S2Is black screen

A stuck shutter is another common failure mode for digital cameras. The symptoms of a stuck or "sticky" shutter are very similar to CCD image sensor failure. The camera may take black pictures (for shutter stuck closed), or the pictures may be very bright and overexposed, especially when taken outdoors (for shutter stuck open). To confirm a stuck shutter, put the camera in any mode other than "Auto", and turn the flash OFF (you don't want to blind yourself for the next step). Next look down the lens and take a picture. You should see a tiny flicker in the center of the lens as the shutter opens and closes. If no movement is seen, then you likely have a stuck shutter. If so, please see this link for further info and a simple fix that may help.

I had the same problem and believe the shutter is stuck. 1) Put the camera in Tv or M mode 2) leave the view screen closed 3) snap a picture - 4) QUICKLY open the battery cover 5) turn the camera back on You may have to do this up to 10 times. It's a pain, but it worked for me.

If you have an S1 IS, this is likely a very different problem (although symptoms may be the same). This is more likely to be a defective CCD imager. If so, Canon should fix this for you for free, including free shipping both ways. This is regardless of your camera's warranty status. Please check this link for more info.

Applicable cameras include:
A40, A60, A70, A75, A80, A85, A95, A300, A310, S1 IS, S60, S200, S230, S330, S400, S410, S500, SD100, SD110, IXUS V2/300/400/430/500, IXY Digital 30/30a/200a/300a/D320/400/ 450/500

I had the same problem here in America and had a run around from Canon, but they finally took my S2 IS in for a checkup and found the problem so many S1 IS and S2 IS had with the symptoms you have. It was the shutter sticking. Mine was only a few months out of warranty and they did a free one time courtesy repair they say. Many in other countries have to pay to get it repaired. Canon should have recalled it as they did on the S1 IS. They did not! The way to know it is a sticking shutter is to look down the lens with something to magnify the opening and you will see the shutter stuck closed and nothing happens except the shutter sound. The display shows a blank picture taken. All menus worked fine. There is a forum about this with hundreds of Canon owners frustrated about it.

A stuck shutter is another common failure mode for digital cameras. The symptoms of a stuck or "sticky" shutter are very similar to CCD image sensor failure. The camera may take black pictures (for shutter stuck closed), or the pictures may be very bright and overexposed, especially when taken outdoors (for shutter stuck open). Not sure what causes this issue, but some say it's heat, others say it's dust.

But anyways, to confirm a stuck shutter, put the camera in any mode other than "Auto", and turn the flash OFF (you don't want to blind yourself for the next step). Next look down the lens and take a picture. You should see a tiny flicker in the center of the lens as the shutter opens and closes. If no movement is seen, then you likely have a stuck shutter. If so, please see the following for further info and a simple fix that may help:

http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2009/05/simple-fix-for-stuck-shutter.html

Sounds like you have a stuck shutter or bad CCD. There is a temporary fix that works sometimes but eventually it will stop working alltogether. Canon can fix this or there are a couple of sellers on ebay that repair broken LCDs or shutters.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Repair-blank-black-pictures-S2IS-canon-powershot-S2-IS_W0QQitemZ300293064869QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDigital_Cameras?hash=item300293064869&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

OR

http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-S2-IS-S2IS-NEW-LCD-SCREEN-REPAIR-REPLACEMENT_W0QQitemZ250358172189QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDigital_Camera_Accessories?hash=item250358172189&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

So camera doesn't give live view to take picture? and you can view old / stored  pictures OK, is it?
If yes, then it is problem of CCD imager in Canon A80 and this part needs to be replaced.
Canon will repair your A80 free of cost as per announced scheme of CCD imager support.
Click Canon CCD Advisory to know how to get free repair facility.

There is a temporary fix that works sometimes but eventually it will stop working alltogether. If canon can't help, might try this:


http://cgi.ebay.com/Repair-blank-black-pictures-S2IS-canon-powershot-S2-IS_W0QQitemZ300293064869QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDigital_Cameras?hash=item300293064869&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

This is a common problem with the Canon camera. Please go to the following links and see what is going on. http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/digital-cameras/category-question.html?qid=3894 and http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=PgComSmModDisplayAct&keycode=2112&fcategoryid=221&modelid=8775. Hope this will help. My camera is donig the same and was bought on 2005-10-13

From a similar solved problem: I have read of this problem (doing research before buying a Canon S2). Apparently it is a bad sensor and Canon will fix it for free if it's still under warranty (otherwise it will cost $119.00). and I have the same problem. Just got off the phone with Canon and have to send the camera to them. Repair takes ~2wks. Call them @1-800-828-4040 and follow the menus. Canon's site also addresses this for the S1 and others (but not the S2). Says heat and high humity can cause a connection to the sensor to come undone. Hope this helps.