Canon ships 100 million compact digital cameras, 90 million of them broken with E18 lens errors
By Nilay Patel 
posted August 19th 2008 5:21PM
posted August 19th 2008 5:21PM
[Via PhotographyBLOG]
posted August 19th 2008 5:21PM
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Actually, Nilay, Canon's steadfast build quality and image quality have facilitated my devotion to them since my first Elph in 2003. I've had two Elphs, an A80, a G9, an XTi, a 40D, and a 5D. Never had a single malfunction, and my point-and-shoots suffered drops. I'd guess that you guys actually are outside the curve, if the comments above are any indication.
I have a Canon PowerShot SD550 and now a Canon Digital Rebel XSi and love both of them to death. Could not ask for better cameras.
Have to chime in with the people who like their PowerShots. I've owned S110, S300, SD300, G7, and 870is. All five are still functional (the first two were sold to friends who only recently stopped using them). The *only* trouble I've had is with a small dust spec inside the G7.
I love the almost any Canon, they are the leaders in Photography period. I have a SD870 and a Canon EOS 40D. Love Them. The 40D is a lot more durable than the SD I do admit, but that is why you buy a accidental warranty when you get it. What compact camera isnt somewhat fragile?(besides the Olympus line which image quality can't compare to any Canon)
The first DSLR I had I ran over with my car, since then I have always bought accidental protecting. Its worth every penny knowing you dont have to hold back while shooting.
I bought a Powershot G2 in late 2001, and it kept on working (even after being dropped more than a few times) until the point I gave it to my father in 2006, and bought a Powershot S3IS. According to my father, the G2 is still working, and so is my S3IS.
I've never had one of the little "cute" digicams.
I got a Powershot S2 IS the second they could ship out of Amazon. I tend to baby my electronics, and I keep my S2 in a case with a hood kit to protect the lens, but the thing is built like a tank. Bobbled, bounced, dropped on grass, lightly soaked, it's doing fine.
I have had an A70. It would jam sometimes but it did not fail in its 1.5 year (and I gave it to someone else). I have a A510 since 2- 2.5 years ago and it has jammed multiple times but after turn-off turn-on it has been back to work.
The quality in ISO1000 is not good however and it is very sensitive to shake. New models however have cleared these problems.
I guess I will not dare to buy something other than Canon because I hate surprises! I have always used Canon (even before digital cameras) and I like the name, the quality and the style and I trust the name.
ok, after all that spam with false news this note really sucks, a shocking anounce to make you click the link, it is the same bullS, the same cheap way that spamers use.
I allways follow your newslinks from my gmail inbox but this one is a no no.
I've always purchased Canon, great photo quality - although I actually had better results with the older 3mp Canons (interesting blur led to more artistic shots)
I purchased a 850 last year for like $450 - took it on a 3 month trip and it developed a Lens Error on the 2nd day - useless piece of crap after that.
Couldn't return it as I was overseas - so took it to a camera shop - they wanted $150 to fix it. I didn't really see the point - would have ended up costing me $550 for a camera that was already busted on second day.
Ended up leaving it at the camera shop and never going back for it.
I will never buy another Canon again - $450 is too much to waste. The need to get their stuff together.
I'm on my 3rd powershot in the past 5 years or so. The first one breaking was completely my fault...I annihilated it when it fell under the seat in my car and I forcefully slid it back. The second stopped working one day after spending the night sitting on my desk. The official explanation from Canon was that the CCD had come unattached from the board. It wasn't cost effective to have it fixed and I've always loved their cameras so I was happy to buy a newer version.
i liki my phone camera. it is fun!
My IXUS (in 2001, forgot the model) can't save photo after shooting...
My Powershot Pro 1 got problem in AF...
dare not buy canon anymore, so I got my cybershot T300 and Alpha 350...
I have owned a Canon SD1000 for over a year now and the only problem was a cracked screen after I dropped it from 4 feet on cement. I changed it with a replacement screen myself, and it is still working great!
Both my S10 and S1 have expired but they were wonderful while they worked. Didn't play well in the rain so I have moved on to a Pentax W20 and a Nikon D60 to cover all the bases. Anyone out there in need of CF cards?
I've had 3 Canon's this year. Last year, my 700IS died of lens error after about a year. So I got a 950IS around new years.
It died of lens error after about 3 months. So I got an 890IS. It lasted 10 days before the dreaded lens error. So I simply replaced it.
When they work, they work well. I've gone thru a number of Sony and Fuji cameras as well, and get better shots and video from the Canon's. But it would be nice if they lasted a little longer.
No, not really. I've had my Canon for three years with no problems at all...
Is anyone else pissed about the SD430? It has WiFi, and canon REFUSES to support Vista with it. Even if you have XP with Internet Explorer 7, you can't use the WiFi. At all. Apparently Canon has "no plans" to support Vista. Also, the only way to acces remote shooting on the SD430 is through the WiFi. You can't even do it through USB.
Had a A610, no problems for 1 and a half year until it got stollen (though i don't blame Canon for that).
Have a A720IS, no problems for 1 year. just E18 once because was dropped by my sister. I just "forced" a bit the lens back and it kept working.
I'm brazilian btw, to clarify the bad english and the camera having been stolen...
The older Canon Powershots were built like a rock all metal and less plastic than
the new models. That's probably why there's so many lens errors. Other than
that Canon's great. Quick and easy to learn user interface and good pictures.
my powershot had the lens error as well. I even took the thing apart thinking I could bust it open and fix it. an hour later, i have a much more broken camera.
My IXUS700 died with the E18 error at 36months old, then I had to wait two months for Canon Australia to repair it. They eventually seemed to get embarrassed at my weekly phone calls and having to answer "Not yet, maybe next week" that eventually they just sent me a new one. The replacement is now two and a half years old and ... so far .. I've had no problems with it.
Really amusing part was walking into the Canon service centre to drop the camera off after having read of the E18 error online and having a customer rep. tell me he's never heard of any problem, and having the customer next to me say "That's what mine's here for too"
Broken 2 Ixus's (ixi?) i'm on my 3rd, but i dropped it in a pint of beer, its not very happy, still working mostly though, opps. cant beat a canon though, i just dont trust companys whose core business isnt cameras to make a good one, ie samsung
One word: bullshit.
My Canon IXY 810S has been dropped, sat on, kicked, several times and it still runs like a charm. This is the Japanese version of IXUS 950 IS and the PowerShot SD850 IS Digital Elph (US?).
Unlike my junk Casio ZX750, I don't worry about small bumps with my Canon.
Of course, your mileage may vary.
I have a Powershot S40 and an Ixus IIs. Both are more than 4 years old and have been dropped onto hard surfaces in their time and only just in the last week has the IIs mysteriously died.
I'll be buying another Ixus to replace the IIs
I have an SD200 that will focus when it wants to. Quite a few miles, bumps and bruises on it though. Recently picked up an SD770IS and is nothing short of amazing for a point and shoot.
started out with an S400 in 2000 which i sold mid-2006, then upgraded to an S700 IS which i've had ever since. no real problems to speak of with either.
my brothers and my parents all have powershots as well.
I have had my SD450 for a couple of years and what a great point and shoot camera. Although I wish it had image stabilization, the thing has been a tank. The size is perfect for your pocket. There are scraps and scuffs on the LCD and case, and the thing still takes great pictures. From Canadian winters to summers, Day to Night, the camera has been great.
My S410 has lasted me atleast 4 years. 17months of those 4 years have involved a small human using it as a teether.
I inherited an old Canon Powershot S400 and liked it so much I bought an SD1000 recently. That lasted a couple days before it stopped working (within J&R's 14-day return policy, so exchanging was easy), so I bought a SD750. So far so good.
Had 2 Canon S500 5mp camera's dropped both over time, cracked the LCD on 1, and broke the lens on the other. Since I had spent a ton on accessories for this model (underwater case, wide angle lens, ect) I couldn't let it go. With a steady hand and some luck, I was able to take the LCD from 1 with a bad lens and pop it in the other with the cracked screen. So from the 2, I was able to save 1. Lesson learned, buy them in 2, and hope for the best.
Two out of the three Digital Ixus (PowerShot) phones in our family have died. The oldest one is still working, but the battery only lasts for about two flashes. In fact the worst thing about all cameras has been the life of their batteries.
Canon SD400 - Broken by brother, apparent mishandling, LCD broken but otherwise still functional
Canon SD450 - Broken by me, in idiot move, took it out onto beach while drinking heavily, no longer operational at all
Canon SD870IS - My next camera, hopefully soon.