Top 10 Canon PowerShot S3 IS Digital Camera Questions & Answers

I have a similar problem with my Canon S3 IS. Dark/black LCD in Shooting mode. However, I can view my existing photos in Display mode. I was about to spend money to get a Panasonic TZ5. Somehow I bumped into a solution post for S2 IS. Here is the link:

http://www.fixya.com/support/t1090569-black_screen

I tried their solutions twice and it WORKS. My S3 is working fine now.

Mine was the "optical assembly"

I wrote Canon's president pointing out all these postings about this issue and how the other earlier Powershots and A models had this issue and were part of service recalls. I compared Canon to Toyota, hoping it wasn't aware of the problem despite all the online chatter. I also said I was sad I could no longer recommend buying high end Canon photo or video products to organizations any more all over them not wanting to do a $130 repair on a widely publicized issue.

Outcome. I heard promptly from a Canon rep. They paid for speed shipping to Chicago service center. I had it back in 3 days, fixed for free. The repair sheet says "the optical assembly did not operate propoerly causing no image output... it was replaced..."

Powershot S3 IS: lens error message, lens juddering on startup but not coming out. Tried all tricks on internet without success, so decided to dismantle camera. Localised fault to optical position encoder on first transfer gear of the ultrasonic motor which controls lens position. Sensor was misaligned and/or dirty, so the camera could not detect motor rotation. Removed sensor, cleaned it, glued back in position with cyanoacrylate glue. Reassembled camera (only one internal bolt left over - not bad!) Working 100% again.

here is all the software from canon
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&tabact=DownloadDetailTabAct&fcategoryid=322&modelid=13077
hope this helps

I get a memory card error everytime I insert a memory card. They are not locked and I have tried 4 different memory cards and nothing works. How can this problem be fixed?

This is correct. The S3 is discovered by windows 7 and will allow download of pictures by Windows Picture download. The Canon Utilities software - Zoombrowser - will not work with windows 7 as the software cannot detect the Camera via Windows 7.. Also, Camera window will not start, if using the PC/laptop for remote image recording. If you virtualise XP within Windows 7 this still will not work. The only solution at the moment, if you are deperate, like I was (as I use the Remote Capture process a lot), is to either stick with Win Xp or Dual boot XP on a smaller partition.

Your camera has a lens error, this is such a common fault that I hope you don't mind me pasting my stock generic answer below. No point in reinventing the wheel!

Stuck lenses are probably the most common reason that compact digital cameras get thrown away, but there's a fair chance of recovering use of your camera again

The fault is commonly caused by dirt or grit blocking the mechanism, or due to it having suffered a recent fall. Another common cause is that the camera was in a pocket or bag and the power button accidentally activated and tried to open the lens against resistance. The mechanism may have simply become dislodged or there may be parts which have broken.

If your camera is still under warranty and has definitely not been subject to misuse then contact the Canon service department in your country to find out about a free repair. If the warranty has expired though a professional repair will far exceed the cost of replacing your camera. You will therefore have nothing to lose by trying to fix this yourself.

Please click here and you will be taken to an excellent article provided by the Camera Repair website. For the most part, you'll be guided on how to physically manipulate your camera to try and clear the fault. Although the article mentions Canon a few times, the advice applies equally to all cameras with lens errors and is not model-specific.

If the link doesn't work then cut and paste the following address into your browser:-

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

Good luck, I hope you manage to use this information to fix your camera. Please take a moment to rate the speedy and free answer I have provided for you and any testimonial which you might wish to add is always welcome!

You can download the basic and advanced user guides and more from the manufacturer's web site at
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/support/consumer/digital_cameras/powershot_g_series/powershot_s3_is#BrochuresAndManuals

A stuck shutter is another common failure mode for digital cameras. The symptoms of a stuck or "sticky" shutter are very similar to CCD image sensor failure. The camera may take black pictures (for shutter stuck closed), or the pictures may be very bright and overexposed, sometimes with lines, especially when taken outdoors (for shutter stuck open). To confirm a stuck shutter, put the camera in any mode other than "Auto", and turn the flash OFF (you don't want to blind yourself for the next step). Next look down the lens and take a picture. You should see a tiny flicker in the center of the lens as the shutter opens and closes. If no movement is seen, then you likely have a stuck shutter. If so, please see this link for further info and a simple fix that may help.

This sounds like a common image sensor failure. Unfortunately Canon stopped fixing this problem over a year ago. Parts are NLA.