New camera - is it faulty?

ringo747 · 25 Jun 2011 at 14:13

Hi, hopefully someone can help. I just got a new Lumix FT3 rugged camera and I think there is a problem. Please look at the photos below. My brother knows a bit about photography and reckons it is a sensor issue.

I needed this for holidays and haven't time to return it. What should I do? Should I order a new one and hope it comes in time? Anyone know what amazon are like for returning stuff and stating faults?

In a bit of a panic to be honest.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25931/P1000025.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25931/P1000039.JPG

Edit: This is the camera - I don't know how I'd clean this!

Raymond Lin · 25 Jun 2011 at 14:15

Sensor dust.

Can clean/fix that in 15 min.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18226878&highlight=sensor+clean

mcc49 · 25 Jun 2011 at 14:16

First of all resize the images please, or link to the full size image. Looks to me to be either a dirty lens or sensor, if the lens is clean and its a fixed lens camera I would send it back for a replacement.

Razor-BladE · 25 Jun 2011 at 14:17

Holy big pictures!
As said, seems like sensor dust which can be cleaned quickly/simply enough.

Raymond Lin · 25 Jun 2011 at 14:22

if its a compact then return it. You can't clean that!

ringo747 · 25 Jun 2011 at 14:26

Thanks Ray and co. I think I will order a second one now and then return the first one as soon as I can. Hopefully the jungle will accept the return. Are they likely to ask for proof of a fault?

mcc49 · 25 Jun 2011 at 14:29

Dont worry too much about returning things to them, you have an account and all your purchase history is stored on it. Just email them and request a refund/replacement with your reason and they will get it processed.

ringo747 · 25 Jun 2011 at 14:30

My issue is that I cannot wait on a replacement as I am going on hols middle of next week!

Steve M · 25 Jun 2011 at 14:40

I take it the lens is completely clean?

ringo747 · 25 Jun 2011 at 14:40

Yeah we checked the lens. A new compact just shouldn't be like this I'm sure.

Steve M · 25 Jun 2011 at 14:43

No it shouldn't, must be the sensor.

ringo747 · 25 Jun 2011 at 14:58

I think the quality in general of the camera is a bit crap - maybe there are bigger issues.

ringo747 · 25 Jun 2011 at 19:26

Just been taking some test video on this camera and there is some funny noise in the background coming from the unit. Not impressed so far.

Edit:

Here is the link to the clip. You can hear the noise from the zoom but the other noise is really irritating.

haz_pro · 25 Jun 2011 at 20:49

You forgot the link fella.

ringo747 · 26 Jun 2011 at 00:50

Ooops - here goes:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25931/00003.MTS

ringo747 · 26 Jun 2011 at 14:41

Below is something I read in the menu - would this suggest that I am over-exaggerating a dirty sensor?