viewfinder will not display an image or the image is distorted.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Solution: Special information regarding a blank or distorted screen on certain digital camera models

Details: Important Notice About Your Canon Product:
It has recently come to our attention that the vendor-supplied CCD image sensors 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.

Give them a call or e-mail them ... This is a very known problem with 2-3 of their cameras and mostly happen in hot/humid climates. Thanks jch for the info!

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t00nz (t00nz) 146 pts

December 15, 2007 2:31 PM

Yep this sounds like a defective CCD imager. If so, Canon should fix this for you for free, including free shipping both ways. This is regardless of your camera's warranty status. Please check the following two links for more info:

http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/11/canon-digital-cameras-showing-black.html

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=PgComSmModDisplayAct&fcategoryid=225&modelid=13390&keycode=2112&id=29819

Applicable cameras include:
A40, A60, A70, A75, A80, A85, A95, A300, A310, S1 IS, S60, S200, S230, S330, S400, S410, S500, SD100, SD110, IXUS V2/300/400/430/500, IXY Digital 200a/300a/400/450/500

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Benjamin 0 pts

February 18, 2008 3:08 AM

Mine was repaired and returned (wasn't under warranty) for free in about a week.

Canon is pretty cool, most companies would probably not have fixed the problem because the life cycle of the product was over.
It's working fine now.. oh and their support was US based :) That was officially the shortest amount of time I have ever been on the phone with tech support.

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LCD image on Canon A300 is looks like a horror-movie image. Wolf Camera in says the chip has gone bad

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