Does Your Digital Camera Need an Extended Warranty?

Just like mobile phones or tablets, digital cameras too come with just 1 or 2 years of manufacturer’s warranty. In fact, DSLR’s are more expensive and are a long term investment, which is why you must get it covered.

Ever imagined, what if your digital camera breaks down when you are travelling? If you can’t imagine your trips or special occasions without your camera, we recommend you first buy an extended warranty plan.

Here’s why…

Shutter Error

A stuck shutter is a common failure mode for most digital cameras.

You know it’s a shutter error when the camera takes darker pictures or when the pictures appear very bright and overexposed, especially when clicked outdoors. If it’s a stuck shutter, you can’t repair it yourself because the mechanism is best understood by experts and the cost of repair is very high.

Unfortunately, if this problem occurs after the manufacturer’s warranty ends, you will end up spending a hefty amount on getting it fixed.

So its good to be prepared in advance and protect your camera with an extended warranty plan. The plan covers all the defects and malfunctions covered in a standard manufacturer’s warranty.

Lens Error

Lens error could mean a stuck lens, jammed lens, or a malfunctioning lens. When it’s a lens error, the camera’s LCD screen flashes some common error messages like, “E18 lens error” (old Canon Powershot), “Access” error (Sony Cybershot), “Zoom Error” (Fuji Finepix), “Lens Obstructed” (Kodak Easyshare), “lens error, restart camera” or just “lens error” (Nikon Coolpix and some other camera makers lately are using this variation).

Did you know that dust and sand deposits in the lens is the main cause of a lens error?

You could try cleaning the lens with a soft clean cloth or with a hairdryer from a distance. Make sure the lens is not tilted. If this doesn’t help, you will probably need help from a professional technician.

Software Malfunction

There are very few chances of a hardware malfunction and higher chances of a software malfunction in a digital camera.

If your camera has slowed down or suddenly stops working, it is a software issue.

Downloading the latest software update for your camera could help fix this issue. Look for “firmware updates” for your camera model and update it. Surf the internet on how to update your camera and follow the instructions. If this doesn’t help, go to the ‘Camera Menu’ and restore your camera to factory settings.

With these tips, you can fix minor issues at home and save money on repairs. But what if its a malfunction that can’t be repaired at home? It could be a flash failure, power button malfunction, charging issue or other in-built lens-related malfunction that can only be fixed by a professional at the brand authorised service center.

This is why we recommend you buy a digital camera extended warranty plan or damage protection plan so that you need not spend heavily on repairs the last minute.