Should I fix my digital camera or not?

Since a lot of members here have digital cameras I wanted to get a feel for what people think.

I bought a Canon S1 IS camera in Nov 2004 for about $300. I love the camera. We had to do a repair on it once (the flash wasn't popping up) but other than that it's been fine.

A week ago the screen started going nuts. I thought it might be due to a problem that there is a product advisory for, namely when it gets hot and humid, the CCD fails. I live in New England and normally we get three days a year where people say "gee it would be nice if we had air conditioning." This summer has been different with the record heat and humidity so I thought maybe that had triggered the known issue with the CCD and it would be fixed under the recall.

Well they want $150 to fix the camera and I am not sure what to do. They warranty the repair for 90 days. I'm thinking maybe I should consider getting a different camera. I don't know that much about cameras so I'm hoping to get some advice. Fix this one or get a new one? and if I get a new one, which one? I'd kinda like to be able to use the SD cards too since I bought a few 1 GB ones for my Canon.

Any advice is appreciated!

ETA: I found out they offer upgrades.
I can get an SX 10 for $199 or a G11 for $249.
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/suppor...ershot_sx10_is

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consum...t_g11#Overview
Warranty would be the same on all three, namely 90 days.

It's so tough when your trusty camera that you've come to know and love decides to give up the ghost - been there and know the feeling!

One thing you can do, if you have compatible SD cards, is to take them into a camera store and see if you can take some shots on the models that you're considering. Then, take them home, put them on the computer and see what you think of them.

Camera technology has come on a lot since you bought your previous model, but it is still important to be happy with the results. Most shops I've tried are more than happy for you to take some test shots and it can save you ending up with something that you're not happy with.

I wouldn't repair your current one, unless you couldn't afford a new one. Like Beth said technology has advanced so much since you purchased your camera and who knows how long before the next malfunction. I'd rather invest in a newer technology.

I love the Canon G series - it's a good camera to grow with. It comes with many features in a compact size. If I had to get a non SLR I would definately be purchasing that one. Here's an indepth review:

Canon G11

Still, no matter what anyone here says, go to the store and try out a few. The camera could get glowing reviews, but if it's too small/too big/doesn't fit in the hand etc etc. it won't be the right camera for you.

I would upgrade to a newer one as well. Like others have said technology with digital cameras has come a very very long way! The Beau has a Canon Rebel DSLR and absolutely loves it as do I!
The one you have is a 3.2 mega pixel correct? If so you will not be able to fit anywhere near as many pictures on a 1gb sd card since both of those cameras you posted are 10MP. I have an 8.1MP camera and a 4gb sd card and can fit about 1300 pictures, and our dslr has a 2gb compact flash and holds around 500. Its not unheard of that I fill up the card on the DSLR in one shoot, and on my sd card I never upload pictures lol so I like having lots of room!
Canon is a great brand, and I'm sure you will be happy with whatever you pick! Good luck!

Personally, I'd get newer camera.
Put the old one away for a bit until you can afford to have it repaired - then fix it too and have it as a back up camera or give it to a good friend/family member who doesn't have a camera, a bit of charity if you're so inclined.

The old one is at Canon now. The way it works is that if I want to take advantage of an upgrade offer they keep the S1 IS and send me what I want of those two choices. I can't afford to buy either one of them for the current retail price. The way I see it my choices are no camera , pay $150 to repair S1 IS, pay $199 to get SX 10 or $249 for G11.
What I do more than anything else is take videos, videos and more videos and then edit them. Like here if anyone is interested
http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=198425
Then I edit, add music etc. The video editing software I used to use created AVI files so I had to compress, now I Windows 7 so Movie Maker creates wmv files.
I would prefer something smaller (I take it hiking a lot) with a larger easy to see screen (I have bad eyesight), and I guess both are good under low light conditions (my indoor videos have been garbage so far so having low light capability would add a lot).
Thanks for your input! I think I have to work on hubby as he doesn't think our S1 IS was that "old."

ETA: Those are mostly my beginner videos so the footage stinks. But you get the idea of how I get my enjoyment out of the camera. I have a ton of videos!

I didn't know they had it already. Go for it. They'll get money out of you anyway, you might as well get a new camera and the warranty that would come with a new camera. (use the warranty bit to help sell the idea to your husband. )

What you get ultimately depends on what you two both agree with, but $249 isn't that much more than $199 so you might as well go for the better it.

The warranties on all three stink. 90 days so that is the same.

That's terrible. Any option to buy a reasonably priced extended warranty?

If it's like most things, it's cheaper to buy a new one than to repair the old one.

You can probably get a camera that is more up-to-date with more features at a cheaper price. I suggest going to a camera store and looking around before deciding whether to spend the money on something older or investing in something newer and better.

I would definitely upgrade.