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Canon Powershot G11 power problem

Started Feb 25, 2020 | Questions
Clement 2000 New Member • Posts: 4
Canon Powershot G11 power problem

Hello,

I have this amazing Canon Powershot G11, and I love it, it looks nice, it is sturdy, it holds in my pocket, the batteries last very very long, and most importantly, it takes pretty good shots (at least, it is more than sufficient for my needs).

However, it has a big problem, which doesn't seems to be normal. Sometimes (pretty often) for some reason that I don't know, it just suddenly and randomly shuts off. The lens, stays open. And when I try to turn it back on, it will try to retract it and then it will turn off after a centimeter. Then I try again, and it will go the other way for a centimeter. And over and over again, until it suddenly wants to work again, and then it's fine.

When this event happens, I noticed that if I close the screen, and then I turn it on, it will work fine, until I reopen the screen, then the screen tries to light up, and a quarter of a second later, boom, it turns back off.

I noticed that when it's fine, if i go in the parameters and try to increase the brightness, it will also crash.

And I also noticed that when I put the flash at max power and use it, it also does the same thing. (then, I don't really care about the flash because I never use it)

Finally, I tried replacing the batteries, but even with recent official ones, I get the same exact symptoms. I also tried changing the charger.

I have absolutely no clue. But I really hope there is a way to fix it, because I really love it.

Thanks in advance for your help,

Clément.

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Canon PowerShot G11
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Chaplain Mark
Chaplain Mark Veteran Member • Posts: 6,539
Re: Canon Powershot G11 power problem

Unfortunately, it's time to replace this 11 year old camera, as the multiple symptoms you described suggest a failed motherboard rather than a power problem.

Currently there are plenty copies of this camera available on Amazon for quite reasonable prices.

Hope this helps....!!!

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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.
--------------
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OP Clement 2000 New Member • Posts: 4
Re: Canon Powershot G11 power problem

Thank you for your reply !

Well, I was also (but didn't want to) thinking about a bad motherboard.

I don't know if I just replace the motherboard, It would cos me around 35 USD. Opening it and putting my hands in doesn't scare me at all.

I'm not 100% sure it would work, but then there is no reason for it not to, as the battery is directly connected to it, and there's no other circuit board in it.

Do you think it is worth trying ? To be honest, I prefer to keep my old one and try to repair it as long as I can, than to buy a poor quality brand new copy of it.

Otherwise, what would you consider a decent second hand cheap compact, for someone who is just taking photos of buses. I'd like to spend 250USD or less. Also considering that I can replace any damaged/broken part on more or less any kind of device.

I was thinking about a G7X (Mark I), they seem to sometimes go for quite low prices on ebay just because the screen is broken.

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Canon PowerShot G11
Chaplain Mark
Chaplain Mark Veteran Member • Posts: 6,539
Re: Canon Powershot G11 power problem

Clement 2000 wrote:

Thank you for your reply !

Well, I was also (but didn't want to) thinking about a bad motherboard.

I don't know if I just replace the motherboard, It would cos me around 35 USD. Opening it and putting my hands in doesn't scare me at all.

I'm not 100% sure it would work, but then there is no reason for it not to, as the battery is directly connected to it, and there's no other circuit board in it.

Do you think it is worth trying ?

Well, yes and no...could be a waste of $35, or could turn out a righteous repair.

To be honest, I prefer to keep my old one and try to repair it as long as I can, than to buy a poor quality brand new copy of it.

Poor quality brand new copy?  Dunno what you mean...?

Otherwise, what would you consider a decent second hand cheap compact, for someone who is just taking photos of buses. I'd like to spend 250USD or less. Also considering that I can replace any damaged/broken part on more or less any kind of device.

I was thinking about a G7X (Mark I), they seem to sometimes go for quite low prices on ebay just because the screen is broken.

I'm confused about what your standards are, for a used camera purchase.  Are you looking for a cheap, broken camera, or one in decent shape for a reasonable price?

There are thousands of good used compact cameras on the market; you might try Amazon for a used camera with a decent warranty.

As to specific makes and models, I'm afraid I'm not able to make a recommendation.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful..!!

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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
OP Clement 2000 New Member • Posts: 4
Re: Canon Powershot G11 power problem

Thank you for your help ! I really appreciate it.

I'll do some researches by my side, and I'll let you know what I've done.

Thank you,

Clément.

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Canon PowerShot G11
arrow501 Senior Member • Posts: 1,030
Re: Canon Powershot G11 power problem

Clean the battery terminals in the camera and try to bend them up a bit so they make a better contact with the battery when it is inserted.

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OP Clement 2000 New Member • Posts: 4
Re: Canon Powershot G11 power problem

I makes a while I tried this... I cleaned all my batteries and the terminals in the with a Q-Tip and a little amount of contact cleaner.

Sadly it didn't change anything...

As @Chaplain Mark said and confirmed my doubts, it's what seems to be a partially fried motherboard.

But if you know anything else I may try, please let me know.

Thank you,

Clément.

 Clement 2000's gear list:Clement 2000's gear list
Canon PowerShot G11
Chaplain Mark
Chaplain Mark Veteran Member • Posts: 6,539
Re: Canon Powershot G11 power problem

Clement 2000 wrote:

Thank you for your help ! I really appreciate it.

I'll do some researches by my side, and I'll let you know what I've done.

Thank you,

Clément.

Bonne chance, and keep us posted...!!

-- hide signature --

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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