Is a Canon Power Shot A570 worth repairing?

[Soakedlontra]

I have a Canon Power Shot A570 which doesn't work anymore. I changed the batteries but when I pressed the power button it was totally dead.

Now I have just talked to a Canon technical support guy who told me that Canon has a flat rate of $ 89 + $ 10 for shipping for repairing the camera independently of what the problem is.

I am wondering whether it is worth spending the money or I am better off buying a new camera.

Cheers

 

[Pelagicsal]

Do you have the u/w housing for it?

If not, I'd pop for a new camera. I replaced an A620 because I have the housing and found the camera at a most reasonable price.

If I hadn't had the housing, I would have upgraded.
Throw that $100 in to the new camera budget!

 

[Soakedlontra]

Do you have the u/w housing for it?

If not, I'd pop for a new camera. I replaced an A620 because I have the housing and found the camera at a most reasonable price.

If I hadn't had the housing, I would have upgraded.
Throw that $100 in to the new camera budget!

I have a Canon housing that it seems to be on its last legs. The buttons often stick in the middle of a dive and it is impossible to take pictures. I have tried silicon and pushing the buttons until they don't stick anymore. Sometimes it works, other times it doesn't.

I am wondering...Do other more expensive housing have the same problem? If so, can you take apart the buttons and clean them if they stick?

good night

 

[Pelagicsal]

Seems like I have read some directions for cleaning the buttons - on here, I think. I use a small brush to scrub them out some after a good long soak. Then I use the brush to apply a little silicone to the springs and play with the buttons until they work smoothly. It's worked all right and I haven't had to try dis- and re-assembly.

I don't know about other housings. Maybe someone more knowledgeable will pipe in here.

 

[Diane V]

I once sent a canon back for repair. They quoted my more than they quoted you. I sent the camera in and it was repaired free of charge.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

I have a Canon Power Shot A570 which doesn't work anymore. I changed the batteries but when I pressed the power button it was totally dead.

Now I have just talked to a Canon technical support guy who told me that Canon has a flat rate of $ 89 + $ 10 for shipping for repairing the camera independently of what the problem is.

I am wondering whether it is worth spending the money or I am better off buying a new camera.

That sucks. Why not try to fix it yourself? Do you have any idea what's causing the power issue?
I'd first look at the battery contact points and micro-switch on the battery door.
Here's a link to a webpage that describes how to check these things.

This may sound like a funny question, but does the power button (ON/OFF) feel "normal"? The button inside the case (underneath the outer button) may have failed. The flex wiring can be replaced if you can order the part online.

I have a Canon housing that it seems to be on its last legs. The buttons often stick in the middle of a dive and it is impossible to take pictures. I have tried silicon and pushing the buttons until they don't stick anymore. Sometimes it works, other times it doesn't.

The "sticky" buttons are simple to fix. Here's a webpage of a local San Diego diver who describes in detail how to take apart each button and re-lube the o-ring. I've done this successfully on all of my Canon UW housings. No big deal.

Yes, sticky buttons can happen on even more expensive UW housings. Housing manufacturers will offer to service them for you or you can buy replacement kits for the buttons.

Please let us know how your repair efforts go. If your DIY attempts fail, I'd recommend buying a used A570 on Ebay. If you're patient, one can be obtained for $75-$100. If you abandon all hope of fixing the A570 and decide to purchase a new UW camera rig, please PM me as I'd be interested in securing a broken A570 for spare parts. I may also be interested in getting a backup UW housing (WP-DC12).

Good luck!

 

[oceanbound]

another option - if you like your housing, go to ebay and buy another camera for $100. I have two of them now, first set up cost about $500 when new to get it and housing. Now, on ebay you can get it for about $100 and UW housing about the same. Canon discontinued them is why they can be found cheep, and new. Just another option.

 

[phillybob]

Splurge !!! Get a new one. They shoot HD video now, too, which turns out pretty good. I just replaced my old Nikon with an SD 980 with an Ike housing and I love it !!

 

[slowhands]

... Canon Power Shot A570 ..doesn't work... ...Canon has a flat rate of $ 89 + $ 10 for shipping for repairing the camera independently of what the problem is.

I am wondering whether it is worth spending the money or I am better off buying a new camera.

Cheers

If you really like the camera and have a working housing for it, this is fairly cheap for a camera repair. I've found Canon to charge about 2/3 of what Nikon might charge and 1/2 what Sony might charge for similar cameras. Clearly Canon is being reasonable. One caveat, they will not repair water or sand damaged items for that rate, typically. They return it no charge.

I hear a lot of raves about this camera, so I think those who have them like them. If you are truly happy with it as is, you are a lucky person. Fix it and dive back in.

Another option is to buy another used one on eBay, they sell in the $50 range. That's even cheaper and maybe faster. Canon takes 10-15 days to repair and return stuff usually, if parts are on hand, but an ebay item can be at your door in 2-10 days. So buying a used one is another thing to consider.

But honestly, these digicams improve so rapidly that I suggest you take a good hard look at getting a current model. I love the way the camera makers seem to leapfrog each other with new and better models every three months. We're the beneficiary of a lot of investment in developing new cameras, why not take advantage of that?

It seems like it costs 500-800 for a new camera and housing, at a given time. That is a lot more cost than a simple repair, but if you use it for say 5 years, it's about the same per year. And unfortunately, your repaired camera is only warranted for 6 months. Will it last as long as a new one? Probably not.

So looking ahead, you might be better off to get the latest greatest new model. Of course, beware of buyer's remorse, because a better camera will probably be released a day after you get yours.

 

[reo]

Be aware that if Canon can't repair the camera they will give you another one, but it may not be the model you sent in. You may end up with an equivalent model that doesn't fit your housing.

I called to have a camera repaired, and was told they would replace my camera with a newer, equivalent model--one that didn't have Canon U/W housing available. I ended up just buying a new camera and housing.

Ron