Odd Problem -- What is it?

[emeraldcite]

Okay, so I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC43. It was a good camera. I took care of it, used the rechargable batteries that came with it. I took it on a visit (which included a plane ride) and it started acting funny.

Now my camera is out of warranty and when I relayed my problem to Panasonic, they told me to send it out for repair. They didn't mention what could be wrong with it.

Here is what happens: When I take a picture, there are horizontal lines throughout the pic, but when I take video, the picture is perfectly clear.

For example, the pics below. The first is taken as a still image, the second as a video:

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/emeraldcite/P1010497.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/emeraldcite/P1010498.jpg


Now, I've tried resetting the camera. I've also tried taking out the batteries and letting it discharge.

Is there something I'm missing? Why would it work taking video, but not taking stills?

[John_Reed]

Okay, so I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC43. It was a good camera. I took care of it, used the rechargable batteries that came with it. I took it on a visit (which included a plane ride) and it started acting funny.

Now my camera is out of warranty and when I relayed my problem to Panasonic, they told me to send it out for repair. They didn't mention what could be wrong with it.

Here is what happens: When I take a picture, there are horizontal lines throughout the pic, but when I take video, the picture is perfectly clear.

For example, the pics below. The first is taken as a still image, the second as a video:

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/emeraldcite/P1010497.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/emeraldcite/P1010498.jpg


Now, I've tried resetting the camera. I've also tried taking out the batteries and letting it discharge.

Is there something I'm missing? Why would it work taking video, but not taking stills?You see, it takes half as many pixels in each direction to make a video frame, as it does a still photo. It looks like your still photo is missing every other line, so the video still looks good, but the photo doesn't. This COULD be your memory card; if you have an alternative one, give it a try and see if the problem still remains. If not, I suspect your camera would need repairing, and it may cost more to fix than it would cost you for a new one.

[emeraldcite]

You see, it takes half as many pixels in each direction to make a video frame, as it does a still photo. It looks like your still photo is missing every other line, so the video still looks good, but the photo doesn't. This COULD be your memory card; if you have an alternative one, give it a try and see if the problem still remains. If not, I suspect your camera would need repairing, and it may cost more to fix than it would cost you for a new one.

I have two memory cards and they both end up like this. Thanks for the info, though.

As for the repairing: I was afraid of that...And it was such a nice camera. I barely got to use it.

[John_Reed]

I have two memory cards and they both end up like this. Thanks for the info, though.

As for the repairing: I was afraid of that...And it was such a nice camera. I barely got to use it.When you've just snapped a photo, and then review it, do you see the same thing? When you enlarge it by zooming in on the review, do you see the same thing? Try that; I have one other idea, perhaps relating to the contacts that mate to your memory cards at the socket where they plug in?

[emeraldcite]

When you've just snapped a photo, and then review it, do you see the same thing?

When I review the picture, it has the lines. It's the same way after I transfer it to my computer.

When you enlarge it by zooming in on the review, do you see the same thing?

If you zoom in while reviewing, the lines are still there.

I have one other idea, perhaps relating to the contacts that mate to your memory cards at the socket where they plug in?

I tried formatting the memory card and scanning it for errors, but that didn't help. I could try cleaning the connections on my card, but I can't reach the ones inside the camera. Since this one uses the postage-stamp sized SD cards and it slides into the side of the camera, I can't check the connections.

The connections on both my SD cards look clean.

Thanks for your help so far! I thought about throwing it up against the wall, but I doubt that would work.

Could it have to do with any software loaded on the camera itself?

[John_Reed]

When I review the picture, it has the lines. It's the same way after I transfer it to my computer.



If you zoom in while reviewing, the lines are still there.



I tried formatting the memory card and scanning it for errors, but that didn't help. I could try cleaning the connections on my card, but I can't reach the ones inside the camera. Since this one uses the postage-stamp sized SD cards and it slides into the side of the camera, I can't check the connections.

The connections on both my SD cards look clean.

Thanks for your help so far! I thought about throwing it up against the wall, but I doubt that would work.

Could it have to do with any software loaded on the camera itself?As an old chip designer from way back, when I see failure patterns like yours, it looks like a hardware failure. The camera itself stores firmware to execute its internal functions, but something is wrong here in the data path, somewhere between the CCD sensor, the image processor, and the output to the SD card. Not being an experienced Panasonic technician, I couldn't say exactly where the failure's occurring; it might be an easy fix, but alas, it won't be cheap.

[emeraldcite]

Thanks for all the feedback. Maybe I'll send it in and see how much it'll cost to fix.