Thank you Amy Smith for the suggested fix to Memory Card Error on S400. Our Canon S400 camera worked non-stop since May 2003 and suddenly we started getting Memory Card Error last week. We found your fix, also had to re-format the card two times and the problem is solved !!! Thanks a lot again!

I really love this camera. Compact camera and clear photos !!
Recently I had problem with it as a couple of photos taken were disappeared and later it showed "memory card error". When I got information from a review by Ami Smith ( dated 7/14/07), I too worked on it and solved the problem. In fact I could again see the photos taken earlier. Thanks Amy Smith for the posting as it helped me a lot. Also thanks to the website for keeping these informations.

Canon factory service fixed "memory card error" problem very quickly at absolutely no charge to me, not even for shipping. The camera (PowerShot S400) was shipped to Cannon (via UPS airbill emailed to me), repaired and shipped back (via FedEx) all free of charge. Incredible service!

There is a tech advisory on this unit. If you are experiencing the "Memory Card Error" problem with your S400, call Canon. They will fix/replace the camera at no charge, regardless of warranty status.

A very good reason to make your next camera a Canon also!

As suggested in an earlier post:

- Removed the CF card
- Held down 'Menu' key until I could reset to factory default settings
- Popped in card
- Formatted it
- Restarted camera.

Well, it didn't work for me & not wanting to unscrew all the tiny screws and open up my camera
I just reformatted the card a 2nd time. This time it worked! What a relief!

Bought this S400 3 yrs ago. I like it. Takes great pictures and movie clips. But all of the sudden the video part of it stopped working. I am really disappointed because I really like that feature. Then now I'm getting memory card errors too. My expectation is that this camera will last more than just 3 years. I don't know if I will buy another cannon camera because of this problems.

I love the size, ease of use, and image quality of the camera.
I have experienced the "Memory Card Error" issue mentioned by other users. I will be sending the camera back to Canon to have fixed and look forward to having it repaired. I have taken MANY pictures and they are all very, very good. The error message not withstanding, I recommend this camera.

I really like this camera. I got it used from my friend. It's been dropped on the ground at least couple times. I used for my long extended trip. No problem. Took excellent pictures. Until two months ago, it started to get the memory card error. Thanks for this site. I followed Faisal Mohmand's instruction and sent my camera to Canon. It's repaired now with no charge. I'm very happy.

I have been getting this error since Nov 2005. It goes away when I pop in a fully charged battery. I have bought an extra battery and extra flash cards so I can try the formatting and re-booting tricks too, w/o losing any images. One of the suggestions out here always seems to work (new cards, re-booting, formatting, newly charged batteries) but it is a real pain and I am always wondering if the next fix will work. Have been happy w/this equipment but for this issue.

I just pull the card out while it is still on and push it back in immediately and it seems to reset itself and work. Sometimes it may work for several pictures and then read error again, just keep doing it every time. that's what I'm doing now.

Great Camera and E18 Error Code easy to fix ( - 5/31/06)

The earlier reviewer suggested this and it worked for me.

""I got the dreaded E18 error code and was about to send my camera off until I google'd the error code and found a quick fix - turn camera back on and twist the lens - it will snap back into place, but don't over force it - IT WILL SNAP into place but you need to try a couple times first!...""

They fixed it free of charge. I had to pay shipping. Of course it broke while I was on vacation so I had to buy another camera anyhow. The camera is great when it works. I'm irritated that I paid a premimum for a camera that has a known defect. Sorry Canon, you can't hide defects in the internet age.

i love this camera. it is everything i wanted in a camera...lots of features for the non-pro photographer without being overwhelming. we recently experienced to infamous memory card error message and found out that Canon would fix it for free. they are aware of the problem and are fixing these cameras regardless of your warranty status, they even pay the shipping. the camera was back in just under 2 weeks.
although i wish we didn't have to experience this problem, i am very happy with Canon's service.

This was a great camera until I started to see the "memory card error". Not it is just a fancy hunk of junk. I recommend against Canon Powershot cameras for this reason.

I was frustrated with the memory card error, until I followed Faisal Mohmand comments and links on 8/15/06. Thanks for the tip. Sent my camera to Canon, got it fixed and updated the firmware, all for free!! Canon even replaced other parts that were not needed, everything way beyond their call of duty. What a great company.

We bought this camera 4 years ago, and it has been wonderful. We got underwater housing and took many amazing dive shots, until the dreaded memory card error. Tried the format, tried restoring default settings, didn't work. As suggested, took the camera apart, reset internal battery, and in 15 minutes the camera works like new again. Thanks for taking the time. I'm happy now!

Those of you out there who think your precious photos are gone, well, they're not!!! We just got back from 10 days in Peru. Over 100 of the 200 photos we took there were gone due to the dreaded "Corrupted data" error, including ALL our photos of Machu Picchu! I was crushed. Then the tech support desk at Canon told me about a number of flash recovery downloads, including: www.flashfixers.com. I paid the $39 for the software, downloaded it, and, AMAZING! All but 3 of our precious photos were restored. I am so happy!

Stay away from Canon...

This camera has been great until recently when I started getting the "Memory Card Error". I came across the Canon Service Notice which recognizes this as a Canon Issue with the S400. They are stepping up to the plate and will repair the camera free of charge, even if it's out of warranty (they even pay for shipping!). The link is http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=PgComSmModDisplayAct&fcategoryid=223&modelid=8777&keycode=2112&id=27465. Hope this helps.

Foz

Thanks to this page, I was able to get my S400 working again. I unscrewed all of the tiny screws on the camera, took off the front and back casing, then while looking at the lens I peeled back the shield at the bottom right, reset the battery and reassembled the camera. Voila! It worked. I highly recommend this trick if nothing else fixes the memory card error.

Buy another brand - this is not a reliable camera

I love this camera. It has served me very well for the pass almost 3 years. I've used it for both of my children's births and have thousands of high quality pictures of the first years of their lives. I have printed and framed pictures taken with this camera. They look super sharp and very detailed.

One comment I've read complained about 'Fuzzy Focus and slow Picture Taking' These can both be attributed to a dirty camera. How can the auto focus see if the picture is sharp if its lens and sensors are smudged with dirt?

CLEAN YOUR CAMERA! It will focus faster and more accurate after, trust me.

I got the dreaded E18 error code and was about to send my camera off until I google'd the error code and found a quick fix - turn camera back on and twist the lens - it will snap back into place, but don't over force it - IT WILL SNAP into place but you need to try a couple times first!

My first experience of losing images was on our honeymoon in Paris (10/2004). I was using a 512 MB PNY CF card. The camara was 10 months old at the time. After 4 days and 150+ pictures, all of a sudden I got a "memory card error" and "corrupted data" message. I took the camara to a Parisian camara shop and the guy was able to rescue about half of my pictures. Mona Lisa...gone, American cemetary at Normandie beach...gone. The shopkeeper asked if I formated the card, and I did not. I thought I learned my lesson so I have formatted ever since. Fast forward to 6/2006. Presently I am in NYC and I just got the dreaded "card error" after 200+ pictures. The camara is now 2.5 years old. I think all my pics are lost :( This camara (s400) is great, but the two vacation experiences have tainted me forever.

As suggested in earlier posts, I was able to fix the Memory Card Error by doing the following:

- Removed the CF card
- Held down 'Menu' key until I could reset to factory default settings
- Popped in card
- Formatted it
- Restarted camera.

I was amazed... worked like a charm!

OK, nothing new to report here, but wanted to weigh in as yet ANOTHER person who has run into the dreaded "memory card error" and successfully fixed. I had the same pattern as others where I could get it to work for a short time by reformatting the card, rubbing the contacts, etc.

Was on the verge of dumping the thing (as much as I loved it's convenience) when I found a posting about removing and reinserting the small internal "watch" battery. Has worked like a charm for several months since applying that remedy! I love both the convenience and the picture quality of this camera, so I'm thrilled to have it working again.

One word of warning to those who must replace the rechargeable Li-Ion battery. DO NOT buy any cheap replicas — buy only reputable replacements. I bought a cheapo battery on eBay for our cell phone, and it exploded one night as it was charging. It was $2000 worth of damage to our house, but luckily no one was hurt. Not worth tempting fate on these, as they do not pass quality inspections from overcharging! Lesson learned....

The camera looks very good. It gives great pictures. But after some time may be a year or 2 it will suddenly stop working. This is the problem I'm facing currently after one and half years after buying it. One of my friends faced same problem with different model of Canon.

Love my camera, but I also ran into the memory card error. Tried reformatting, didn't work... however, after reading the review on this forum where the user called the rest of us "cry babies" I decided to try again.
And again.
And again.
Until my memory card showed that it was 100% empty. And suddenly my camera was working again. If that changes, you can be sure I'll be back to comment.

Here is the real memory card fix.

If you've gotta keep fixing it and you cannot use it when you need it, why have it at all.

Buy something other than a Canon.

I love this camera, and I was getting the "memory card error" also, here is what you do...take your camera apart, and when looking directly at the camera, as if you are the one who would be in the picture, look on the bottom right hand corner of the camera, peel back the protective cover and you'll see a small watch battery...Take this battery out, and put it right back in. Reassemble your camera and enjoy :-)...I'm SOOO happy, I did it last night and everything is awesome!

I love this camera. I've taken 1000's of pics but recently the dreaded memory card error. Initially I thought it was because I had a 512mb Sandisk card and it was nearly full and I took several minutes of video, reviewed the video later that night then the next day went to review it again and MEMORY CARD ERROR. Most annoyed. Lost a lot of pics but bought a card reader and recovered some, but none of the video. Formatted the card in the camera and began taking photos again. Worked ok for a while then the error came back again. It seemed to go away if I would turn off the camera for a while. Keep turning the camera back on until it would read the card, then I'd download the pics quickly as dont feel safe storing them on the card anymore. I believe one of the first posts in this forum - it must be the battery as I have changed cards (putting in the original 32mb canon card that came with the camera) and the error is still there. But it seems to help when I persist with the camera, pull out the battery and put it in again, and then it seems to work fine once it has taken a pic and stored it, it will take lots more and store them too. not willing to throw this camera away, its too much of a worthy travelling companion but I still feel annoyed that it can come up with the error when it wants which can be a highly inconvenient moment when you only have a few seconds to take a pic.....

I tried the format and the take out the battery then replace it fix and it's still not working
Guess I'll need to replace the battery...

Hello guys!I hope somebody will help me!I received a 16Mb MMC card with my camera!It works just fine!Today i bought a brand new SD 256MB PQI 45X card!It worked too until i tried to make a clip!After maximum 10 seconds timer stops and a memory card error appears!Interesting is that if i move the camera while filming the error appears emediately!I tried to format it,changed the batteries but nothing worked!My only hope is to try the canon tools and to format the card by PC!
Please let me know if you've had the same or similar problem and if you know how to solve it help me!Please excuse me for possible mistakes!My mother language is not English!Thank you!->Vassil

Just like everyone else...2 years and kaput. Great camera until now. It was lightly used over the previous 2 years. This should not happen to a $500 camera after so little use!

Receive this camera for a gift last year and not used much. Then the dreaded memory card error. I called technical department. The guy wasn't any help at all. Wanted me to upgrade for 199.00 for another camera, which he said it was refurbished or get it repaired for 119.00. I ask the person for the receipt and she don't have it. She paid 499.99 .You guys are not fair .You spend 499.99 for a camera and then up grade for a rebuilt camera for another 200.00 now you have 700.00 in a camera that maybe will work .

I have tried all the remedies suggested like formatting in the camera , or on the computer and also not formatting on the camera but the error crops up as soon as a photo is taken. The error goes away but comes back after taking one snap.

The camera took good pictures. After 1 1/2 years of easy camera useage, I started having an intermittent problem. I would take several pictures, later, I would power up my camera and receive image errors and memory card errors. I tried 3 different memory cards and I got the same message. I took it to the Canon service depot. The service person took the battery out put it back in and the camera worked. Tried it a few days later same problem. I took it to the Canon service depot in Mississauga and I was told for $220 they would fix the camera. I said no thanks. I plan to purchase a new camera, higher MB pixels then fix a lemon. My experience with Canon was poor and I certainly will not purchase another Canon product.

Memory card error problems started during trip to Brazil. Lost all pics. Worked intermittently since then but now have lost Christmas pics. Now going to use camera as a target on the firing range. Tried various solutions with unreliable results. Don't buy this camera. No more canon products for me.

I was pretty happy about the camera until the Memory card error arrived. I tried all the tricks suggested here and nothing has worked.

I had the same so-called "memory card corruption" problems. It has nothing to do with the SD cards, it is your rechargeable battery.
Order a new rechargable batter from J&R or Cal Cellular - you will be back in business in no time.

I can't believe all of the cry babies out there. Has anyone dialed Canon 24/7 Free technical support at 1-800-828-4040.

To fix the memory card error problem on the S400:

1. Go to menu
2. Go to middle icon "set up"
3. Scroll down five steps until you get "format"
4. Press the "set button"
5. Go to OK
6. Press the "set button"
7. Restart camera

Note that you will lose pictures that are stored on disc. The Canon Help Desk can also help you walk through the "manual" mode of your camera - so that you can take pictures like a pro.

We bought this camera 18 months ago. Now it is giving us the memory error problem every five or six pictures after which we have to reformat the CF card. After checking the web and finding out that this is a known problem and that it is hopeless to fix it with Canon's help. We won't bother contacting Canon, we will just stop buying any of their products! The SD550 looks intersting but since we can't trust Canon we will probably buy the new Nikon.

DO NOT BUY THIS CAMERA for your own good.

I have an S400 which was a gift from my sister back in late '03. On my suggestion, after reading rave reviews on the S400, she bought one for herself too ($400 x 2).

Now, since Jul/Aug '05, I am getting the E50 error message and the "memory card error" which means I can't take pics. I can't reformat the card with the camera, it doesn't work. Haven't gotten the E18 (lens retraction failure) on my S400, but after doing some research, I wouldn't be surprised if that starts to show up too.

I can't believe that after all the problems people are having with Canon cameras, all what seem to be common problems, (E18, E50, E51, "memory card error", etc.),that Canon takes such a position to charge for their lack of quality control. I think we should all sue Canon for knowingly selling products that are faulty. We should also report Canon to the BBB.

Put a faulty product out there, and charge for the repair? Now that's a profitable business it seems to me, even if it's not morally correct. Imagine if auto makers did that?

There is a lawfirm called Girard Gibbs & De Bartolomeo LLP based in San Francisco, I believe. Do a search on any search with that firm name and "Canon" and you will led to a investigation survey. They are investigating consumer complaints concerning Canon PowerShot digital cameras

Sue, sue, sue!!!! They only seem to listen when you hit them in the pockets, don't ya think?

Guys as I hear from people that everyone is getting Memory Card Error after 2yrs. I would like extend my help. please try this.
Actual problem is with the OS you are using. If you use windows XP picture reader or explorer to read pictures from your camera instead of canon utilities windows will try to format the memory card in order for it to be able to read. I also faced the same problem. When I used the camera after disconnecting it I got Memory Card Error. Then I tried to read(immediately without going for formatting) my camera using canon utilities it's fine now.Try it hopefully it should work. Good luck. Don't get panicked. Ask google he will show you the way to heaven :-)
Thanks,
Sunil

Pictures are great but it's just too slow.
Also I did get the dreaded memory error. I was at a loss. Changed CF cars. Nothing until the reset option listed in various posts including this one. Unfortunately did lose some nice family pics.

I've had other canons in the past but this is the last one.

I've joined in the class action suit against Canon....first I purchased new batteries, then new cards, I tried the hair drier trick, I tried every recommended trick. My only consolation: I had purchased a five year warranty.....and I'm sending the camera in to be dealt with!!!

i've never added to one of these forums - but i feel compelled. i also have the memory card error - none of the tricks to fix it have worked - yet another useless silver canon brick...i would recommend against buying canon - this is clearly not an occasional issue

that was a fine camera until I started getting the "memory card error" a few days ago. tried the tricks suggested in some other reviews, changed the card, changed tha battery, and still not working. Canon is totally irresponsive so far; and I certainly expect a $400 device to last more than 2 years.

We've been really happy with this camera. Very comapct, takes great pictures. We ran into the dreaded E18 issue last week. Fortunately thanks to google we found a fix. Apparently the lens mechanism got stuck and needed some gentle persuasion. If you search the Forums at CNet for "Canon" & "E18" you should see the thread.

I paid $450 for the thing when it first came out, was great but after 15 months I was getting memory card error and lost pictures. I bought a new CF card and this happended again. Don't buy this product! For me, I'll stay away from Cannon.

9 monthsHad this camera for 9 months, very good pics but got the E18 error, canon dealer here in israel wants 300$ to fix it, didn't repair it, instead bought an olympus camera that is better....checked in forums and many complain about the E18 error, my God, why buy canon at all if they continue to sell these unreliable junk cameras?

My canon is a Powershot S45 but i also had the cfi card error message. I found this fix (previous post) and it actually Fixed the problem! I have my camera (and the pics on the cf card) back!!! I will repost the fix here (Note: You have to Hold down the menu key and keep holding it until you see the reformat screen:

Fixed Memory Card Error - might work for you... (DCHQ)

Got the Memory Card error, promptly at 18 months. Rather than trying to convince Canon to take its thumb out of its ass, I tried the following, after reading a review on Amazon.com:

- Removed the CF card
- Held down 'Menu' key until I could reset to factory default settings
- Popped in card
- Formatted it
- Restarted camera.

It worked.

Now, I'm assuming my CF wasn't jacked after all, but it might be worth a shot for you. Luckily, I had downloaded all images. I have a 256k Scandisk.

Hope this helps.

I have owned this camera for three days but was only able to use it for a couple of hours. This camera was shipped to me late in the day Friday October 28, 2005. The following morning (Saturday October 29, 2005) I read through the owners manual and charged the battery as stated in the manual. Later that evening around 7:00 pm I brought my new camera with me to a friends house to try it out. Within about two hours and having only took about eight pictures, the camera lens would not retract, the camera will not take pictures, and the only thing that appears on the screen is the Error code E18. Since there is no mention of this particular error in the owners manual or a reason for the error occurring, I have turned to the internet to determine the problem. I have found that this is a common problem and that many others have had their camera break down in a similar manner in a similar amount of time with normal use of the camera. I am very unhappy with it and plan on getting a refund.

it seems i have the same problem as all the other canno s400 owners crap canon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Remove CF card then push CF card harder and fast. I was able to correct the problem. It works most of the time. Hope this will help you.

have had these problems since day one but thought it was bad memory cards, have spent alot of $ on cards and tried to get help from canon but they were no help. I can buy a new cam for what I can send it in for. Have read all over the net about the same issue. Hope someone makes Canon pay for this one. This is a rip-off!

I too started seeing memory card errors after about 21 months. For me, I got the error, kept trying, and eventually the camera came on, but all photos (218 of them) were apparently gone. I took many more photos. I was able to recover the lost photos (and the new ones) by putting the CF card into my HP PSC 1350 all in 1 printer and copying them using Windows Explorer.
Another time, the camera wouldn't even turn on, but I was able to get the photos out the same way.

Just wanted to add my experience. It was a great camera but now it is worthless. I am dissapointed by Canon's response to this problem. I have to date standardized on Canon for all my film and photo requirements. No More.

This is the first time after a little over 3 yrs of owning this camera to get that memory card error. Luckily I still had some photos of my 93 yr old grandma and me on a recent visit, but was unable to take some of my 96 yr old grandpa afterwards. I was too scared to lose the ones I already had so we switched the card out for the 32MB one I had with us. This is annoying. I'm still trying to fix this memory card error. I guess after reading everyone else's reviews, I've had the best run for my money.

I also am getting the memory card errors after 1.5 years and it is a $500 paper weight.

I have had great success with my camera. It takes as good, if not better pictures than my large, $500, automatic Canon I had before this one and is so much easier to use. I still haven't learned to use everything there is to use, but what I have is a lot of fun, easy, compact and I have had no troubles with it at all. I use it a lot in my business and on trips and could not be happier.

The only thing I wish the camera had more of is zoom capacity. The memory card problem was solved by buying an inexpensive card reader and formatting the card from Windows Explore. Other than that issue it's been a durable and fun camera to use.

Same thing with other owner, also have memory card error, even buy a new memory card, but still get the same error message, we should sue canon

Eighteen month after purchasing the camera the The problems started with memory card error. I changed memory card and in the beginning it helped to some extent. Now, nothing helps and the camera is useless. It is irritating that such an expensive camera is lost.

WOW!!!! This is the first day with this camera and im getting an E18 error!! I paid almost 400 for this thing! Im going to give them HELL tommrow at best buy....

Loved the camera till E18 popped up. I'll never buy another canon also. what a waste of money. my ancient minolta diamage still works after a 3 year haitus.

Well, this camera was fine until I got the "Memory Card Error". It appears to have lasted me more than anyone else's (25 months), however, I hardly consider myself lucky since I bought it when it first came out and paid $480 for it.

I know own a Minolta Dimage Z10 that I was forced to buy while on vacation, thanks to the "reliability" of the Canon S400. Canon, never again.

Got the Memory Card error, promptly at 18 months. Rather than trying to convince Canon to take its thumb out of its ass, I tried the following, after reading a review on Amazon.com:

- Removed the CF card
- Held down 'Menu' key until I could reset to factory default settings
- Popped in card
- Formatted it
- Restarted camera.

It worked.

Now, I'm assuming my CF wasn't jacked after all, but it might be worth a shot for you. Luckily, I had downloaded all images. I have a 256k Scandisk.

Hope this helps.

After 2 year , I have a memory card error .I've checked Canon Web site to check firmware update : I've the last one. For 2 month now I can't use this camera and I've lost many pictute .Canon should take more about their client .Up to know I bought only Canon but now I'll change !

I really enjoyed this camera too, while it worked. I have had it 1 year and 8 months, and like everyone else here, I've gotten the fated memory card error. After reading everyone else's reviews I am afraid getting it repaired may not be cost-effective and I might just have to buy a new camera. What a bummer and a waste of $400. I thought this camera would last me at least 3 years.

I now of course have the infamous MEMORY CARD ERROR, decided to google it and was amazed at the hundreds of people that have had the same problem with this piece of crap. Called Canon, and to no surprise, Canon customer service person never heard of this 'MEMORY CARD ERROR'. Big Surprise! I think a class action lawsuit needs to be filed here, then maybe Canon will wake up.

How devasted I was when my pictures from New Orleans and the US Open disappeared because of a memory error. I even changed the CompactFlash. I thought the problem was me. Now I know that is not the case. This is so disappointing. Im trying to find a fix for this but my pictures are gone and my money is down the drain. I just really need these memorable pictures back. I cant use the reader either to view the pictures. Its like my pictures have been wiped out!! This is very upsetting.

I really hate this camera for a number of reasons.
1. The camera doesn't work anymore after 15 months of operation. 'Memory Card Error' E51. I've tried a different battery and new memory card. Checked the pins. Checked for updates. I lost some good pictures including my son's birthday.
2. The autofocus is unreliable. Sometimes, I can't get it to focus on the subject. It focuses on other things around the subject.
3. I can't take pictures at weddings of brides walking down the aisle. The camera doesn't go off until the bride passes.
4. I can't take pictures of my son's assemblies at school. I can hold the picture take button down and it will never go off. Additionally, if it finally does, which will be way past the time of the picture you tried to frame, it's not focused.
5. The time lag for picture taking is too long if you are trying to photograph children. You will have a hard time getting your shot unless your kid is a real poser. But forget the candid moments.
6. As far as macro is concerned, sometimes I get a great closeup in my garden with great detail. Othertimes it will refuse. Why? I don't know because there is nothing in the manual about it.

I won't buy another Canon.

I got a standard canon 32mb flash card with my s400, then upgraded to a 256mb Sandisk. A year and a half later I have memory card errors and I have to format the card after every picture. Its really very disappointing. I will contact them to see what the problem is.

I have had my Canon S400 Camera for approximately 1.5 years and everything worked fine. The camera took good pictures and the battery life was great.

I was in Vegas with my wife and had the camera in it's protective case. When we asked the waiter at the table to take a picture of us on our honeymoon, he went to power the camera on. This when we first got the E18 Error Code. I contacted Canon and they told me to take the camera into an authorized repair dealer. I was told that it was cost about $400 CAD to fix the lens motor. I was outaged seeing I had paid $650 CAD for the camera 1.5 years earlier!

I will never buy another Canon camera again!

The Canon S400 sucks! Don't buy one unless you are ready to loose your photos to the abyss of MEMORY CARD ERROR.

We loved the picture quality of the Canon S400, until we got an E18 error message after only 5 months of use. Canon repaired the camera, but the error message is back a year later. We did not dish out $460 to buy a camera that barely lasts 1.5 years! Will never buy a Canon again.

Im really p.o.'d at this piece of crap. I have lost so many awesome pics because of the memory card error. I have replaced the card three times, and still, it keeps going bad. Canon is going to hear from me!

I am not alone I guess. Everytime I think that the memory card error is going to go away, it comes back. Can this thing be fixed? Next time I will not buy a Canon -

Don't buy this camera! It's awesome for a year and half, then becomes useless.

what a piece of crap. I cant believe cannon will still sell this product! I have to say the tech support people seems to be oblivious of this error and said he doesn't even know a single person who has reported this. This must be part of the training to tell customers that their product is a nice and good even though its not! At least acknowledge the freakin problem. Sheesh...if you want to flush 400 down the toilet be my guess and buy this piece of junk

My camera is killed by the memory card error as well. Very disappointing. Bought a new memory card, which of course didn't solve the problem. I'll try to contact canon and see what they can do.

E18 has arrived right on time - 18 montes after purchase.
I didn't realize this was a disposable camera when I forked over 400 bucks. Very disappointing Canon.

I've had the S400 for about 2 years and tool thousands of photos (I lost count). No memory card errors, no lens error, no error of any sort! The only problems I have concern the longer than expected shutter lag (not a big deal for me since my photography is mainlt portraits or scenery and only average low light capabilities (though I've taken the odd stunning natural light protrait). All in all, the best image quality you'll find in the p&shoot category.

after 2 yrs of use, the memory card error suddenly appeared. it's definitely not the memory card problem since it's the same error for all my memory card. did a google search, and many users have had similar problems. very disappointed and will never buy a canon again.

The camera is a nifty little package that is loaded with features, but you need to have you subjects hold a smile for up to 7 seconds at times to take a picture. The response of the software is to slow to use effectively. Now, after 20 months, the camera has a "memory card error". I've replaced the expensive 256 meg high speed memory card, but the camera still has the problem. Now that I search the Internet, I see that hundreds of people have the same problem, but Canon refuses to do anything about it. I think we need to take class action.

jeez laweez - I thought it was just my camera was a lemon - now I see the whole LINE is lemony. I'm going to buy a Sony DSC-P200. Canon - I will never trust you again - esp. if it costs between 150-300 to get that error fixed - for that price I buy a new camera and say good bye to Canon.

Memory card error has killed my Canon AS400 today and any future plans for buying a Canon. Canon you failed to provide a dependable camera. I will not buy another Canon!

I have had the camera 1.5 years, and like MANY other people who posted here, the camera has memery card a problem. Yesterday the problem popped up, and Canon wants $150-300 to fix it. Ungrading (trading in my S400) to a refurbished S500 (which there is a 2 week wait for) is $200, so that seems to be my best bet.

Although I am going with the S500 (because I'm already hooked in with my faulty S400)...I recommend against these two models, just to be safe. I am very disspointed in Canon. Up until now I have ONLY bought Canons (the S500 will be my fourth) but this is the last Canon that I will eb purchasing. If I hadn't just found out that the memory card error is a comon problem with the S400, I would probably still be brand loyal to canon.

More problems with the memory card. It has a hard time loading in the card to the camera... dont know what to do. Theres nothing worse what do i do now?

Hi,

I too have got the dreaded Memory Card Error (started of intermittently but now it is there all the time). It does not matter which card I use, it is a problem with the camera. For a while, I could get my friend to format the cards, and use them, but that is not working.

I upgraded the Firmware, no help.

I read somewhere that if I changed the Compact Flash Card reader unit, it might fix the problem. I have the new unit from Canon (around $25) and hope to be able to swap it and report back.

This is apparently a faulty product. A google search will confirm the problems with the lenses and memory card issues. don't just complain about. file a complaint with the better business bureau against canon and maybe if enough of us complain then canon will actually do something. otherwise be prepared to get stiffed time and time again.

I am on my second Canon S400 in 7 months. Both finished with the dreaded E18 lens error. The second camera last 6 mos and 3 weeks - 3 weeks beyond the warranty. Camera was always stored in the case. Camera quality is excellent but not worth the replacement risk.

I bought this camera in February of 2004 as a replacement for my old Kodak DC260. The camera is good looking, easy to use, nice and compact, and takes great pictures (or should I say, took great pictures). I was pleased with the battery life, especially when compared to my old Kodak. The biggest difference, now, between it and my old Kodak is, the 7 year old Kodak still works. I got the dreaded E18 error code on my Canon today and now the camera lens will no longer focus, zoom or retract properly (Google "Canon E18" and see how many hits you get). Of course, the camera is 3 months out of warranty. Sadly, I
am thinking of buying another S400 or S410 as a replacement, because I have a ton of Compact Flash memory cards, and the Canon Powershots are one of the few cameras made that still use them. That, plus the spare lithium-ion battery and other accessories I bought for my old Canon make it hard to jump ship and go to a camera with different memory media, batteries, etc. Maybe this time I'll buy the extended warranty...

Nice size however the picture setup and slow processing always put you behind the shot. I bought the camera and the Cannon underwater housing to take to Thailand for a 5 day dive trip on the 3rd dive the lens jammed and the camera was worthless. Returned to Cannon for Repair on return but has never focused right since. Do not recommend this camera. Just purchased the Casio EX-Z57 which addresses these issues of speed and focus.