In the first half of October, 2005, a number of digital camera and camcorder manufacturers issued service advisories involving a range of digital camera models (as well as some digital camcorders and PDAs that incorporate image sensors). In each case, the story was similar - CCD (image sensor) failures, particularly in conditions of high heat and humidity, led to cameras capturing images with either no picture at all, or with extreme distortion and severe purple or green color casts. An example of the latter symptom, courtesy of the Konica Minolta Europe website, can be seen further down this page. We first started hearing about this problem in late September and early October, 2005, with a significant increase in reader emails about it in the first week of October. The problem understandably caused considerable concern among our readers, with many wondering whether this was an ongoing problem that could affect current cameras. Initial service advisories by Sony, Canon, Fujifilm and Konica Minolta were soon followed by announcements by Nikon, Ricoh, and Olympus. Affected cameras were all manufactured between 2002 and 2004, the underlying problems have apparently been found and corrected, so no cameras currently on the market are affected. (We are assured by sources that new cameras purchased today will not be affected by this problem. See the "What caused this problem" section at the bottom of this document, for a more detailed discussion of possible causes.) We here at Imaging Resource did a little digging into the problem, and it appears that the problems trace to certain models of image sensor chips manufactured by Sony between 2002 and 2004. (Fujifilm has stated that they manufacture their own CCD chips, so it's not clear whether or not the problems with their cameras are in fact related to those of the other makers.) The problem can take any of several forms, but all involve severe color shifts and/or severe distortions of the image. The images below show two examples (courtesy of Konica Minolta) of what the problem might look like, if your camera falls prey to it. In the early stages of the problem, the camera may still capture recognizable images, but with a washed-out appearance and a strong magenta or green tint What products may be affected? Quite a number of products may develop this problem, including digital cameras, camcorders, and even PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) that incorporate an image sensor. The following is a list of affected models by various manufacturers that we are presently aware of. We will update this list as new information becomes available. We recommend that you check the site regularly for this and other breaking news. Here are lists of the affected products, grouped by manufacturer: Canon Digital Cameras Camcorders PowerShot A60 PowerShot A70 PowerShot A75 PowerShot A300 PowerShot A310 PowerShot S230 Digital ELPH / Digital IXUS V3 / IXY D320 PowerShot SD100 Digital ELPH / Digital IXUS II / IXY Digital 30 PowerShot SD110 Digital ELPH / Digital IXUS IIs / IXY Digital 30a Additional digital cameras added in the fall of 2006 to the original service advisory by Canon include the following, all of which went on sale starting from 2002 to 2004, depending on the specific model: PowerShot A40 PowerShot A80 PowerShot A85 PowerShot A95 PowerShot S1 IS PowerShot S60 PowerShot S200 DIGITAL ELPH / DIGITAL IXUS V2 / IXY DIGITAL 200a PowerShot S330 DIGITAL ELPH / DIGITAL IXUS 330 / IXY DIGITAL 300a PowerShot S400 DIGITAL ELPH / DIGITAL IXUS 400 / IXY DIGITAL 400 PowerShot S410 DIGITAL ELPH / DIGITAL IXUS 430 / IXY DIGITAL 450 PowerShot S500 DIGITAL ELPH / DIGITAL IXUS 500 / IXY DIGITAL 500 (including White Limited version) MV600i MV630i MV650i MV700i MV730i MV750i MV5i MV5i MC MV6i MC ZR60 ZR65 MC ZR70 MC ZR80 ZR85 ZR90 Elura 40 MC Elura 50 According to the updated advisory, available on the company's US website (as well as other regional Canon websites), the additional eleven digital camera models shown above in red may now be eligible for free service regardless of warranty status, should any malfunction be caused by the CCD sensor. For repair instructions, visit the Canon USA support website. To read the specific service advisory for your model, use the pulldown menus to browse for your specific model, or simply type the model number into the box provided at the bottom of the page and click the "Search" button. The Canon support website holds no forms or other needed documents, so you can save yourself some time (if you live in the US or Puerto Rico) by just calling the Canon Customer Support line at 1-800-828-4040. Support hours are Monday-Friday 8am to 12 midnight, and Saturday from 10am-8pm. (All times EST.) Alternately, you can send email to: [email protected].
Fantastic solution...free service including shipping Call 1-800-828-4040. Glad I found this site.
I called Canon Support on 11-02-12 about the black screen chip failure and spoke to one of their Support Reps. His reply was simply Canon no longer supports this model ZR80 and he turned me over to a Canon Loyalty Representative. Only option now available is to select another camera and the would provide a discount and free shipping to return the problem ZR80. to their Recycle Program
Call 1-800-828-4040.....there is a defective chip that needs to be replaced and Canon will fix it for free. They even sent me free shipping lables as well....
Yes, this was exactly the problem. Thanks for posting this information. Canon repaired my ZR80 camcorder at no charge.
Ccd imager is bad contact canon
SOURCE: no picture
If you want to have it done for free check the canon service note - it may help and will not cost you a broken penny. http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=PgComSmModDisplayAct&fcategoryid=227&modelid=9740&keycode=2112&id=48266
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Same thing with my canon zr80. I haven't used it in like a year and when I tried to use it recently I get a black screen. everything seems functional except for the black screen.wtf
I have the same problem. I have had this camera for about two years and it was working fine at the beginning of the year. Now I can only get audio when I record. Have you found the problem?
my zr80 will only record audio. it will not record video
Hi! I have the same problem. I have had this camera
for about two years and it was working fine at the beginning of the
year. Now I can only get audio when I record. Didnt use camera too much.Have you found the
problem?
Black screen with sound. can playback already filmed tape in vcr mode.
I am having the same problem with my ZR80. When I record I don't see a picture in the screen and it records black. please help me fix this problem. I've tried playing with the menu buttons, but I haven't gotten any results.
Same problem...audio only, no video. Worked fine earlier in the summer and then the black screen and nothing in the viewfinder this Fall.
Previously recorded video plays back just fine - both on the camera as well as when connected to the tv.
Canon is taking a look at ours free of charge but told my wife over the phone that it did not sound like this was the CCD sensor (because we could play back older video ok?)...I am not convinced and this forum tells me this is a common defect that Canon hopefully will accept responsibility for.
Great little camcorder and I love Canon products, but disappointed... The unit seems to function properly. In playback mode, video and audio playback works just fine. In camera mode, image finder and LCD display both operate and show status messages (e.g., battery, mode, date, etc.), but, no image is displayed. Record seems to work, but only records audio, no video.
Hi, i am having the same problem as mentioned above except mine is a canon mv700i, although this may be the same model but just a different name. My problem is everything works except i have no picture when in camera mode. In play mode everything is fine i can watch previous recordings...
This is a manufacturing problem & if you call Canon, they will repair it for you.
same
I have a Sony handycam, professional model - turn it on and instead of landscape, all you see is lime green.
Same issue, everything works great and when recording I get sound and displays but no picture.
I'm having the exact same issue! Frustrating!
Call 1-800-828-4040.....there is a defective chip that needs to be replaced and Canon will fix it for free. They even sent me free shipping lables as well....
I got the same problem when using it as camera, but when using it as video to play it is working
Mine was working fine then it sat for a couple of month. Then went to use it again. and the the little LED was blank and when I looked throught the viewfinder it was all black with streaks of white coming in from the left side. When I changed tape it worked for a minute then went back to the blackness. Will give Canon a call
I am having the same problem with my Canon ZR80, i called the 800-828-4040 number and, a representative explained to me that this is happening to all the Canon ZR80 it is a defective chip. They have all gone down. They told me to send it in and they will be taking care of the problem at no cost, as long as the camera has not been damaged or dropped. Make sure to remove your Batt, and and tape in the camera before you send it back.
Same exact thing, just adding a "Me Too" so that the count will go up.. I just called Canon support and they are sending (email) me all of the information on getting it fixed. Also said that we should have it back in 7 to 10 days. Sweet. Dave
me too
Got the same exact problem. Calling Canon now.
I''d spend the entire morning looking for a camcorder repair place near me, until I stumbled upon this post. My fault for not searching for my model first. I have the EXACT same problem, and thought I somehow damaged on a plane ride. Obviously that's not the case. I'll be shipping mine back tout suite. Thanks!
Wholly **** thanks for all of these good posts! I was having this same problem after not using it for 6 months. Standard repair was $150.00 and I was thinking of just getting a new camcorder instead of repairing it.
I then did a little research and found this awesome site. Called the 800 # suggested below and they are going to fix it for free!
Thanks for posting the 800# and having the tech number available for us searchers.
i have the same problem. everything appears to work fine including playback of already recorded material. but the video camera shows a black screen when recording new material. sound is okay but black screen.
I have the same problem.. no pictures during recording. wen warms up som times its work.
I get no picture when filming video. The screen goes black.
About a month ago, my ZR80 suddenly went blank. Just like the other posts. I've now contacted Canon through this website's number and hopefully will get it fixed for free! Thanks!
Same problem. It records, but no picture, just blackness.
same same
no display on lense
Thank you for posting the info! I have the same problem and contacted Canon.
I called the number, they walked me through a few steps to see if it was another problem, it was not, and so they sent me a form and the UPS shipping label to send in my camcorder, they are fixing it for free!!!
same problem with my mv5i, blank screen (stripes across screen when problem first occured) when recording but playback works fine. so glad i found this site!!!! cheers
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