The Canon digital camera line extends from point-and-click cameras to advanced digital SLR (single lens reflex) cameras. The Canon Powershot line of cameras are for the basic point-and-click user, with many automatic options that can be quickly set to capture those unique moments. The Canon EOS series digital cameras are for the more advanced photographer, testing your photo abilities and offering many options for those who like to experiment and shoot with manual settings. While Canon digital cameras are considered the elite of digital cameras, they can have problems.
Powershot LCD Screen is Black
The point-and-click Powershot has been known to have CCD image sensor failures that cause the screen to turn black when taking a picture. Other symptoms may include lines, spots or over-exposed pixels seen through your LCD, which are also visible on the image.
Call Canon support at 1-800-828-4040 or view the Canon Service Notice on this issue. They will be able to work with you to determine if this is, in fact, the problem. Even if your camera is not under warranty, Canon may still offer to repair the camera for free as this is a known defect. However, be prepared to accept shipping costs or possibly some expense for the camera's repair.
Stuck Shutter
A stuck shutter problem is very similar to the LCD black screen problem. The shutter can be either stuck open or shut, which can confuse the issue. If the shutter is stuck closed, you will have a black LCD screen and your camera will take black pictures. The opposite is true with a shutter stuck open problem. The symptoms are overexposed pictures, which will be more noticeable when taking pictures outside.
To verify a stuck shutter problem, turn your camera to a manual mode using your instruction manual. Turn the camera around and look into the lens. Take a picture. You should see the center of the lens flicker as the shutter opens and closes. If you see no movement at all, then you likely have a stuck shutter.
Fixing a stuck shutter on a Canon digital camera is not easy because the shutter mechanism is located deep inside the camera. You can try to fix a stuck shutter by interrupting the power while the camera is in the process of taking a picture.
To interrupt the power, first turn the camera on. Set your camera to any setting (manual mode) that will give you a long exposure time without a flash going off. On some Canon cameras, the shutter can stay open as long as 15 seconds. Take a picture.
After a few seconds (and while the camera is still working on the picture) open the battery compartment door as instructed by your camera's manual. This will cut the power to the camera. Close the battery compartment door after a few seconds. Re-test to see if it fixed the shutter problem. You may have to try this 15 times before the shutter becomes free again.
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