Dead CCD areas on PowerShot 20

[aric]

So, how common is it to have dead areas on your CCD?

If I take a photo in the dark without the flash, there are 4 pixels in different areas of the photo that are always the same color (i.e. not black like the rest of the image). One is purple, one is white, the others are bluishgreen.

These show up in all my images, it's just easier to see them on a black background.

So, how common is this? Is it easily fixed? How much will the repair cost assuming my S20 is out of warranty?

(Oh, and yes, I mean dead pixels on the CCD image sensor, not dead pixels on the LCD display.)

[hoogwegt]

Hello,
I too have a stuck pixel on my CCD (IXUS 330).
I can see it clearly (white) on the TFT monitor of the PC, but it does not show itself on printed photos (4x6 inch or A4). I think the ink of neighbouring pixels "flows" over it. I will not send my camera to Canon, because it does not hinder me any more and I am not certain to get my camera back in reasonable time and without other flaws (I have heard of that).
But 4 stuck pixels is a lot! You should send it in to Canon if there is garantee yet.
You can als try to free your photos of the stuck pixels by the program PixelZap. It works great and by no means worsens your pictures (http://www.tawbaware.com)! It keeps the Exif-information and there is no worsening because of Jpeg-ing again... It works in batch-mode to get all your photos free of the 4 stuck pixels in one command. After you have taken 1 "black" photo it subtracks that information from all your photos.
Good luck,
Jan

[kingmoose]

I just bought my camera and i've noticed one red pixel in the center of the lcd when in picture taking mode. When I print the pictures the pixel is right there in the center. Is this the same problem you folks are discussing. If it is I will exchange my camera.