Digital Camera Reliability and Usage Questions

[o_o]

Hi,
I am new to these forums, and to owning a Digital Camera. I have used Digital Camera’s before, but never owned one myself. I hope someone experienced would be kind enough to give his/her opinion on the following questions.

1. I would like to know how long do digital cameras (compacts like the Canon Powershot for example) last? i.e. I would like to know approx. how many pictures can you take before it is time to replace your camera.

Note: I have not asked how long digital cameras last in terms of time. I know that their parts certainly get old over time. My question is regarding usage i.e. as you increase using your camera, the parts certainly get old or worn out. How many pictures does an average camera take before it wears out.

2. Excluding dropping a camera, getting it wet, or physically smashing it, what are the most popular ways of mistakenly damaging a digital camera?
For e.g. Would an accidental exposure to the sun (i.e. pointing to the sun) damage a camera? Would sudden contrast or changes in light setting damage a digital camera? Are there any other ways of damaging it?

Thanks a lot,
O. O.

[Anbesol]

1. I would like to know how long do digital cameras (compacts like the Canon Powershot for example) last? i.e. I would like to know approx. how many pictures can you take before it is time to replace your camera.

Note: I have not asked how long digital cameras last in terms of time. I know that their parts certainly get old over time. My question is regarding usage i.e. as you increase using your camera, the parts certainly get old or worn out. How many pictures does an average camera take before it wears out.

DSLR's have pentaprisms which slap up and down with each shutter release; generally speaking a solid nice build body could expect at least 100,000 shutter actuations. However, in point and shoots this is quite a bit different, namely because there is no pentaprism, and the primary sensor is in use constantly (it is what produces the electronic display). So there is not even close to any realistic way to give an expected longevity of a camera in how many shots it has taken. I've seen them in several thousands to several tens of thousands. Some things worth noting: when not being used for extended periods, remove the battery and replace when you want to use it, and always keep it in a dry place. The carrying case you chose can majorly impact how much wear and tear reaches the camera, look at some of the Pelican cases.

2. Excluding dropping a camera, getting it wet, or physically smashing it, what are the most popular ways of mistakenly damaging a digital camera?
For e.g. Would an accidental exposure to the sun (i.e. pointing to the sun) damage a camera? Would sudden contrast or changes in light setting damage a digital camera? Are there any other ways of damaging it?

It used to be CF pin damage, back when CF cards were being used in digital cameras. They are in no current point and shoots, and have even been pretty much phased out of consumer level DSLRs. Pointing to the sun - no, it would need to be staring at the sun for a while before any remote thing could happen to it, and 'sudden contrast' and 'changes in light setting' would have absolutely no impact. Aside from CF pin damage, I would bet that LCD smashing is the next most common problem, followed by lens telescoping damage (the bearings in those electronically controlled zooms get out of track). But there are lots of ways, dust moisture and sand are rarely friendly to cameras. With DSLR's its usually damage to the pentaprism or sensor.

[o_o]

DSLR's have pentaprisms which slap up and down with each shutter release; generally speaking a solid nice build body could expect at least 100,000 shutter actuations. However, in point and shoots this is quite a bit different, namely because there is no pentaprism, and the primary sensor is in use constantly (it is what produces the electronic display). So there is not even close to any realistic way to give an expected longevity of a camera in how many shots it has taken. I've seen them in several thousands to several tens of thousands. Some things worth noting: when not being used for extended periods, remove the battery and replace when you want to use it, and always keep it in a dry place. The carrying case you chose can majorly impact how much wear and tear reaches the camera, look at some of the Pelican cases.

Thanks Anbesol. Yes, I am looking at point and shoot type cameras – but on the upper range i.e. $200 -$250 or so. Thanks for your estimates. (At least you understood my question).

It used to be CF pin damage, back when CF cards were being used in digital cameras. They are in no current point and shoots, and have even been pretty much phased out of consumer level DSLRs. Pointing to the sun - no, it would need to be staring at the sun for a while before any remote thing could happen to it, and 'sudden contrast' and 'changes in light setting' would have absolutely no impact. Aside from CF pin damage, I would bet that LCD smashing is the next most common problem, followed by lens telescoping damage (the bearings in those electronically controlled zooms get out of track). But there are lots of ways, dust moisture and sand are rarely friendly to cameras. With DSLR's its usually damage to the pentaprism or sensor.

I thought pointing to the Sun would hose a Digital Camera right away. Thanks for pointing that out.

[straightarm]

DSLR's have pentaprisms which slap up and down with each shutter release; .

Not true

It's the mirror, not the pentaprism that moves up and down with each exposure

[Anbesol]

Not true

It's the mirror, not the pentaprism that moves up and down with each exposure

Excuse me, you are correct, I am simply used to referring to the whole housing as the pentaprism.

[o_o]

Excuse me, you are correct, I am simply used to referring to the whole housing as the pentaprism.

Stop Fighting :confused5: – I didn’t even know what a pentaprism was.

Kidding ……
Thanks Guys