I have something I really could use some advice since I have little experience with it.. We purchased a Canon Powershot 870 less than a year ago, and the LCD screen broke down. It started with a white line in the middle of the screen and the line expanded over the months and eventually the whole screen whited out. We are always careful with our camera and never allow our kids to use them. When we brought the camera to the Canon service center, however, we were told that the LCD was "under pressure or impact, and therefore not covered by warranty". They gave us 2 options- One, Pay $120 plus shipping to fix the screen; or two, pay $150 to upgrade to a "refurbished" SD890 or $250 to a "refurbished" G10. I am not sure what to do, so I would really appreciate if someone here could give me your opinion. Of course, the 3rd option would be to buy a new one. So if any of you has a good camera that you would recommend, I would love to hear it. I mainly use my camera to take pics or record my kids. I would prefer a compact camera and one that takes good quality pictures. My Canon was otherwise satisfactory, but I am a little nervous about buying another Canon, since I saw on the internet that others had the same LCD problem or lens problems with their Canons. I am very sure that I did not "mishandle" my Canon, as the service rep suggested, so I think it just did not have a good LCD screen to begin with. Thank you so much for your kind advice.
Thanks mamas! I will check out Sony Cybershot for sure. And I would go for the upgrade if it were for a brand new product. I am worried that a "refurbished" camera is just another used camera after repair.. Thank you so much for your suggestions!!
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UPDATED ON 7/7/2009 - Wow, thanks so much for all your inputs! 2 months after I sent in my request, Mamasource finally published it on the daily digest, and I am just so surprised and grateful for all of your kind comments. I wish I had known all of it 2 months ago, and I would definately have gone up the chain and have Canon repair my camera with the warranty.. Nevertheless, I learned a lot about what I could do in the future, what "refurbished item" means (it's good!!), and some recommended camera models. This has all been very helpful, and thanks again for taking the time to share your experiences with me. Gratefully, C.
Go to the Sony, it has the Carl Zeiss lens, that are the best, also video for 3 mins. Sometimes Office Depot clearences them I got my for $150.00 2yrs. ago. no problems.
Or the Panasomic with the Leica lens is also very good, my son-in-law who photography's the President uses that one as his point & shoot. New Camera models come out in August & march. A. H.
Hey Caroline, I know your question was a little old, but I wanted to comment. I have several canon camera's. I have an S80 and my LCD did the same thing. They attempted to say it was from pressure and that it wasn't covered. I fought them on it, and they repaired my LCD at no cost to me. So, go above customer service reps head, talk to a supervisor. If that doesn't help, continue up the chain untl it does. Persistence is key. Good luck.
Olympus makes a great little camera, which is shockproof, water proof and freeze proof. I got it for my son as a HS graduation present and he has been testing it, to make sure it works as promised. So far so good. It even can record videos under water.
I got it at Costco for under $200.00 Olympus stylus
Another late answer, but... where did you buy the camera? Take the camera back to the store where you bought it instead of to the company that made the camera. The stores are usually willing to keep a customer happy and exchange a broken camera if it is within a year of purchase. Good luck!
I have just seen you you needing help with camera choices. I have two: Olympus SP-310 7.1 megapixel. Very good camera! I also have a Sony Cybershot - Super Steady Shot DSC-T70. I AM MOST PLEASED with the Sony. I also Model and my photographer had also suggested it. It is affordable. It is easy to hook up to my computer and download pics and share them. It has a lot of features most don't and you can change the way pics look. If I can use it you can. I hope this helps some.
A.
Hi Caroline,
I would recommend going above Customer Service to a supervisor or asking for the consumer affairs department. They are usually a little more helpful than customer service. I would also inform them that you researched and found that many others also experienced the same issue. They may offer to fix your camera free of charge in light of this information.
Sorry that I am coming in late to the game... I didn't respond earlier because I don't know much about electronics, however, I do happen to know about "refurbished" items. I have a friend who works for a big name computer company and they let me know that refurbished items bought from their company are a very good deal because "refurbished" items are ones that were returned and then they were gone over completely by their tech people and fixed with brand new parts. Sometimes the items are returned to the store in good condition but can not be re-sold as "new" because they have been opened... and even if there is/was a problem then it is completely checked out. So, refurbished items have been more inspected than actual brand new items! Hope this eases your mind about refurbished stuff....
Good luck.
blessings,
stacy
Just wanted to add my 2 cents...I had the Sony Cybershot (newest version). I got it b/c it is tiny and has a lot of great features. Everyone I talked to that had one and even the people at 2 stores advised against the camera. I was very unimpressed with the camera. My bulky Canon and other Canons I've picked up take better pictures hands down. The door piece broke almost immediately. I have not been too careful with my Canon, even taken it to multiple beaches and have never had a single problem with it. Honestly, the Cybershot is a great concept, but needs a bit more work and doesn't compare to a Canon (IMO). Good luck camera shopping!
We have a sony cybershot that we love... check them out, and you should always keep it in a case, never loose unless you are currently shooting a picture. They are very delicate.
Hey Caroline~
This is a little late, however, I thought I would share my thoughts and opinions in hopes in wasn't too late. I am a photographer so I study cameras a lot. I am in love with all things Canon! The Canon point and shoots are great. Refurbished means it's as good as new. I have bought refurbished lenses before and never have had a problem. They are required to inspect and test all refurbs and pass quality tests before they can be sold. Lastly, we had a Sony Cybershot and have had nothing but problems with it and have had no help from Sony in getting it fixed. For those times I just want to grab a little camera for an outing with the kids, I would love to use a smaller camera. The Sony just didn't do it for us. Hope this helps and happy hunting!
I'm with Kara F. We finally switched to the Canon ELPH SD750 after owning 2 Sony Cybershots (we used to be Sony snobs with all things electronic). We had the same issue that you had with your Canon - AND the lens on both would get stuck half way opened or closed. In addition, both the Sony's didn't do well in temps too warm or cold! It was strange.
We LOVE our ELPH and find more options with it, which create better pictures! Good luck with your decision. Just remember that there are "lemons" out there with any purchase!!
I just got a new camera and thought I must share. It is a Casio Exilim S10. I got it from an internet retailer (before buying online go and google reveiws for that company before you trust anyone.) I got it for cheaper than at Sam's Club and I LOVE it. It was rated higher by Consumer Reports than the Canon Cameras. I bought it for the features but also for the tiny yet sturdy size. It's about 5 credit cards stacked up and no larger. I wear it around my neck on a strap and now I always have it with me.Hope I responded in time and that it helps! Blessings, S.
I have never bought a refurbish camera,but my daughter has bought refurbish cell phones and they was good.i had a good kodiak camera that was a 7.1 mpg u can buy new at wal-mart for 129 dollars new.it took good pictures but some one stoled it at my wedding.so i would just go buy one of those.i always use kodiak.
Hard to find a good camera - there are too many choices. I bought 2 from radio shack and have been terribly unhappy. So, I thought I would do my homework this time before buying another for my husband at christmas.
Megapixel the higher the megapixel the larger picture you can get at best quality - like an 8x12 picture works best with 10megapixel or higher. If you're only going to do 4x6's, you can go lower mgpxls and save your money.
Zoom is important if you want to do a lot of close ups from far away, sports pics, close ups like portraits. All the other extra's will be your choosing - stabalizing, face recognition, etc.
I know this is late but thought I'd share what I found out. Hate to spend the money on something you don't like. I would love to hear what you decided on and if it takes great pics. :)
Happy picture taking! C. And happy 4th!
I have a Sony cybershot that I carry in my purse all the time so I dont have to tote my huge Nikon all over the place. We love it.
Hi Carolyn,
I've got 2 canon's. A SLR Rebel XTI and a Canon Powershot SD750. They are both awesome cameras and I've had the Powershot for over 2 years now no problems whatsoever. Get a canon they are fine. I carry them around and use them all the time. I take alot of pictures. Camera cost go down so much purchase another one. Don't spend money on refurbished unless you know it is absolutely new and there was a scratch or something like that. Camera technology changes fast enough you should get a new one.
N. B
i own 3 canon cybershots and love them. if i were to upgrde id get a camera that took pictures in HD or was waterproof. one thing i would check before buying another was to check the flash. i noticed that in the stores some would flash twice once right before it took the picture resulting in everyone havingtheir eyes closed for in the picture. go to best buy or walmart where they have their cameras out on display and you can try them out. good luck!
I would say...150$ is not too much more than 120$...i would just upgrade! :D
Hi,
Regarding refurbished....I have ALWAYS bought refurbished electronics and have never had a problem with them. They actually can be BETTER than new because the factory goes over them completely, individually and makes sure they are "good as new". Most electronics are made on assembly lines and therefore don't get personal attention like refurbs do. I'd check around on pricing though before buying. Check Amazon, eBay, etc. We have an Olympus FE-210 which I LOVE! Got it at Walmart for less then $170 a couple years ago. I also used to have a Canon Powershot and the same thing happened to mine as did yours. I think they are junk and Canon knows it, but won't own up to it.
