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G12 repair or throw away?

Started Mar 3, 2018 | Discussions
ektekt New Member • Posts: 1
G12 repair or throw away?

I'm the average guy, who just feels the compulsory need to save moments and places in a jpeg.
point and shoot are the tool for me.

After years of Nikon Coolpix, I bought an used Canon G12.
Fantastic photos, fantastic feeling in my hands. For four years, then suddenly started to take photos like this .
What is that? faulty sensor?

I then bought a Sony DSC-Wx250. Contrary to reviews, I was very disappointed. Noisy as hell and worse hand feeling ever. Returned after a few days.

Whato should I do?
G12 is old, would Canon even consider repairing it? would it make sense?
I really feel bad to have to throw it away. Can I try to tear it apart and try to fix it myself?
Should I go for a new 'used' G-whatever is tha latest these days?

thanks for your advices

Canon PowerShot G12
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Steven Blackwood Senior Member • Posts: 2,211
Re: G12 repair or throw away?

There's really no question. Toss it. I might just ask out of curiosity what it would cost.

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Steve
stevenblackwood1950@gmail.com
Milwaukee WI

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(unknown member) Senior Member • Posts: 2,265
Re: G12 repair or throw away?
2

Greetings to another JPEG user.

Probably best to get a G5X. You are not going to worry which Digic it is using if the G12 was OK and whatever Digic is current at the moment will be rubbish when the next one comes out anyway. The EVF is a lot more useful than the OVF in your G12 as it does give an indication what the actual image is going to look like and it always annoyed me when I could not see the rear screen in bright light with my G11 as the OVF is always a perfect image whatever horrors happen in the actual image.

You will have a big sensor in a similar package to your old G12 and I think you should be happy.

sueanne
sueanne Forum Pro • Posts: 21,078
Go for the G12 :

ektekt wrote:

I'm the average guy, who just feels the compulsory need to save moments and places in a jpeg.
point and shoot are the tool for me.

After years of Nikon Coolpix, I bought an used Canon G12.
Fantastic photos, fantastic feeling in my hands. For four years, then suddenly started to take photos like this .
What is that? faulty sensor?

I then bought a Sony DSC-Wx250. Contrary to reviews, I was very disappointed. Noisy as hell and worse hand feeling ever. Returned after a few days.

Whato should I do?
G12 is old, would Canon even consider repairing it? would it make sense?
I really feel bad to have to throw it away. Can I try to tear it apart and try to fix it myself?
Should I go for a new 'used' G-whatever is tha latest these days?

thanks for your advices

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marksee Contributing Member • Posts: 969
Re: G12 repair or throw away?
2

It always pays to send your non-functioning Canon camera to Canon repair. Sometimes the issue is a known defect (to Canon)  in the model and Canon will replace it with a like or new camera. It's worth the try. I've had this happen to myself and my son. Good luck.

Chaplain Mark
Chaplain Mark Veteran Member • Posts: 6,539
Re: G12 repair or throw away?

G5X will suit you just fine; you won't be disappointed....!!   😊😊

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Thank You,
Chaplain Mark
-----
'Tis better to have a camera and not need one than to need a camera and not have one.
--------------
In pursuit of photographic excellence.

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rpm40
rpm40 Senior Member • Posts: 2,411
Re: G12 repair or throw away?
1

marksee wrote:

It always pays to send your non-functioning Canon camera to Canon repair. Sometimes the issue is a known defect (to Canon) in the model and Canon will replace it with a like or new camera. It's worth the try. I've had this happen to myself and my son. Good luck.

Plus if it isn't worth repairing, they will sometimes agree to give you a credit toward a new camera purchase. They have refurbished g5x's going for $449 which is a decent deal, and their refurbs are like new with a full warranty. Other than the brown box they come in, you would probably never know.

Chaplain Mark
Chaplain Mark Veteran Member • Posts: 6,539
Refurb, or New??

rpm40 wrote:

marksee wrote:

It always pays to send your non-functioning Canon camera to Canon repair. Sometimes the issue is a known defect (to Canon) in the model and Canon will replace it with a like or new camera. It's worth the try. I've had this happen to myself and my son. Good luck.

Plus if it isn't worth repairing, they will sometimes agree to give you a credit toward a new camera purchase. They have refurbished g5x's going for $449 which is a decent deal, and their refurbs are like new with a full warranty. Other than the brown box they come in, you would probably never know.

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RPM40,

Do you know for sure about the plain brown box?

I'm asking because my warranty replacement G3X arrived in standard retail packaging, with all the accessories normally included in a brand-new retail kit.

It just makes me think Canon shipped a brand-new G3X instead of a refurb,  when they performed the warranty adjustment for my failed G3X.

What do you think?

Thank You,
Chaplain Mark
-----
'Tis better to have a camera and not need one than to need a camera and not have one.
--------------
In pursuit of photographic excellence.

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BIJ001 Veteran Member • Posts: 5,828
Re: G12 repair or throw away?

It looks like a shutter issue.

I had an A610 which was a little gem and I like it very much until it developed (by the way during a holiday in France) a sticking shutter beyond economic repair. After some agonizing I picked a slightly used second hand G11.

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Iván József Balázs
(Hungary)

BIJ001 Veteran Member • Posts: 5,828
Re: G12 repair or throw away?

I got in the local Canon repair shop a quotation on the repairing of the A610 (this obviously less expensive camera) which would not have made sense, but it might in your case.

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Iván József Balázs
(Hungary)

rpm40
rpm40 Senior Member • Posts: 2,411
Re: Refurb, or New??

Chaplain Mark wrote:

rpm40 wrote:

marksee wrote:

It always pays to send your non-functioning Canon camera to Canon repair. Sometimes the issue is a known defect (to Canon) in the model and Canon will replace it with a like or new camera. It's worth the try. I've had this happen to myself and my son. Good luck.

Plus if it isn't worth repairing, they will sometimes agree to give you a credit toward a new camera purchase. They have refurbished g5x's going for $449 which is a decent deal, and their refurbs are like new with a full warranty. Other than the brown box they come in, you would probably never know.

Yes, Canon refurbished shows up in a brown cardboard box with Canon print. I am not home to take a photo of my g7x refurb box, but something like this:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=imgres&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwi76f-x3NXZAhVLNd8KHbEEAb8QjRx6BAgAEAY&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcountsmart.com%2Fauctions%2F&psig=AOvVaw1RPIZv3Mh-rUJBJOq_pFq2&ust=1520357824420944

If you got one in a new retail box, chances are it was brand new.

Chaplain Mark
Chaplain Mark Veteran Member • Posts: 6,539
Re: Refurb, or New??

rpm40 wrote:

Chaplain Mark wrote:

rpm40 wrote:

marksee wrote:

It always pays to send your non-functioning Canon camera to Canon repair. Sometimes the issue is a known defect (to Canon) in the model and Canon will replace it with a like or new camera. It's worth the try. I've had this happen to myself and my son. Good luck.

Plus if it isn't worth repairing, they will sometimes agree to give you a credit toward a new camera purchase. They have refurbished g5x's going for $449 which is a decent deal, and their refurbs are like new with a full warranty. Other than the brown box they come in, you would probably never know.

Yes, Canon refurbished shows up in a brown cardboard box with Canon print. I am not home to take a photo of my g7x refurb box, but something like this:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=imgres&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwi76f-x3NXZAhVLNd8KHbEEAb8QjRx6BAgAEAY&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcountsmart.com%2Fauctions%2F&psig=AOvVaw1RPIZv3Mh-rUJBJOq_pFq2&ust=1520357824420944

If you got one in a new retail box, chances are it was brand new.

Here's the box....

It gets a little confusing because, when I asked Canon's email tech support about it, they told me they didn't have access to the information to tell me for sure what got shipped, but that generally, when it comes to replacement under warranty, they usually ship a refurb.

Given your info however, and given the condition of camera they shipped, I'm betting it's brand-new and not a refurb....

Thanks for posting that brown box photo, you helped me a lot...!!!!  😊😊👍👍

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Chaplain Mark
-----
'Tis better to have a camera and not need one than to need a camera and not have one.
--------------
In pursuit of photographic excellence.

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GeraldW Veteran Member • Posts: 8,872
Re: Refurb, or New??

Chaplain Mark,

All the refurbed Canons I have had have a tell tale mark on the nameplate on the bottom.  A small pin hole at the end of the serial number.  No pin hole, it's new.

Some used cameras I have bought have had the tell tale pinhole.

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Jerry

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GeraldW Veteran Member • Posts: 8,872
Re: G12 repair or throw away?

That looks more like an electronics issue than anything mechanical.  Every other scan line is screwed up.

The G11 & G12 are very nice cameras and do show up fairly often on places like the used listings on KEH.com, B&H, and Adorama (I buy used from all three).  Prices for those two models are maybe $150 or so.  The G15 is as good with a faster lens; but lacks the articulated LCD and a nice one will run $275.

I suggest getting a used G12, or the very similar G11, as it will be familiar to you and use your same battery and charger, neck strap, etc.  The G11 is pretty much the same as the G12; but lacks the front wheel near the shutter button.  I've owned both and didn't see any difference in image quality.

Best of luck.

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Jerry

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Chaplain Mark
Chaplain Mark Veteran Member • Posts: 6,539
Re: Refurb, or New??

GeraldW wrote:

Chaplain Mark,

All the refurbed Canons I have had have a tell tale mark on the nameplate on the bottom. A small pin hole at the end of the serial number. No pin hole, it's new.

Some used cameras I have bought have had the tell tale pinhole.

Great tip, Jerry...!!

I will check that on my new G3X and report back...!!!!

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Thank You,
Chaplain Mark
-----
'Tis better to have a camera and not need one than to need a camera and not have one.
--------------
In pursuit of photographic excellence.

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ETAV8R New Member • Posts: 5
Re: Refurb, or New??

I have a malfunctioning G15 which served me well for many years. It was my go to camera for hikes, off-roading, etc. On a hike it began showing its last days. The rear multifunction section wasn't working nor the zoom, then the autofocus crapped out. I went to a Canon service center and was quoted $200 for a warrantied repair. That money would be better put towards a new camera. The rep gave me a card with the information for the refurb loyalty program.

I called that day and was quoted ~$340US for a refurbed G5X shipped. Thought about it one day and made the order the next day. So far I'm very happy with the upgrade.

Chaplain Mark
Chaplain Mark Veteran Member • Posts: 6,539
Re: Refurb, or New??

ETAV8R wrote:

I have a malfunctioning G15 which served me well for many years. It was my go to camera for hikes, off-roading, etc. On a hike it began showing its last days. The rear multifunction section wasn't working nor the zoom, then the autofocus crapped out. I went to a Canon service center and was quoted $200 for a warrantied repair. That money would be better put towards a new camera. The rep gave me a card with the information for the refurb loyalty program.

I called that day and was quoted ~$340US for a refurbed G5X shipped. Thought about it one day and made the order the next day. So far I'm very happy with the upgrade.

Congratulations on the new purchase....I'm very sure you will be very happy with the G5X....!!!

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Thank You,
Chaplain Mark
-----
'Tis better to have a camera and not need one than to need a camera and not have one.
--------------
In pursuit of photographic excellence.

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RA40 Contributing Member • Posts: 706
Re: Refurb, or New??

Nice! Enjoy the new camera!

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Mike:)

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glenncombs Senior Member • Posts: 2,127
Re: Refurb, or New??

So, what was yours Chaplain Mark, refurbished or new, according to Jerry’s information?

Glenn

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Chaplain Mark
Chaplain Mark Veteran Member • Posts: 6,539
Re: Refurb, or New??

glenncombs wrote:

So, what was yours Chaplain Mark, refurbished or new, according to Jerry’s information?

Glenn

Thanks for asking,  I forgot to report back....

No pinhole....it's a brand-new camera...!!!   😊😊😁😁😊😊😎😎

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Thank You,
Chaplain Mark
-----
'Tis better to have a camera and not need one than to need a camera and not have one.
--------------
In pursuit of photographic excellence.

 Chaplain Mark's gear list:Chaplain Mark's gear list
Canon G3 X Canon PowerShot G5 X Sony a7R III Sony a7C Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM +3 more
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