Digital Camera LCD displays not working

[Alistair]

I have a Canon Power Shot S3 IS camera. It's about 2 years old and has always worked fine. I went to use it today and the LCD display, and the LCD viewfinder don't display the image. The screens are just black. You can see all the function images (flash symbol, red eye symbol, zoom setting and such) but not the image I'm trying to photograph.

I took a sample picture and it comes out black. I've changed batteries, left them out for awhile trying to reset the camera and checked all the settings to make sure something hasn't changed. To no avail. I've also searched the web and found others have had the problem but there were no posted solutions. I also left a support ticket with Canon, but haven't heard anything back.

Has anyone experienced a similar problem and found a solution?

 

[looseliam]

If the shutter is exposed and still yields a blank image, perhaps it's the sensor that's faulty and the LCD is working properly by displaying the image it isn't seeing - similar to leaving the lens cap on.

 

[Darted]

Can you see a backlight on the LCD? Or is it off?

 

[BiMike]

Can you see any images of shots you have previously taken ? If not it would appear that it is the LCD display which is not working. If it is outside its i year gurantee period I think you will find that it is will cost a lot more to send it back to Canon for repair compared to price of new camera.In the UK they charge something like £60 just to test it! Hope you can find some slution.

 

[Alistair]

I think it's what looseliam suggested. The LCD is working, I can see old images and the menus, I just don't get a new image. This is the second Canon digital that I've had quit working after a short time. I paid $150 for the first one ( a simple point and shoot ) and $350 for the Power Shot.

I'm not giving them any more money, looks like I'll be buying a Nikon next time.

 

[looseliam]

I had one of the early nikon s50 or something like that. I wasn't too impressed. I have a second-hand powershot and I really like it.

As for D/SLR it's Nikon only for me.

 

[Darted]

The fact that your LCD still works for old pictures and menus seems weird. It's either a software problem (Just reset it to factory defaults) or else I don't know what the problem would be.