Faulty image sensor?

[xxTurbonium]

Well, my PowerShot S410 has been sent back to the repair depot twice while it was still on warranty (which it no longer is), and both times, it was sent back with nothing being found wrong with it. Back then, the problem was that the camera would randomly lock up completely (mechanically, and in terms of software), forcing an all out battery removal to get it to shut down.

Now, a new problem: 9 times out of 10, this is all I see through the LCD viewfinder, which is duplicated by the photo taken (obviously).

What is wrong with the camera? I am assuming it has something to do with the image sensor gone bad (a quick search on the Net brought me to such a possible conclusion)? If so, is there any hope of fixing it myself?

 

[shopbruin]

I have an S500 as my backup P&S and I had the same image distortion problem. To get around it when I needed to use that camera, I turned the camera on, took a few pics, and then it eventually corrected itself. It was ANNOYING though.

 

[xxTurbonium]

What I tend to do is turn it on and off repeatedly, taking a few photos now and then, until it starts working again.

Really though, I'd like to get to the bottom of the problem itself, rather than a solution. Or rather, by identifying the source of the problem, perhaps a more permanent solution can be found.

 

[corkyg]

Have you tried a different memory module? Have you tried formatting the memory module in the camera?

 

[Deadtrees]

I think S410 is one of those models that used faulty Sony CCDs. I don't know what the story is nowadays but there was a free sensor change regardless of warranty situation.

 

[xxTurbonium]

Originally posted by: corkyg
Have you tried a different memory module? Have you tried formatting the memory module in the camera?

Tried different modules, formatting them, and different batteries as well, though I don't see how any of these would be related to what I see through the viewfinder.

Originally posted by: Deadtrees
I think S410 is one of those models that used faulty Sony CCDs. I don't know what the story is nowadays but there was a free sensor change regardless of warranty situation.

That's what I was thinking.

So should I contact Canon's customer service directly to try for a repair or replacement?