My A80 CCD Sensor woes ...

Last night, I went to take a quick snap with the A80 and to my dismay, saw the symptons of what is the dreaded CCD Image Sensor Malfunction that happens to certain Canon powershots.

The LCD showed flickering horizontal lines and a cast of a moving darker shadow moving down the top of the LCD.

Then my pictures had a pink magneta line on the top of the pictures and some pictures had pink blotches.

I had this camera since 2003, actually this is my second A80 as I gave the first one to my brother. It's a great camera with very little fuss for pictures and IQ is high IMHO.

Canon is sending me out a free shipping UPS packaging label and I will be sending it to Canon to fix the CCD Image Sensor (the guy explained it was just a part that would be replaced for free) and should get it back within 10-14 days after I send it out.

This is the picture of the problem (lines and pink bar at the top)



and one (with added pink to the picture and pink bar at the top)



I hope Canon can fix my A80,

This is my first swivel A series from Canon that I really got some nice memories from and hope to get many more.

One from the first years with the A80



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regards,
sue anne
http://www.pbase.com/sueymarky

On my a80 sometimes I get an all black screen or a "scrambled" type of picture on the lcd screen - the pictures turn out just like the image on the screen.

If I remove the memory card it sometimes returns to normal.

I got my camera in 2003 also...do you have some kind of extended warranty? If not how did you get them to fix it for free?

My new SX110 IS is arriving today for a replacement but I would love to still have my working a80.

Thanks.

cgar said:

On my a80 sometimes I get an all black screen or a "scrambled" type
of picture on the lcd screen - the pictures turn out just like the
image on the screen.

If I remove the memory card it sometimes returns to normal.

I got my camera in 2003 also...do you have some kind of extended
warranty? If not how did you get them to fix it for free?

My new SX110 IS is arriving today for a replacement but I would love
to still have my working a80.

Thanks.

Click to expand...

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No extended warranty needed.

Check it out here.

http://www.usa.canon.com:80/consumer/controller?act=PgComSmModDisplayAct&keycode=2112&fcategoryid=221&modelid=9449

cgar,

It sounds like your CCD Image sensor is going bad.
Don't throw away your camera,
call Canon toll free 1-800-828-4040
and it will get repaired for free even if after expired warrenty.

see here --->

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7593_102-0.html?forumID=58&threadID=241840&messageID=2469246&tag=forums06 ;posts#2469246

cgar said:

On my a80 sometimes I get an all black screen or a "scrambled" type
of picture on the lcd screen - the pictures turn out just like the
image on the screen.

If I remove the memory card it sometimes returns to normal.

Click to expand...

It still has a problem if it works 'sometimes'

cgar said:

I got my camera in 2003 also...do you have some kind of extended
warranty? If not how did you get them to fix it for free?

My new SX110 IS is arriving today for a replacement but I would love
to still have my working a80.

Click to expand...

Congrats on the SX110IS. For a little backup, the A80 is indeed a classic gem.

Hope it works out for you, call Canon and explain about the LCD and your pictures showing up the same way.
Just have your serial number ready to give on the phone.

cgar said:

Thanks.

Click to expand...

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regards,
sue anne
http://www.pbase.com/sueymarky

I tried to get my A80 repaired (spots on sensor) and they quoted me some ridiculous price that was more than the camera was worth, so I just recycled it. Shame too, because I really liked that little guy.
JR
--
Nikon F
Fuji S100fs
Canon A20, A80, A710, A650

JR,

Not sure if spots on the sensor is related to CCD Image sensor or just plain dust on the sensor.

I hope recycled didn't mean throw away cause I read Canon is offering the 'Canon loyalty program' to upgrade a broken Canon digital....

Jerrich said:

I tried to get my A80 repaired (spots on sensor) and they quoted me
some ridiculous price that was more than the camera was worth, so I
just recycled it. Shame too, because I really liked that little guy.
JR
--
Nikon F
Fuji S100fs
Canon A20, A80, A710, A650

Click to expand...

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----------------------------
regards,
sue anne
http://www.pbase.com/sueymarky

Hi Sueanne it's been a while.Boy your kids are growing like weeds lol.Yes be all means get your A80 fixed it's worth it.I just bought a mint condition Pro1 i sold my other one and regretted it.Im using it more them my G9 lol.I wanted to say merry christmas to you and your family HO HO HO Cheers Bob.

Sorry to hear the bad news, Sue Anne...

Last I checked my A80 was still OK but wish I could say the same for my S400 & S1 IS & G5...

OK...soon!
LoL...
;-)
--
Johnny0

Hello Bob !

It has been awhile and I do see that you added a Pro1 to your digitals.
Funny you should say it gets more use than your G9. ;0

Yes kids grow up too fast which I know you can relate to with your growing grandkids.

Thanks for the wishes and hope you and your family have a great holiday too.
Do some posts with your Pro1 as I know you always do well with your digitals.

Bob tucker said:

Hi Sueanne it's been a while.Boy your kids are growing like weeds
lol.Yes be all means get your A80 fixed it's worth it.I just bought a
mint condition Pro1 i sold my other one and regretted it.Im using it
more them my G9 lol.I wanted to say merry christmas to you and your
family HO HO HO Cheers Bob.

Click to expand...

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regards,
sue anne
http://www.pbase.com/sueymarky

John,

It was sad when I went to take a picture and saw the LCD acting up and then the pictures.

I just put the A80 on its way to IL so I will see what happens in two weeks.
Perhaps they'll make the A80 like new, just in time for the holidays.

Ya should take the time to send in your three bad p&s, you could trade them in for the Canon Loyalty Program for a refurbished p&s than just sitting in the drawer.

Have a good one and its good I have a few backups....

Kota2k2 said:

OK...soon!
LoL...
;-)
--
Johnny0

Click to expand...

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regards,
sue anne
http://www.pbase.com/sueymarky

Hope you have better luck than I did with the CCD image sensor advisory program. My S410 (also on the list) was acting up intermittently with striated, smudged, smeary image. They sent me an email with a $116 repair estimate. When I called they said they couldn't find anything wrong with it, so I asked why $116 to repair if you don't find a problem and they said that would be the cost to disassemble and check it out. I just told them to send it back.... I can buy an A590IS for $109.

Perhaps if your camera constantly displays the problem you may get a repair.

hjlinamen,

I sure do hope I have better luck and when I sent my email to Canon Support and personally called them, they agreed it was the CCD image sensor. I sent it out this afternoon so will see what happens. They assured me if it was the sensor, I get a free repair. We'll see..............

If not, I will figure out what the next step will be.

hjlinamen said:

Hope you have better luck than I did with the CCD image sensor
advisory program. My S410 (also on the list) was acting up
intermittently with striated, smudged, smeary image. They sent me
an email with a $116 repair estimate. When I called they said they
couldn't find anything wrong with it, so I asked why $116 to repair
if you don't find a problem and they said that would be the cost to
disassemble and check it out. I just told them to send it back.... I
can buy an A590IS for $109.

Click to expand...

Very interesting info though... thanks for sharing.

hjlinamen said:

Perhaps if your camera constantly displays the problem you may get a
repair.

Click to expand...

Yes it is quite visible in the pictures and I shot off pictures last night and today and still the same pink mess.

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regards,
sue anne
http://www.pbase.com/sueymarky

Man you kids are growing fast! They've changed a lot! My a80 still works but it has big cluster of hot pixels, and dusts on the sensor.. I've stopped using it ever since... but would be great if I can get that fixed for free cheaply.. it was an awesome camera to use. and boy, I haven't been at this forum for a long long while.. lots of new faces!
--



http://jiayaw.smugmug.com
Yoko Dam

This same with mine but I have more strips. I'm not sure is this worth repairing?
--
Best regards, swnw.

Hello Yoko Dam,

Yes my kids are growing up. 9 and 11.

I think your A80 with its clumps of dust on the sensor isn't a CCD Image sensor problem but just dust on the sensor. I think if you really want it fixed, you'd have to send it to Canon to get cleaned.

Or maybe you want the Customer Loyalty Program where you could upgrade your A80 for "A40, A60, A70, A75, A80, A95 A510, A520, A530, A610 trade for:
A560 - $89
SD1000 - $100
SX100 IS - $125"
Customer Loyalty Program 866-433-8002

http://newschoolofphotography.com/forum/showthread.php?s=941faccf77fbe0d1ccc75de002c6eb2f&p=232042#post232042

You won't really know til you call 1-800-828-4040 (Canon free tech support) and ask.

jiayaw said:

Man you kids are growing fast! They've changed a lot! My a80 still
works but it has big cluster of hot pixels, and dusts on the sensor..
I've stopped using it ever since... but would be great if I can get
that fixed for free cheaply.. it was an awesome camera to use. and
boy, I haven't been at this forum for a long long while.. lots of new
faces!

Click to expand...

LOL yes lots of new faces since the G10 came out. I can recognize a few ole one since we had the A80.

Another option since you are in Canada is to see if you can pick up the last of the A650IS. (I got one in the Summer and it has some very nice features in it besides the swivel and zoom to 210mm)
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=30235806

Have a good holiday and I see on your website, you have quite a collection of dslr and lenses.
Pictures look great as usual.

Good luck with your A80.

jiayaw said:

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http://jiayaw.smugmug.com
Yoko Dam

Click to expand...

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----------------------------
regards,
sue anne
http://www.pbase.com/sueymarky

Swnw,

Yours sounds like mine, the CCD Image Sensor is effected.

Call Canon 1-800-828-4040 and give the info - you should be able to send your A80 in for free repair.

The A80 is the classic A series worth saving.

swnw said:

This same with mine but I have more strips. I'm not sure is this
worth repairing?
--
Best regards, swnw.

Click to expand...

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----------------------------
regards,
sue anne
http://www.pbase.com/sueymarky

My A80 repair was denied. They said the dark images and viewfinder had a different cause (but they couldn't/ wouldn't tell me what) and that they would repair it for $95.00.

So they are sending it back un-fixed.

cgar,

I think its bad that Canon won't tell you exactly what the problem is.
I would contact Canon again and ask specifically for some answers.

Actually $95 isn't too bad to fix the camera if they do it correctly.
But depends on how much you like the A80.

"On my a80 sometimes I get an all black screen or a "scrambled" type of picture on the lcd screen - the pictures turn out just like the image on the screen.

If I remove the memory card it sometimes returns to normal. "

If you think its not repairable and if you are sure its not the memory card itself,
try http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/849344/
for the Canon Loyalty Program for A80
A40, A60, A70, A75, A80, A95 A510, A520, A530, A540, A610 trade for:
A560 - $89
SD1000 - $100
SX100 IS - $125

I expect my A80 back next week, already got confirmed letter and emails stating free repair and so we'll see what happens. (knock on wood)

cgar said:

My A80 repair was denied. They said the dark images and viewfinder
had a different cause (but they couldn't/ wouldn't tell me what) and
that they would repair it for $95.00.

So they are sending it back un-fixed.

Click to expand...

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regards,
sue anne
http://www.pbase.com/sueymarky

My wife uses it almost every day to take pictures of our kids.

Great little gem of a camera. I wish the newer 1/1.8 inch sensor A-series cameras were as compact as the A80....

Hope you get yours repaired and will continue to enjoy it.
Cheers,
Sharif

--
Sharif El-Hamalawi
http://www.el-hamalawi.net
http://www.pbase.com/sharif

Today I got back the A80, and all excited I was to see if they fixed the CCD sensor.

Yes Canon replaced the CCD unit and other electrical adjustments, inspections and cleaning and parts replacements were carried out. This problem was fixed.

BUT now I noticed my pictures aren't sharp all over.

I get a blurry corner effect(left side) and in some pictures, an inconsistent blurriness to make the picture not worthy to keep.

I think it could be the lens was misalienged and will Canon fix this or not?
My charge or what?
I sent an email and will wait to hear from them in the next business day.

I wonder what will be the next surprise in store, which is why I hesitate to send stuff to Canon. Arggh !

Here are a few pictures...
No big composition, just testing - just resized for the web(no USM or pp done)

Macro shot of the repair invoice



Shot in P mode, flash on



Shot in P mode, flash on



What do you think?

----------------------------
regards,
sue anne
http://www.pbase.com/sueymarky