Panasonic Lumix FX8 - LCD screen broken

[wanyi_leong]

i just got my panasonic fx 01 13 days ago and the screen's cracked!

 

the service center person told me that the lcd is not under warranty and it will be chargeable. what luck.<div></div>

[isaac_perez]

I just got my Panasonic FX9 fixed. No questions asked by the Panasonic customer service.

It was quick and besides the letter I sent explaining what happedn with the camera no

further explanations were asked.

 

P.S. I live in New York City and I sent the camera to a repair center which is in Illinois

 

Isaac P鲥z

[martin_glenn]

Isaac,

What did you have to do to get your camera fixed, I now have 2 FX8's that are broke within the last year (one is the screen crack like this thread, the other will now automatically zoom all the way in, and won't respond to anything i do to it (button pushing etc))....

I also live in NYC, and found the Illinois center you sent to i think...Bigston Corp?

[isaac_perez]

I called Bigston Corp. and all they asked me to send was a letter with an explanation of

how the screen of my camera got broken, and a photocopy of the proof of purchase, that's

it.

 

I got really surprised because most of the people here have had issues with the Panasonic

Repair Centers they have contacted or sent their cameras. I think that most of the people

posting here are out side the US. I would like to here if someone in the US has had that

issue. I think this camera was intended to be sold in europe, the promotional website of

the camera suggests me that (http://www.lumixdifference.com/) there's no option to

choose US and you get re-direct to Panasonic-Europe. Nevertheless, I can tell that has

been pretty popular in the US.

 

The turn around of the camera was about 8 days, pretty quick! I'll suggest you to call

them, and do the same process. Hopefully you are going to have the job done with no

problems at all.

 

Good luck Mr. Glenn!

 

 

Isaac

[tim_a_warren]

Just a quick update as I have not been away for a while.

 

It is good to see that this thread is still running and active.....but it is a shame that it still has to be here in the first place. We have FX7, 8 & 9's all having this problem, and I think we already have some FX01's with this issue, too. Not heard if the Minilux is creating the same stink, but as it is just a re-badged FX01, then it is only a matter of time.

 

As for myself, my FX8 is still up and running since it was replaced in February. I can only hope that this continues to be the case, as Panasonic seem to not want to investigate this at all.

 

Despite their excellent displays of customer service in their response to my enquiries, when the faulty camera was inspected by them I received the following letter in summation:

 

"Date: 24th February 2006

 

An inspection has taken place in accordance with guidelines supplied by the factory, which conclude that the LCD screen can only be damaged when an excess of 13Kg of force is applied, and based upon this information it is the conclusion of the engineers that the camera has suffered �impact/pressure� damage. When using the word impact this is not meant in any way to imply that the camera has been dropped, stood on or has been dramatically knocked. The engineer has informed me that the LCD screen on this range of cameras is a large part of the make up of the camera, and unfortunately the phenomenon you have experienced can be caused by it being placed in a pocket and accidentally leaning on it, being knocked against another surface, albeit lightly or perhaps another object being placed on it. The LCD screen is a fragile component and the slightest pressure can cause a reaction."

 

Unfortunately, all of the evidence of the obvious design flaw which I collated from this thread and other websites (all 50+ pages of it!) seem to have been conveniently ignored in this report, despite assurances that "..Upon receipt of your unit it will be inspected by our Engineering Department and also our Quality Control Department and of course your documentation will be supplied, so that all relevant information is available to personnel."

 

13Kg of pressure to the screen will damage it.

Obviously. This has already been stated to not be how this fault occurred.

 

Impact damage "..can be caused by it being placed in a pocket and accidentally leaning on it, being knocked against another surface, albeit lightly or perhaps another object being placed on it.."

Again, it was already made clear that this is not how the fault occurred.

 

As for "..the LCD screen is a fragile component and the slightest pressure can cause a reaction."

We have all come to realise this the hard way. But even without any impact trauma to the unit these screens are breaking with no good cause.

 

And Panasonic's failure to investigate this or respond to these findings gives me even more cause for concern.

 

Again, the consumer is being ignored and fobbed off, and what I hoped may be a thorough and professional investigation into this most obvious of design flaws has been sidestepped once more.

 

Because my camera was replaced, my customer service contact at Panasonic has refused to discuss the matter with me further, as it is "no longer my concern". the fact that I have tried to pursue this issue for the good of the wider public has held no currency and Panasonic seem to be more than satisfied to shortchange their paying customers once again.

 

I can only hope that if/when my LCD decides to die in the future, that with all of your help on this site, this issue will by then be a recognised flaw and assistance and co-operation will be forthcoming from a manufacturer I have all but lost faith in.

 

I have said it before in this thread and I will reiterate this point now: we unfortunately all have first hand experience of this issue, and only by addressing this with Panasonic themselves in writing, with all of the evidence contained herein can we hope to make a positive difference in their acknowledgement and customer support in this matter.

 

Please address your problems to Panasonic and help to get this flaw addressed for yourselves and other purchasers of this range of camera and do not take the step of replacing the screen yourselves. Not only does this incalidate ANY warranty on your unit, but stops this issue from being addressed and rectified AT THE SOURCE.

 

Well, keep up the good work and don't let them keep getting away with this, guys - it is your right as consumers to demand satisfaction. After all, it is your hard earned money you have given them in the first place.

[isaac_perez]

Hello folks!

 

It seems that I have been a lucky one here since Panasonic repaired my camera right away.

Nevertheless, now I don't take my camera anywhere unless I'll have it on my hands (not

even in my pocket) I'm affraid the screen is gonna brake again.

 

Now when somebody tells me a compliment about how nice is the camera and how big is

the screen. I answer them right away by telling how fragile is the screen, how easily can

brake and how unuseful is a digital camera with its LCD screen broken. That's not fair.

This is not a creap camera, I paid US350.00 and I can assure you that for much le$$ than

that you can get a camera that may not be shock proof, but probably is gonna hold a

couple of years without braking its screen because it was placed in a pocket.

 

I'll write this concern to Panasonic and I hope they are going to receive enough emails

from disappointed customers that they will take some steps in order to fix this problem.

 

Isaac

[carl_hammer]

Sorry to see that this problem still persists. I was seriously looking at a FX9 or FX01 to supplement my DSLR. Also looked at the TZ1. After reading all the posts here, I have decided to stay away from Panasonic P&S cameras. I liked all three of these, but am not willing to take the risk of the screen breaking in short order through no fault of mine.

 

Hope all of you get your cameras fixed by Panasonic on their dime. This is definitely a design problem.

 

If anyone has any good news about a Panasonic P&S (meaning it doesn't have this screen problem), please post or let me know. I am off to review Casio and Canon.

[alain_barreau]

I am in the same situation on Lumix FX9 bought in Dec 26th 05. The LCD broke on the right botom side without any bad manupulation.

I sent a mail to Panasonic FRance. No answer yet...

Alain

[hoi_l]

Well, it has happened to me - the LCD on my FX9 has cracked, just like most of the photos posted above - the crack is pretty close to where the buttons are. I don't have warranty on my item anymore so I'm going to have to go somewhere to get it fixed.

 

I did want to ask - does anyone here know how much the LCD screen would cost from the USA and/or Hong Kong Panasonic dealers? My parents are going to those two places pretty soon and I'm pretty keen on getting a replacement LCD screen to replace it myself if I can. It costs about $au175 in Australia and that's a high price, though it could be no higher than anywhere else.

 

Thanks guys - if anyone can help me out with that info and where I can get that screen, that would be fantastic. I love that camera - so, so sad...

[markus_mcw]

finally i abandoned my lumix fx8. i used it a while without display. encouraged by others who got they modell replaced i sent it to the service center in reutlingen. they did not recognice as warranty case. repair cost would buy a new one.

i called to panasonic in hamburg.. they are aware of "cases with lumix fx8/fx9" but its all the custumers fault.

now i try to find a modell with smaller/less senitive display (canon ixus..). and of course never again from panasonic.

[alex_czurajewski]

My son has just sent back his fx8 with a broken lcd screen in the hope that he can have it repaired under warranty. But reading through the history, I suspect that his chances are remote in succeeding. He has bought another one presumably to make use of the cards he bought plus the familiarity aspect may be a consideration. I was on the verge of purchasing an fx8 for my wife, but must confess that I am now uncertain whether I want to take the risk.<div></div>

[richard_sugden]

well it has happend to me with my fx9 sent it back.told i am liable and want 48 pounds to look at it or 133 poundes to repair i think i will let them keep it and get a fx01 yes a panasonic fx01. i just love the camara just need to keep the wife and kids off it ps. or can someone recomend a similar camera

[peter_hood]

I had FX-9 in my pocket today, and a half hour after using it, i turned it back on and the screen had spidering cracks coming from THE EXACT same place that everyone else on this page has. i am furious and i don't know what to do. i bought it factory refurbished on ebay, it has a 90 day warranty and i emailed them about it but haven't gotten a response yet. i'm very very upset. and i can't find any information to get a new screen for it. what the heck am i going to do?

[carla_campo]

I'm really glad i've found this group. My brother received his FX9 as a gift from my uncle. He was really happy with his new camera until he found out, several days after going on a travel, that his lcd didn't work any more. Of course, my mum thought it was his fault, but he promised he had been very careful with it... Now, I'm sure he was, as I have noticed it is a very common problem. I've seen there are at least two people with the same problem in Spain. Can you help me? Can you tell me what can I do? And I've also read then John Graham has an email with sort of a "confession". Can you please send it to me? I really want to solve this... I leave you here my email: karlukicd@hotmail.com

 

Oh! I also have a photo, but I don't know how can I add it to the text. If you can tell me, I'll put it here, in case it can help somebody.

 

 

Thank you very much<div></div>

[ed_rhodes2]

I have had exactly the same problem. I always keep my camera in a sturdy case and take exception care with it. The screen is badly cracked in the bottom right hand side after about five months. I am planning to contact panasonic directly tommorrow as I assume the company i bought it from will turn me flat down? - does anyone have a contact name / no for anyone at panasonic UK? pls email me at: ed@london24seven.co.uk Cheers

[beltran_simo1]

Carla,

 

Sorry to hear about your camera. You can contact Panasonic Spain, but they will deny any responsibility whatsoever. You can quote the other cases (Francisco and I), but they will use the poor argument of "well, three cases out of the thousands cameras we've sold is not our fault" which does not hold just since is not very common that people that suffer from this shitty product log into the internet looking for a specific forum....

 

Anyway, if you solve out something, please contact us.

 

Good luck!

[carla_campo]

Thanks, Beltran. I'll tell you if I can do something with the problem. Do you know who should I contact with? A name, an address... anything would be welcome. Thank you for your help.

[beltran_simo1]

On Panasonic's Spain website you have a number for Atencion al Usuario (sic) 902 15 30 60

 

Just call them and please, keep us informed on any progresses

[tim_a_warren]

Ed, you can find all the information you need regarding Panasonic UK earlier in this thread - please see entries dated March 11th, etc.

 

As previously noted, the only way to have this issue responded to properly is to include hard copies of the testimonies and pictorial evidence contained in this thread with any and all correspondance to Panasonic.

 

Email or ring your countires' Panasonic HQ and obtain the names of the Managing Director and Head Of Customer Support/Relations for your territory and mail hard copies via registered mail.

 

Also mail the same information to consumer groups and TV/Radio shows, as they can also bring this issue to a wider majority of consumers who may be having this same problem but have not found this thread.

 

Keep posting those updates and keep those pictures coming

 

Tim

[dennis__]

I too am subject to this with my FX-01. The screen on it broke in the exact same way as described above. I did have it in the pocket of my jacket, but no pressure or impact was applied to it. I'm waiting on the answer from Panasonic, because their repair service already denied warranty. Hopefully it will be fixed under warrantee as I liked the camera very much. Otherwise, no more Panasonic for me, I don't like my odds with a new camera from them.

 

<img src="http://www.zonoskar.com/Photo/BrokenScreen.jpg">

[carla_campo]

Hello,

 

I just wanted to tell you that I've phone "Atención al usuario" (thanks for the number!) and, of course, they don't believe me- they say I've broken my camera. So, I told them that mine is not the only case of cracked lcd and, again, they have not believed me. My next step is going to be sending a letter to them (registered post) with this information I got from here and from the other pages you've posted here (thank you). I've tell you when I get an answer. Anyway, I don't expect getting anything, so I'm already thinking about an official reclamation... I'll keep you informed

[francisco_pi__n]

Carla,

 

Please keep us updated on your progresses. I'm currently awaiting for Panasonic's official response after a not-very friendly fax I sent them some weeks ago. I'll keep you updated.

 

Regards to all.

[carla_campo]

Francisco,

Thank you. We should keep each other informed, because I think if Panasonic sees there are a lot of people with the same problem, they'll finally do something. I've sent a letter, telling them what happened (and the horrible way their Servicio de Atención al Cliente behave, as they tell me we were all liars), and I've send them a copy of all these posts, too, and of other webs I saw here... I'm now just waiting. I hope I can tell you something soon. Meanwhile, don't forget telling us if you get something... Good luck!

[beltran_simo1]

I'll write this in Spanish since I won't be able to find a suitable translation in English:

 

"Se lo van a pasar por las nalgas"

 

I hope your actions will contribute towards a satisfactory solution, but Spain has denied "other cases" and the value of "anonymous forums since anyone could be posting about just anything"....

[keith_rolling]

Same problem here.

Purchased an FX9 camera from Comet in April and the LCD screen failed in September. Having returned it through the store panasonic are denying any design fault and claim impact damage.

INTERESTINGLY if you press the left hand "timer" button you can actually see the LCD screen distortion.