Black display when placed in shooting mode, display is black. and when i take pictures, the recorded image is also black. but in playback mode, i can see the previous recorded images, and it's okay. but the recently recorded images taken when that 'black display problem' occur, the image is just really black. what could be the problem?

Try putting the card in the card reader on your computer to check if images are being recorded then you may need a repair.

Did you switch to Tv (shutter mode) and took pictures for several seconds? like in the dark? Because saving the picture can take as long as the shutter time was.
Before panic. (Actually you never should panic) check your camera in automatic mode. And make sure you did not select any power save action, that puts your display on dark while shooting.
But always be sure your battery is charged and check its capacity. In the menu yo can check under the wrench symbol, when you select Battery info. Page 268 of the manual.
Working with a bad battery can damage the camera in the end.

Solved the problem by going to the Canon product support site. It seems that there is no problem at all. The way the camera is designed is the problem. To be able to use the rear display lcd as a view finder, the camera needs to be able to lift the mirror to allow the sensors to pick up the image and display it on the screen. The 20D does not have this abilitiy. Apparently some later models do allow you to raise the mirror. It was this feature on those models that led me to believe that the 20D should do this too.

HI,
It's impossible to turn the camera off. Only way is take out the battery.
No button warks, but I can change the shooting mode and turn playback, but I can't change the image in playback mode.
Please, help me to solve this problem.
I think, the camera needs to be restarted, but how to do that?
Thanks a lot.

raatl, You mean the LCD on the back of the camera right?  The image that shows up (playback) can have the duration changed in the menu settings, it may have been turned off which is a choice as well that mode (not having the LCD on) extends shooting time which used to be a problem with the earl D70 and the earlier battery type.  The D80 doesn't have that issue, try experimenting with how much time you really need to have the display on, if you shoot and like to show the image to people set it longer or just hit the playback a couple of times as you are showing people.
randy320sgi

Hello,

I just had this issue with my camera (my 15 year old son solved it for me ;-) ).

The viewfinder was active in "record" mode and the LCD was "active" because you could see a little back light but no image. The "playback" mode would let me review pictures in the LCD though so I know it is capable of showing information.

If you push the display key/button a couple of times you can see the picture move from the viewfinder to the LCD and have just a picture and or a picture and information.

So try setting the camera to "record" mode (lens comes out) and then push the "display button" which is on the back of the camera just to the right of the LCD on the lower right side several times and see if the LCD starts to work.

It could be that somehow the display button was pushed by mistake.

Bill

If you take a picture using the optical viewfinder, does the camera actually record the picture? If so, you may have the LCD turned off in the camera mode (there are three options: standard, detailed, and off). With the camera in the shooting mode, press the "DISP" button and see if the LCD turns on.

The most common cause of this is a failed image sensor. Usually the playback mode will let you view pictures taken before the issue happened just fine and you will also be able to view the menu system just fine. When viewing the screen in an image taking mode, however, there is typically discolorations, horizontal or vertical lines, image bluring or distortions, or simply a black screen.

This situation, if caused by the image sensor, has to serviced and cannot be fixed by the user. If you are within your one year warranty and no user damage has been done to the camera, the camera will be fixed at no charge. If beyond the 12 month period however the customer may opt to have the unit repaired at a cost or take advantage of the Canon Loyalty Program and upgrade to refurbished S3 IS at an alternate discounted price.

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,
HeavyDLB

Yes, sound is recorded in the movie mode. You can also record sound during or after shooting a still picture. Sound playback is not possible directly through the camera.

Yes, sound is recorded in the movie mode. You can also record sound during or after shooting a still picture. Sound playback is not possible directly through the camera.