camera? (mbrady) 8656 pts

October 23, 2006 11:56 AM

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What is the worst digital camera ever?

I want to know how everybody feels about this. Do you have a camera that is absolutely awful? What's so bad about it? Let me know!

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hlwimmer 1 pts

October 25, 2006 12:34 PM

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hmm... for a lot of reasons, i think the canon A70 is a great camera -- especially for corporate/field work... i bought 2 for my design team. although not the tinyest (which helps to remind you it's not a my-little-pony accessory), it features a flipping and rotating screen, buttons you don't need to have elven fingers to use, the use of AA batteries (should you be at burning man with only a solar-powered AA battery charger) and standard memory chips... plus decent resolution with macro function (which , when combined with the rotating screen makes for inventive uses). sounds like some reviewer has the case of the mondays...

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camera? (mbrady) 8656 pts

October 25, 2006 12:35 PM

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Well, I think it's a good camera... when it works. It just seems that most people encounter a rather fatal flaw at about the 1 year point.

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Jennifer Grucza (jgrucza) 633 pts

October 25, 2006 1:27 PM

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My A70 hasn't had any problems yet, but I do wish the images came out a little sharper (I'm talking about even when properly focused). But hlwimmer, I don't think you have an A70 because the A70 doesn't have a rotating screen. Maybe one of it's successors? Anyway, after seeing all the reviews on the A70, I feel pretty lucky to be one of those who hasn't had it fail.

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Guest 6 pts

October 25, 2006 5:07 PM

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LOVE/HATE relationship with Canon PowerShot A520. 'takes great pictures, but shutter/lens cover doesn't open completely. If I forget - or someone else is using ot and doesn't know to bang on the lens until it's completely open, pictures are ruined. Problem surfaced a year ago. I returned camera and exchanged it for an identical one - SEVEN TIMES! Finally store didn't carry them and ninety day warrangy ran out. I mailed camera to Factory Service. They replaced optical unit and cleaned camera. Within three weeks, shutter/lens cover began to stay partly closed. I returned it AGAIN. 'am looking for another camera. BB says I should demand my money back from store. I think it's Canon's problem.

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Lainey 2 pts

October 25, 2006 10:30 PM

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My Canon Powershot A70 has just died at 3 years old, the AF censor failed, however... after about 18 months I experienced the old purple lines and sometimes everything that should have been white went flouro pink!!!
I thought it was just my camera, but Canon said they'd never heard of this problem, now I know that I'm not alone! Great web site!

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Pete Carr 2 pts

October 26, 2006 7:36 AM

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My A70 has been working fine for years. I've used it at gigs with acceptable noise levels at ISO400. Its only a Â£200 camera. If it wasn't for my A70 I wouldn't have been able to develop my photography skills and I wouldn't be where I am today, which is being published in Professional Photographer. Brilliant cam 3 years on.

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Lupti 1 pts

October 27, 2006 6:58 PM

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I think the worst camera is the Kodak Easyshare V610.
This is a little POS.
It has a Zoom range up to 380mm but no image stabilizer.
You canÂ´t hold it because itÂ´s too small.
In low light it makes very bad pictures.
In normal situations the pictures look lifeless.
The battery runtime is around 100 shots.
It doesnÂ´t remember your settings when switching it off.
I send it back.

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shelleyj 65 pts

October 28, 2006 11:22 PM

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I think that the worst camera is the Nikon Coolpix 4600. The time that it takes the camera to recycle between shots is horrible! It takes about 10-12 seconds and that is an eternity when you are taking photos of children.
The quality of the photos are average but the recycle time makes it one frustrating camera to use.

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yosoyconquistador@yahoo.com 1 pts

October 29, 2006 1:30 AM

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think that the worst camera is the Kodak LS 443. The time that it takes the camera to recycle between shots i can grow a beard.! It takes about 10-12 seconds and sometimes longer than an eternity when you are taking photos of children.

The quality of the photos are terrific but the recycle time makes it one frustrating camera to use.

The Lens transport system failed. I would have to digitally assist the lens in its travel to its perch on the camara. It was returned, To Kodak for repair. I have to admit that Kodak fixed the camra better than when I bought it.

One footnote, thats very important. Kodak customer relations wiuth me was excellent. THe did the repair, free of charge. As we all know repairs after the warrantee usually have a pricetag.

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tonybones6@aol.com 1 pts

October 29, 2006 11:05 AM

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After 10 months of more than average uses our first digetal camera a Sony Cybershot DSC-S40 the LCD view screen has lines running across it.

The camera does take fine pictures for a low priced unit. but to have at such a young age is not acceptable.

We are going to buy a new camera I just don't think it will be a product of the Sony company!

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Crystal 0 pts

October 31, 2006 10:52 AM

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ATTENTION: a warning to all who think Fuji Film makes a good A354 Camera! It is less than a year (nov. 20th) since we bought a brand new A354 Camera. It was about 200$ and seemed like something we would like. I have never heard anything bad about fuji before, so we bought it. About 6 months later the lines started across the screen, the lens would get stuck when turning off and on, and sometimes it wouldn't turn on at all, losing all those moments we wanted to capture. So we sent it back, and they fixed it...or so they said. they sent it back to us in 'perfect condition'. Then the lines started to appear again about 4 months later again, and to turn it on, you have to hold down the on button for at least 8 seconds. So again i sent it back just a few weeks ago, i included a letter that stated i am not satisfied with the camera and since it is still under warrenty, i want my money back instead. I called today to find the status of my request, and the rude woman told me they will not give me my money back, and all the can do is for their technicians to look at the camera again, and try to fix it and will send it back. It is just a natural reaction to boycott any of their products from now on, but i know others who have no problems with their fuji products....it's just a shame they can't satisfy their customers right...maybe it's because they know they made a horrible camera. I found a site today that says things that are made in china or japan are of low quality...don't really know if it's true for all things, but i can back it up with the make and quality of my A345 camera.

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melissa 2 pts

November 1, 2006 3:05 PM

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I have a Cannon A520. it takes great pictures when the lens opens properly..I bought one as a gift for a friend and it also had the same problem it has completely stopped working after a year and 2 weeks of use. (Warranty is up so I am out of luck very dissapointed) Terrible camera !

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Guest 6 pts

November 1, 2006 5:25 PM

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Melissa - I can relate - sorry your too are having trouble with shutter of Canon A520. Read my 'experience' - 10/25/06. Camera is at Factory repair for second time - same shutter opening problem. Every time problem showed up I exchanged for a new one - SIX times before present camera! Doing Online research, I found a man, living on a boat in Ecuador, who paid a 'local' $10 to be shown how to fix it - using alcohol and dissembling optical part of camera. Shutter on his A520 is working properly! Canon should learn how to replace the spring. This camera is still being sold.
Marge

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oRi0n 5 pts

November 1, 2006 8:01 PM

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I've been using my A70 for about 3 years: never a problem, perfect quality and manufacturing.

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A.Bose (boseamitava) 3 pts

November 4, 2006 4:11 AM

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my cannonA520 same problem. but how is A 530 or A430-- any problem faced? I amy buy one.

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her 2 pts

November 5, 2006 9:51 PM

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Kodak Easyshare CX7300 is the worst camera you could get.
I had my first digital experience with it and it was a total disappointment.
When pictures are printed everything is so blurry and not clear at all
It has NO BATTERY CHARGER
I've spent more than $100 buying every month Energizer batteries to keep this thing alive.

People, don't ever purchase this camera pleaseee

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Steve 3 pts

November 6, 2006 9:58 PM

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The Casio XZ750 has given me all kinds of trouble including auto-focus and broken screen. DO NOT BUY FROM NEWEGG. VERY BAD RETURN POLICY

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Cheryl 2 pts

November 7, 2006 3:43 PM

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Yes, I was one of those people that didn't do any research before buying a Polaroid PDC-5080. Buying a digital camera for my honeymoon in Hawaii, I found out too late, you can't take pictures with this camera. In the sun the screen is totally white and inside the screen is totally black. The pictures come out the same way, either totally black or white, no image. Do not ever buy a polaroid digital camera, you will be sorry.

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bob 1 pts

November 9, 2006 9:46 AM

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Hi
Well, I've had 2 experiences.. one with the Canon A70 ( nuff said) .. never to buy Canon again, and the other was with 2 separate Olympus digital cameras where the slider covering the lens became faulty and in both instances, Olympus simply said in a nice way " Forget it Jack, we have your money now, drop dead"
It's interesting in that when you have bad experiences and pass the info on to others they will decide on another camera manufacturer
I now have a Panasonic LZ2 and am waiting for the new Fuji F31FD

thanks

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Pete 1 pts

November 9, 2006 9:54 AM

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lol bob. Never buy Canon again? Being that they're the worlds leading camera company used by the majority of sports and news photographers around the world. Whenever you see a white lens its a Canon. They've sold over 30 million lenses. The A70 was Canon's best selling camera in a long time.

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Alan Schamber (alanschamber) 659 pts

November 10, 2006 10:11 AM

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Hey Pete... Canon is the leading one... but as everybody know... most of the time, the mass choice, is not the best (democracy is an excellent demostration for that).
If you compare cameras of the same of features, you will no way choose a Canon. Let's compare, for example, the Canon S3 IS, the Sony H5, the Kodak P712, Fujifilm S9100, Leica V-LUX 1, Olympus SP510, Panasonic DMC-FZ50, Samsung Pro815, and I could say a Nikon... but, the nikon this ones look just ugly so no one buy them.
As most people wouldn't say, the worst of this cameras are the Sony H5, and the Canon S3 IS. Don't bealive me if you don't want to... but, they are products made just to look nice... they are the same as the Sony W70 and the Canon SD600 but with a 12x lens. The Kodak P712, has a faster response time, so I can affirm that's better than those... because the image quality it's almost the same in the three. The Fujifilm, has a bigger sensor... much bigger, making the pics better. The Samsung Pro815 is a very nice camera. I don't like the Olympus brand... so I will just say that I wouldn't buy the SP510.
There are 2 cameras left: Leica, and Panasonic. Surprise! This are not leading brands, but, they are the best large zoom cameras in the market.
Because of the lens, I would choose Leica... but both are more than anyone will need.

Pete... If you know something about cameras, you will have to admit that this is the truth: Canon makes perfect cameras for people who don't know anything. This a brand that for an average price will give them something common, but with features like manual options. This makes it a nice brand, but NEVER the best one.

In my opinion... Nikon makes the best cameras... but, I've got a Pentax K100... because Nikon doesn't have any camera with Image Stabilization (a shift one, of course).
Hope this makes you think a bit...
Alan.

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camera? (mbrady) 8656 pts

November 10, 2006 10:44 AM

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"As most people wouldn't say, the worst of this cameras are the Sony H5, and the Canon S3 IS."

Alan, with all due respect, I think you'll see that people who own these cameras disagree with you intensely. The H5, in particular, has almost universal acclaim from satisfied customers.

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Alan Schamber (alanschamber) 659 pts

November 10, 2006 11:48 AM

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Let's try this: give it to someone who knows something about cameras. He will be disapointed.
If you ask anyone who owns a H5, he would probably say that one of the best features is the 3" LCD. WHAT??? THAT'S NOT ABOUT THE CAMERA ITSELF. A great LCD doesn't mean great pictures.
I owned a W7... and I'm sure Sony can make great products like the alpha, or the R1. But in point & shoot, they are not making great cameras anymore.
Have you seen the N2? Awful... as the N1. Same as the M1 & M2. Or let's see the H2 and H5. Which one is better? You will probably say H5... but, the picture quality is better in the H2. WOW! that new? Using the same sensor size, they make a 6 mp, and a 7 mp... they had to make smaller the pixel size, so it recieves less light... which means... more noise for nightshots, and longer shutter speed.

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Pete 1 pts

November 10, 2006 12:55 PM

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Alan, if you know anything about cameras its the lenses that make all the difference and Canon make the best range of lenses. Thats why I bought a 10D and now own a 30D. Also, if anyone knows anything about photography in general they'll know the photographer takes the photo. The camera isn't as important. Canon, Nikon, Fuji, Leica are all rubbish in the wrong hands and all great in the right hands. Have a read of the Luminous Landscape review of the new Canon G7. For him it was either a Leica M8 or the G7 and since the G7 was like Â£2000 cheaper he chose that.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/Canon-G7.shtml

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Alan Schamber (alanschamber) 659 pts

November 10, 2006 4:15 PM

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Leica M8 the same as Canon G7???

Well... that's a person that should stop talking about cameras.
I agree that everything depends on who's hands it's the camera. But I disagree that the lenses are everything. Everyone knows that Leica lenses are the best ones... so if you use a Canon, or a Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Fujifilm, Kodak with a Leica lens (despite most of them are not compatible with Leica), the picture quality should be the same. But it's not.
Yes... lenses are very important... but the most important part of a camera, is the sensor. There is the place where the image is created... The difference between the M8 and the G7... is the sensor. Both are CCD... but the G7 has a 7.18 x 5.32 mm... while the M8 has a 27 x 18 mm... something like
12 times the other one. Much more... it uses Leica lenses... the best ones... and they are used by every profesional.
I've already made a look at what that guy wrote. And... I can tell you it's true what he's saying: you won't see difference between my K100 D, and the W7 while they are dayshots. Most cameras work well with 100 ISO. But... why don't you try them in low light? Be sure that the Pentax just kicks any other non DSRL camera... and some of them too, despite being one of the less expensive.
If you want some real reviews, go to www.dpreview.com (the same that he mentions) and take a look.
Alan.

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Anonymous 8 pts

November 10, 2006 4:25 PM

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I have a Polaroid izone 310 camera and it is terrible. It's one of those cameras that when you aren't using it you keep it plugged into the charger. The battery is so bad that by the time I turn it on, turn on the flash, and take a picture, it is on low battery and turns off. I don't even have time to look at the picture I just took.

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Pete 1 pts

November 10, 2006 5:58 PM

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Leica lenses aren't used by every professional. I don't use them. Do you see them at a sports event? Nope. Big ass Canon white L glass boyo. You can talk about which sensor has the better coating to make the super sharp macro shot of your epenis look better till you're blue in the face, but seriously in the time you have you've probably missed 20 good photos. Nikon, Canon, Leica, all make cameras that people enjoy using. Stop fapping over tech specs and just enjoy photography. "Dude thats a rubbish photo... Ah yes but my Nikon has better menus.... er yey?"

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Alan Schamber (alanschamber) 659 pts

November 10, 2006 8:31 PM

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I agree with you...
I just disagreed that Canon, for being the most popular brand was the best one. No way. In my opinion, it is Nikon, but... there are some excellent products in every brand. Let's not just center in Canon... or in Pentax... or Nikon... because, for example... Sony was the first brand to do a DSRL with image stabilization... and Leica has just impressed everyone with the M8. Or, for example, Kodak made us stay minutes with our mouths opened with de V610... and with the dual lenses technology. Or with the precious leica lens for the Panasonic (don't remember that camera :p).
Hope to continue the discusion... it was interesting...
Alan.

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DGBob 0 pts

November 12, 2006 4:45 PM

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My Canon PowerShot A60 has the same problem as the A70 only worse. When I first bought it in 03 it had the E-18 error. I returned it to my friendly retailer for a new A60. That one worked fine for a while. But then the two-part lens cover would not close! I have to flick it back with my finger nail. Lately I have been getting the lines across the LCD! Now the E-18 error is back!!!!

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Rod Turnham 30 pts

November 14, 2006 3:18 PM

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I only got a few hundred shots out of my HP-315 (my first digital) before the power switch built into the sliding lens cover failed, and the camera could not be turned off. I was told the repair would cost more than a new camera. Swearing never to buy another HP, I next selected the Canon A70.

I was surprised to read here about all the bad experiences with the A70. I used it with great success for three years, before buying another Canon and passing the A70 on to my daughter. She and her hubby are still using it. After 2100 photos, it still works perfectly and takes great photos.

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Alan Schamber (alanschamber) 659 pts

November 14, 2006 5:12 PM

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3 years... only 2100 pics? that's why... With my Sony W7, y shot 6500 pics in the first year... and i've had the Pentax K100 D for two months and a half, and I've already 1400 pics...

I think it's still in use, because of the almost any use...
Alan.

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Peter P 0 pts

November 15, 2006 10:40 PM

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My Sony DSC-P72 went into the shop three months after I bought it because the batteries ran down even with the unit turned off. Three years and 12,000 pictures later, it started doing the same thing all over again. Reluctant to spend another $100, I kept the batteries out of the camera until I wanted to use it. That ploy worked for a few weeks. Now the screen goes black immediately after a picture is taken and stays that way until the batteries are removed and reinserted. This sounds a lot like the culprit is Microsoft software, but I don't think they are to blame this time. Since no image is recorded in the memory chip, the unit is totally useless.

My next camera will not be a Sony.

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Aggravated 1 pts

November 20, 2006 2:13 PM

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I have had THREE Pentax Optio 50 digital cameras in less than a year and a half...the first one messed up 2 months after I got it...the photos looked like paint smeared across a painters canvas while it was still wet...the store exchanged the camera and less than 8 months later the same thing happened again...wrote to the company and to make a long story short, they finally replaced the camera with a new one (same brand) and low and behold...you guessed it, less than 5 months later it is once again taking AWFUL pictures...DO NOT SPEND YOUR MONEY OR TIME ON PENTAX...

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Donald Waits 31 pts

November 25, 2006 4:00 AM

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Someone with unlimited financial resources can obtain the most
expensive photo equipment, but if there is no BRAIN behind that
eyepiece then no decent photographs will result. We have all seen
the same seagull on one leg, child covered with birthday cake, dog
sleeping, sunset over the mountains, all taken with 4-8 thousand dollar
cameras. There will NEVER be a substitute for intelligence, imagination,
and style. Those things cannot be purchased in any camera store.

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jen bryant 0 pts

November 25, 2006 11:16 PM

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anyone tryed the argus dc-6340 ?

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Mac (FireEMT1820) 26 pts

November 27, 2006 1:01 AM

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I have an HP Photosmart 635 Digital camera, 2.1mp, 12x zoom. Horrid, horrid camera. After about 5 months of use, batteries started dying, within 5 minutes of turning it on. My father and I are both digital photographers, so we keep a hearty stock of rechargable batteries on hand, which we replace every 6 months. I started shooting, and the batteries died. No Biggie. I got a fresh set, and started shooting again. Boom, dead batteries. Went a got a brand new set of batteries, charged them, and put them in. Started shooting again, dead. Reset the camera, tried again. Worked for a little while, then died again. When it worked, it was a good little camera, nowhere near professional quality, but decent if you knew basic photography skills. I love HP products, but the Photosmart 635 Digital camera is a doozie. Any camera that will go through batteries every 5 minutes, just shouldn't be bought. I just bought me a Fujifilm S5200 Zoom, 5.1mp, 10x zoom. So far so good. I guess time will tell, the camera's got promise.

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angie 0 pts

November 28, 2006 11:47 PM

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i had olympus n its the worst camera. i used it for only about a year n the slider didnt work anymore. terrible... its so expensive n i just wasted my money. dont ever buy olympus. ill try canon sd800. they said its great.

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Jazz 2 pts

December 1, 2006 9:54 PM

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I have a Polaroid izone 310 camera and it is horrible. The battery is so bad that by the time I turn it on, turn on the flash, and take a picture, it is on low battery and turns off. I don't even have time to look at the picture I just took. You also can not replace the battery so once it is done it is done.

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angle 4 pts

December 3, 2006 2:36 PM

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The HP Photosmart M407 is the worst camera ever. I recieved one for Christmas last year and 5 months later the screen mysteriously stopped working. Not only did the screen just turn black and never show pictures again, but it stopped taking pictures. I mailed the camera back and got the exact same one again for free since it was under warranty. BIG mistake. Just three months after that the exact same thing happened with the screen. I was fed up and just threw that thing away. My sister recieved the exact camera and on a vacation after we had taken many memorable pictures, the lense got stuck between in and out. I believe this is called the dreaded 'E18' error.

Not only did this camera break 3 times within the first 6 months, but the battery life is petrifyingly horrendous. After maybe 2 times of turing it on and taking 2-3 pictures, if would claim it was out of battery and shut off.
To make this worse, it used AA batteries.
I dont think i've ever spent that much money on wasted AA batteries.
DO NOT buy this camera. PLEASE!

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Tommy Ruggs 26 pts

December 7, 2006 8:18 PM

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Some people have problems with everthing they buy. ( my brother is one of them) I'm 63 years old and been taking pictures since I was 7 years old
and owned everthing from a Kodak brownie to to top of the line Hasselblads
and everything in between and never had any of these problems unless one of my cameras hit the floor. I have now had oly digital cameras nikon,
kodak, and canon all worked great I now use a Olympus E500. My olympus c4000 did give me a problem, but that was after it fell off the the tripod.
I didn't blame Olympus for this. Remember handle with CARE it will last along time.

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MimiAmor (mia) 0 pts

December 11, 2006 10:58 AM

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DON'T EVER BUY KONICA MINOLTA DiMAGE X1
i bought it because the model was great and it was VERY EXPENSIVE.... BUT NOTHING ABOUT IT IS GREAT. NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! seriously, it is the worst... digi-cam EVER!!

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Glenn 1 pts

December 19, 2006 12:52 PM

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We got a Gateway DC-M50 at our AAFES exchange and have had problems with it ever since. Regardless of whether we use brand new or freshly recharged AA batteries the darned thing automatically shuts off within 3 seconds of turning it on. The only way to take pictures is to hold the on button in the "on" position while using your other hand to operate the other parts of the camera. Gateway recommended changing batteries but problem persisted. Now that it's no longer under warranty they've no suggestion other than to "take it to an electronics repair store" since they only service cameras under warranty. Brilliant advice! So far I've not been able to find a repair center/store anywhere in the US that repairs Gateway. I asked their Customer Service reps to help me narrow down the search and at least provide me with the name of any retailer in the state of NC so that I can see if the retailer is able to repair the camera. Gateway refused to provide this retail listing. Not too helpful. I think I'm going to take the camera to work and have an M1 tank drive over it. Afterward I'll go out and buy a new Japanese camera. So much for American craftsmanship and reliability. Not sure if Gateway's computers have similar reputation for unreliability. Has anyone had similar misfortune with this or any other Gateway digital camera?

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Allison 0 pts

December 19, 2006 11:40 PM

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I came across this article as I was shopping for new digital camera b/c I encountered the E 18 error on my Canon that no long works. It was great for the first year though.

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Merla 0 pts

January 9, 2007 9:37 PM

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Sony Cybershot with 4.1 megapixels...blurry every time I use the Zoom. Perhaps Sony should stick to making electronics. I am currently looking for another camera and Sony will not be making my short list.

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paul beaudette 26 pts

February 1, 2007 8:40 PM

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Canon S2IS; right from the start i felt the optical viewer was constantly dark. I learned to enjoy using the bright, flexible LCD. Then one day it just stopped, the dreaded E18 error. it would never come to life again the lens just whirred. I researched, tried all different things to make it go tono avail. Research CANNON E18 ERRORS before you buy this brand. I am going to elsewhere next time.

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oRi0n 5 pts

February 2, 2007 3:20 AM

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After 3+ years of perfect photos my A70 stopped working due to the CCD sensor issue. In one month Canon sent me a new Powershot A540, even if my warranty was expired long ago. I think you couldn't ask more.

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ms 1 pts

February 10, 2007 1:25 PM

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Its not just the quality of the camera but the quality of the warranty. Even high quality cameras break and when they do you expect the manufacturer to stand behind its product. Kodak is not one of those companies.

When my daughter's V550 stopped working it never occurred to me that Kodak and its service agent, United Camera, would go to great lengths to void the warranty. Instead of honoring the warranty, United Camera claimed that the camera had impact damage and therefore the warranty was voided. Yes the camera had a scratch, but it was never dropped or abused.

Curious, I went searching to see if any other consumers have had a similar experience. For a sampling of dissatisfied users check out this site - http://www.consumeraffairs.com/cameras/kodak.html or take a look at - http://www.lieffcabraser.com/kodak-easyshare.htm for information on a class action against Kodak.

I have spent thousands of dollars on Kodak products. I always had a favorable opinion of the company. I like the company's products. I never thought that Kodak would not honor a warranty.

Was this a good camera? My daughter loved it!

Will I ever buy another Kodak product? Never!

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Joyce Sherman (jbsherm) 0 pts

February 11, 2007 10:01 AM

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I purchased a Nikon s6 for our trip to Alaska. We missed a lost of action shots because the camera does not have a view finder. The large lcd seemed like a good idea but in the bright sunlight there was a glare. Sometimes you could only see your reflection. They did not make a hood for this camera. I complained to Nikon but they did not give me any satisfaction. They said my complaint should be taken to the store where I purchased the camera. Circuit city does not have an exchange policy after 30 days. Very dissapointed in this camer.

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Joyce Sherman (jbsherm) 0 pts

February 11, 2007 10:23 AM

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I need to correct the type of camera I purchased. It as a Nikon coolpix s4 for our trip to Alaska. We missed many outdoor picture due to the glare on the lcd. No view finder on this camera. Nikon will do nothing as well as the store where we purchased the camera

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RZEKE (888) 0 pts

February 19, 2007 12:31 PM

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I bought the expensive Cannon PowerShot SD500 in October, 2005 for a research trip to SE Asia and took 2G of thousands of photos. They turned out GREAT! Yet about 6 months ago, the still photos deteriorated remarkably. Even though they looked fine on the LCD screen, the downloaded photos were so dark and fuzzy that they could not be corrected with software. Cannon told me to reset the defaults which I did, and this caused about one out of 10 photos to download correctly. The videos continue to download okay. I'm back to using my old Olympus Camedia C50-50 which is fine for now, but too large to be a convenient carry-everywhere camera. I am about to try an HP R967, and yes, I will never trust Cannon ever again!!! I wish you reviewed HP cameras. I've been happy with their other products over many years of use, so I'm hoping hoping that their camera will work out too.

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Gordon Cheyne 1 pts

February 23, 2007 7:46 PM

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Nikon Coolpix S4 was my worst buy ever.
Shutter stuck. Warranty valid only in country of origen.
So I sent it back to a friend in Dubai to have fixed.
One month later, stuck again.
Nikon? Never again!

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Christina. 1 pts

February 24, 2007 12:21 AM

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I have a polariod izone 310. As the other people said, the battery sucks. Almost no life. The pictures are blurry often, and I'm just not satisfied with it at all. I'm looking to buy a new one. Have fun camera shopping

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John 2 pts

February 24, 2007 10:34 PM

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I have a Poloroid PDC 5080. It is reliable, simple to operate and does have a long battery life. The use of the histogram feature is highly recommended for best picture quality unless the user is prepared for "on computer" correcting. As a camera it is decent allowing for its limitations. Recently I bought an Akai DS8341, with an 8.1 megapixel resolution at a cost of 129. 98 US. So far It appears to be a much better camera than the Poloroid.

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WindSwept (WindSwept) 0 pts

March 3, 2007 10:57 PM

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I had purchased a Nikon 5700 when they first came out. Orders were
back-logged here in the US, so I bought one from a shop in Canada.

I paid just over $1000 and upon receiving the camera, mailed the
registration to Nikon. Using the suggested settings, macro function
and adding a color correcting lens to the Nikon 5700 results were poor.
I use a tripod, and experimented with various lights and diffusion.

One day, I turned my camera on, but the screen stayed black, and
photos were also black. I use an AC adapter, so I knew it was not a
battery problem.

I went to the Nikon site for guidance, and found there was a recall
concerning this problem, so I followed their instructions and mailed
the camera to Nikon for repair.

A few weeks later, I received my camera back (untouched), along with
a sheet of paper which said (in very large, BOLD print): GRAY MARKET.
I had no idea, since Nikon is a world-wide company, that buying from
Canada, with whom we have a close trade relationship, would cause the
warranty to become null & void. So, I'm out $1000 and have no camera.

Now I'm not sure if the camera was working properly when I bought it,
and if it would have served my needs if there was not a design flaw. (?)

So, I'm afraid to purchase Nikon equipment because they did not honor
a warranty which I feel they should have. The flaw was in their design,
and had nothing to do with whether I bought from a shop in the US or
Canada. I'm fairly new to this, and needed a way to support my self after
losing my job, shortly after 9/11. I don't know where to turn for help, and
do not have the funds to support purchasing mistakes for expensive tools,
such as a good camera.

I need a camera that will provide crisp detail in as little as a 1mm stone.
It must show the most minute inclusion to show whether the stone has
been treated, or not. Colors must be precise. The camera must be digital
so photos can be uploaded. It is critical that the photos are correct.

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New worst Battery record(I think?) 1 pts

March 5, 2007 10:13 AM

1

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Sorry for all caps but they're needed, this is a POS!
I have a NIKON Coolpix 3100 with the 3x zoom, 3.2 mpegs. Had it for couple years and FINALLY just could afford to order a new camera.

IF U LIKE BUYING BATTERIES, THIS CAMERA TAKES TOP PRIZE!
People say their's are a bad but if I use a brand new battery(high-end or low-end) this camera doesn't care.
WITH BRAND NEW BATTERIES I CAN TAKE BETWEEN 4 AND 9 PICS!!! AWESOME ISN'T IT.
AFTER I PUT NEW BATTERIES IN, IT BURNED THROUGH THE NEW ONES JUST TO VIEW THE PICS AND GET THEM ON MY PC

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Rich Watson (Richio) 661 pts

March 5, 2007 2:56 PM

0

What are you doing, buying alkalines? You will die unhappy and broke.

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Angelin 0 pts

April 4, 2007 3:38 AM

0

I have a canon a70 and a Sony Camcorder. With the Canon I had the e18 problem and with the Sony I now have a new error C:31:23.
I found a great answer on a Tech support Community website for the E18 they actually show you step by step information with photos how to fix it. Here is the link for it: http://www.fixya.com/support/t102982-e_18_problem
For my Sony Camcorder I am still waiting for an answer, I hope there is a solution...

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Vener 0 pts

April 7, 2007 2:06 AM

0

I am soo upset with my HP M417 that I will never buy any HP product. Yes, that bad. The camera was driving me crazy. The shutter lag time was so bad that you never shoot whatever you want to shoot....and HP's the easy share program is the worst thing ever happen to me...i lost losts of my babies pcitures...Any how, I tried to communicate with HP Tech support many times. finally I got lucy and reached someone and he understood that there was something wrong with my camera ...DID NOT HELP... While I was speaking with the costumer service I was also checking HP' website to see their web deals....They offered me a refurbished camera without any warranty on it plus I have to pay S&H. OR I can pay more $---- and plus S&H for an upgrate and I can get something else BUT still refirbished. Surprise the same camera was cheaper in their website...When I told that the consumer service represantative he did not know what to say. he told me that their supervisor will be calling me soon. Nobody called me. I called couple of times and finaly I got a supervisor and she was keep yelling at me. I could not take it...I just dumped it to the trash feeling sorry for the enviroment. NO MORE HP...I just want to buy something reliable not only as a camera but also with a good costumer service.....i guess too much to ask...
any way, if you like people yelling at you because you bought their product go ahead and get a HP...

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MoBad 25 pts

April 18, 2007 1:32 PM

0

My Nikon Coolpix 5600 took GREAT photos -- some that I even sold as art -- but waiting between shots (for the camera to wake up) seemed like forever. Not good. Also, it died after 18 months. My next was (still is) a Canon A540, and the photos are muddy and dark. I am NOT impressed with this camera even though the speed and handling are great. I want a camera that takes GREAT shots AND whose functions are fast, tight and easy to manage. Any suggestions?

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lyn (frontranger) 0 pts

April 24, 2007 2:19 PM

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Sony DSCP1. Great camera, only 3.3 MP, but took good pics and was sturdy, actual metal and small enough to toss in a pack or cram in your pocket. I hike, so when I wasn't in the mood for my DSLR, I would pack this. Suddenly it decided that all of my batteries, though fully charged were empty. Found out it was a manufacturing flaw. Called Sony and they said, "Sorry, we've discontinued the free fix." To say the least I was not happy about the lack of support and it worries me, because my latest DSLR is the Sony A100. Just hope nothing major goes wrong or I'll be up the creek, think I'll try another brand in the compact DP&S cameras.
If anyone knows of a repair shop that doesn't want 200 bucks for a fix let me know.
Thanks

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Alan Schamber (alanschamber) 659 pts

April 24, 2007 4:48 PM

2

0

Go for Fujifilm compact cameras... you will understand why I recomend them.

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MoBad 25 pts

April 24, 2007 8:36 PM

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Thanks, lyn and A. Schamber, for the recommendations!

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Vener 0 pts

April 25, 2007 1:24 AM

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the worst camera is HP M417...You cannot even compare anything outside..it basily do not take the picture...the shutter time is almost a minute I guess...so you never shut what ever you want...red -eye redection is a dream..but the worst thing about HP is their costumer service...they consider their costumers as a stupid....no any kind of HP anymoreee...

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lyn (frontranger) 0 pts

April 25, 2007 11:20 AM

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Thanks Alan. I read up alot on cameras,but a review by a site that advertises cameras leaves you wondering what the real folks like and trust. I'll look into Fuji.

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Alan Schamber (alanschamber) 659 pts

April 25, 2007 11:59 AM

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Fuji Super CCDs outperform all compact cameras. They make a usable ISO 1600, with acceptable noise. Much more... in DPreview they compared one of those, with the Nikon D50, with a profesional lens, at ISO 800...
Of course, the Nikon was better... but it was not a huge difference... while it is in price.
Look for Fuji's compact cameras, and you won't be disapointed.
Alan.

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Disappointed 0 pts

April 28, 2007 5:05 PM

0

In 2006, I bought a Vivitar 8300s and shortly thereafter went to Europe to (1) go to Russia for the first time and (2) attend the wedding of a cousin. Immediately we began to notice that the camera had problems taking pictures of people (so it is NO surprise that NONE of the nearly 400 wedding photos was useable). The battery life was extremely short, and while I had been unable to obtain extra batteries from Vivitar (REALLY BAD, and I mean, BAD customer service), I had found a supplier in Canada who was fabulous. Anyway, when we returned home the camera would not download the photos, so I went back to the store from which I purchased the camera and they VERY KINDLY replaced the camera even though it was now 2+ months post purchase. None-the-less, we now are convinced this camera (the Vivitar Vivicam 8300s, not just my camera) CAN NOT take pictures of human faces, they are ALWAYS blurry. It doesn't matter about the lighting, the settings... they are ALWAYS blurry. As already mentioned, the VIVITAR customer service is useless, so I tell EVERYONE about how horrible this camera is and will NEVER buy Vivitar again. Other issues: poor battery life, slow to come on, slow to recharge after flash, slow to focus, & must recharge batteries in the camera. Good points (everybody has them): easy to use and understand the menus, compact size, & optical viewfinder (good because there is NO WAY to see the LCD outside). But, what good is a camera that does not take pictures of people (or animals)?

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Tom 0 pts

May 8, 2007 11:24 PM

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I don't know if it is the worst but I have a Nikon coolpix 3100 that started receiving system and lens errors. It didn't take long to find out that many others have the same problem with various coolpix models. Nikon claims it is an isolated incident. I think maybe isolated only to those who have purchased one???

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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58448 pts

June 12, 2007 1:00 PM

0

Wow, what a great thread. Having personal testimonies on cameras is very important. Too bad we can't put a permanent link to this thread on the front page.

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ClickChic 0 pts

June 16, 2007 8:08 PM

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Skip the HP Photo Smart R967. Simply put... God forbid your camera breaks or you need a repair. They only will replace your new camera with a refurbished one (someone else's headache) and you better get it back to them within a week and a half. They take a credit card number to insure this AND if you don't.. they charge full amt. for the camera!!

The tech service is the WORST in the land of Oz. You can't understand them and they just push you from person to person asking over and over for a case number and your phone number. Just went you think you've landed on with an intelligent.. they farm you over to someone else. Stay away from this camera... all all HP unless you speak Mongo Mongo!! Short lived expensive battery. Easily to break charge dock.. warranty on that only 3 mos. because they KNOW it!! or $68 bucks..not inc. S&H.

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VernJay 0 pts

July 5, 2007 10:44 AM

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I vote for the HP Photosmart 812 which I bought back in Dec. 2002. It has never been a good camera. Poor design: The mode setting ring around the shutter button is too easily moved. The on/off switch positioned right behind the shutter button (leading to missed shots due to inadvertent camera shutdowns), etc..

Camera eats batteries so shooting using the (way too small) LCD as viewfinder is out of the question -- you may get 10 shots before the battery dies. Very poor low light performance. The list goes on...

I know this camera is 5 yrs old, but these problems existed from the start. That's why I'm on this website... looking for a new camera

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Sharin 0 pts

July 15, 2007 10:03 AM

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Cannon Powershot A70 - does it get any worse? First one I owned - I was happy, for maybe 2 years...then...no visual...no new pictures.
Went ahead and bought another one - on e-bay (used - oh boy...what a mistake) - the same thing occurred....Yuck! I will never purchase another Cannon Powershot A70 - that's that!

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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58448 pts

July 16, 2007 7:42 PM

0

Well, if you still have both, you may be able to have them repaired by Canon for free. Check the website for a service advisory regarding defective CCD chips. It occured in several models and Canon states that if your model has one, they will repair it free of charge regardless of warranty status.

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Naomi (Naomi) 101 pts

July 31, 2007 4:28 PM

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I bought the Pentax W20 for its waterproof feature. It is bogus! After 3x exposures to water, it failed. The company says water got into the camera. Huh? Water in a "waterproof" camera? Sad - big company like Pentax and they won't stand by their product.

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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58448 pts

July 31, 2007 6:03 PM

0

Just because it's water proof, doesn't mean you can use it deeper than a few feet and for as long as you want. Water pressure can get by the seals if you go down to around 5-10 feet. And if you have it underwater for longer than a few minutes, water will seep in. The specs are very clear about this.

The only one which allows you to go deeper and for longer is Olympus' water proof camera, which allows you to go down to 33 feet and stay there for up to a half hour.

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Liinda 0 pts

August 3, 2007 5:04 AM

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I got an Olympus D555 with printer for $250. Screen went blank in first month. Returned for new camera, same model. Flash has to recharge before taking picture, so it eats batteries. Sent it in again and they returned "refurbished" Still does the same thing. They will not honor the product, even though it is a design flaw.

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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58448 pts

August 3, 2007 12:56 PM

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If you paid for it with a credit card, you may want to get your credit card company involved. Nothing gets a business's attention more than a chargeback.

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mpaired hal seitz (hal5141) 1213 pts

August 11, 2007 9:20 PM

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I have been blessed w/ with being able to buy six (6) differant digital cameras, since dropping out of the film plane SLR 's a couple years ago.. I have 3 of them left. let me explain ... I got started w/ a HP #827 which came in a package deal w/ a B and W H-P printer. The whole rig, less than $200- Gave it all to my daughter,who has 2 young daughters. she loves it..replaced that with a Kodak C543, which had lots of nice features and was very user friendly.. Gave that to a grand daughter for her 12th B/D and to my inbarisement she has reported her LCD screen had gone dark- it is back at the kodak repair facility currently. The digicam was only 16 months old..next i bought a olympus SD- 350- the hot shoe on top of the viewfinder and threaded lense attracted me to it.. bought the auxiliary tube ,filters, small TTL mated flash. I took photos at friend's daughter's wedding , a very darkened room. The TTL auxiliary flash increased the flash range from 13 feet to about 20 . The WHITE OUT occured with any one within 6 feet of the camera.. This was w/ group photos such as dancing couples, the bridal boquet toss, and the receiving line,etc.. So, this feature is not fool proof.. Even though I had RED EYE blocker feature on, those with blue eyes ,became red eyed- the room just too dark for the camera to compensate-- The camera does not stamp the date on front , and is very journeyman, far from outstanding, in any one mode.. In the macro mode could not get the clarity i wanted in copying old photos.. So, when i saw the canon A710 is ( is for Image Stabilization)getting such nice reviews ,I jumped in. I t is by far the best of the 3 previous digicams i have had. It is precise,user friendly, and loaded w/many wonderful features. Just to name a few- 6x optical zoom, --automatic gyroscope roatating of vertical photos to fill 21/2 inch LCD with no buttons to push ---uses only 2 convienent AA batteries( the lithium ones really last)--date imprint on front of photos,automatically if so desired,.threaded lens ,so w/ a tube, filters can be used, plus a off camera TTL auxiliary flash can be syncronized w/ internal flash. There is a viewfinder, and is pocketable and easy to hold.LOVE IT- BUT ,being inquistive and ever searching for the sublime. I recently purchased a Panasonic DMC TZ-3. Why?? It has 10X optical zoom ( 4x more than the canon A710is) it has a 3" LCD , magnificent, even thou it does away w/ a view finder.. Much easier to view than the 21/2 inch LCD on the A710is. and finally the TZ -3 has 28mm wide angle capability in place of the 36mm on the A710is..- all good reasons. So ,now I have 3 digital point and shoot digicams. THe olympus SD -350 will go as a high school graduation gift to still another grand daughter ( we have 8 of them)-- so i will have 2 distinctly differant digicams in my little camera bag. It is likened to the game of golf as to which camera i will use based on the need - like the golfer choosing the right club to make a shot. The 10X optical zoom and the 28mm wide angle features on the Panasonic TZ-3 are there for those specfic needs,....All the rest , the canon A710is, would be the first choice. Both cameras do MACRO equally well ,so all in all , i feel i have the best of both worlds with versitility of 2 very nice digicams. hal5141

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PJ 0 pts

August 30, 2007 11:15 PM

0

About three weeks ago I bought, from Walgreens, an i733 7.0 mp digital camera from Polaroid. Today I had the pleasant little surprise of my rechargable batteries failing on me. Or rather, running out of its joy-juice. I thought: "no biggie" as usual, and went to FoodLion to get normal batteries as I wasnt near home. Ahem...the camera screeched at me four times, then shut off just as immediately as it had " beeped". I turned the batteries every which-a-way I could, and then realized that my zoom lens was protruding. You can't push those in manually without breaking the camera. The problem with these little guys, is that if the camera recognizes something as 'out of the ordinary' it "recognizes" it as a defect/malfunction. I hope this dissuades anyone from wasting cash on this type of camera. If not...have fun with its' quirks... sadly I have yet to find a good digi-cam for less than three hundred. I have highest respects for people who have the patience to save up for good ones.

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mpaired hal seitz (hal5141) 1213 pts

August 31, 2007 11:13 AM

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if you use lithium batteries the problem is negledgeable- alkaline batteries or any other battery other than lithium, will slow down flash ready to go times.. Lithium batteries ,produce about 4 seconds lag between shots, not bad at all. as batteries are discharged ,increased time will be noticed. BUT even w/ older lithiums., 6 seconds seems like the longest.having more batteries doesn't necessarily increase between flash shots time-- the battery power is aportioned w/i the cameras for many differant functions. The 2 AA batteries in the canonAS710is are long lasting and dependable,as long as you remember the words LITHIUM only.. The ease of use is a big bonus, and carrying spares ,even in a small camera bag is no problem..It is the way to go if you do not want to be encumbered with larger cameras requiring more battery power..wHEN YOU GET DOWN TO IT, YOU CAN OVERPAY FOR A POOR DIGICAM, and you can underpay fora decent digicam..Neither will last indefinately. The nature of the beast is to have breakdowns par for the course. Mainly because of the complexity of the electronics involved, packed into small packages,and easily damaged by a fall, a jolt, or a bang.. I dropped my Panasonic DMC TZ-3 while taking it out of the package , the first day i got it- fell less than 3 feet ,as i was seated- I believe,this fall, knocked out the rotating feature ,or gyroscope like ability to automatically see vertically taken shots full screen by moving the camera 90 degrees. Everyone in this forum, who has a TZ-3 have communicated their rotation is automatic w/ the TZ-3.. I like the camera so much, i hesitate to send it in for repair.. there are so many horror stories, of camera's sent in to the manufacturer for repairs, that were returned with even more and bigger problems. I can live w/ the fact i can not automatically rotate vertical photos for viewing , everything else about the camera is nifty. the 28mm wide angle feature is underestamated by a lot of tyrols ,BUT i t is very useful for group shots, where you can get more detail by remaining as close to the subject as possible.. I have had camera since i started w/ a kodak brownie hawk eye as a teen ager- i have owned a argus C-3 and a nikon FT - I delved into square shot 126 film and tiny film plane 110, i have been enamoured w/ poloroid and 3 D cameras and range finders made my pentex,olympus,canon and nikon. APS was my last love in film plane cameras and i had a number of differant ones. -- all over a period of 60 years.. There were many brekdowns along the way, even without me dropping the camera-- Nikon and canon seemed the most suseptable to break down , over that long period of 60 years of film plane shooting/ about 2 years ago, i got my first digital camera , a small HP model 827- and from that moment on, and graduating to a TZ-3 after upgrading by bits and pieces-- i saw the beauty of digicams over conventional film plane cameras.. THe simplicity and ease , the lack of bulk, the ability to review and discard, the better electronics, the sharp images, the fun of not packing a giant load of accessories, the flexability and range, all improved over film plane cameras.. BUT the reliability question is still a consern to be reconed with- care is needed in handling small units w/ lots of chip info packed in..the lense closing gates are thin and fragile, and must be protected when pocketed-this is a great cause of their failing to open and shut properly. a key or other pocketable item in the same pocket can inflict total ruin to their ability to operate correctly- so here is my great hint to you who keep your P and S digicams in a pocket.. Make sure there is absolutely nothing else in that pocket. reserve a pocket especially for your digicam. no cel l phones, no pens ,no keys, not even a hankerchief-- just the camera and you will not have the heart ache of a lense gate becoming inoperable automatically. simple ,but it works hal5141

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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58448 pts

August 31, 2007 2:14 PM

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PJ, when you say "normal" batteries, that may have led to your demise. And according to the manual, insufficient battery power can lead to the type of issue you talk about.

General purpose batteries and are not designed for the high energy use of digital cameras and the flashes they trigger. As such, I recommend using high energy batteries designed for digital photography. Varta is a good brand. They are usually sold in camera shops, are long lasting (because they are sold in small quantities) put out alot of energy.

At the very least, make sure you are using Alkalines. Specifically, I would go with batteries that are designed for the high energy appetites of cameras in general. Varta is a good brand. They are usually sold in camera shops, are long lasting (because they are sold in small quantities) put out alot of energy.

Specifically, according to Polaroid, the batteries that provide the longest life are:

-- Silver Oxide
-- NiMH (Nickel Metal-Hydride) rechargeable which are rated at 2000 maH or better for AAs

One other thing you may want to do is reset your camera to factory settings. Often this will clear out any unloaded or corrupted firmware which hung up during power on.

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PJ 0 pts

August 31, 2007 5:14 PM

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Hello Mr. DeRuvo,
The associate who acted as head-photography official at the store offered me the rechargable batteries. The batteries that I bought from FL were in fact alkaline. I would reset the camera all together, but the camera will not even turn on to do so. I searched for a small button that would do so outside of the camera to no avail. Is there such a thing? Many thanks, grateful and waiting for reply- PJ

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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58448 pts

September 1, 2007 1:37 AM

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No. Not really. Usually, a reset is done either by removing the batteries and waiting awhile and then reinserting them, or by accessing the reset from the settings menu. If you can't do either to reset it, you're probably looking at having it looked at. Be advised, however, that if it's out of warranty, it may cost more to repair than it is really worth. The rule of thumb is that if the estimate for repair is north of 50% what you paid for it, you're better off taking that money and buying a newer and upgraded model.

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PJ 0 pts

September 2, 2007 4:56 PM

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Thankyou for the tip. I'll take it in, as it was only ten days old and see what they can do for me. This thread is very helpful, I'll send more people to see it. Thanks all!

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Steve Savage 0 pts

September 5, 2007 4:29 PM

0

I love my Fuji S7000 but I'm still unconvinced that their unique CCD layout is superior. The photo looks great but zoomed in the amount of noise is very high even at low ISO levels.

I can't believe anybody still uses alkalines in their digicams. No wonder you have problems, its like trying to start a car with D-cells, they just don' t have the juice digital cameras need.

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PJ 0 pts

September 6, 2007 6:47 PM

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Okay..."use alkalines" "do not use alkalines"....which is the better advice? Just wondering. Thanks all!
Update: Called Polaroid. Within the one year warranty, and as long as you properly answer "no" to all their pre-questions, you are able to get the camera fixed for free. You are charged the shipping and handling TO the company, and they pay for it to be sent back to you. Only down side is that it takes ten to fourteen days to get back to you. Which means unless you have a quick clicker, you're out of those glorious-shot moments. However....the lady that I spoke with 'advised' me to take the camera back to Walgreens (and not mention that it is broken) and ask for an exchange due to malfunction. How they will not be able to tell that something is wrong with it is beyond me (with protruding zoomer) ... but there's the case laid out. -Thanks!

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Barbara 0 pts

September 12, 2007 2:43 PM

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The Canon E18 problem is prevalent in many, many models, not just the A70. I have the Canon powershot s1 IS and the E18 problem/lens stuck started about a year after owning the camera. I remove the batteries, hope and pray it will start again, maybe it does, then it happens again. Looking at the web, I see so many complaints about this and unwillingness of Canon to address it properly that for me, the statement "I will never buy another canon" is a no brainer.

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Rev Jean Rolt 2 pts

October 23, 2007 1:34 PM

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The lesca camera I bought in New York from Embassy Electronics has packed in. I pressed the button to take a pic of my dog and it froze. None of the buttons now work and the green light is on all the time. Help!

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mpaired hal seitz (hal5141) 1213 pts

October 24, 2007 12:48 PM

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never use alkaline batteries -will wear camera parts unnessarily - lithium or better ONLY----- one of the reasons the retractable gate on automatically closing shutter digicams STOPS working is BEAUSE pressure is applied on the outside of them- pressure from other items in camera bag, pressure from finger being pressed against it, pressure from being put in a pocket or pocket book and having other objects press against the closed shutter gate.. The answer is _ store camera separately from any items that might touch the very sensitive retractable gate..Never press on gate with fingers. A protective cap can be placed over the retracted gate to protect it. Porters camera supply has such a item-- just place it over the closed lens housing and remove it ,before a photo op. no tether,so be careful not to misplace it.. obsolescence is the name of the game in the world of electronics ,especially so w/ digicams-- new technology makes you want to switch to it ASAP ( we are all victims of this frenzy to outpreform current items we are using) Every new bell and whistle is a comeon to step up to it...Comman sense is lost in this head long charge to get the current BEST - it is a sign of our times--No reflection, on wards and upwards, to the latest is a halmark of modern day living ... hal5141

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Rev Jean Rolt 2 pts

October 24, 2007 1:36 PM

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I did find some stuff on here that helped. By taking out ther battery I got it going again after I'd replaced it......only to have it freeze again today. I got the bill today. I paid £822 for this.....it hurts!

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Anne R 0 pts

October 30, 2007 8:17 AM

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The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ2 sucks and it keeps on sucking. It doesn't have rechargeable batteries and it eats batteries in about 10 minutes. Its complicated and confusing and it sucks sucks sucks.

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Larry (logcabiny) 4897 pts

October 30, 2007 6:15 PM

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Well, I just read this entire thread, and I really appreciate all the posts which help me get a sense of what to watch out for as I shop for my next camera. However, it seems that no one hates my Minolta Dimage F100 like I do. 1) Easily turns on when you put it in or pull it out of your pocket or camera case because the on-off-function switch rotates easily with almost no detent. If I don't catch it immediately the lens extends and jams against the case causing horrible grinding noises. Amazingly, it still works. 2) Even with Li-Ion rechargeable batteries I can only take 15-20 pictures even without flash and the battery comes out hot. I have 5 batteries I have to carry in order to get near 100 pics. NiMH is even worse. 3) To compound the battery problem, every time you change the battery the date resets to Jan 1, 2002 and has to be reset. At least I can really say I will never buy another Minolta and mean it since it is now Konica-Minolta. The most bothersome thing to me as I search for another digital camera is that this camera and others on this list were touted as wonderful and fantastic when they were reviewed AND no one goes back and changes those reviews after the disaster strikes. You have to go searching elsewhere to find the truth about these cameras. Meanwhile, the glowing reviews stand forever praising this junk. Not Good.

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Thomas S. (digicamdude) 196 pts

November 27, 2007 11:49 AM

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I think the worst camera ever IMO is the Concord Eye-Q Duo 2000. UGGGHHHH. The battery life is like maybe 10 pictures, the images are filled with noise and are very dark, the buttons are unresponsive, and the screen is horrible.

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Geoff Markson 0 pts

November 30, 2007 9:39 PM

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I have to agree with others about Fuji's A series cameras. They are the biggest piece of crap ever. A345, A350, A360 and others have many, many problems. Coincidentally, they are Chinese made. One month after purchase, mine died. It turned off immediately after turning on. NEVER AGAIN!

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Naomi (Naomi) 101 pts

January 11, 2008 5:10 PM

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More on my Pentax issue. Long story short. Pentax can't decide if they will fix my camera under warranty. Sent check. Camera was returned unrepaired with packaging slip many months ago saying it can't be fixed. So, three months later I finally received a response on my refund. Pentax response: Check was mailed in October. Returned camera postmark is November. Someone at Pentax is not being truthrul. Don't buy Pentax!!!!

I also have an Olympus 770SW. Screen stopped working. So, I mailed it to Olympus. Camera was returned repaired within 3 weeks! Good Job Olympus.

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Gary 2 pts

January 13, 2008 6:26 AM

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The worst cameras are Pentax and the most incompetent repair service is Pentax. I have an issue with them that has been going on for months now after my DL2 failed for the fourth time. It had been "repaired" three times by Pentax and I was not going to waste time on a fourth as I considered it beyond repair, so I returned it to the shop who returned it to Pentax. Pentax sent a K100D in exchange, only the product card had a different serial number on it to the one on the camera. It was obviously a reconditioned item, and I'd had so much incompetence from Pentax with them failing to repair the DL2 that I could not accept anything they had repaired so I refused it. I contacted the shop's head office who contacted Pentax who told them they would send a new K100D. I went to my local shop to collect it, only there was the same discrepancy, different serial numbers. I'd been sent another reconditioned item which again I refused. The shop manager then went to the back of the shop obviously so I couldn't hear him and phoned their head office. He came back and gave me the offer of choosing another camera at the value of the one I'd refused, £330. I could not decide at such short notice as I was not having another Pentax and I still have two Pentax lenses that came with the DL2 which I no longer want or need. I wrote to the head office again telling them this and that I would like them to take the lenses as well and let me choose a Canon or Nikon or give me some financial refund as my interest in photography has lessened considerably thanks to my big mistake of wasting money on a Pentax.

If you have a Pentax and it goes wrong, don't expect too much help from them. They don't like helping out and will do as little as they can. They did this with me on two occasions by sending the reconditioned junk they wanted to get rid of instead of a new camera.

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Larry (logcabiny) 4897 pts

January 13, 2008 12:19 PM

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I have been reading posts on this forum for long enough now to conclude at lest one overall message about buying any new camera. It is a big "must do" to check out the company's return/exchange policy before purchasing. Any brand digital camera can arrive brand new and defective. We must be able to return the camera for cash money/credit card refund or at least be able to exchange the defective camera for a new (not refurbished) camera of another brand/model/size/cost/whatever. It is clearly worth paying just a little more $ to be able to walk back into the store and exchange a camera than to have to deal with the manufacturer on a warranty issue for at least the first 30 or even 90 days. It can easily take more than 30 days to figure out what is going on with a digital camera especially if it is your very first one.
Summary: The store's exchange/refund policy is just as important as anything else about the camera.

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Kurt 0 pts

March 11, 2008 5:28 PM

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i733 polariod. lens stuck out, now I have 2 of these @#$%^& cameras witht he lens stuck half out and both are inoperative...dead. LEDs flash when turned on but no go...camera won't turn on and lens stays half out. Anybody gotta fix for it? Polariod acts like it's never happened before and will not offer assistance with warranty (less than a yr old) because of scratches on case...any ideas out there?

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Jamie Hamilton 3 pts

March 23, 2008 6:18 PM

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Any Olympus FE camera SSSSSSSSUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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amy mrylian 1 pts

March 26, 2008 12:46 AM

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1

the polaroid i733 camera sucks the lens is stuck out crooked and i still have warrenty but i dont have the recipte so they will not fix it.

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andrew nz 1 pts

April 4, 2008 7:59 AM

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olympus fe 310 sound is crap,cant auto focus easily,service agents a bannana head,nogood in low light.im of to by a kodak z1275.

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hater 0 pts

May 17, 2008 4:01 AM

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HP m407! this cam is a sh**.. has battery issues and stuffs.. i can't upgrade the firmware coz it hungs up.

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mpaired hal seitz (hal5141) 1213 pts

May 17, 2008 9:12 AM

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the best advice ever- low ball price quotes on new digicam equipment abound from many deceptive advertizing practice dealers who all have the same hours- CLOSED ON SATURDAY and all located in the NYC area ( Brooklyn,ie) -- beware in dealing with these less than honest sellers. They ALL practice UPSALES to the point where you can not get the original equipment you ordered from them for the price they show on the internet. They tell you it has no USA quarentee ,and try to sell you their quarentee, they tell you the product was made for the asian market ,so you may not have ENGLISH modes and que's, they tell you the battery suppied only lasts 20 minutes, and try to sell you a overpriced battery. They tell you YOU should have a memory card worthy of the digicam .Of course all htis at inflated prices. Their business ethic is very poor, and close to white collar thievery-- On top of that ,if you are not receptive to their phone reps aggressive saelling tacts, they turn bellicose, and tell you the order is cancelled .You could be in mid sentence and thewy will hang up on you.. Most disconcerting and unacceptable.. As a potencial customer you deserve much better treatment - the least of which is HONESTY at the marketplace. Deceptive low ball ads and then UPSALING aggressively are the twin hallmarks of these fanagalers-- Stay away, unless --you like to taken and /or like to be insulted.. If the price seems to good to be true , then it isn't true should be your watch words.. Remember, these Charletons all have the same hours. Check out their AVAILABILITY hours-- If it is CLOSED ON SATURDAY - beware, these are the prime perfertrators of the above inappropriate business ethics. hal5141

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Phil 0 pts

September 13, 2008 6:10 PM

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You've only got to look at the number of broken compact cameras that are for sale on ebay to realise that most modern digital cameras from any manufacture are a load of crap. All you see are broken LCD's (never happened with the smaller sizes), stuck or broken zoom lenses, etc. none of them are made to last even the guarantee period - I bought a 50mm EF prime lens for a Canon SLR off ebay faulty - it fell apart when I took it out of the box - I just had to laugh at the flimsy plastic bits holding it together.
What happened to those lovely brass/aluminium lenses you got in the 70's/80's?? Camera bodies were made from alloy (at least my 10D is) and if the lens falls apart I can just fit another to it - AND THE SCREEN IS SMALL SO IT WON'T BREAK WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT!!
I spent many years repairing cameras in the 80's but now they are just disposable items.

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daina 0 pts

November 8, 2008 12:05 AM

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I never thoguth I would add this since I have owend an Olympus 35mm - however, I made the misake of buying an Olympus FE340 - within 3 moths it needed lens repair - I lost photo ops on a wonderful vacation - the company would NOT replace the camera, but required that I send it in for repair - it was out of my hands for over 2 weeks - within 2 months it needed repair again - the volume on 'movie clips' went out - again they told me I had to send it in for repair - each time I had to pay for the mailing - they insisit on repairing instead of just replacing - this is such poor customer service for a camera that is 7 mos old

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bobby 0 pts

November 11, 2008 7:38 PM

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i think the worst camera ever is clear view by envision

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bobby 0 pts

November 11, 2008 7:40 PM

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why is because it drains ur batteries as soon as u put it in and the picture is horrible and it is soo hard to find a drivers for it

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Ann-Marie 1 pts

November 19, 2008 12:47 AM

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Sony's Cyber-shot!!!!! Awful!!! Takes blurry pictures!!

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Jenn 0 pts

May 22, 2009 1:36 PM

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Nikon is, by far, the absolute most horrible, worst camera ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Never ever will I buy a Nikon again. I purchased a Nikon S550 and I absolutely have not gotten a clear picture yet. I've had camera gurus adjust settings to try to fix the quality - to no avail.
My 14-year old Sony which uses teh original Memory Stick (not Duo) takes better pictures than it.

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eryn 0 pts

June 16, 2009 6:06 PM

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my mom bought a polaroid pdc 5080 from the dollar store. crazy lady. worst piece of crap camera ever.

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norbert g. 0 pts

September 13, 2009 11:23 AM

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I own a really bad dxg camera that takes grainy pictures and uses up its battery life in an hour. was 99 bucks from the department store, but it totally wasn't worth it.

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What is the worst digital camera ever?

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