Do all Canon Powershots die @ 2yrs?

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

11/23/2008 03:29:14 PM · #1

Hi all,

Wondering if anyone else has noticed that the Canon Powershot A700 seems to have a very short lifespan.

I put in freshly charged AA batteries, only to see the low battery sign start flashing; it does this with 3 different sets of batteries, all freshly charged. I did replace the CR1220 battery lithium battery, and I know it could possibly be just that, a bad battery. However I am not in a real hurry to dig up the receipt and scurry off to town to replace it, as the D40 is now my main camera. But I was hoping to get at least another couple years out of it, it's a good carrying-around camera.

I've heard of a few other Powershots that have barely made it to the 2-mile mark and am wondering if that is par for the course with them. I take good care of it, it never got dropped into water or on concrete etc etc, it just won't power up and take pictures.

And it cost about $390 CDN when I bought it; its $200 predecessor, my 2.01 Samsung Digimax, lived for at least 4 years before I sold it to my ex-bf last summer.

Message edited by author 2008-11-23 15:29:30.

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

11/23/2008 03:55:42 PM · #2

No. I've still got my working G3 and it's probably about 8 years old.

I'm sure it all depends on how much it gets used and abused though.

OdysseyF22

Panasonic DC-G9

Olympus 12-45mm f/4.0 Pro

11/23/2008 04:38:58 PM · #3

I've owned several Powershots, a couple of them refurbished, but all of them have lasted years without ever having problems. And I'm not always gentle with them; a couple have been dropped, and still work.

Sounds like you've just had a run of bad luck.

Canon RF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS USM

11/23/2008 04:48:15 PM · #4

The only thing I can think of is that I have left in my car when it's been cold, I suppose that would eventually mess things up. However, the Samsung experienced similar abuse, and lasted twice as long.

hajeka

Canon EOS R5

11/23/2008 04:56:33 PM · #5

I once was the owner of a wonderful Powershot S50. Dropped it one time to much, 5 minutes before viewing the Akropolis in Greece :(. Can't blame Canon for that.

FireBird

11/23/2008 05:00:51 PM · #6

Originally posted by snaffles:

Cold seldom damages electronics. Heat is another matter.

11/23/2008 05:03:44 PM · #7

My suspicions too, but I've never left it an exceptionally hot place. Again, did nothing with it that my Samsung hadn't already survived.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

11/24/2008 07:10:15 AM · #8

monday morning bump

Kazzar

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

11/24/2008 07:16:04 AM · #9

I have a Canon A700 which was used to death before my recent purchase of a Canon 450D. I love it and it's still going strong after almost 2 1/2 yrs. It's really handy for those times where I don't want to, or can't, lug around my SLR. Prior to that had an earlier Powershot which my ex still uses. Sounds like you've had bad luck.