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Canon expands digicam service advisory
By Mike Tomkins
(Friday, November 24, 2006 - 08:51 EST)

Japanese camera giant Canon Inc. has recently updated a service advisory it first published last year, adding further models that may be affected by CCD sensor problems.

According to the updated advisory, available on the company's US website (as well as other regional Canon websites), an additional eleven digital camera models may now be eligible for free service regardless of warranty status, should any malfunction be caused by the CCD sensor.

A full description of the problem, which is believed to affect products using certain image sensors supplied by Sony to a wide variety of manufacturers, can be found in our Fall 2005 report, "CCD Sensor Problems in Consumer Imaging Products". In brief however, the problem is caused because internal wiring in the CCD sensor comes loose at high temperatures and humidities, and causes the camera to stop recording images, or to record distorted images.

The new cameras added to the 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)

Customers experiencing the problem with any of these cameras, as well as those from last year's advisory, are advised to call Canon Customer Support or submit an email requesting support. Canon USA doesn't seem to have published an overall advisory (as has been done in Japan), but has instead published advisories on the product pages for certain of its cameras. Full instructions can be found by visiting the Canon USA support website, browsing to your specific camera, then clicking on the "service notices" link.

For reference, the original digital camera and camcorder models which were covered by the advisory when published last year are as follows:

Digital Cameras:

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

Camcorders:

MV600i
MV630i
MV650i
MV700i
MV730i
MV750i
MV5i
MV5i MC
MV6i MC
ZR60
ZR65 MC
ZR70 MC
ZR80
ZR85
ZR90
Elura 40 MC
Elura 50

Original Source Press Release:

Service Notice: CCD Image Sensor Advisory (Updated Oct.31, 2006)

This Service Notice will update Canon U.S.A., Inc.'s previous CCD Image Sensor Advisory, dated October 6, 2005.

It has come to our attention that the vendor-supplied CCD image sensor used in certain Canon digital cameras and digital video camcorders may cause the following malfunction: When the product is used in recording or playback mode, the LCD screen and/or electronic viewfinder may exhibit either a distorted image or no image at all. While reports of this malfunction have been rare in the United States, we have determined that it may occur if the product is exposed to hot and humid environments.

Notice of Additional Affected Products:
As a result of our continuing investigation of this malfunction, we have determined that the 11 models listed below, in addition to the 16 models listed in our Service Notice concerning this malfunction, dated October 6, 2005, may be affected.

Affected products:

- Camcorders: ZR60, ZR65 MC, ZR70 MC, ZR80, ZR85, ZR90, ELURA 40 MC, ELURA 50
- Digital Cameras A60, A70, A75, A300, A310, S230, SD100, SD110, A40(*), A80(*), A85(*), A95(*), S1 IS(*), S60(*), S200(*), S330(*), S400(*), S410(*), S500(*)

*Models added as of Oct.31, 2006

Malfunction:
It has been confirmed that the connecting parts of the internal wiring of the CCD used in affected products may become disconnected, especially if the affected products are stored or used in high-temperature and high-humidity environments. If this occurs, the signal is not output from the CCD normally in Shooting Mode, which may cause a distorted image or the absence of an image. This malfunction can be confirmed on the LCD monitor screen during shooting. The same malfunction also appears on the recorded image.

Canon's Response:
Effective immediately, and regardless of warranty status, Canon will repair, free of charge, the products listed above exhibiting the above-mentioned malfunction if Canon determines that the malfunction is caused by the CCD image sensor. Canon will also cover the cost of shipping and handling in connection with this repair.

U.S. residents are kindly directed to contact the Canon Customer Support Center for further assistance at 1-800-828-4040. Support hours are Monday thru Friday - 8:00 AM to 12:00 midnight; and Saturday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM (all times EST). Alternatively, if electronic support is preferred, please send your email to [email protected]

This information is for residents of the United States of America and Puerto Rico only. If you do not reside in the USA or Puerto Rico, please contact the Canon Customer Support Center in your region.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused by this issue, and appreciate your understanding in this matter. Thank you for your support and patronage of Canon products.

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