My camera when looking at the picture display has erractic lines visible sometimes and any picture taken when this issue exists turns out to be a picture of very distorted quality.

Are the pictures taken by the camera also black? If so, a stuck shutter is another common failure mode for digital cameras (particularly for the S2 through S5 IS model 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, sometimes with lines, 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.

Michele, a stuck shutter is a 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, sometimes with lines, 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.

How do outdoor pictures look when taken with the camera? If overexposed, first check that your camera is in automatic mode, and not some other manual exposure mode of the camera. Next, 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, sometimes with lines, 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.

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, sometimes with lines, 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.

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

One of two possible things. First try pressing the DISP or DISPLAY button on the back of your camera. This manually turns the LCD screen on and off to save batteries. You would then use the optical viewfinder in its place. If this doesn't fix the problem...
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, sometimes with lines, 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.

Hi,

Please note that your camera must be experiencing these symptoms due to a faulty CCD, and not due to other problems. Replacement with a new CCD will fix this problem for sure.

Thank you

It appears the CCD image sensor is going bad. Both these cameras are specified in Canon's technical notice regarding this issue. If Canon determines that this is the problem (and almost certainly it is), they will repair your cameras at no cost, regardless of warranty status. If you're not in the US, contact your regional Canon service facility.

I have the same problem, and upon looking into my problem, i recall reading that Sony had used crappy glue in which they attached the CCD to the inner guts of the camera, and when that deteriorates, which doesn't take very long, then your pictures will have lines through them.

I think i remember reading that Sony said they will replace all cameras within 2 years of their manufacture. Call Sony's troubleshooting and support and they may replace it for you.

Hope i helped solve your problem.

- Josh

It can only display files below a certain size limit and sometimes pictures taken by the phone on the highest resolution and quality setting are above this. This same issue occurs with videos and music.