Canon Recalls Thousands of PowerShot SX50 HS Cameras

Canon USA is recalling about 14,000 PowerShot SX50 HS cameras. As previously posted as a service notice the rubber of the viewfinder of some units of the Canon PowerShot SX50 HS compact digital camera may change color (turn white) after a short period of time.

Now according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, “a chemical used in the rubber part of the viewfinders on the camera can cause skin or eye irritation or an allergic reaction to the user.”

Canon says the phenomenon only affects “certain lots from September 1 through November 15, 2013.”  The affected cameras have serial numbers beginning with “69”, “70” or “71” and have “1” as the sixth digit of the serial number.

If you own one of the affected cameras you ought to contact Canon USA’s Customer Support Centre.

Canon Recalls Thousands of PowerShot SX50 HS Cameras

Canon Product Advisory

The rubber part of the viewfinder on some PowerShot SX50 HS compact digital cameras may turn white after a short period of time. Customer support for this phenomenon is described below.

We take great pride in the quality and performance of our products. We offer our sincerest apologies to any customers who may be inconvenienced.

Phenomenon

The rubber part of the viewfinder on some PowerShot SX50 HS compact digital cameras produced in certain lots from September 1 through November 15, 2013 may turn white after a short period of time. We have determined after inquiry with the rubber manufacturer and internal analysis that the white substance is zinc bis (N,N’- dimethyldithiocarbamate).

Zinc bis is not used in the production of this product. The reason this material was deposited on a small number of rubber parts of the viewfinder was the use of an improper vulcanization accelerant as part of a test by the manufacturer of this rubber part. The test rubber parts were inadvertently included in a shipment of conforming rubber parts. As a result the rubber part of the viewfinder may turn white due to a chemical reaction with the rubber accelerant and other substances. High temperature and high humidity may contribute to this condition. Zinc bis (N,N’- dimethyldithiocarbamate), which becomes deposited on the rubber surface, is created as a result of this chemical reaction.

Affected products

Only a small fraction of PowerShot SX50 HS compact digital cameras have viewfinders with a rubber part affected by this phenomenon.

This phenomenon may occur in cameras of which the first and second digits from the left in the serial number are “69”, “70”, or “71” and the sixth digit of the serial number is “1”.
(Example serial numbers of cameras that may be affected:
“69xxx1xxxxxx”, “70xxx1xxxxxx”, “71xxx1xxxxxx” (‘x’ can be any number))

Caution on use

Depending on one’s health and physical condition, in rare cases it is possible for low concentrations of zinc bis to cause allergic reactions, such as a rash, when it comes in contact with the skin of sensitive persons. In addition, if the eyes make contact with the substance, symptoms such as red eyes may develop.

As a precautionary measure, thoroughly wash your hands and rinse your eyes with water if they have come into contact with the rubber part of a viewfinder that has turned white. If any medical symptoms develop, please consult your physician immediately.

Support

If the camera meets the serial number criteria listed above, the product will be inspected and repaired free of charge. If you own one of the affected cameras please contact our Customer Support Center.

This information is for residents of the United States and Puerto Rico only. If you do not reside in the USA or Puerto Rico, please contact the Canon Customer Support Center in your region.