SX260HS sometimes has very dark screen, picture dark if taken, why unreliable? what do I do?

[lyn]

My PowerShot SX260HS recently started having a very dark screen and if a picture is taken when this happens, the picture is very dark.  It has been sporadic for the past two days of use and doesn't seem to be tied to turning it on and off or changing settings.  I'm leaving for a trip of a lifetime in 11 days and must have a reliable camera!  Please help asap!  Thank you!

[tazener]

I've had the same problem - the camera functions fine for a while and then all I get is half black and orange colors on screen for days on end. Nearly ruined my holiday as I couldn't take photos but managed to borrow another camera. Occassionally clicking on different areas of th eon-off swtich temporarily corrects it. Wish I could find the solution as I don't have money to pay for repairs or buy another camera. It does take fantastic photos though

[Mykolas]

emilycharlie and tazener,

It sounds as though your camera will need to be repaired.  To start the repair process, you'll need to complete a Repair Request on our website.

[macking104]

Is this a common problem /known issue? I'm having a similar problem where the screen is dark and The image of what Im photoing is dark. Also the icons for flash/ portrait, etc are gradated orange to black.

The estimated repair is $147.49! Is that accurate? The extended warranty company needs estimate so they can decide if repair is worthwhile...

[Snapper95]

I am having exactly this same problem. Screen goes dark unpredictably, can just barely see gradated orange menu items and only the very brightest items in the field of view. Pictures taken when like this turn out fine, I just can't see what I'm doing very well. Switching to the picture viewing mode doesn't change it, nor does fiddling with settings. Pushing on the screen a bit with my thumb and wiggling it often corrects the problem. So feels like a loose connection in the screen.

Canon folks, it sounds like this is a very common problem with this model of camera. Mine is over a year old so probably out of warranty (though I haven't checked for sure). What do you recommend all of us do about this problem. I love the camera by the way and it's breaking my heart that I'm not able to use it reliably!

Thanks!

[John_]

There are 6 people in this thread alone that are experiencing the same problem. New ones can be bought for $199, used and working from like BH Photo for $130 sort of makes the cost of repair seem impratical for these unless Canon recognizes an issue that  includes others who have not come to this forum first and went directly to support and lowers the repair cost for Canon customers. They probably have sold thousands and thousands of these throughout the world and only they have the complete history of problems. Canon is a good company known for good support and taking care of its customers fairly.

[sherrymyers]

Mine is doing the same thing! I noticed the last few times using the camera quality wasn't as good and seemed to have trouble with the shutter button!

[sherrymyers]

I tried that too LCD setting was fine! Thanks for the tip!

[sherrymyers]

Mine is doing the same thing and the quality of the picture before the screen went black wasn't as good and the shutter button was acting up a bit , I just noticed the camera seemed to be operating differently before the black screen issue came up!

[macking104]

If the camera is still under the 1 year warranty, contact Canon for repairs: http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/online_repair_tracking/consumer/digital_cameras/other_powershot/powers...

If not, they want about $160 plus ship-to-Canon cost for repairs 😞 The new model is $199 on sale. A local camera shop may have cheaper repair costs...

Some credit card companies (Discover / AmEx, etc) have extended warranty benefits. May want to check...

[sherrymyers]

I took my in and it is has a problem with the connectors can't remember what he called it but it will cost 179.00 to fix I think the camera was about 300.00 has to be an issue with all the cameras I need to call Canon!