Panasonic Lumix TZ3 Purple Screen Problem

nhow

I gave my husband a Panasonic Lumic TZ3 camera for his birthday three years ago. He has used it on holiday only (five times max and has taken not more than 150-200 photos).

Now the LCD screen is so distorted with a purple haze you can't really see what you're shooting. We tried to reset the camera. No change. After researching the problem on the web, it looks like this is a not uncommon problem for the camera. There is probably a faulty CCD sensor.

Although the problem is well documented, Panasonic refused to do anything when we contacted them.

This was an expensive camera and now it's just a piece of techno-junk. Very disappointed.

m5rcc

What did you expect them to do? Give you another one? It's three years old. Components DO fail from time to time.

Try going to local camera shop and ask how much it would cost to repair.

If it's less than £50 it might be worth while.

nhow

No, we didn't expect a new camera. However, given that it appears to be a well documented fault in this model (and a few others), we would have at least expected a reconditioned replacement or a repair at no cost.

For example, Apple recently recalled first gen nano's with a possible defective battery...and replaced them with recons or new nano's. Cars with a known defect are recalled and the problem repaired gratis.

If it were normal 'wear and tear' then we wouldn't have thought Panasonic had any responsibility.

m5rcc

nhow wrote: »

No, we didn't expect a new camera. However, given that it appears to be a well documented fault in this model (and a few others), we would have at least expected a reconditioned replacement or a repair at no cost.

For example, Apple recently recalled first gen nano's with a possible defective battery...and replaced them with recons or new nano's. Cars with a known defect are recalled and the problem repaired gratis.

If it were normal 'wear and tear' then we wouldn't have thought Panasonic had any responsibility.

Those examples are safety related: yours is not a safety issue, hence why they haven't bothered. It comes with an one year guarantee, two at best. You have had it for three years.

nhow

A defect is a defect. Clearly they are not interested. So we won't be buying their cameras again.

m5rcc

nhow wrote: »

A defect is a defect. Clearly they are not interested. So we won't be buying their cameras again.

Many items have defects. If it is not a safety defect, it is rare for them to recall unless it is a hugely popular item.

Besides, Panasonic cameras are inferior to Canon and Nikon anyway

oxygen_thief

inferior in what sense?