iFixit - Answers With Device "Canon PowerShot S3 IS"

Canon Powershot S3 IS: My camera takes black pictures. How do I fix it?

Sat, 09 Nov 2024 00:23:29 -0700

I have a Powershot S3 IS. Its has been a very good camera for me.

Yesterday I was talking some pictures in a museum and the camera suddenly starting taking black pictures. In all conditions and settings camera is taking black pictures. I am not able to see the actual scene that I want to capture. Camera shows it black. But capturing pictures is working normal and capturing black pictures. I can see all the graphics and setting numbers on LCD and View finder. I can also see previously captured pictures and videos without any problem.

Please guide me how can I fix this problem.

Yes by blinking I mean moving parts. Whenever I clicked a pictures there use to be a blink in the lens. I don't see that blink since the camera has stopped working.

⟐ Answered November 09, 2024 at 0:23 MST

Canon Powershot S3 IS: How do you replace the cover of memory card slot?

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:03:44 -0700

I have a canon powershot s3, and the door that covers memory card fell off.

I have ordered a new cover, but I can't figure out how to put the rod and spring back in to put cover back on.

⟐ Answer deleted September 23, 2011 at 14:03 MST

Canon Powershot S3 IS: getting message to change the batteries after doing so

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 16:39:35 -0700

I used the camera less than a month ago. Now getting the message to change the batteries and have done so with NEW ones. Powers up ok, but after trying to take pic, gives the change batteries message. Have cleaned the "terminals" on the battery compartment door and have taken out memory card and reinserted.

⟐ Commented February 17, 2026 at 16:39 MST

Canon PowerShot S3 IS: My cameras battery area is corroded! how can I replace this?

Wed, 09 May 2018 12:15:58 -0700

the batteries were left in the the battery area and corroded. I was able to remove them but the area is badly corroded. Is there any way to repair this?

⟐ Answered May 09, 2018 at 12:15 MST

Canon Powershot S3 IS: Zoom lens jammed, screen said error, what happens?

Mon, 22 Sep 2014 10:43:51 -0700

The camera turn on fine, the zoom button is ok, then I zoomed something, and the screen goes black, and ask for a restart.

⟐ Answered September 22, 2014 at 10:43 MST

Canon PowerShot S3 IS: My camera is taking black pictures, how do I fix it?

Wed, 14 Feb 2018 06:18:05 -0700

I realized that my canon S3 IS is only taking black images no matter what I do, I point it at the scene I want it to capture but I cannot see it on the screen or when I try and see the photo, all I see is black!? I was pretty suprised when I saw that what I wanted to capture was black not just the photo but the camera its self can't capture the photo...I was curious if i could do anything to fix it or if I had to take it in to get it repaired?

⟐ Answer edited February 14, 2018 at 6:18 MST

Canon PowerShot S3 IS: It seems lens error!

Fri, 01 Dec 2017 07:25:13 -0700

When i zoom on the camera, the camera says lens error start restarting device. How can i repair this ?

⟐ Answered December 01, 2017 at 7:25 MST

Canon PowerShot S3 IS: Camera will not turn on.

Sat, 07 Mar 2015 19:58:36 -0700

Camera will not turn on - have tried replacing the internal battery and did not work.

Ana

Canon PowerShot S3 IS: No picture view through camera lens.

Sat, 10 Aug 2024 12:16:25 -0700

Have no view through eye viewer or on screen. Everything works but that.

⟐ Commented August 10, 2024 at 12:16 MST

Canon PowerShot S3 IS: How to dismantle the camera?

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 21:26:19 -0700

How to dismantle the battery compartment for cleaning after severe battery corrosion?

⟐ Answer edited December 15, 2023 at 21:26 MST

Canon PowerShot S3 IS: When I take a picture it shows everything about it

Tue, 13 Apr 2021 04:32:55 -0700

So yesterday i was taking pictures and today i wanted to take some i turned it on and wanted to take a picture i took it and it shows everything about it, it didnt showed amything like that yesterday… can i fix that? (sorry for poor english)

⟐ Answered April 13, 2021 at 4:32 MST

Canon PowerShot S3 IS: Change Batteries Error Message

Fri, 09 Aug 2019 06:08:35 -0700

I have an Canon powershot s3 is I keep getting a change batteries message and I have tried to resolve it using multiple forums answers. I have changed all batteries multiple times. Nothing. I have changed the 1220 date and time battery too and nothing. Nothing seems to work. The camera will only allow me to turn on the camera to adjust the date and time then it gives me a change battery error directly after. I even tried taking out batteries for about a week. Please help!!

⟐ Answered August 09, 2019 at 6:08 MST

Canon PowerShot S3 IS: Why doesn't my camera turn off or have playback mode work?

Fri, 09 Nov 2018 11:32:32 -0700

Hi there, when I put the batteries in the camera it turns on automatically. The off button will retract the lense and then instantly turn the camera back on. The playback button isn’t working anymore and just turns off the camera the same as the off switch. Do you have any advice on whether it’s the on off switch and how to repair it? Thanks in advance!

⟐ Answered November 09, 2018 at 11:32 MST

Canon PowerShot S3 IS: LCD screen cracked. Replacement process?

Sat, 10 Feb 2018 08:39:52 -0700

The screen on my camera is cracked.

The screen will not come on at all right now.

I would like to replace it.

I found the blow-up diagrams but is there a correct process?

Do I also need to replace the Back Light Unit?

Thank you in advance for your help!

⟐ Commented February 10, 2018 at 8:39 MST

Canon PowerShot S3 IS: My Chromebook now always reports an error when I try to upload photos.

Sat, 04 Nov 2017 13:16:08 -0700

While I can see my photos on my Chromebook, it now always reports an error when I try to upload them. What's wrong?

⟐ Answered November 04, 2017 at 13:16 MST

Canon Powershot S3 IS: shutter will not open

Thu, 29 Sep 2016 06:33:29 -0700

The shutter will not open.

⟐ Answer accepted September 29, 2016 at 6:33 MST

Canon PowerShot S3 IS: How can I fix the lens that fell off?

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 16:58:22 -0700

I dropped it, and the part that keeps the lenses in place broke

Canon PowerShot S3 IS: Neither my flip screen nor my view finder illuminates.

Mon, 30 May 2022 19:29:53 -0700

I have changed the batteries and still haven’t been able to view subjects that I want to shoot as neither the view finder nor the flip screen show images. The do show the graphics from the menu. Is this repairable?

Canon PowerShot S3 IS: Why does camera shut down when used

Fri, 22 Nov 2019 22:51:57 -0700

When the zoom is used, the camera shuts down on its own. It does not shut down on its own at any other time.

Canon PowerShot S3 IS: Camera Won't Turn On

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 13:50:17 -0700

I bought a used Powershot S3 IS, and I can't get it to turn on.

Things I've tried so far:

New batteries (AA and coin cell, using 2 different brand-new sets)
Cleaning the batteries and contacts with rubbing alcohol
Checked the little buttons in the battery and SD card areas, the ones that get pressed down when the lids are shut (they both seemed to press down fine)

It still won't turn on, and there are no sounds or lights when I turn the power knob. Also, I don't know if it's supposed to be like this or not when turned off, but I can't see anything through the viewfinder - just blackness.

If you can think of anything else I could try to get it to work, I'd be very grateful!

It didn’t cost very much, so it's not the end of the world if I can't get it to turn on, but I'm still hoping I can get it to work.