How do I dismantle a canon powershot g16 lens assembly?

The lens needs to be dismantled, cleaned and lubricated by a camera specialist, the alternative is a lens that will eventually seize, shutting down the camera.

Its not easy to dismantle this kind of gadget, a broken gear inside or some mechanical parts of the lens assembly caused lens not to open or a motor controller itself, so better to find a cannon service center ear you.

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It should be taken to an authorized repair centre for a repair estimate. Very few digital cameras have any user-serviceable parts.

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Richard Scott
Technical Support
New Zealand

There are six other things to try besides shaking, tapping, and bashing listed on the following blog page. Especially try the one starting the camera with the memory card removed. Do not recommend dismantling as your chances are very slim in repairing that way:

http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/12/fixing-lens-error-on-digital-camera.html

If the lens does not extend/retract when the camera is powered on, then lens assembly is damaged.

Unfortunately, such Canon SX100 (and the SX110 too) has a very fragile lens assembly, and it's damaged very easily. Most of the times the internal gears, the plastic post guides and the motor are damaged at the same time, so the only solution is to replace the whole lens assembly.

The lens replacement requires a qualified camera repair technician, unless you want to try in repair it yourself, which requires tools (scredrivers, soldering iron, desoldering tool, magnifier glass with light, etc).

Best regards,

There is a common problem with the A series Powershots, that the lens assembly jams in the telescoping zoom, or in the digital imaging module, in which the lens assembly has to be replaced. I'm not sure if the S series has these issues. You can check with Canon support to find out.

Unfortunately this Canon SX100 (and the SX110 too) has a very fragile lens assembly. Once you have this lens error problem, there are only four solutions: 1) If it's under warranty, contact Canon to make it valid; 2) If not, then have a repair center to replace the lens assembly (either the internal lens motor or the gears are damaged) or, 3) Sell it for parts or 4) send it to the trash can.

I wouldn't recommend taking this camera apart unless you are quite skilled with electronic repair. Even then camera lens assemblies are somewhat of a specialty area. So I guess the answer to your question is yes they are difficult to repair. A good camera repair shop should be able to help you for around $70.

Canon A550 and A560 have the same body and most of the internal parts, including lens assembly are the same. Canon won't sell individual parts within the lens assembly. There could be two possiblities. One is (unlikely) that the lens assembly components have been knocked off from their position. The other is that because of a knock, or dropping the camera, the gears in the gearbox of the lens assembly are broken. These gears are the same as the ones in A530/A540, and are available from ebay for $12.50 including shipping. Checkout my site for how to open up the camera and the lens assembly to replace these:

http://pkrobot.freehostia.com/MiscElectronics2.htm

For A550 and A560, if you take it to the professional repair shop, it might not be cost effective, since it might cost around $90. Canon does not sell gears, so they might have to replace the entire lens assembly. The new camera is available these days for around $140.

Well short answer to your dismanlter question is do not. Contact Canon for a repair cost - this is fine lab work not for the kitchen table.