FinePix A330 zoom error

I'm afraid the little "bump" you speak of was more like a very big "jar" as far as digital cameras are concerned.

Not all digital cameras are created equal, and if you are an active sports person, or something close to it whereas your camera is subject to or exposed to this kind of rough treatment then you might want to consider doing several things from now on.

Unfortunately it sounds like you dislodged the imagining converting pixel matrix chip and/or the related optical components that convert the optical picture information into digital information that is processed to the memory card for storage.

You may have even possibly dislodged some PC connectors (printed circuit board connectors) inside the camera. Not to mention pulsed servo motor drive components as well.

Each camera is different as to how many individual circuit boards they have inside. Could be 3-4-5 or more. Each is interfaced by a flat interface type cable and it's possible that particular board cable could be damaged as well. Hard to say. Very very complex inside!

You only have one choice here -

In either case scenario above - your $200 camera will have to be taken in to a Fuji factory repair center if you choose to take that route. Thank God it's not a Sony, as then it would cost you $40-50 for them just to look at it! I hate Sony myself! Rip offs! I won't buy anything of theirs anymore, as they burned me twice before years ago - and twice was enough....

Because the/your 2004 model year FinePix A330 is possibly near that 4 years old mark now - depending on when you actually bought it - here's what I would do.

If they want to charge you anything just to look at it - pass on that!

Count your losses - lost - at this point, and go out and just buy another good quality camera of your choice. Prices have dropped a lot in the past 4 years. Still buy another camera that uses XD memory so you don't have to buy all new storage media cards. XD cards are surely the best I feel - as far as durability & size goes - no doubt about that part!

If you do decide to go with a new camera this time around - buy a good quality PADDED case for your camera, and get a good "neck strap" for it as well to support your camera. Those ridiculous wrist straps are a big NO NO if you really value any camera of yours. I treat my Olympus C-740 like it was my baby! Literally! Anything you wouldn't do with a real life human baby - then you wouldn't do with your camera as well. Goes hand in hand!!

My SAMSONITE brand padded nylon camera case that I found at either TARGET or else FRYS Electronic store cost me less then $12, and it works just great! Best one I ever found! Holds all my XD memory cards up to (6) total in the original factory plastic snap cases they come in - all in a separate leather zip up case - plus 2 full sets (8 total) of Ni-MH rechargeable batts.

Even though my $300 C-740 camera only cost me ~$155 with tax - after a 50% store rebate at Office Depot in June of 2005 - I cherish it dearly, as I waited a long time for the price to drop on it.

Just can't be too careful with digital cameras these days.

Hope this repair/fix feedback has helped you to make a solid decision on the next step, as that choice will be yours alone. Sorry - I can't help you further.

Best regards,

Frank