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Taffi of Tulsa OK (12/29/07)
My husband bought our family an Olympus Stylus 400 a few years ago for Christmas. Now, it has a lens problem where the lens comes out, then goes right back in before you can take a picture with it. It's rendered it pretty much useless.
After reading about others' experiences with this and similar Olympus products, I'm convinced I'm out an expensive camera, and cannot afford to pay for it to be serviced or replace it, as I'm out of a job, and my twins have hospital and doctor bills we have to pay.
John of Vbancouver OTHER (12/15/07)
I bought an Olympus 550 on Oct. 27. The camera developed a perceived fault within days. Phoned Olympus describing problem; the rep who was hopelessly unhelpful said I had to send the camera back. I was traveling at the time, and described my traveling difficulties to do as they asked; they said it was not their problem. Got back home after missing photo ops in the Grand Canyon, etc. When home I called again and they said I must send in the camera--would not offer any solutions over the phone. I sent email suggesting may just be an error on my part--COULD THEY NOT JUST TRY AND HELP? No. So I sent camera back to Olympus saying there is some urgency as we are going to Africa in Jan. 08.
Then my problems just began; I was referred to Head office who wanted my service warranty card. I told them it was probably in the box which they had, with the camera, but they said the camera was probably out of date. I suggested they check serial number or date on box, but they wouldn't. I never saw such an effort from a company to deny service to the point they suggested I was deceitful .They wanted $250 to repair a $250 camera . I told them to return it, and they they did. When the camera came back, the shipment date on the box was July 27, 07--and my warranty card was on top of the original box.
I shall never again purchase an Olympus product. I was director of operations for a multinational company, and this was truly a HORRIBLE experience!
C. of Coral Springs FL (10/23/07)
Spent several hundred dollars to purchase Olympus Camedia D-565 Zoom Digital camera a few years ago for business purposes. I noticed that from the beginning, the camera suffered from intermittent power problems which I assumed was caused by faulty batteries. The camera would freeze when you took the picture & you had to open the battery door to turn it off and back on. Then the green lights would flash and the camera would beep repeatedly. The battery power indicator light would then show that the battery power was low (as if the camera drained all power in a split second). Sometimes you had to take the batteries out and let it sit for about 10 minutes, put a fresh set of batteries back in and the camera would work....but as time went on, the frequency of the problem increased and it became more difficult to re-start the camera. I have had absolutely no luck re-starting the camera for the past month or so. I did research on the internet and discovered that this is a very common problem with Olympus cameras, particularly those with sliding lens covers. If you go on E-Bay on any day of the week, you will find at least 25 Olympus cameras being sold for parts because of this or a similar problem.
I contacted Olympus, reported the problems/symptoms and asked if there were any recalls, particularly since this was a recurring theme in their digital cameras as evidenced by 100's of complaints of the same issues in a majority of their models regardless of price. The representative admitted that she was aware of the problem and told me that the capacitor most likely needed to be replaced. She promised to send me information on how to foward the camera to the manufacturer for inspection and possible repair at a minimum fee in excess of one hundred dollars. Olympus has been aware of this problem for many years and yet they do not recall the products or offer repairs.
The photos this camera takes at 4MP are absolutely amazing. It is a shame that these camera's have capacitor, lens cover, and power problems year after year that Olympus chooses to ignore. It is my understanding that the cost of the capacitor that needs replacing is only about $5.00, but the installation cost charged by Olympus is more than it would cost to buy a refurbished replacement model with a warranty.
The last time the camera froze, I had business photos on the camera that I could incorporate into my work product, resulting in the expense of having to go out and do all of my property inspections again and failing to meet my deadline. Olympus faulty camera cost me a long-standing, client and thousands of dollars in business generated by that client.
Larry of San Jose CA (10/21/07)
I bought an Olympus E300 a couple of years ago. Within a couple of months, the camera malfunctioned. I sent it for warranty repair and Olympus refused to repair under warranty, claiming the USB port on the camera was damaged and that this could only happen through abuse of the camera. I refused to pay for a repair and requested that they return the camera to me. They returned it to the wrong address and the camera was lost. When informed of this, they tried to claim it was my fault that the camera was lost. After many go-rounds, they admitted I was right and replaced the camera with a refurbished camera. In the meantime, I examined the plug on the original USB cable and discovered that it was defective and was the cause of the damage to the port on the camera. I sent them a letter and their response was that the issue was resolved, since they had sent me a refurbished camera.
Olympus replaced a brand new camera with a refurbished camera and never admitted that they were wrong. I never used the camera and will never do business with them again. Neither will any of my friends.
Eva of Alpharetta GA (06/25/06)
I sent in my Olympus C755 digital camera to Olympus America because the plastic battery compartment broke and it won't close properly. Prior to sending it in to the California service center I spoke to one of the service rep. She told me a simple repair would be 35 dollar; a total reconditioning would be 185 dollar. I stated it's not worth to spend 185 dollar on the camera and it is in perfect working condition except the battery compartment cover needs to be replaced. It is very difficult to get trough to the Olympus Service Center, because they don't answer the calls due to high volume calls, and get disconnected.
Finally when I got trough Olympus America wants to charge me 185 dollar. What a rip off! I originally paid about 550 dollar for the camera. It's not under guaranty now. Should i just throw it out? If Olympus won't stand behind their own products for service with out ripping customer off, where will the consumer get help? I certainly won't be buying an Olympus digital camera in the future.
Joe of Redwood City CA (06/13/06)
Approximately 2 years ago I purchased a D-565 ditgital zoom camera. It worked well for about a year and all of a sudden the screen went dark and so did the pictures. I heard on the news that Olympus and some other companies were experiencing a chip failure with the exact same problem that I have. I contacted Olympus about the chip failure and they would not acknowledge anything about the issue as if it didn't exsist. I went back and forth with several emails but to no avail, they finally wore me out. All I got was 'send it in and we'll fix it and you can pay what ever it costs.' They know they have a problem. They know it's the light sencor chip.
Approximate cost was 300.00 and it never has been dropped or abused in any way. Doesn't have a scratch on it. I only used it to take pictures of grand kids and not very often. Now I can use it for a paper weight.
Sandra of Las Vegas NV (05/10/06)
I heard about the camera recall back in March. I called and was told to send my camera back to them and they would either fix it or replace it with one that that was either the same or better than what I had. I had an Infinity 230 camera that I paid over $200.00 for back in 1995 or 1996. They went and replaced it with a the stylus 105 which I can buy for way under $100.00. I understand that that the camera was over 10 years old but the price I paid for it back then does not make up the difference now. I feel they could have at least replace it with a camera over $100.00.
I contacted them by phone and was given a case number and was told that a supervisor would contact me that day, that was over a week ago. I also filled out a survey to let them know how disappointed I was and never got a reply. I also e-mailed their customer service that replied someone would be in touch with me and that hasn't happened either.
Michael of Ball LA (04/19/06)
Was promised $50 rebate for purchasing a P10 printer. Denied for not sending UPC codes (which I did send)
Ann of Ada OH (01/23/06)
I purchased an Olympus Stylus 400 digital camera for $399.99 in December of 2003. I used it, but not very often. In August of 2005 I began having problems with the shutter. The camera would come on, the lens would pop out, and then it would retract and power off. I e-mailed Olympus and was told I would have to send it to one of their repair specialists for analysis AND if repairs were needed, they would let me know the price before repairing. Sending it away made me uncomfortable.
Eventually the camera completely stopped working. I could get the screen to come on and see what pictures were on my xD Card, but the lense would not function. I called Olympus and asked if they had a recall on this camera and they said No. I asked if other consumers experienced the same problem and was told not that I know of. With that, I took it to ACME Photo in Lima, Ohio. They had the camera assest and told me to repair the camera, they'd have to send it to Olympus and that it'd cost me $169!
I paid $399.99 for this camera and didn't want to have to put that much into it for the repair. I was aggravated, so I went online to see what that camera costs now brand-new. I realized they discontinued the camera, so I went to eBay. It was there that I found that someone was selling their Stylus 400 as is and that they were experiencing the same problem.
Donna of Merritt Island FL (09/14/05)
Olympus Stylus Camera - Lens Motor Failed within a couple of months of warranty expiration (warranty was one year). I told Olympus I did not want to spend another cent on this camera (cost with accessories was around $650.00) They said they must see the camera to be sure it was not abused. Camera still has tags. I found many complaints at the internet of lens motor failure and issues with Olympus service. They offered a 2 year warranty and I had to pay another $153.00. I again stated I did not want to spend another nickel on this camera. So there is an impass.
My complaint - this was an expensive camera and Olympus knew of and knows of the lens motor failure problem. I confirmed this with local camera repair personnel, the first Olympus technical was able to troubleshoot my problem within 5 minutes and internet forums confirm the problem. They should not be selling defective products to consumers.
I'm out $650.00 - plus another $15.00 in shipping. I want them to repair or replace the camera at no additional cost. It was in perfect condition - the problem is faulty design or manufacturing by Olympus.
Nancy of Davis CA (06/13/05)
I own the Olympus 8080 Wide camera and recently bought the C-8080 Wide Zoom reference manual through Olympus Emporium for $10 because I wanted a more complete manual than comes in the box. It just arrived today. What I was expecting was a manual like the manual that came with my camera only more complete. I had downloaded it from your website but wanted the bound one like my other more basic manual. However, what I received was a photocopied manual with 4 pages to one sheet stapled together with two staples..
The type is so small it is difficult to read and the print is not crisp like in the basic manual so it makes it more difficult to see. The diagrams are useless because they are so small. I can print the pdf manual that I downloaded for less than $10 worth of ink and paper and do a much better job than what I received. I thought Olympus should be aware of what the Olympus Emporium is doing.
Amelia of North Miami FL (08/01/03)
Hi: I recently bought an Olympus c5050 from B&H of New York, and noticed the camera taking News Paper like pictures with big dots black and white. After calling B&H they told me that the warranty for returns or exchanges on digital products was only seven days, I was told to send the camera to Olympus, which I did and they received the camera on 06-26-03 as posted on their web site, also they advertise on the web site that the repairs will take 10 to 15 business days, today is July 31st and they told me that a part was ordered for the camera. They do not know how long will take for them to receive the part and fix the camera.
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