If you are like one of an estimated 75 million owners of a digital camera, at some point in time, your camera will more than likely develop one or more problems and would be in need of digital camera repair. Common problems include cracked LCDs, broken battery doors, jammed lenses or board level problems.

There are a set of digital camera models however, that develop their own unique problems, all stemming back to a batch of defective CCDs that Sony produced and used in these camera models.

What’s the big deal with the faulty CCD? Well Sony produced a series of CCDs for various digital cameras between the years of 2003 and 2005, for at least 20 different models. And in higher heat and humidity conditions, the CCDs would begin to fail, producing some crazy looking images or causing a black screen to show on your camera.

Here is a list of all the bad Sony CCD models that I can find right now, as I find more, I will add them to the list.

Canon Digital Cameras & Camcorders

* PowerShot A60
* PowerShot A70
* PowerShot A75
* PowerShot A300
* PowerShot A310
* PowerShot S230 Digital ELPH / Digital IXUS V3 / IXY D320
* PowerShot SD100 Digital ELPH / Digital IXUS II / IXY Digital 30
* PowerShot SD110 Digital ELPH / Digital IXUS IIs / IXY Digital 30a
* PowerShot A40
* PowerShot A80
* PowerShot A85
* PowerShot A95
* PowerShot S1 IS
* PowerShot S60
* PowerShot S200 DIGITAL ELPH / DIGITAL IXUS V2 / IXY DIGITAL 200a
* PowerShot S330 DIGITAL ELPH / DIGITAL IXUS 330 / IXY DIGITAL 300a
* PowerShot S400 DIGITAL ELPH / DIGITAL IXUS 400 / IXY DIGITAL 400
* PowerShot S410 DIGITAL ELPH / DIGITAL IXUS 430 / IXY DIGITAL 450
* PowerShot S500 DIGITAL ELPH / DIGITAL IXUS 500 / IXY DIGITAL 500 (including White Limited version)

* MV600i
* MV630i
* MV650i
* MV700i
* MV730i
* MV750i
* MV5i
* MV5i MC
* MV6i MC
* ZR60
* ZR65 MC
* ZR70 MC
* ZR80
* ZR85
* ZR90
* Elura 40 MC
* Elura 50

The Canon support website holds no forms or other needed documents, so you can save yourself some time (if you live in the US or Puerto Rico) by just calling the Canon Customer Support line at 1-800-828-4040. Support hours are Monday-Friday 8am to 12 midnight, and Saturday from 10am-8pm. (All times EST.) Alternately, you can send email to: carecenter@cits.canon.com.

Fujifilm Digital Cameras

Model Serial Number Range(s)

• FinePix A303 3JA4**** to 3JA5****
• FinePix F410 32A1****, 32A6**** to 32A7****, 32A9****
• FinePix F700 33A0****, 34A1****
• FinePix S2 Pro 31A127** to 31A143**, 32A000** to 32A039**, 33A000** to 33A007**, 34A000** to 34A004**

Serial numbers can be found on the bottom of the cameras. From the Fuji service advisor, the following applies to US customers:

IF SERVICE IS NEEDED:
Package the camera carefully using ample padded material to prevent damage in transit. Include your name, address and phone number with the shipment as well as a general description of the problem. Keep a record of the camera’s serial number and shipment tracking number. Ship your camera to the Fuji Service Center noted below:

Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc.
1100 King George Post Rd.
Edison, NJ 08837
Attn: Camera Repair Dept./CCD Advisory

Konica Minolta Digital Cameras

* DiMAGE A1
* DiMAGE 7i
* DiMAGE 7Hi
* DiMAGE Xi
* DiMAGE Xt
* DiMAGE X20
* DiMAGE S414
* DiMAGE F300

Note: Sony has since taken over servicing of Konica-Minolta digital cameras. Sony’s customer support website now lists the affected Konica-Minolta models along with a troubleshooting guide and repair request form.

Kyocera Digital Cameras

* Finecam S3L
* Finecam S5
* Finecam S5R
* Contax TVs

Additional digital cameras added since the original 2005 service advisory by Kyocera include the following:

* Finecam M400R
* Finecam M410R
* Finecam SL400R

At this time, both announcements only seem to cover the Japanese domestic market. We’ve yet to see any announcement from Kyocera in other markets, and would advise customers who have experienced the problem to contact their local Kyocera office to determine whether their camera may be covered under warranty. For customers in Japan, instructions on how to seek repair of the covered digicams can be found in the Japanese-language service advisory.

Leica and Panasonic Digital Cameras

* Leica DIGILUX 2
* Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC1

In December 2006, we told readers about a warranty extension for Leica’s DIGILUX 2 digital camera, covering problems with the CCD image sensor. Given that the Leica DIGILUX 2 is a variant of Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-LC1 design, it isn’t surprising to find that some LC1 digicams can suffer from the same problem.

Panasonic Canada have published a notice on their customer support page indicating a limited number of 2004 model DMC-LC1 digital cameras within a specific range of serial numbers are affected. The serial number ranges are A4SYxxxxx and G4SYxxxxx. Canadian customers are asked to call Panasonic Canada’s toll-free call center number at 1-800-561-5505 for assistance in arranging a free repair.

Nikon Digital Cameras

* Coolpix SQ
* Coolpix 3100
* Coolpix 5700
* Coolpix 3500
* Coolpix 4500
* Coolpix 5000
* Coolpix 5400

There’s a button on the Nikon USA Photography home page, labeled “Coolpix Service Advisory: 3100-5700-SQ-5400-4500-5000-3500″ that displays information in a popup window. Here’s a link to it in a standalone window: Coolpix Service Advisory. Here are links to other pages from the Nikon site, namely the Coolpix Advisory FAQs, and the Service Advisory Product Return Form.

Olympus Digital Cameras

* Camedia C-5050 Zoom
* Camedia C-730 Ultra Zoom

Olympus is distinguishing themselves by offering to repair affected cameras, even if they aren’t displaying the problem yet. Their free repair policy is extended for up to four years from the original purchase date. They do ask that, if your camera is currently operating properly, you hold off on sending it in until after January 2006, due to the high volume of repair business during the holiday season. To determine if your camera is affected, call Olympus repair at 888-553-4448, Monday-Friday, 8am -10pm EST, or email to customersupport@olympus.com.

Pentax Digital Cameras

* Optio 330RS
* Optio 330GS
* Optio 33L
* Optio 43WR
* Optio 550
* Optio 555

Pentax USA have published a brief note on their Customer Care & Support homepage which refers customers to a separate PDF file for further information. This document pledges repair of the problem free of charge, regardless of warranty status, as long as the camera doesn’t have other symptoms not described as part of the problem.

PENTAX Service Department
12000 Zuni Street – Suite 100B
Westminster CO 80234

We couldn’t find any details regarding the duration of the free repair offer, nor of serial numbers affected. We suggest you simply contact Pentax for clarification of these points.

Ricoh Digital Cameras

* Caplio RR30
* Caplio 300G
* Caplio G3
* Caplio G3 model M
* Caplio G3 model S
* Caplio ProG3
* Caplio G4
* Caplio G4 wide
* Caplio 400G wide
* Caplio RX

Ricoh US support took a little digging to track down. Ricoh Global issued the service advisory itself. Service centers for various regions US, Canada, and South American service for Ricoh cameras is handled by:

C.R.I.S. Camera Services
Phone: 800-22 RICOH
Fax: 480-940-1329
www.criscam.com
Email:

We couldn’t find any details regarding the duration of the free repair offer, nor of serial numbers affected. We suggest you simply contact C.R.I.S Camera Services directly to learn how to proceed.

Sony Digital Cameras Camcorders

* Cyber-shot DSC-F717
* Cyber-shot DSC-P10
* Cyber-shot DSC-P12
* Cyber-shot DSC-P2
* Cyber-shot DSC-P31
* Cyber-shot DSC-P32
* Cyber-shot DSC-P51
* Cyber-shot DSC-P52
* Cyber-shot DSC-P7
* Cyber-shot DSC-P71
* Cyber-shot DSC-P72
* Cyber-shot DSC-P8
* Cyber-shot DSC-P92
* Cyber-shot DSC-U10
* Cyber-shot DSC-U20
* Cyber-shot DSC-U30
* Cyber-shot DSC-U60
* Cyber-shot DSC-V1
* CD Mavica MVC-CD250
* CD Mavica MVC-CD400
* CD Mavica MVC-CD500
* FD Mavica MVC-FD100
* FD Mavica MVC-FD200

* Cyber-shot DSC-F88
* Cyber-shot DSC-M1
* Cyber-shot DSC-T1
* Cyber-shot DSC-T11
* Cyber-shot DSC-T3
* Cyber-shot DSC-T33
* Cyber-shot DSC-U40
* Cyber-shot DSC-U50

* CCD-TRV107E
* CCD-TRV118
* CCD-TRV128
* CCD-TRV218E
* CCD-TRV228
* CCD-TRV228E
* CCD-TRV318
* CCD-TRV328
* CCD-TRV418
* CCD-TRV418E
* CCD-TRV428
* CCD-TRV428E

Camcorders, DCR-DVD models

* DCR-DVD100
* DCR-DVD100E
* DCR-DVD101
* DCR-DVD101E
* DCR-DVD200
* DCR-DVD200E
* DCR-DVD300
* DCR-DVD91E

Camcorders, DCR-TRV models Camcorders

* DCR-TRV147E
* DCR-TRV14E
* DCR-TRV16
* DCR-TRV16E
* DCR-TRV18
* DCR-TRV18E
* DCR-TRV19
* DCR-TRV19E
* DCR-TRV22
* DCR-TRV22E
* DCR-TRV240E
* DCR-TRV24E
* DCR-TRV25
* DCR-TRV250
* DCR-TRV250E
* DCR-TRV255E
* DCR-TRV25E
* DCR-TRV260
* DCR-TRV265
* DCR-TRV265E
* DCR-TRV27
* DCR-TRV27E
* DCR-TRV33
* DCR-TRV33E
* DCR-TRV340
* DCR-TRV340E
* DCR-TRV361
* DCR-TRV38
* DCR-TRV38E
* DCR-TRV39
* DCR-TRV40
* DCR-TRV40E
* DCR-TRV460
* DCR-TRV460E
* DCR-TRV461E
* DCR-TRV50
* DCR-TRV50E
* DCR-TRV740
* DCR-TRV740E
* DCR-TRV840
* DCR-TRV940
* DCR-TRV940E
* DCR-TRV950
* DCR-TRV950E

DCR-IP models

* DCR-IP45
* DCR-IP45E
* DCR-IP5
* DCR-IP55
* DCR-IP55E
* DCR-IP5E
* DCR-IP7E

Camcorders, DCR-PC models

* DCR-PC101
* DCR-PC101E
* DCR-PC103E
* DCR-PC104E
* DCR-PC105
* DCR-PC105E
* DCR-PC106E
* DCR-PC107E
* DCR-PC108
* DCR-PC108E
* DCR-PC115
* DCR-PC115E
* DCR-PC120
* DCR-PC120E

Camcorders, DCR-VX models

* DCR-VX2000
* DCR-VX2000E
* DCR-VX2100
* DCR-VX2100E

Camcorders, DCR-HC models

* DCR-HC14E
* DCR-HC15
* DCR-HC15E
* DCR-HC16E
* DCR-HC18E
* DCR-HC20
* DCR-HC20E
* DCR-HC30
* DCR-HC30E

CLIE Handheld Computer Models Professional Camcorders
(DVCAM format)

* PEG-NZ90/G
* PEG-NZ90/H

* DSR-250 & DSR-250/P
* DSR-PD150 & DSR-PD150P
* DSR-PD170 & DSR-PD170P
* DSR-PDX10 & DSR-PDX10P

As Sony is the original sensor manufacturer for all of the other manufacturers’ products listed above (and given the vast array of products that they manufacture themselves) it should come as no great surprise that Sony has by far, the greatest number of affected products. This should not be taken as indicating any inherent deficiency in Sony products beyond the now discontinued sensors involved.

No service forms or mailing addresses are provided on the Sony US site. Rather, owners are instructed to contact the Sony Customer Information Services Center for further assistance at 1-866-703-7669.

I hope you are able to get your camera repair for free! Good luck, and let me know if you do!

Thomas Drayton