Canon powershor s2 is black screen menu items work turns on fine fresh battries need help. keith

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

A stuck shutter is another common failure mode for digital cameras, and especially so for the S2 IS. 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.

A stuck shutter is another common failure mode for digital cameras, and especially so for the S2 IS. 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.

There is a temporary fix that works sometimes but eventually it will stop working alltogether. If canon can't help, might try this:


http://cgi.ebay.com/Repair-blank-black-pictures-S2IS-canon-powershot-S2-IS_W0QQitemZ300293064869QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDigital_Cameras?hash=item300293064869&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

problems optical zoom canon PC1130

The black images with flash mean that the Iris mechanism in the lens is not working properly, and that needs a professional camera repair service.

Best regards,

Just when I thought my camera was fixed I started experiencing the same problem with my S2 IS. Don't know if it is any help to finding the solution but the camera works fine outdoors when used in video mode.

I had what Canon suggested was a ccd image sensor problem with my S2 IS, did as they suggested, filled out their form, printed it out, talked to a rep about the problem, sent the camera in to their service repair, only to hear from them that their solution was to let them repair it for $127.00, or purchase a, get this now a "refurbished" newer model S3 IS for $175.00 with a 30 or 90 day warranty on it..HAHAHAHA...why on earth would anyone add an extra expense to what the camera's value was at purchase in my case the cost for the camera was $349.00, or buy the next step up from and S2 to an S3 IS, that has already been refurbished for whatever reasons for $175.00...and hope that this camera screwed up before the limited warranty expired..and by the way I had only had my S2 IS for 18 mos.
In my opinion Canon needs a class action law suit filed against them for not honoring a product that has a history with the image sensor, refering to the S1 IS...and now already wanting to replace an S2 with a refurbished S3...DON'T THINK SO..

Don't use cheap batteries - use the alkaline ones, as the CCD needs a fair bit of power. I had the same problem, and fixed it by using decent batteries.

go there and you'll see you're not alone !
S2 IS Question: black screen in S1IS canon camera - DigitalCamera-HQ