Larger LCD cameras, HELP!

[ms12d]

Hi, I was thinking of buying a digital camera (ultracompact such as Canon SD450 or Panasonic DMC-FX9) and I know both of them have 2.5" LCD screens
I've heard that they crack easily, can anyone confirm this? Or are these false rumors? Also, if you have experienced cracked screens, how do you go about fixing this? Will warranty cover or what?

thank you for the info.

[Michael Fanelli]

Hi, I was thinking of buying a digital camera (ultracompact such as Canon SD450 or Panasonic DMC-FX9) and I know both of them have 2.5" LCD screens
I've heard that they crack easily, can anyone confirm this? Or are these false rumors? Also, if you have experienced cracked screens, how do you go about fixing this? Will warranty cover or what?

thank you for the info.

Cracking of the LCD screen is rare and almost always due to user abuse. The warranty may or may not be in effect depending upon what the company believes happened. My only suggestion is to use a clear protector over the LCD if no protection is provided. This will prevent scratches.

[Photo-John]

I have heard about cracked LCDs. But I haven't experienced this problem and I've used lots of cameras with 2.5-inch LCDs ad I wouldn't describe my handling as gentle. One person told me their LCD broke when the camera was sitting on a table, vertically, and fell over. It may be that they'll brake if they fall exactly the right (wrong) way. I recently dropped an Olympus Stylus 800 Digital (shhhhhhh) off a table onto a hardwood floor and it didn't appear to hurt it at all. Bottom line - don't worry about it. Anything can break. I don't think you need to worry about the LCD more than any other part of the camera. There are a lots of posts here about electronic malfunction and I think your's is the first inquiring about broken LCDs.

I would not expect a manufacturer to over a broken LCD under warranty. Right or wrong, I think they will always try to call that abuse. In most cases they would probably be right. And it would be very hard to prove otherwise, if it did break under normal use.

[JSPhoto]

As a sports shooter I abuse my gear, never broke an LCD on the camera but I do need a new laptop screen for my Toshiba. As for the camera I just keep breaking lenses off at basketball games (three 28-135mm lenses in three years, last one was a rental )

JS

[Photo-John]

As for the camera I just keep breaking lenses off at basketball games (three 28-135mm lenses in three years, last one was a rental )

What happened with the rental? Did you have insurance to cover the broken lens or did you have to buy it?

[Anny]

If you are planning to buy a digital camera …………..then I would recommend you to buy ………… Canon SD450…….hope you have not made your decision yet!!!…..I have some good reviews……

http://www.inods.com/iNods/search.jsp?query=Canon+SD450

Just check may be they can help you make a decision……………
And as far as cracking of LCD is concerned I think it is pretty rare…………a protector can certainly be helpful…..

[warrent1971]

ms12d,

I have the FX8 camera and it is wonderful, but as you point out, there are issues with the LCD's on these cameras, as I have found out to my cost. Most of the screens are fine, but some are failing without being dropped or mistreated.
People with genuine faults (not damage) are by and large being fobbed off and are not following through due to the lack of publicity. Responses like most on this thread are quite common, as the issue is not generally being acknowledged.

As I say, the camera is GREAT and a joy to use - just be aware that if you do have a genuinely failed LCD, this is now becoming a well known issue. If you bang it or drop it, then hey, chalk it up to experience and get a newbie - a common home insurance claim, I believe...!

Still, this screen failure IS being investigated by Panasonic (I just sent them a 36 page evidence document containing my findings from the links below) and if you need any more info then please check out the following links - stories and photos which are too similar for mere coincidence...

FX8 Screen Broken from photo.net (or "fx8 LCD" as a Google search)
Link: http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-...g=200601120801


Cracked Screen Issue from digitalcamera-hq.com
Link: http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/pana...7-reviews.html

Cracked Screen Issue from forums.dpreview.com.com
Link: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...ssage=16500018

FX7 Review from epinions.com
Link: http://www.epinions.com/content_180949651076

Panasonic LZ2K Screen Issues
Link: http://reviews.cnet.com/Panasonic_Lu...6&cval=1491996

Canon SD300 Thread – Identical issues to the Lumix/Panasonic screen fault
http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:B...00+cracked+lcd

FX8 Screen Cracked! From clubsnap.com forum
Link: http://www.forum.clubsnap.com/showthread.php?t=173388


Hope this helps - I love the FX8/9, but just so you are aware from the get-go!

warrent1971

[warrent1971]

Just to clarify, I'm not talking about external cracks or damage to the plastic LCD cover, which is very robust, but the inner LCD itself, which bursts, not due to impact, but either from the proximity of the LCD to the Menu buttons, or expansion and contraction of the LCD in cold and warm conditions, or a combination of both.
The Canon SD300 seems to be a victim of the same problem, too, as one of my links details.

Happy snapping - gotta luv that Lumix!!!