Canon CCD Image Sensor Service Notice - My Experience

[Paul79UF]

So I sent away my old beat up SD110 back up camera to Canon because it was suffering from the black/purple Sony CCD defect on the LCD and recorded images.

About a week later, I got a shiny new (refurbished) SD1000.

I couldn't be happier with Canon. Everything was done promptly via email with $0.00 cost.

All I had to do was print out a pre-paid UPS label, fill out a form, and drop off the package at a UPS store. They sent the new camera back via FedEx 2 day.

Here's my dented, dinged, scratched SD110 -
http://www.paulstravelpictures.com/Canon-Powershot-CCD-Image-Sensor-Service-Notice/tn_Canon-Digital-Camera-CCD-Recall-001.jpg

...and the new SD1000
http://www.paulstravelpictures.com/Canon-Powershot-CCD-Image-Sensor-Service-Notice/tn_Canon-Digital-Camera-CCD-Recall-021.jpg

This is what the pictures/lcd distortion looked like.
http://www.paulstravelpictures.com/Canon-Powershot-CCD-Image-Sensor-Service-Notice/tn_Canon-Digital-Camera-CCD-Recall-006.jpg
http://www.paulstravelpictures.com/Canon-Powershot-CCD-Image-Sensor-Service-Notice/tn_Canon-Digital-Camera-CCD-Recall-009.jpg

I definitely don't feel "abandoned" by Canon. That old camera took a lot of abuse as my loaner/backup. It was dropped more than a few times, taken to the beach, in the rain, and even once had some hard plastic from a firework smack the lens while mounted on a tripod.

Kudos to Canon :D

[t00nz]

The recall advisory concerns cameras that experience black or distorted images or videos indicative of CCD failure. The distortion apperas on both the LCD and pictures taken with the camera. Applicable cameras that may experience this issue include:
Canon Powershot A40, A60, A70, A75, A80, A85, A95, A300, A310, S1 IS, S60, S200, S230, S330, S400, S410, S500, SD100, SD110, IXUS V2/300/400/430/500, IXY Digital 200a/300a/400/450/500

Here's a whole bunch of other peoples experiences with Canon regarding this issue. Generally they've been very favorable. Also note that the post gives a walkthrough on dealing with Canon on this issue:

http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/11/canon-digital-cameras-showing-black.html

And here's the official Canon recall advisory:
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=PgComSmModDisplayAct&fcategoryid=225&modelid=13390&keycode=2112&id=29819

[pittsf]

Recently, I experienced increasing image failures with my A80 (more than 10,000 photos in 4 yrs) where the images were becoming smeared and lined, completely useless.

After reading this post, and the referenced URL at camerarepair.blogspot.com, I emailed one of the bad images to Canon who replied that it was typical of the problem, and sent me a mailer to send the camera in for repair.

They fixed it quickly and even replaced the usb flap that had broken off, everything with no charge. I was very impressed with their service, especially since I have more than gotten my money's worth out of the camera.

So, thanks to the posters who made me aware of this valuable service, and thanks to Canon, too, for their excellent service.