Konica Minolta, Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, also issue CCD alerts

Well, first Sony comes clean with their CCD defects, now Konica Minolta, Canon, Nikon, and Fujifilm have followed suit. And, like Sony, their defects also affect products manufactured about two years ago which are just now surfacing, resulting in blurred and unnatural colors across both live and recorded images. Those pictures above are actual examples of CCDs, yo. Hmmm, a connection? You betcha! Slashdot is reporting that the major makers are affected in each case due to a similar flaw in the "epoxy packaging" CCD sensors are delivered in, which eventually lets moisture into the packaging. Can't you just hear the paper-a-shufflin' in California as the lawyers prepare for the class-action lawsuits aplenty?

P.S. -Be sure to peep Imaging-Resource's page for their list of affected devices.

[Via Slashdot, thanks CoreyTheGent]

[PDubNYC @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

wow, this could end up being a real nightmare for these companies and their customers. I know I would be pretty P.O.'d if that happened to mine.

ps- the pseudo ghetto speak, while mildly amusing, is really getting kind of stale. This story summary was especially painful to read. I don't have to peep every new product that drops, yo.

[Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Wait, huh? I noticed Canon was on that list, so I clicked through to the supposed service advisory about Canon's affected cameras, and it said this:

"According to the advisory, uncovered by our friends at the Digital Photography Review website, the problem mostly manifests itself at high temperatures and humidities, and causes the camera to stop recording images, or to record distorted images. The problem is apparently caused because parts of the camera's wiring come loose."

This does not sound like a flaw in the "epoxy packaging" of the CCD or of the CCD itself. Additionally, only Canon's Asian web site has this service advisory.

I checked this specifically because I had an A70 that I gave to my mother once I upgraded, so I wanted to see if it was affected. But despite the implication to the contrary in this article, it doesn't seem to be affected by anything other than some possible loose wiring.

I wonder if the links to the other manufacturers sites will turn up similarly random and unrelated issues; I haven't checked them all.

[shadekh @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

hmm..so all of them used sony's ccd's? so the fault rests entirely with sony?

i can remember not so long ago taht sony's electronics were considered world class, and i myself endaevored to take only sony in my elec purchases. obviously that has changed

[Tom Boucher @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Why would there be a class action suit if they're willing to replace things for free? To me a class action would be something you'd do if they said 'eh, screw you' instead it sounds like all the vendors are stepping up and replacing the piece free of charge. Or did I read the articles wrong?

[Thomas Ricker @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Jeff, Here is Canon USA's position...

http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/1128632808.html

"Canon USA doesn't seem to have published an overall advisory like that found in Asia, but has published advisories on the product pages for certain of its cameras, stating that "reports of this malfunction have been rare in the United States", but that it will likewise repair cameras found to be suffering from the problem free of charge, whether still under warranty coverage or not. Customers are advised to call Canon Customer Support, or submit an email requesting support. Full instructions can be found by visiting the Canon USA support website, browsing to your specific camera, then click on the "service notices" link."

[GeneMack @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Well, I am both happy and pissed.

First, I am happy because the problems I am having with my A80 are because my underwater housing has been letting in water or moisture.

Pissed, because I have been having this problem for awhile.

The problem surfaced soon after I bought the underwater housing and I use the A80 almost exclusively as an underwater camera. I would take pictures for an entire dive, only to find out that they were all screwed. Because the A80 doesn't have a great screen in the first place, coupled with very bright light, I couldn't tell what was being photographed.

Anyway, I found the old "bang the camera in the palm of your hand a few times" trick would bring everything back to normal and the camera takes great pictures - both in and out of the water.

And for the price I paid for the housing, I have been thinking of buying some spare A80's for the time when my current one decides to quit for good...

[GeneMack @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

I said A80 a bunch of times and I meant A70. Sorry.

[Andrew @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

This is also affecting Sony digital video camcorders..... And I thought mine was just a lemon...can't wait to get it fixed!

[Red @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Jeff, et al, here's the A70 link:

http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=PgComSmModDisplayAct&keycode=2112&fcategoryid=221&modelid=8776

[Joel @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

No, Canon usa HAS released a statement, they will fix it free of charge as long as it "qualifies":

http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=PgComSmModDisplayAct&keycode=2112&fcategoryid=221&modelid=8776

I have had 3 Powershot A70s and EVERY one had this ccd problem... each time I had to send them back to the company to get fixed. Unfortunately I am now out of warranty so I was SOL. So I am happy to see they will fix the problem, BOUT DAMN TIME!

Just look at how many people have had this problem:

http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/canon-powershot-a70-reviews.html

[Fox @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Thank god.. my Canon PowerShot S2 IS was not affected by this.. just took a gander at the list. :)
It would have been too much trouble fixing it if it was.. ;)

[Cog Nizant @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Got my FujiFilm S2 Pro fixed 6 months ago. They did not balk at fixing it but it took three weeks. There are several blogs/bbs's that have serial numbers listed and log of complaints. I printed that, included it in the box, and wrote a nasty gram about poor QA.
Otherwise, love the camera.

[Heron @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Although they have not issued an advisory, the Olympus C-5050 Zoom is *definitely* affected by this CCD problem. I've been collecting reports of failures and all the pics look just like the ones from Minolta. Hopefully we won't have to do a class action lawsuit.

http://www.moon-stone.com/5050

[PiratePete @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Is there some list of the affected Sony digicams out there? Can't seem to find it.

[Ima Pseudonym @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Whar's the list??!

[Ima Pseudonym @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

FOUND THE LIST! Click on the CCD image at the top of this article!

http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/1128958202.html

Detailed article at the link too.

[Ima Pseudonym @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

FOUND A *PARTIAL* LIST! Click on the CCD image at the top of this article!

http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/1128958202.html

Detailed article at the link too.

[Raymond Marshall @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

The Canon MV6iMC digital video camera seems to have the same problems with it's CCD malfunction as well here in Australia: No visuals / picture and hence No recording! After 30 minutes of recording and familiarizing, Zero! Unfortunately, after 14 days "no replacement" and I'm about to go holidays... Canon only has "One" servicing base in Australia, an area the size of the USA... 4-5 weeks minimum return and your costs and insurance! Good Eh? Not good for Canon purchasers / devotees of the past... No responsibility of major malfunction. Think twice!

[Martin @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

does anyone have the same CCD sensor problem on their Canon PowerShot A80 ? Mine just died yesterday, not exactly 'died', but there is just nothing in the diplay but I can see all the menu icons on the display and saved pictures from the Flash Card. It has been acting a little bit weird lately with some purple distortion on the display and now it's just blank. I have just emailed Canon and going to wait for their response.

[Jdguram @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Same problem with my Fuji Finepix S5000.
Suddenly, the display went purple and heavily distorted and I *do* live in hot and humid conditions ... but hey ..should'nt the companies test this during their QA??

Fuji also has an advisory with this regard but not for S5000... I wonder if they *add* to the list when enough number of people make noise about it!!